February
Holy smokes! It is February 2023 and I have seemed to have misplaced an entire blogging year! Did you wonder where I was hiding? Last January I committed to posting monthly about the seasonal changes...
Apostle Islands and Madeline Island
Exploring lighthouses, a waterfall, the rocky shoreline of The Apostles National Lakeshore, and sea caves.
DIY Lavender Fabric and Linen Spray
Lavender is a scent that reminds me of summer. If you grow lavender in your flower garden and sit outside, that heavenly scent will drift in and out of your seating area. I find the...
Enger Park Duluth
Enger Park in Duluth, Minnesota is one fabulous park to explore. The park has walking paths, a tower with a panoramic view of Duluth, and a Japanese peace garden. General Info General: Enger Park sits...
Redhead Duck
The redhead duck (Aythya americana) is a medium-sized diving duck. The duck is about 37 cm (15 in) long with an 84 cm (33 in) wingspan. The duck is a summer resident of Wisconsin.
January
Well, Happy New Year! Hope you are settling into your new year. January 2022 – It’s cold! But, did we expect anything less from the Wisconsin winter? Welcome to the phenology posts. The posts will...
White-lined Sphinx Moth Caterpillar
White-lined Sphinx Moth Caterpillar This White-lined Sphinx Moth Caterpillar (Hyles lineata) might not look like much now, but he grows up to be the white lined sphinx moth which most people mistake for a hummingbird.
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Eastern Gray Squirrel The Eastern gray squirrel is found mainly in mature hardwoods & deciduous forest areas but is also abundant in urban, suburban, and rural areas. The coats of the gray squirrel are generally...
Milkweed Tussock Moth Caterpillar
Milkweed isn't just for Monarchs. The Milkweed Tussock Moth Caterpillar uses it for a food source too. Then it becomes the Milkweed Tiger Moth.
Common Scorpionfly
So what is this crazy-looking insect? Have you seen one before? This is the common scorpionfly. To me, there is nothing common about the look of this little guy.
Collecting and Planting Milkweed Seed
Collecting and planting milkweed seed is a way to make sure we have a future healthy monarch population.
Look To Nature When Deciding When To Plant Yearly Vegetable Gardens
Look To Nature When Deciding When To Plant Yearly Vegetable Gardens There has never been a fast and hard rule for timetables for the weather. Each year planting is different and can vary from the...
Red-Breasted Nuthatch
Our winter visitors the red-breasted nuthatch is at back for the season. As soon as the weather starts getting cold, I will usually see my first red-breasted nuthatch.
3 Ways to Dry Fruit for the Birds
3 Ways to Dry Fruit for the Birds As the year goes on and the weather turns a little cooler I find myself drying more fruits and berries for the birds. It is a fairly...
Coffee Mug Designs
Coffee Mug Designs Welcome to my coffee mug designs. My storefronts vary, so each design will carry the storefront link under the design. It doesn’t matter what storefront I advertise a design in – each...
Snowshoeing in Neshota Park Denmark Wisconsin
Snowshoeing in Neshota Park Denmark Wisconsin Today I headed out to go snowshoeing in Neshota Park Denmark Wisconsin. The park is excellent in all seasons, as you will see from some of the pictures. The big...
The Last Covered Bridge in Wisconsin
The Last Covered Bridge In Wisconsin Wisconsin once had over 40 covered bridges. The last covered bridge in Wisconsin is located in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. That is just an amazing fact to me. General Info General:...
Fungus Gnat Indoor Houseplant Recipe
Fungus Gnat Indoor Houseplant Recipe Have little black flies around your houseplants? Fungus gnats are what you have. Mix up this fungus gnat indoor houseplant recipe to kill the fungus gnat larvae in the infected soil.
Wequiock Falls Green Bay
Wequoick Falls Green Bay, WI Wequiock Falls Green Bay is one of Brown County’s small roadside parks. A wonderful stop-off between Green Bay and Door County, WI.
Grand Island Michigan Ice Caves
Grand Island Michigan Ice Caves Second day of our two day trip to Upper Michigan. Today we are headed to Grand Island Michigan ice caves and we have Green and Blue Spikes Of Kryptonite on our...
Devils Punchbowl
Roadtrip! Destination Devils Punchbowl in Menomonie, Wisconsin. From our home in Green Bay, it is almost a four-hour drive. The weather is nice, so why not. My daughter has the day off and it is...
