Renegade Chickens

Renegade Chickens - those who make their nests away from the coop.  I love these independent hens.  Maybe, because I can relate to their personality.  I have been told - "you are such a renegade."  I didn't take it as an insult - I like independent, free thinkers and was happy she though I was one.  

Al went to get the paper this morning and said that there was a hen with some chicks down by the road.  Cute little white hen with 4 chicks.  She was just a clucking away - calling them to follower her - and get away from me.  

I looked around for her nest.  I wanted to see where she had been sitting and hiding for the last 20 some days.  Here it is, in the tiger lilly plants around our tree.

When she saw me over by her nest, here she came just a clucking away.

You know I can still see you....

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Donald Driver - #80 Packer - Here in Wausau

I checked my phone this morning, flipping through the tweets and saw this one from Donald Driver

Say what??? Donald Driver in Wausau??? Well, when will I ever get another chance to see him in person.  So, I called my niece and made arrangements to pick up her boys, Caleb and Ethan. We also met Crystal and her kids there too.  

I knew the teller at the bank - Marilyn and asked her if Donald Driver was there yet.  She had no idea what I was talking about.  She asked her supervisor and she told her he was at the Jefferson Inn for a luncheon.  BMO Harris is the corporate sponsor for Donald's charity "Driven to Achieve."

So we all walked down to the Jefferson Inn - we saw this

  The limo driver said we just missed him.  I said we will wait for him to come out.  We were the only ones there.  Then around the corner came TV 9 Melissa Langbehn.  She interviewed us.  I put that link from WAOW on the post before this one.  Slowly a few more people came - but, we were the first.  This time my crazy OCD paid off in our getting to see such a great person - Donald Driver.  I respect him not only for his achievements on the field, but his character off the field as well.   Crystal wasn't sure about following me into this "stalking", but she was happy her kids were able to see him as well.  Arianna actually blew kisses to him and he rolled down the window and blew some back to her.  She was so excited as she yelled "I love you..." What a fun afternoon!  Here are some other pictures.

We actually waited over 1 1/2 hrs. Melissa complimented us on how well behaved "our" kids were.  Good job  you guys.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Newsline 9 talks to Donald Driver during his visit to Wausau

Newsline 9 talks to Donald Driver during his visit to Wausau

Diners, Drive Ins & Dives - Milwaukee, WI - Cempazuchi Restaurant

I have been trying to go to some of the places featured on the Food Network show - Diners, Drive Ins & Dives.  This one is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin - noted for authentic Mexican food. 

Cempazuchi Restaurant:  http://www.cempazuchi.com/main_page.html

The food was VERY good - the service - super!  I don't remember the names of our dishes - as I forgot most of my high school Spanish - but, here are the pictures of our meal.  

Anna had a chicken tortilla soup and a shrimp sandwich.  Jon had chicken tortillas.  Al had the perch tacos - the item featured by Guy on the show.  I had the skirt steak - super tender and spicy!

With Jon in college down in Milwaukee and it looking like Anna will go next year - we will be stopping here again!  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Peach Pies

As I mentioned yesterday - I did make some pies.  I actually tried 2 different recipes to see which was the best one.  I had my family vote and it is a tie.  Al said they both were equally good for different reasons.  I would agree.

Pie A:  

This recipe was out of Taste of Home.  

Pie B:

This recipe out of an old cookbook.

Both pies had a strussel top crust.  I actually used store bought pie shells (on sale for $1 each) and put in my own larger pan.  

For both pies I started out with the peaches

I washed, peeled and cut into slices right off the pit.

Now for the recipes:

Pie A:  was all about the peach.  No other flavors added - so the peach was the star.

1 egg white
1 unbaked shell
3/4 C flour
1/2 C brown sugar
1/3 C white sugar
1/4 C butter
6 C fresh peaches - sliced

Brush your shell with the beaten egg white.  Set aside.  Combine flour, sugars and butter until it forms fine crumbs.  Put 2/3 mixture into the shell, add the sliced peaches and sprinkle remaining crumbs on top.  Bake 375 for 40-45 min.

Pie B:  was more about the spice.  

6 C fresh peaches - sliced
1/2 C white sugar
1/4 C brown sugar
3 T corn starch
1/4 t nutmeg
1/4 t cinnamon
1/8 t salt
1 lemon - zest and juice
1 T butter

Combine peach slices with sugars.  Let rest to develop the juice - 30 minutes or so.  Combine corn starch, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, zest and juice from 1 lemon in a small sauce pan.  Strain off the juice from the peaches.  Stir well as not to make lumps.  I mixed together before adding the heat.  Once thick add the butter and pour over the peaches.  

Pour into your shell.  Top with the following:

1 C brown sugar
1 C flour
1/4 C butter
2 t cinnamon

Combine the above till forms fine crumbs and sprinkle on top of the peaches.  Bake 375 40-45 min.  

I liked both pies.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Peach Cobbler

Peach Cobbler

We went for a car ride up to Gleason, WI.  There is a cute store up there called Prairie Pines (sorry, not sure of whole name) that is run by the Mennonite community.  They have bulk spices, baking supplies and produce.  We bought a case of peaches - $15 for 25#.   They are so delicious!

So, I have peaches - I found this recipe on pinterest it is so good!  Here is the link:  http://www.thefoodhussy.com/2011/02/recipe-peach-cobbler.html#_a5y_p=925044

Super easy and really good!  I thought it was crazy to add the boiling water...she is right, it really works!

I'm making 2 peach pies today and will post the recipes with pictures.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Marathon County Landfill Tour

For our August 4-H meeting, we had a tour of the Marathon County Landfill - it is, after all, right here in Ringle.  One of our "dads" works for the construction company that is digging the new section of the landfill.  So, he arranged a tour for us.  

I've been to the "dump" many times before.  Al and I have taken our trip to the pile and unloaded.  A sad, but vital truth to the world we live in.  We have waste and it has to go somewhere.  

The new construction area is built under the strictest DNR guidelines using leak proof liners.  The landfill has a staff that is ecologically minded and has considered the impact that this area has on our environment.  When they logged off this new area, they were able to sell, reuse and recycle all parts to the hardwoods right down to the stumps.  

The tour educated our 4-H'rs about recycling and being conscious of creating or using less waste.  I liked that they had a FREE area for items that could be reused.  This was mostly for items that we shouldn't throw away - unused or slightly used - paint, furniture stripper, spray cans of all kinds.  I actually saw a few things I could use.  I'm going to send them a letter and suggest that they pull to the side other items that they could sell.  I actually saw a neat bubble gum machine next to the dumpster.  I bet they could sell that as a donation to the landfill.  You know me...

They also have nature trails through the landfill.  The director has made it her mission to "beautify" the area.  She is currently managing 50 Bluebird boxes.  She said they have a snowshoe club that uses the trails in winter - I have to remember that.  Here are a few pictures of the night.

  This is a pile of dirt - you know boys and dirt and rocks...even Al wanted to climb on it...but, thought he was too old...I wanted to too...

Truthfully, we need to be good stewards with what God has given us.  If we didn't have facilities like this one that is safe for our environment - we would have garbage just "dumped" all over.  Unfortunately, it sometimes sill happens in rural areas.  As a Ringle resident, I'm happy I was able to go on this tour and learn more about my neighbor - the landfill.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

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