Goodbye July

As we prepare to flip the calendar, I will share that my photo was published in the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation calendar. My photo was awarded to be the month of July 2018.

August will be here tomorrow. My favorite month of the year.

Hot July brings picnic joys, Firecrackers for girls and boys.

In August swallows southward fly, summer's waning, fall is nigh 

Tasha Tudor  

 

On The Road Friday ~ Apostle Island Cruise ~ Bayfield, Wisconsin

It is On The Road Friday .. today we are off to the Apostle Islands.

We are taking a cruise, the only way to see the Apostle Islands.

 We will start our cruise in Bayfield, Wisconsin as we pull out of the harbor we spy a boat named Parlay.

noun

noun: parley; plural noun: parleys

a conference between opposing sides in a dispute, especially a discussion of terms for an armistice.

 

We can not help but think of Pirates of the Caribbean ..

"Parley. I invoke the right of parley. According to the Code of the Brethren, set down by the pirates Morgan and Bartholomew, you must take me to your captain."

Elizabeth Swann

As we cruised Lake Superior we learned from our Captain, that yes, long ago pirates lived on the South Shores of Superior in Wisconsin.

We learned the history of all the islands.
We got to see some of the old dwellings and hear stories from the past.
 

 The remains of an old fishing camp.
 

 The Apostle Islands
Each has a story ..

Basswood Island
Hermit Island
Michigan Island
Stockton Island
Oak Island
Outer Island
Manitou Island
Ironwood Island
Cat Island

Otter Island
South Twin Island
North Twin Island
Rocky Island
Devils Island
Bear Island
Raspberry Island
York Island
Sand Island

 Raspberry Island
and the famous 
Raspberry Island Lighthouse

 Click here to read more about Raspberry Island Lighthouse 

 Never fear this is not a sea monster of Lake Superior. It is a shipwreck!
Because of the cold waters of Lake Superior many of the shipwrecks can be seen by looking down. The Apostle Island Cruises offer a Shipwreck Cruise. 
 

 We are heading back to harbor, Bayfield, Wisconsin.

Goodbye, Lake Superior, we will be back soon.

Thank You for cruising along with me today on an Apostle Island Cruise.
 

The Boys in the Boat

I recently read Boys in the Boat. I highly recommend this story.
Click here for the authors website

We recently spent some time in Bayfield, Wisconsin. We visited a lovely Used Book Shop. While we looked, I started up a conversation with the owner of the shop. He had on a UW Rowing T-shirt. I asked him if he rowed? He had and his family also did. I shared with him how I read Boys in the Boat this winter. After reading the book, I was fascinated with rowing. 

He told me to walk outside and look up.

George Pocock makes the rowing shells. He is a huge reason the team is successful. His words of wisdom are featured at the start of each chapter of the book.
Here in Bayfield, Wisconsin the owner of the Book Shop has a George Pocock racing shell. I was all smiles! How exciting to see something I read about so vividly.

 
My boys also read the book, so they were just as in amazement as I was. It was a fun surprise!


More about our trip to Bayfield, Wisconsin coming up.

On the Road Friday ~ May 19th Plant Sale

Today we are going back in time to May 19th, to the North Country Master Gardner's plant sale.

 2018 was my first year to help with my garden group preparation for the Plant Sale. It was also the first year for our garden group to offer the Pollinator Six Pack.

I helped decide what plants to offer for the Pollinator Six Pack at the sale and created the educational posters and handouts.

 The day of the sale was May 19th also the day of the Royal Wedding. We added a few props around to celebrate.

  

The six pack containers are from a local Liquor Store, this is the Wine Six Pack. We found that our pots our plants are in, fit nice in the six pack. We created the Pollinator Six Pack .. six different plants to bloom all season and that attract pollinators.

 We are ready!

We also sell tomatoes and peppers. As you can see from the line outside waiting for the doors to open our garden group as a good reputation for quality tomatoes and peppers. 

We sold out of our Pollinator Six Packs. I was so happy it was a success. You always wonder when you try something new, so I was so happy people are excited about adding pollinator plants to their gardens.

Thank you for going way back in time with me to May 19th as I shared the plant sale, On The Road Friday.

Honesty Jar

 I started to sell flowers in 2012, it is a self serve Farm Stand and  I have an honesty jar system. I am thankful to say I have never had a problem. In fact I have received a couple of tips thru the years. 

Here is what I got this week .. I guess this flower farmer deserves an ice cold beer.

Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

I recently made Roasted Sweet Potato Salad.

Yum, we all enjoyed this recipe. The flavor was outstanding the next day. I do suggest preparing the night before to get the full flavor.

 

The recipe is from Averie Cooks click here to see more.

Ingredients:

• about 1 1/4 pounds sweet potatoes (about 2 jumbo), washed, peeled, and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• one 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 3 green onions, trimmed and thinly sliced (use the white and green)
• 1 medium red bell pepper, seeded and diced small
• 1 cup corn (I use frozen that I allowed to thaw)
• 1/2 cup cilantro leaves, minced (about half of 1 bunch)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice (lime juice may be substituted)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper, or to taste
• pinch cayenne pepper, optional and to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with a Silpat or spray with cooking spray and add the sweet potatoes in an even, flat layer. Evenly drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and bake for about 45 minutes, or until fork-tender and done. Halfway through baking flip potatoes to ensure even cooking. Baking time will vary based on size of potatoes, oven and climate variances, and I recommend starting to check at 30 minutes for doneness. While potatoes bake, prep and chop the remaining ingredients.
2. To a large bowl, add the black beans, green onions, red pepper, corn, cilantro; set aside.
3. To a large measuring cup or medium bowl, add the honey, dijon mustard, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt and pepper to taste, optional cayenne pepper, and whisk to combine; set aside.
4. After potatoes are cooked, add them to the bowl with the beans and vegetables, add the sauce, and toss to combine. Taste, check for seasoning balance (add more salt, pepper, touch of honey, lemon juice, etc.), make any necessary tweaks, and serve. Potato salad can be served warm, at room temp, or chilled and will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Meet Me in the Garden

 Hello to all my readers, I am inviting you to Meet Me in the Garden on July 17th. 

