Poison Ivy in Wisconsin: How to Spot and Avoid It Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is a common hazard for foragers, hikers, and gardeners in Wisconsin. Its urushiol oil can cause itchy rashes, turning outdoor adventures...
Creating black walnut ink for drawing or journaling is a fun and eco-friendly way to explore artistic expression.
Nestled in the heart of Shawano, Wisconsin, lies a hidden gem that captures the essence of local history and crafts: Twig’s Museum and Gift Shop. Stepping through its doors is like stepping back in time,...
As the snow melts away and the days grow longer, Wisconsin residents eagerly await the cheerful arrival of one of nature’s most iconic heralds of spring: the American Robin: Wisconsin’s beloved songbird (Turdus migratorius). With...
The Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) is a species of diving duck commonly found in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. Here are some key characteristics of the Common Goldeneye ducks:
Nestled within the picturesque landscapes of Richmond, Wisconsin, lies a hidden gem that captivates visitors with its natural beauty and tranquil ambiance – Glimmer Falls. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of city life,...
In the crisp mornings of winter, when the world is blanketed in a glistening coat of frost, nature often reveals one of its most captivating spectacles: frost spikes. These delicate, spike-like structures that adorn plants...
3 cool facts about wild turkey, do you know all three? Three Cool Facts About Wild Turkey 1.) They Have Nictitating Membranes A nictitating membrane is a transparent or translucent third eyelid present in some...
Covered Bridges Of Ashtabula County, Ohio Ashtabula County, located in northeastern Ohio, is known for its 14 picturesque covered bridges. These charming structures are scattered throughout the county and offer visitors a glimpse into the...
The cold of winter has set in and there has already been plenty of nasty bugs floating around. I’ve seemed to have found a viral sinus infection bug that I can’t seem to kick. It...
Summer is for berry picking and wild blackberry jam is delicious. We spend a great deal of time out on our UTV enjoying the woodland areas and foraging for wild berries.
Wild violet lavender bath salts are extremely simple to make, they smell wonderful while enjoying a relaxing soak in the tub and make perfect gifts.
Palm Brook State Park houses Kitch-iti-kipi natural spring with a raft you can take across the spring and see clear down to the bottom in the summer and fall months. The area also has a...
Days Are Getting Longer March is a month of returning birds, and planting indoor garden seeds. Summer is just around the corner, I can feel it. As winter’s icy grip begins to loosen in Wisconsin,...
Over the summer I created an Adobe project, where I shared pictures detailing my newfound hobby of pressing flowers with the public. I had a link that went to the DIY flower press instructions on...
Lakenenland Sculpture Park is the brainchild, and artist welding visions of Tom Lakenenland and features over 100 sculptures with additional sculptures added yearly. You can walk through the property year-round, but driving the park is...
Exploring lighthouses, a waterfall, the rocky shoreline of The Apostles National Lakeshore, and sea caves.
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.
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...
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...
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.
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.
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 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...
10 Flowers Deer Do Not Eat Can’t beat them? Join them. Look for flowers deer do not eat. I cannot promise that they will leave every plant standing but, in general, the list below is...
I’m a fan of telling people the only gambling that I do is buying and planting flower seed and vegetable seed. Your chances of growing items from seed increase when you take steps to prepare...
American Redstart The American Redstart is a warbler that can be found traveling through Wisconsin in the spring fleeting from tree to tree. The male and female have a different appearance but both have relatively...
Tomato Pests Got yourself tomato pests? Let’s go over a few of the common ones you might see, or the damage they might leave behind on occasion.
Mourning Cloak Butterfly The mourning cloak butterfly is one of the first butterflies to be seen in spring.
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 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 isn't just for Monarchs. The Milkweed Tussock Moth Caterpillar uses it for a food source too. Then it becomes the Milkweed Tiger Moth.
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 is a way to make sure we have a future healthy monarch population.
