Sunset over Pewaukee Lake

We had one of our gorgeous spring days yesterday - 70's and sunny.  If only all days in Wisconsin could be like this!  To take advantage of it, we took a walk down by Pewaukee Lake to enjoy the people-watching and the sunset.  Love the silhouettes of the little kids playing on the beach.

Syttende Mai: CDP Theme Day

"Velkommen" (Welcome!) is the Norwegian greeting on this nightstand sign in our guest bedroom. This was a handmade rosemaled gift from my brother and his wife many years ago to my mother, a woman of proud Norwegian heritage. The woven wool runner on the nightstand came from Norway as well, a gift from my Uncle Harley, purchased during one of his many visits to the "old country."

The 17th of May (Norwegian Constitution Day) is celebrated in Norway and in many U.S. cities with Norwegian ancestry. "Glad Syttende Mai" to all!

See more CDP mid-month theme day images here.

Brrrrr!

The sheep at the neighboring Freyer Family Centennial Farm in Pewaukee had just been sheared and were frolicking outside their barn yesterday afternoon, enjoying a little bit of sun and fresh air. It was still rather chilly, so even though they were saying "baaa" they were probably thinking "brrr."  Bet they wish they still had their warm coats!

The "head honcho" of the group is this ram:

...and the most entertaining of the group is the Siamese "Border-Cat" shepherd!

Arts & Crafts Part II

Just down the street from the home posted yesterday is another gorgeous example of Arts & Crafts architecture in suburban Wauwatosa. This one looks like it belongs deep in the forest of a fairy tale.

...Except for the neon flamingos!

Vintage Arts & Crafts

An original Arts & Crafts-style house located on Stickney Avenue in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. There are a number of these beautiful works of art on this street, and throughout the city. This style of architecture flourished in the early part of the 20th century. They just don't build 'em like this anymore.

Faith

Last night some places in western Wisconsin got over a foot of snow! Earth to Mother Nature:  "Hello! It's May!"

Thankfully, the Milwaukee/Waukesha area was spared this indignity. We do have sunshine this morning, but it's only in the 30's, and most flowers and trees have still not budded out.  That's why I am posting this pretty image of my blooming clematis taken in May a few years ago - to remind us that spring will eventually be here - even if she is taking her sweet time!

CDP Theme Day: Creative Artisans - May 2013

This little family of cast bronze javelinas are on display at the Red Rock Ranger Station on AZ State Route 179, just south of Sedona.  I'm not sure of the name of the creative artisan who made these scultpures, but they are convincingly realistic from a distance!

See more entries for May's theme - the "creative artisan" - at City Daily Photo. 

Peace on Google Earth

[For the record, the two images in this post are taken from Google Maps to illustrate a point.]

For Memorial Day I am planning to drive up to where my grandparents are buried in rural western Wisconsin to plant flowers around their graves - just as my mother always did. While reviewing Google Maps for directions, I noticed an interesting oddity.  The map above shows the general area of where the church is located (B), in Vernon County, which is about 25 miles southeast of La Crosse.  But as I zoomed in closer to follow the exact route to take, I noticed this:

A peace sign is etched into the grassy field just to the right of the church cemetery!

Certain pockets of rural Vernon County used to be frequented by the hippies of the 60s and 70s, and so this could be a throw-back to those days. But now there is a growing and respectable progressive culture, with a very active co-op scene in Viroqua and the excellent Westby Creamery. In any event, this certainly seems like a "wink-and-a-nod" from someone, since it is obviously meant to be seen from the sky.

Grazing in the Grass

The sun has finally come out and the grass is starting to grow - ever so slightly!  Driving by one of the local farms on my way to work the other day, I noticed a group of horses grazing in the field.

As I drove closer, I rolled down my window to snap a few shots. But no matter how much I cooed and begged, the guy below would NOT look up at me!  There must have been something quite delicious at the corner of that fence post. : -)

Constantine & Helen

The City of Wauwatosa is sometimes called the "City of Churches" because there are over a dozen within the old village area alone.  Set amidst a pleasant neighborhood of stately vintage homes, Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthadox church stands out as a divergent bit of architecture.