The Freight House

A century ago the railroad tracks were a busy place along the west side of La Crosse, Wisconsin.  The Milwaukee Road hauled freight -and occasionally passengers- up and down the Mississippi River from Chicago and other points south and east, to Minneapolis and other points north and west. The tracks have been rerouted through other sections of town, but the historic freight house building remains and has stood as a popular namesake restaurant for the past 35 years.

The "conductor" below is calling you inside to try one of The Freight House's delicious signature steaks!

SkyWatch Friday: Nagawicka Lake

Every Friday night during the summer, there is a traditional midwestern fish fry dinner at a local restaurant called "Seven Seas." Located on Nagawicka Lake in Waukesha County, the dining patio has a lovely view of the sunset over the lake. They also have a large pier where boaters can dock their crafts while they eat, and this photo shows a number of boats coming in for a landing.

See all SkyWatch Friday entries here.

Landmark Cannon

This cannon, located in La Crosse's Riverside Park, was dedicated in July 1918 as a memorial to the USS Maine, which was destroyed in Havana Harbor in 1898 during the Spanish-American War.

As teenagers, we used to get a dozen kids to sit on the front edge of the cannon and it would rock downward, allowing all the rainwater and candy wrappers to slop out... we called it "burping the cannon!"  I wonder if that still works? ;-)

The Honey Man

This gentleman selling honey at the Waukesha Farmer's Market stood so still and quiet that I thought he was meditating, which fit right in with the peace sign on his shirt. Then suddenly he reached over and turned the page - he was reading a book hidden behind the honey jars!

SkyWatch Friday: Another Summer Sunset

We need to appreciate the lovely warm days while they last around here!

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Neon Sunflower

Autumn is closing in upon us and all the sunflowers in our garden are in bloom. This pretty one stood out especially because of the neon-green center.

SkyWatch Friday: Pewaukee Woodland Sunset

Our recent stretch of sunny days continue to melt into beautiful sunsets! This was taken near the wooded fields of an abandoned farm on Lindsay Road in Pewaukee.

See more SkyWatch Friday photos here.

Thatched Roof, Revisited

As promised last March, I am posting a summertime photo of the thatched roof with the goat weathervane from La Crosse's Friendship Gardens.  The hanging flower planter on the side of the shed was both beautiful and fragrant!

Time Capsule

Last weekend we were in La Crosse for our 40th high school reunion (time flies!) and took our usual morning walk around Riverside Park.  In a small hidden corner of the park there was a square of inlaid brick which we had never seen before containing a time capsule. I wonder what's in it, because I don't believe we'll be around to find out when it's opened in 2056!

Smoke Bush City Limits

While at the Waukesha Farmer's Market a few weeks ago, I came across this beautiful specimen of Cotinus coggygria - or the 'Royal Purple Smoke Tree." It was growing along the banks of the Fox River which borders the area of the market.  (Since they don't grow wild around here, it was no doubt cultivated by the city.) They are also known as a 'smokebush' and usually have these pretty fluffy flowers in mid-summer - and fortunately, do quite well here in the upper midwest.

Pucker Up!

Dill is in season and our garden is loaded with it.  We dry the wispy green fronds to use as an herb in cooking and salads all year long.  Chopped fresh dill is also amazing sprinkled on baked cod or sole. It adds a wonderful bright, tart flavor to the dish.

Fresh dill is also what we use when making anything pickled - especially "Wild Bill's Dilly Beans"! - which are a combination of tender green and yellow beans from our garden.  Great used on a relish tray or in a cocktail. The delicate blooms (shown above) remind me of little Sputnik satellites, and will also eventually yield dill seeds.