Exeland, Wisconsin - in the Fall

There is nothing quite like Wisconsin in the fall - leaves swirling at your feet, and lonely honks of migrating geese. Even as the beauty of fall shines, farmers are readying their barns to protect their animals from the immenent harsh winds and snow. My mother's family is from  Exeland. And my childhood memories of picking blackberries, scratching innumerable mosquito bites, riding in the hay wagon, and bringing in the cows for milking remain golden even though as an adult, I know the hardships that my grandmother and grandfather faced.

This time, instead of driving to nearby areas like Hayward, Spooner, and Rice Lake, we took the time to hike and capture the essence of the immediate farm area.

This area of Wisconsin is simply loaded with birch trees.

The occupants of the local beaver dam were shy so no candids of the frisky creatures.  

If you don't have a rural farming background, you might wonder why farmers always have an abundance of machinery on hand.  Consider this, a quick trip to the local hardware store is more than an hour away - one way. Love this texture and coloring -

My uncle raises beef cows. Inquisitive, they don't mind a nice rub on the muzzle. Outside of the farm, there are a few local places that are dear to my heart.

The Rock Castle.  When I was young, we would go here on Saturday nights where my Dad attempted to teach the intracies of pool to me.  Let's just say it was a lost cause.  I was far more interested in the jukebox and the treat of pizza.

Windfall Lake. Years ago, the lake was surrounded by pastures and hay fields.  Now, it features cozy cottages and is most peaceful at twilight and in the early morning.

One aged man -- one man -- can't keep a house,

A farm, a countryside, or if he can,

It's thus he does it of a winter night.

                                    Robert Frost

Beef Ribs on the Smoker

Somewhere in the middle of the week, the husband starts to ask, "What are we going to cook this weekend?"  He's being generous because let's be honest here, he's the one doing the cooking.  But, I'm game to this plan so I said, "beef ribs!"  And, the plan was made.

5 pounds beef ribs from Kalck's in Woodstock, Illinois

Rub room temperature ribs generously with yellow mustard.

Dry rub ingredients

1/4 cup kosher salt

1/4 cup light brown sugar

1/4 cup Penzeys Mignonette pepper

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 tablespoon onion powder

1/2 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon of season salt

Mix above dry ingredients then apply generously to ribs. Let set for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, prep the smoker.  We used cherry logs.  When the smoker reaches 225F, put the ribs on and smoke for 4-6 hours until internal temperature reaches 190F.

These are the finished ribs!  No sauce needed.

The Swedish Pancake

I've been thinking a lot about Sammy's on the Square lately particularly about their Swedish pancakes.  I even tried to make some but not having any Swedish relatives to speak of I had to resort to Pinterest to find a recipe.  The first one I picked was a failure. 

Me:  It was too thick, texture was right, taste was off.
Husband:  It tastes like flour and he would go no further.

The experiment was deemed a failure.

I moved on, exploring the ingredients of what might be considered "true" Swedish pancakes. Some recipes call for wheat flour and some for regular flour; some call for low-fat milk, some for cream.

I ask: What makes a fabulous Swedish pancake?

Photo: Food Network

Sharon, WI

My husband and I are always on the hunt for our next home.  The past two years, we were actively looking and bidding on properties. For one reason or another, each one fell through.  After our third or fourth attempt, we pulled back.  Thinking our timing was/is off, now we just drive past with no action to see the inside except for the use of online realty sites.  (And, for the fact that we decided to renovate our back deck, a home search is now officially delayed.)

Heading West on R173 from Richmond, Illinois, you can take a leisurely stroll into Sharon, WI.

 

We both love old homes, or shall I say "Vintage?" Either way, we want character.  The homes in Sharon have plenty of character.  Sharon isn't very large so take your time driving through the town.  

Walworth, WI

Cruising North from Richmond, Illinois, West through Genoa City and following Route B - you can take a lovely drive. It doesn't take long before farmhouses, corn fields, cows, and the miscellaneous creek (or do you say crick?) are part of the landscape. We recently discovered two gems in Walworth. Located on the West side of Lake Geneva, the sleepy town is host to summer tourists and winter outdoor enthusiasts but without the crowds of sister, Lake Geneva.  What gems did we discover?

