Tri-County Dairy Breakfast- 6-9-12

Hello there friends. I am praying you are having a good weekend. Ours here at the farm has been pretty busy.We have had wonderful weather, sure makes it hard to stay inside and get things done around the house!!
Yesterday we started the day by getting up early, getting the chores done and getting going!! We had a dairy breakfast to get too! June is dairy month and well what is Wisconsin known for dairy cows and the products that are made from that milk. So off to the dairy breakfast we went with our mouths watering and our stomachs growling.

The local kids made posters that were very cute! Great job guys!

This is a great cow! Someone has talent!

This is where Mikhaila got excited. If you know my daughter she LOVES food- the more the better. So when she saw 4 of these griddles lined up she was SO happy! She thinks we need to get one of these- she reminds me every time she sees one at one of these events. LOL Like where would I put it? Isn't it alittle extreme  to cook for two on one of these???

Can we just say yum!! Yes we have ice cream on our pannie cakes! Oh its is divine.

Yes strawberries as well. The crop must be good this year as they are selling them along the roadside from the various farms, lots of buckets. I need to get some this year and make some jam.

Isn't he cute?? Yes he came around to give folks seconds on the pancakes. Love the chaps!

I should be up there driving! LOL Nobody would be safe!

I rally am not mean- just had sun in my eyes!

Some of the people that were there. We were the early birds- it started at 6:30 and we were there at 6:45! As we left there was quite the line! Some people say that they have over 1,500 that come to the breakfast! Way to support the event! Thanks to all the volunteers and thanks to all the farmers!

Ok I really like John Deere tractors. I really have no idea why as I have never owned one. I don't even know what my farmers in the family drive. Maybe its the color, all I know is that they are sooo cool!

The little kids had a blast in these blue barrels. What a great way to put these barrels to good use!!

Ok Mikhaila had to get a picture of the cow. Since she was little she loves the people dressed up as different things- IF she can tell they are human. If its a costume with a head thing on that makes them not look human than she doesn't like them. Once she told the Easter Bunny who had a real hot and elaborate costume on that he was not the Easter Bunny, he was just a human dressed like the Easter Bunny! Fun huh?

The red hat ladies were there dishing up yummy ice cream! Yes breakfast followed up by ice cream!

This was amazing. All of these were built and painted and well created by some guys.Very elaborate, detailed, miniature and so detailed! What a fabulous job they did!

Love the piggies and the mom in the haystack!

What can I say this was one of my favorites. Love the wily fox!

Each cow had his name over them on little pieces of wood! Very cool! This was another thing I thought wow wouldn't this be something awesome to pass down to your kids. What a cool hobby- so much talent!

Well that was the Dairy breakfast. Thanks to all those who helped put it on- you all did a wonderful job! Before we left a friend a friend got a picture of the two of us- thanks Otto

Free drawing for Break Through!

I am extending this for today as I did not get the drawing done yesterday. I am currently reading the book and I have to say its an easy read- not like a doctor using big words we don't know, it gives you examples of the behaviors, it makes sense! I am learning a lot - I read some and then put the book own to process it and yes I have underlined the things that I really need to work on. If you would like to be in the drawing leave a comment and I will draw this evening. Good luck!

Break Through....my first book giveaway!

Hey everyone this is my  first ever book giveaway here on my blog! I am so excited! I want to thank Worthy Publishing for sending me a book to review as well as an extra one to send to one of my followers. Please leave me a comment that you went on the website and if you listened to the interview or started reading the first chapter. I will pick a winner next Monday- June 11th. Good luck to everyone and thank you for reading the blog!

When to Give In, How to Push Back. The Moment that Changes Everything

This book shows readers how to protect themselves from the controlling or irresponsible behaviors of others—spouses, parents, friends, or co-workers. Does this sound like a  book that you should read, or maybe someone else in your family should pick-up? Hey we all have those relationships that we were dealt ( ie- family), as well as  those we have to put up with (ie- job).This book helps us be able to learn when we should put up with something and when we should push back and not cave in. Break Through has a self test to help get you back in control as well as useful tools to make some big, healthy changes in your life.

I have to say I am starting the book tonight. I really wanted to be able to review this book as I have some people in my life that are really obstacles for me. I am so glad that Worthy Publishing decided to send out a  copy of the book  so that I can work through it, apply the tools to help me have a healthy, non- abusive relationship with some very co-dependent people. None of us are perfect but life is really too short to live in bad, abusive, un-healthy relationships!

I invite you to go to   http://worthypublishing.com/books/Break-Through/  you can listen to an audio interview as well as read chapter 1 of the book. If you can't wait to get the book, it is in stores now, both Amazon as well as Barnes and Noble are carrying it.

I am off to read.... thank you for stopping  by. Good luck in the drawing!

