Thursday, July 31, 2014

Country Living

 

My sister and brother-in-law live in Wisconsin where they raise organic chickens for family, friends, and a few customers.  I love to visit, especially when they have a new batch of peeps.



 These little ones just arrived and will spend several weeks in the Chicken Palace and fields before they go off to Freezer Camp.  Every day they feast on organic grains, kale from the garden, bugs, kitchen scraps, and grass.
 
The Chicken Palace
 
 
It's so peaceful there, with only the birds singing, insects buzzing, and great views of the green, hilly countryside of Wisconsin, where I grew up.

The corn, soybean fields, and gardens look just about perfect, and Wisconsin stands to have a record corn crop this year.


But, sometimes you just have to leave the farm and head to town for a little fun.  How better to travel than in my brother-in-law's restored 1952 Chevy! 

Nothing better than some ice cream on a hot summer day!


"A little Elvis, anyone?"

20 comments:

  1. Only the phones on the table give away the decade - or indeed the century.

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  2. It was when I got my chooks I turned veggie, I just couldn't do it, I couldn't eat chicken while I had one pecking on the kitchen widow for her dinner.

    We are not allowed to cook scaps in our homes any more by law over here incase of cross contamination of meat stock, the only exception is if you have a totally vegan kitchen. I know if they can't tax you they stop you having an independent life one way or another don't they?


    When I was walking the dogs the other day I met a lady who has chooks she said she had two in the garden and two in the freezer, hmmmmmmmmmm hubby thought it was funny. I'm such a wuss

    Your sisters place is beautiful and the car is lovely.

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    1. You can't feed your own chickens cooked scraps, even if you aren't going to eat said chickens?!! Well, that's just plain silly. I could never eat my own hens, either. They all had names!

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  3. What a beautiful place, the views are stunning and a delightful car. Have a great weekend.

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  4. Well !!!! Organic chickens??? I hope they have a free range environment when they are big enough to let out. Barn and caged chooks I think is CRUEL! I point blank refuse to buy at the supermarkets in the egg cartons - Caged or Barn Eggs. Good God, anyone with an ounce of rural upbringing can tell the difference when you crack the egg for frying, poaching or scrambled!
    The yolk is different (bright yellow and firm) as is the clear part which with caged or barn eggs is sloppy. I guess the chickens as shown are CAPONS! - de-sexed roosters??
    The 1952 Chevy would not be out of place in Havana, Cuba. It sure looks in immaculate condition. The young bloke in the Minnesota T-Shirt looks very much like me in the 60's and 70's. Same hair style and moustache! I think we called it the Mexican "Bandito" look!
    Still no bloody rain and the winds from the South are coming! Well it is August here! Pity there are 31 days of this month to put up with - Yuck.
    Cheers - great family photos - well done. ( Of course being from Minnesota - that is expected!!!!)
    Colin (Brisbane Australia)

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    1. Yes, they are free range chickens, outside all day once they reach an appropriate size, and back in the Palace at night for safety. Not capons, just a mix of boys and girls.
      The "young bloke" is going to be quite flattered -- he will retire in a few months! The blond is my sister, and the young lady is my daughter, adopted from Mexico.

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    2. Well I guess "the YOUNG BLOKE" somehow has stumbled across what we all aspire to achieve - " the art of retaining youthful looks"!!! Must be the Wisconsin weather?? I suppose waking up to that pristine countryside of that farm in the "warmer Wisconsin" months would be an asset?
      You all look remarkably youthful!
      Wonderful August has arrived - the temperatures have dropped considerably - only 30 days to go - ha ha!
      Cheers
      Colin (Brisbane. Australia)

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  5. Looks a very peaceful place.....love those chickens :) they really are cute..

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  6. Beautiful farmland. Wish everyone farmed chickens like that. Great old car. It looks like you had some family fun.

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  7. Wow, what an amazing car. We don't see those here anymore, that sun screen is so special!

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  8. That is the prettiest fence, gate, and chicken palace I've seen. I love the color! Love that old car too! Oh and those baby chicks...all looking at the camera.

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  9. Made me nostalgic for the farm. My job as a girl was to take care of the chickens, and the best part was those little chicks in the spring. Thanks for sharing your farm trip.

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  10. Cynthia, chickens are very nice. At my place chickens are symbol of Easter. The landscape is beautiful and greenery is fantastic. I would like to have that car but I think it cosst much more than my new one. You look so nice.

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    1. Thank you, Gosia. It was a "good hair day," ha ha.

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  11. Your daughter is very interesting young lady. But she is completely different from you.

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    1. It's funny, she is very much like me in every way but looks! We have a lot of fun together and many similar interests and opinions.

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    2. So it,s fantastic. You get on well with your daughter.

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  12. What a fabulous car! I was born in 57 and always wanted to drive a 57 Chevrolet! Last week I had chicks to cross the road in front of my car while I waited patiently!

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  13. Organic chickens sound very healthy. We have a ton of feral chickens running around Hawaii right now. Love that Chevy! Love Wisconsin too!

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