Makers Mark One Stop on the Bourbon Trail

March 15, 2026March 20, 2016 by Nikki

Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto, Kentucky

Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto, Kentucky is one of the most recognizable stops on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. For bourbon fans, it is a well-known destination. For photographers, road trippers, and travelers who enjoy beautifully designed places, it offers much more than a tasting stop.

Even without being a bourbon drinker myself, I found this stop surprisingly enjoyable. The grounds, architecture, historic buildings, and distinctive branding made it one of the most visually interesting places we visited along the way.

10 Wildflowers that Attract Birds to Your Yard

March 3, 2026March 16, 2016 by Nikki

10 Wildflowers That Attract Birds to Your Yard

If you want to attract birds to your yard and also would like to add a splash of color with flowers, might I suggest the best of both worlds?

Below are 10 wildflowers that you can plant in your yard that birds enjoy. As an added bonus, they are all easy to grow because they are native to the United States. Most attract beautiful butterflies too.

Dark Eyed Junco Birds At Feeder

March 3, 2026February 12, 2016 by Nikki

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 breasts, gray or brown backs and wings, and a white belly, but show a confusing amount of variation in plumage. … Read more

Bairds Nature Preserve After Winter Storm: A Reflection on Winter’s Quiet Magic

March 11, 2026February 11, 2016 by Nikki

Snow-covered trail at Baird Creek Nature Preserve in Green Bay Wisconsin after a winter storm

There is something especially quiet about Baird Creek Nature Preserve after a winter storm. Fresh snow softens the trails, tree branches collect white along every edge, and even a familiar path feels different under a clean blanket of snow. If you are looking for a peaceful winter walk in Green Bay, this is one of those places that feels simple, scenic, and worth revisiting in every season.

Honey House in Door County

March 14, 2026January 30, 2016 by Nikki

Honey House in Door County
The roads less traveled are off the beaten path; and for me, they give me a chance to bypass the hustle and bustle of traffic, slow down and really look for “hidden” treasures. One of these treasures happens to be a honey house in Door County.

Shrine of St Anthony of PADUA

March 11, 2026January 17, 2016 by Nikki

Shrine of St. Anthony of Padua on Bay Settlement Road in Green Bay, Wisconsin

Tucked in the woods off Bay Settlement Road in Green Bay, the Shrine of St. Anthony of Padua is one of those quiet places that feels easy to miss unless you know it is there. Reached by a short walk through the trees along the Niagara Escarpment, this small limestone chapel is a simple but memorable historic stop in Brown County.

Menominee Michigan Icy Shoreline

March 12, 2026January 3, 2016 by Nikki

Menominee North Pier Lighthouse surrounded by winter ice on Lake Michigan

Menominee Lighthouse and Icy Lake Michigan Shoreline The first weekend of the new year brought the perfect excuse to get outside and explore the Lake Michigan shoreline. Winter along the Great Lakes can transform familiar places into dramatic frozen landscapes, and the waterfront in Menominee, Michigan was no exception. With waves frozen into layers of … Read more

Paulding Lights Upper Michigans Unexplainable Phenomenon

March 15, 2026October 8, 2015 by Nikki

The mysterious Paulding Light glowing in the distance near Paulding Michigan in the Upper Peninsula

The Paulding Light is one of the best-known mysteries in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Found near Watersmeet, Michigan, this unusual light has drawn curious visitors for decades. Some come for the legend, some for the dark skies and atmosphere, and others simply because roadside mysteries are hard to resist.

Baltimore Oriole

March 3, 2026September 16, 2015 by Nikki

Baltimore Oriole The Baltimore oriole received its name from the resemblance of the male’s colors to those on the coat-of-arms of Lord Baltimore. Male The adult male is orange on the underparts shoulder patch and rump, with some birds appearing a very deep flaming orange and others appearing yellowish-orange. All of the rest of the … Read more

Bittersweet Nightshade Wildflower

March 2, 2026August 14, 2015 by Nikki

Bittersweet Nightshade Wildflower – Known as Bittersweet Nightshade, this dainty flower is easily identified by its five dark to mid-purple flowers with a pointed yellow center, and sits on a weak vine.

Raspberry Torte Recipe

March 3, 2026July 8, 2015 by Nikki

When you think of a summer dessert many people’s thoughts go directly to strawberry shortcake. Growing up with a grandma that raised raspberries, we enjoyed this raspberry torte recipe. I am pretty sure each of the grandchildren has had the pleasure of eating this sweet and tart dessert.

As a tribute to my grandmother – I include the recipe for each of the grandchildren.

Crystal River Grist Mill Wisconsin

March 14, 2026June 14, 2015 by Nikki

Crystal River Grist Mill Wisconsin

How in the World Do I Find These Places?

Sometimes, I can’t believe how I end up at a certain place. In the case of the Crystal River Grist Mill Wisconsin, I found an ad in the paper with a picture of a little wedding chapel.

Mother Earth Children Art Prints

March 2, 2026June 8, 2015 by Nikki

Mother Earth Children Art Prints

10 Mother Earth Children art prints – soft vintage prints. The Mother Earth Children prints are centered around vegetables and fruits that flourish with the help of Mother Nature.

Wooden Chair Flower Pot Holder

March 3, 2026May 25, 2015 by Nikki

Wooden Chair Flower Pot Holder

Have an old wooden chair that is a little wobbly? Use it as an old wooden chair flower pot holder.

What is Eating My Cabbage Plants

March 2, 2026May 12, 2015 by Nikki

What is Eating My Cabbage Plants Yesterday, I received a question in my Facebook inbox that included pictures. It is an excellent question too. What is eating my cabbage plants? Anytime, I receive a question on Facebook I try and answer it to the best of my ability. If you are finding that any of … Read more

Downy Yellow Violet

March 1, 2026April 23, 2015 by Nikki

Downy Yellow Violet

The Downy Yellow Violet is found in woodland areas during the months of April and May in Wisconsin. They like rich, dry soil.

Gotta Catch ‘Em All

March 3, 2026March 16, 2015 by Nikki

Gotta Catch ‘Em All

There have been some really wonderful colored birds lately on the walking paths. If you are an active birding fan you know that the warblers are sprinkled around the area. I feel like my children during the Pokemon stage of life – Gotta Catch ‘Em All !

Life Cycle of a Monarch Butterfly

March 3, 2026March 4, 2015 by Nikki

Monarch butterflies go through four stages during one life cycle, and through four generations in one year.

Life Cycle of a Monarch Butterfly

The life cycle of the monarch butterfly is one of beauty.

Munising Michigan Frozen Falls

March 15, 2026March 1, 2015 by Nikki

Munising Falls frozen waterfall in winter near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Michigan

Munising Michigan Frozen Falls in Winter

Munising, Michigan is one of the best winter destinations in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula for viewing frozen waterfalls, sandstone cliffs, and dramatic Lake Superior shoreline scenery. Located along the edge of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, the area becomes especially striking during winter when waterfalls freeze into towering ice formations.

Cana Island Lighthouse

March 9, 2026February 24, 2015 by Nikki

Cana Island Lighthouse – Baileys Harbor, Door County Cana Island Lighthouse is one of the most recognizable historic landmarks in Door County, Wisconsin. Located just north of Baileys Harbor, the lighthouse sits on a small island along the Lake Michigan shoreline and has guided ships through the waters of the peninsula since 1868. The lighthouse … Read more