I know many of you live far, far away, but just in case you are in the area, I invite you to join us for a fun evening learning Tips and Tricks. I will be sharing tips and tricks on cut flowers.

 The Spooner Agriculture Research Station Teaching and Display Garden will again host visitors for a relaxing program in the garden on Tuesday, July 17 starting at 6:00 pm.  This garden session will focus on sharing tips, tricks, myths and truths

 

Last year's event, it was chilly. I do not think we will need long sleeves this year. We are having a warm and humid summer here in Northwest Wisconsin.

July, 2018 Spooner, Wisconsin.   – The Spooner Agriculture Research Station Teaching and Display Garden will again host visitors for a relaxing program in the garden on Tuesday, July 17 starting at 6:00 pm.  This garden session will focus on sharing tips, tricks, myths and truths.  Visitors can come with their own tips to share and UW-Extension Master Gardener Volunteers will be on hand to share theirs.  The evening’s program will include tidbits on cut flower tricks, garden photo techniques, tips on vegetable gardening, and phenology.  There will be interactive contests to test everyone’s knowledge and how to tell whether what we learned from our grandparents and parents hold up with the latest research. This year’s theme is “Get Social in the Garden”, a part of the All American Selections #AASWinners.  The Garden is one of eight in Wisconsin that display vegetable and flower varieties who have been awarded this designation as an outstanding cultivar.   For more information on the garden, upcoming events and blog posts go to the North Country Master Gardener Volunteers website at:  https://www.northcountrymgv.org/

Save these dates for the other programs at the garden:  the Twilight Garden Tour will be August 14 at 4:00 pm and on September 8 at 10:00 am the program will focus on harvest, seed savings and what was learned during this garden season. 

Remember to bring your own lawn chair for the Meet Me in the Garden Seminar.  The session is free and open to the public and will be held rain or shine – please dress accordingly.  In case of inclement weather, the program will be held at the Station Building at W6646 Highway 70, Spooner.    The garden is located on Orchard Lane, 1.5 miles east of Spooner on Highway 70 or 1/2 mile west of the Hwy 70/53 interchange.  Watch for garden meeting signs.

For more information and a map visit the station’s web site at: http://spooner.ars.wisc.edu/ or contact Kevin Schoessow or Lorraine Toman at the Spooner Area UW-Extension Office at 715-635-3506 or 1-800-528-1914.

Robert Kemp .. Canna Lily

I had all these canna lily rhizmoe that I saved last Autumn and they winter over well. My husband gave the suggestion I pot them and sell at market.

The following website is very interesting regarding Heirloom plants.

Cannas .. lost forever 

 I printed up photos of the photos we have taken of our Canna Lily over the years to share at market. The one thing about Canna that I love is the fact that pollinators LOVE them. If you love hummingbirds, you want to have a Canna Lily in your yard or on your deck.

 

 My husband was so impressed at how big the leaf got. He took this photo measuring the leaf with his phone.

 A photo of  the photo I took to market to share what the Canna bloom looked like.

  

My husband created this care sheet for me to pass out, it has information on the back as well. Canna's can be planted in pots. Many people do not know that. I have a Canna in a galvanized bucket on our North deck. The large green leafs are a favorite look of mine.

At market .. I am happy to report I spread Canna love to other yards in the area.

 

Petunias

Petunias

I recently wrote a post about Charles and his home made green house.

Click here to read about Charles. 

 Charles started many petunias. He asked if I would like cuttings back in April.

I said sure, I would never pass up a few petunias.

We did our cuttings from his plants and started my plants.

 Pretty in Pink .. here is a pot full of petunias that I started in April.

It is so fun to watch the entire process, of Charles starting the seeds, the plants doing so well he needed to cut them back. I got the cuttings and now have  lovely pots of pink petunia.

 Happy 4th of July to you.

 

The Little Garden That Could .. The New Farm Stand

Back in 2012, I started to sell flowers in the front yard.

I had a card table at first.

Then a little farmer market sand.

Each summer I would struggle with wind. Wind would knock over my flowers in jars and did not help vase life for the bouquet.

During the off season I talked to my contractor (aka my husband) about a design that could be enclosed, not cost much to make and not be an eye sore in the front yard.

 I wanted a rustic look.

Using the roof from my old farm stand. Lumber from my dad that he had in storage and other re purposed wood, my husband created my new farm stand.

 Here it is .. The New Farm Stand .. I am very happy with it. I have placed bouquets in it during the heat wave we have had and they did very well.

 The stand is located under our pine trees, it keeps it cool, the bouquets have shelter from the wind and it is rustic looking. All what I was looking for. My husband designed and built my new farm stand.

The walkway into the farm stand, steps and rocks around it all were designed and done by my youngest son, Atticus.

 The season has started and I am so happy to have this new farm stand to put my flowers.

Red, White and Blue bouquets just in time to celebrate the U.S. of A. 

Happy July

♥ 

Carla