Spooner Advocate Column - June 7 , 2012

Good Morning Neighbors! Well it is a bit cool out there today but the birds are happy and talking. It is so fun to see them fly 100 mph and then swoop down and scoop up a feather, they really like the fuzzy, down from the geese. The Indian Paintbrush flowers are scattered throughout my yard- I think they are so attractive. I have to say there are a lot of flowers growing in the ditches! I wonder if I would get in trouble if I dug some of the white daisy, brown-eyed susans, wild roses, the wonderful ferns up? If I do get thrown in the pokey will someone come bail me out? LOL

I see that Music and Movie Mondays are starting over at the Pavilion in Shell Lake, at 7:30 pm. Sounds like it will be a great time! I am planning on going over there and surprise my daughter with some mom and daughter time. What a great family date night! Plus the cost is awesome too. Thanks to all that work and donate money to put this on.

Our sympathies go out to the family of Kim Irvine, Trego, May 24, 2012. As well as Bonnie Butenhoff, Trego, May 26, 2012.

Looks like Pete Hubin of the Shell Lake/ Spooner area just published his fourth book, a Brook Runs Through It. Some of you might know him as a science teacher, football coach, or maybe you know him from one of his other books. I have to say I have not read any of his books yet.... but they are going on the reading list. I am always interestd in local authors that write books, its always fun to see what local sites they choose to include. I also encourage you to get a child interested in where they live, what the history is of the area and what authors, artists,etc com from that area. A real easy way to do that is to get a book, there a ton of Wisconsin authors and a wonderful variety of topics. If you are interested in getting  a copy of Mr. Hubins book they are selling them at the Washurn County Register newspaper office. If you would like to make a list of books that you have read or want to read a great place to start is www.goodreads.com, if you make a reading list please share it by friending me in Goodreads!

Tara Carlson informed me that Jane Evershed would be open to offering art classes at the Community Center in Sringbrook. Jane Evershed is a wonderful local artist, located here in Springbrook. I had to go and check out Ms. Evershed as I had not heard of her and was curious of her work. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at the work she does. Another great find in the woods of NW Wisconsin! If you are interested in classes at the Community Center you can give Tara a call at 651-983-2960 or Jane a call at 715-766-3604. Also if you would like to go to Jane's website it is www.evershed.com.

One more thing that I would like to bring up is all the great herbs we can grow in the garden, sometimes growing wild.  This year I have been trying out new things- I made dandelion jelly, I have eaten lambs quarter with garlic and olive oil- yum! I still have not eaten Nettle although I want to still try it. People are interested in things that they can eat that just grow naturally on there own, I was amazed at how many people looked at the post about dandelion jelly on my blog!  If you are new to herbs or want to get more information about a certain one a great site to go to is www.herbsociety.org. I see they have great articles on different herbs that you can download, under the resource button they have a great program called Thyme 4 kids. This would be a great starting point to teach the young ones about herbs, the benefits of growing and using them. Wouldn't it be fun to have a class on herbs?

As always thank you for reading the column. Make sure you let me know if you have info to share with your neighbors. You can reach me at twogirlsandagarden@hotmail.com. Until next time I will be busy in the kitchen- onion jelly, the sewing room- graduation quilt and the garden- have to get one planted. Thank goodness my friend Cris is bringing me some plants today- I wonder what kind she is blessing me with. I am so excited!

Sheep and Fiber Day- Part 2

Hello there- I am glad you stopped by. I am going to share the last pictures from the Sheep and Fiber day that I attended over the Memorial day weekend. If anyone out there is raising sheep, or other animals for that matter holding a learning day on the farm is really a great way to share your farm as well as the other "businesses" that can come from those interests. Deb has sheep however, she sells the lambs, uses and sells the wool, and sells the items made from the wool. It is a great tool to teach the community where things come from, how they are made and in doing this hopefully spark some interest in the future generations! Also did I mention she had turkeys??

Not a great picture but they were so cool I had to take it. I love the males when they fan their tails!

Isn't he handsome? They had two hens sitting on eggs so I hope they all hatch out!

Really like this table to shear them on! Farmers can be so inventive!

Lots of wool coming off these guys. Made me want to get in there and start cleaning and washing it just to see what the end product will look like!

Hey there!

This guy came out to say hello as I was leaving the farm.I had to take pictures of him as he looks like my Willie at home!

He is so cute! Very friendly too!

This was my felting projected, it is dry now and I still have not trimmed it as you can see. I think it turned out cool~ it will make a nice coaster for my glass.

Back side- I really like the colors!

Again a BIG thanks to all the ladies and men who put this all together! I had fun and learned some new things. Until next time..... enjoy the day!

Break Through....my first book giveaway!

Hey everyone this is my  first ever book giveaway here on my blog! I am so excited! I want to thank Worthy Publishing for sending me a book to review as well as an extra one to send to one of my followers. Please leave me a comment that you went on the website and if you listened to the interview or started reading the first chapter. I will pick a winner next Monday- June 11th. Good luck to everyone and thank you for reading the blog!

When to Give In, How to Push Back. The Moment that Changes Everything

This book shows readers how to protect themselves from the controlling or irresponsible behaviors of others—spouses, parents, friends, or co-workers. Does this sound like a  book that you should read, or maybe someone else in your family should pick-up? Hey we all have those relationships that we were dealt ( ie- family), as well as  those we have to put up with (ie- job).This book helps us be able to learn when we should put up with something and when we should push back and not cave in. Break Through has a self test to help get you back in control as well as useful tools to make some big, healthy changes in your life.