Make Your Own Suet Recipe
Make Your Own Suet Recipe Make your own suet recipe to feed the birds. There is a slew of items that you can serve suet in to keep your birds happy year-round.
Snow Bunting Birds
Snow Bunting Birds Today, I was able to capture snow bunting birds on camera. Snow buntings are birds of the high Arctic that visit us during the winter months..
Storing Tuberous Begonia for Winter
Storing Tuberous Begonia for Winter Did you believe you had to throw out your beautiful plants at the end of each season? Nope. Don’t! I’ll show you how easy storing tuberous begonia for winter really...
Dark Eyed Junco Birds At Feeder
Dark-eyed Junco In Wisconsin, the dark-eyed junco seems to arrive around the third week of September. They come in mid-fall and stay for the duration of the winter. Adults generally have gray heads, necks, and...
Life Cycle of a Monarch Butterfly
Life Cycle of a Monarch Butterfly The life cycle of the monarch butterfly is one of beauty.
Eben Ice Caves Eben Junction Michigan
Eben Ice Caves Eben Junction Michigan Last weekend our family traveled to the Eben Ice Caves are located in Eben Junction, Michigan. Eben Junction is about 32 miles away from Marquette, Michigan. Our destination was...
Tins Signs Advertising
Collection of images of old tins, signs, advertising Americana that feature early artwork. – the memorabilia and marketing that made some companies flourish and others fail. Americana encompasses not only material objects but concepts and...
Overwintering Geraniums
Don't Throw Out Your Geraniums! Steps For Overwintering 1.) Remove each individual geranium plant from the soil and shake off dirt. 2.) Cut the greens and stems back to around 2 inches. 3.) Place all...
How to Tell Male and Female Monarch Apart
Ever wonder how to tell male and female Monarch apart? Maybe, the thought never crossed your mind. Well, in order to capture the lifecycle of the Monarch you would need to know your male from...
Maple Syrup Tree Tapping
Maple Syrup Tree Tapping Today, we are maple syrup tree tapping. I thought spring was supposed to be here already in the Midwest, at least the calendar states it is. I like to see the snow...
Poinsettia Care
Poinsettia Care The do’s and don’ts of poinsettia care. Keep your plant healthy and blooming throughout the Christmas season.
Whitefish Dunes State Park
Whitefish Dunes State Park Whitefish Dunes State Park is an 863-acre park in Door County, Wisconsin that has beautiful hiking trails a Lake Michigan beach, and the highest sand dunes in Wisconsin. General Info General: State...
American Spikenard
American spikenard is a shrubby spiny herb plant that grows 3-5 feet tall in shady woodland habitats. The plant is native to The United States and Canada.
Black-capped Chickadee
The black-capped chickadee might be one of the most recognized birds next to the Red Cardinals, Blue Jays, and Robins. The fluffy little Chickadee comes freely about dwellings even in towns and cities.
Growing Garden Potatoes
One of the staple crops in both home and community gardens is potatoes. Growing garden potatoes is not difficult if you have the knowledge upfront to make you successful. Growing Garden Potatoes Soil Preparation One...
Copper Falls State Park
Copper Falls State Park is located at 36664 Copper Falls Rd n Mellen, Wisconsin. The park has a beautiful gorge, waterfalls, and scenic overlook to enjoy. General Info General: Copper Falls State Park is a 3,068-acre...
Calendula Oil
Make Calendula oil by infusing Calendula officinalis (marigold flowers) in a carrier oil like olive oil or coconut oil. Use the oil on its own or used to create salves, creams, ointments, and balms.
Rock Island Wisconsin
Rock Island Wisconsin 912-acre island that takes two ferry rides to Rock Island Wisconsin. The first ferry leaves Gills Rock and travels to Washington Island. The second leaves Washington Island and brings you to Rock...
Growing Issues With Tomatoes
If you grow tomato plants each year, you will eventually run into one of the following growing issues with tomatoes. Some you can prevent, others you can not. #1 Blossom End Rot of Tomato This...
Bloodroot
Bloodroot is one of the earliest woodland wildflowers to bloom depending on the tree overgrowth above. The pure white flowers grow 8-20 inches in height with a creamy yellow center. The flowers remain open during...