This morning’s tour is from along the winter shoreline of Lake Michigan in Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin. You will get a glimpse and 360-degree view of the island that the Baileys Harbor birdcage lighthouse sits on...
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...
Use Less Soil in Your Planting Containers Use these tips to use less soil in your planting containers. We all have those x-large outdoor pots that need to be filled with soil for holding beautiful flower...
There are 11 different spreadwing damselflies in Wisconsin. Besides the spreadwings there are another two families of damsels including the broad-winged which has 4 and the pond species that has 34.
Simple Tray Deck Bird Feeders If you are in need of a simple solution to feed your feathered friends but do not have room for traditional feeders, how about simple tray deck bird feeders?
Early MeadowRue Early Meadowrue is generally found in places that have not been disturbed by human interaction. General Information A perennial, native wildflower. The stems are a light purple color and the flowers are bell-shaped and produce yellow...
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:...
Do you grow sunflowers? I don’t have a designated spot to grow them; however, they grow in my yard. The birds plant them! The dried plants make wonderful and free sunflower head bird feeders.
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.
Hiking Crevice Rock The first part of this hike is a moderate 1.4-mile trail that offers beautiful views of the stone cliffs and excellent views of Sugar Creek in Turkey Run State Park in Marshall,...
Crabs in a bucket coffee mug - You and only you have the power to set goals and claw your way to achieving them. Be a cheerleader for all that are fighting their own fight.
Because every occasion deserves a touch of delight, wrapped up The sky’s the limit when you create a gift basket. You can purchase smaller go-together items, relatively cheap, and package them together, to make a perfect...
Lavender lemonade is a refreshing and aromatic beverage that combines the citrusy flavor of lemons with the floral notes of lavender. Here are simple recipes for making lavender lemonade.
Forget Me Not Wildflower In the grand tapestry of wildflowers that adorn our landscapes, few hold the same sentimental significance as the humble forget-me-not wildflower.
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.
Life Cycle of a Monarch Butterfly The life cycle of the monarch butterfly is one of beauty.
Old Vehicles Rural Elegance and Timeless Grace: These county fields harbor a unique blend of rural elegance and timeless grace. Vintage tractors, retired pickup trucks, and classic automobiles stand as silent sentinels, paying homage to...
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...
Ever wonder how to tell male and female Monarch apart? Maybe, the thought never crossed your mind. Well, to capture the lifecycle of the Monarch you would need to know your male from your female....
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...
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...
Why We Started Making Garden Fairy Doors (and One Little Door That Started It All) Sometimes inspiration finds you in the most unexpected places. A little while ago, we took a trip to Atlanta—not expecting...
Are you looking for the perfect printable texture papers to add depth and charm to your junk journals, scrapbooks, and mixed media art? Look no further! I’m excited to introduce my latest digital collection—Shades of...
Enjoy this set of vintage postcards it is a set of 15 printable cards to create wonderful pocket stuffers for junk journals. Well, at least that is what I will be using them for. But,...
Hello! I hope you are enjoying the summer weather and getting a chance to spend time with family and friends. Today, I wanted to share a project I have been working on, these adorable Alice...
A digital artwork that seamlessly blends the rustic allure of scrap lumber ends with vibrant watercolor hues. This Ripples of Reclaimed Beauty Watercolor design captures the essence of nature’s textures and colors, creating a mesmerizing...
As April dawns upon the Wisconsin landscapes, it brings the magic of new life. In this blog post, we dive into the fascinating world of wildlife parenthood, focusing on some iconic animals that give birth...
The phrase “in like a lion, out like a lamb” is a popular saying used to describe the weather patterns in March, particularly in regions with temperate climates. It refers to the transition from the...
Each year since the 1993 – 1994 migration the World Wildlife Federation has been collecting data from December through January on the number of hectares of land that migrating monarch butterflies occupy in Mexico. This...
We are halfway through the shortest month on the calendar and February Is the border between winter and spring. At this point, we know that wildflowers and fellow winged ones will be arriving shortly. Eastern...