I have to say I am starting the book tonight. I really wanted to be able to review this book as I have some people in my life that are really obstacles for me. I am so glad that Worthy Publishing decided to send out a  copy of the book  so that I can work through it, apply the tools to help me have a healthy, non- abusive relationship with some very co-dependent people. None of us are perfect but life is really too short to live in bad, abusive, un-healthy relationships!

I invite you to go to   http://worthypublishing.com/books/Break-Through/  you can listen to an audio interview as well as read chapter 1 of the book. If you can't wait to get the book, it is in stores now, both Amazon as well as Barnes and Noble are carrying it.

I am off to read.... thank you for stopping  by. Good luck in the drawing!

Update on fruit- what may or may not be available.

I like to share info from local people. This is from the Country Lane Market and Pantry, in Barron- they are a good store to get spices and all kinds of goodies from. If you live in the area they are worth checking out.

Season’s Greetings,

   As you all know, summer is fast approaching and bringing with it another "fruit season".

Here is an up-date to our valued customers with the information the orchards are giving us. As a fruit supplier we are dedicated on trying our best to bring the best and so we were hoping for a more normal year in fruit. However this does not look like it's going to be easy this year, Frost!!! There was Frost on all tree fruit in Michigan and much of the east.

   No frost Washington Cherries - although the only Cherries in the nation not to receive frost. Washington has a good crop of Cherries. We expect demand to be higher than in the past. Washington Rainer & Bing cherries will be available by approximately July 1^st.

   As of now we have no pricing on any fruit.

No definite pricing will be available until fruit is being harvested.

Michigan Peach trees will get a break this year.

 South Carolina peaches should be available from the end of June until the middle of September. We are expecting slightly higher prices on #2 and #1 fruit.

     Blueberries in Michigan at this time look like about a 60-75% crop. They should be in full swing by the 4th of July and go until the end of August. One of the growers stated (price is not going to be an issue, but availability will be). It may be; if we want blueberries we will have to pay more. Oregon does have a good crop and we will try to move them into the market.

    Apricots good crop out of North West.

  Washington Pears will be available at the end of August.

Plums we are not sure how they will turn out.

  Grapes Harvest May be the second week of September.

As soon as we know prices we will email the information…

To order Fruit you can go to this link http://www.countrylanemarket.com/fresh-fruit-order-here.html  or call it in or stop in at the store.

We are trying to get a few early South Carolina Peaches coming next week; they will only be sold for fresh eating each because they are semi cling peaches. The Price for the early Peaches will be around $1.45 lb. Expect another email confirming this by this coming Saturday! 06/09/12

                  Thank You!

        Ezra & Connie Bender

   Country Lane Market & Pantry

           1642 16^th St.

        Barron, WI. 54812

          715-637-5367

   countrylane@skywalkwireless.com

Pictures from Sheep and Fiber day! Part 1

Good morning friends. I have missed you! I have not been able to really posted anything with pictures as Mikhaila had the laptop and she was gone for a couple weeks! So here I am finally able to share some stuff with you. I am going to start out by posting some pictures of the Sheep and Fiber day that I went to down in Rice Lake- such a lovely group of ladies- and talented!

Deb- the lady in pink. We were at her farm, she loaded up the sheep to shear the wool. I had to see this as I have to get Bob done and am kind of afraid to do it! LOL

The ewe looks like she is unhappy but this was her first time with the clipper and sh handled it like a champ! I am sure she was hot and itchy!

Deb made this holding table, very slick piece of equipment! It allows you to load the sheep in and tie them by the head and shear the side closest to you.

Then you can go to the other side and gt that side done as well.

Tada!!! A little sheep that is soooo happy! Now she can be cooler and start growing a fleece all over again! After watching the demo I feel a little better.  However, I don't have th cool table and I have a bigger sheep!

This table you learned about felting. You could make a ball, or a coaster, a book marker. Depends on how much you wanted to work the wool.

Don't you love the colors! Alittle soap and water and some friction and you can felt your wool!

The demo area of weaving on a triangle loom. These will make a triangle shawl. Lovely!

Spinning wheel. She had a great seat inside the building and what a nice breeze!

I really want a wheel! She was so good at her work, and could talk while dong it! LOL

Where you paid for your goodies that you had to have! Those are coasters on the left that have been felted.

Here is a better picture of the coasters and I liked the ear warmers! They were lined on the inside, they would be great for winter- hate to think of that, but it will be here eventually!

Now the fun begins, start picking the veggie material out of the fleece.

Young person showing carding and combing. He was adding different colors together to make a lovely batt then that could be spun into yard or felted.

 

So that is part one of the pictures that I have. I am really glad that I went and a big thanks goes out to all the people who worked hard putting this event together! Thank you for sharing your love of wool, spinning and all the stuff you can do with it!