The first, being on the hunt for chalk pain, we stumbled upon Angelus.

This is a huge place with an equally eclectic collection of vintage and newer items.  I loved these old lighted wagon wheels, painted and decked out with fairy lights.  Perhaps, when our front entrance is renovated, we can figure out a place for one? 

Sections of the store are separated into vinnettes - kitchen, bedroom, garden - each more fascinating than the last. They also have workshops!  Gotta love a great class. They are closed on Tuesdays so plan accordingly.

Because we were hungry, when aren't we? We went looking for food and found Sammy's on the Square in Walworth.  I cannot tell you how absolutely delicious the Swedish pancakes are here.  Truly.  I dream about them.  Since we've been once, I've tried other Swedish pancakes and they just don't compare.  Sammy's are melt in your mouth awesome!  You just have to try them. 

I wanted to check back with y'all (borrowed from my sister in North Carolina - and too much Fixer Upper) about the color choice of my chicken coop.  Here it is, freshly painted and it is perfect! Just what I wanted.  Paint Color: Behr, Paint & Primer, Midnight in New York.

Disclaimer: To be honest, I might say y'all from time to time, but when I was watching The Closer, I couldn't stop saying "Thank you" without sounding like Kyra Sedgwick.

Kenosha's HarborMarket and Fiddlehead

The air was crisp this morning and after the storm clouds skipped on, we had brilliant skies. There is an urgency to our outdoor activities - everyone knows cold is coming ... but not yet.  We took a ride, heading east on Route 50 into Kenosha turning into Kenosha's HarborMarket from 3rd Avenue.  If you've never travelled this way, it's worth parking the car and taking a stroll.  Beautiful homes with Lake Michigan sparkling in the background, gorgeous.

We've been unable to fit the HarborMarket into our Saturday schedule so today we simply made it happen.  Flowers, brats, mushrooms, snow cones, a Tomato Contest, more flowers, handmade soap, turned wood bowls, more flowers, the list goes on an on.  I have to say, I've never seen homegrown carrots so large!  

Surrounded by park, lake and sailboats, we leisurely strolled along the stalls.

We had other errands to do this morning so I wasn't able to purchase the flowers …. I wonder if I can squeeze in one more trip before they close for the season?

Not one to miss a knitting store opportunity, I made a pitstop in at Fiddlehead Yarns.   One of the local yarn stores that I visit frequently (ahem), I stopped in today and was admiring the color choices of the Jamieson's wool.   I plan on getting out my knitter's graph paper and some colored pencils and start playing around … I've had a big love affair with green recently.

I recently finished my Moebius Cowl #28 and am rather obsessed with fair isle patterns.  And since obsession turns to research in my case, I came across the Peerie Flooers by Kate Davies and have now started following her. Have you seen her wedding dress? Oh my glory!

Not only does she have the creme' de la creme' of wedding dresses, she made a button bouquet, her groom's cabled socks and so much more. It's worth a look - several actually - I sigh in admiration.

Walworth County Fair, Wisconsin

When I was in fifth grade, I joined the local 4-H group, the Lakefront Lancers. We didn't have the ability to raise cows, sheep, or chickens, but we could craft, and we did.  I have wonderful memories of the Lake County Fair and I'm always a little disappointed when I visit the 4-H exhibits that are so much smaller now.

But, the Walworth County Fair is a fair that captures the memories of my youth - cows, sheep, chickens, goats - they have it all plus more. I will also add that the number of adult craft exhibits is wonderfully large and worth some serious study - this is a sample of one of the quilts, hand quilted.  I adored the use of color, the design - just wonderful.

From Richmond, Illinois, simply head north on Route 12 and exit on NN into Elkhorn. The fair runs every Labor Day weekend. This year, the monster truck rally took place Friday night when we went. It was a glorious evening, smells of funnel cakes and roasting sweet corn peppered the air.  My kid is all about funnel cakes, a true fair highlight. 

I am fairly proud of my tomato plants (small but plentiful) in my garden this year. Well, at least until I saw these mega veggies!

 How do they do this?  Is it manure?  Is it the seeds? Do they sprinkle magic fairy dust? Look at those cabbages! Magnificent.  If you missed the fair this year, get it on your calendar for next - a great family night out.