Eggs For Sale

Up on Swan Road, right at the border of Pewaukee and Lisbon, is a refurbished farmstead. It used to be a working farm with fields of corn and soybeans and several barns with cows, chickens, goats, and even a corral with horses. The elderly couple who lived there recently moved out and sold most of their land for development. The new owners use the smaller tract that remains as more of a "gentleman's farm" with a only few horses and a coop of chickens. Just recently we noticed the "Organic Farm-Fresh Eggs" sign out front. One of these days, as time allows, we'll have to give them a try!

The Road Less Traveled

Another long, quiet, snowy driveway right off Swan Road. I can almost hear the bells of a horse-drawn sleigh in the distance...

High Bush Cranberry

Also known as Viburnum Opulus, the high bush cranberry shrub is a common sight Wisconsin woodlands. In the spring, fragrant white flower clusters adorn the bushes, and in the fall the leaves turn a beautiful magenta red. The berry clusters remain during the winter as food for wildlife. The berries of this shrub along Swan Road carried a mantle of snow after our recent blizzard, creating a pretty holiday postcard.

Playing Possum

Eerily similar to the previous post of Phoebe sleeping in the sun, Nik and I came across this possum "taking a nap" by the side of the Swan Road. Although it appeared to have been hit by a car, fortunately, it wasn't a gory scene. It was simply lying upside down next to the road in the leaves. It's little foot is what caught my eye. Sort of reminded me of a little leprechaun hand - that could use a manicure. Kinda spooky!

Meeting Her Match

During our walk on Sunday afternoon, Nik and I passed by George's barn on the corner of Swan & Lindsay roads. His little miniature horse called "Patches" was out, and Nik was more than a little curious, as they had never met before. Nik is familiar with regular horses that we meet on the Ryan Road trails, and gives them a wide path. She's also met George's goats and shows no real interest in them. Patches, however, is very friendly and and more her size. They sniffed noses and Nik's tail wagged happily. As we left to continue on our walk, Nik looked back and did her "Woo-Roo" bark, as if to say good-bye.

Leading the Way

Meet our early morning alarm clock, Mr. Rooster. He lives at the farm across the road, past our back tree line, but his voice carries for miles. The bossy little fellow appears to be leading the way for an obedient sheep in this photo.

During the summer, from sunrise to mid-morning, he'll crow for hours. After a while you learn to tune it out. Or, thankfully, I get to go to work!

Forgotten

A winding gravel drive leads to a barn-style storage shed along Swan Road.

Honey, I'm Home

A long-distance semi driver is home for a few days and parks his rig in the front yard at his house on Swan Road.

On Your Honor

One of the farms on Swan Road has a little market stand at the end of their driveway each year. First come the zucchini, a few cucumbers, some beets and green beans - and finally the sweet corn and tomatoes. We still have a little ways to go before the corn is ready (see the sign.)

It's always the best, very crisp, sweet and juicy - eaten the day it's picked. Now that's fresh!

The stand is unattended. Trusting Midwest souls that they are, the money bucket is left out to collect payment, "on your honor." And I don't think they would continue doing this year after year if there were any problems.

Another Farm Down the Road

This quaint old farmstead is one of at least a half-dozen on Swan Road. The red barns are right up against the road, and the little garden cabin is next to their house.

Notice the satellite dish on the cabin roof and someone's recovered hub-cap leaning against the barn below. Signs of the 21st century are everywhere.

His and Hers

A while back, some neighbors on Swan Road cleaned out their garage and put this matched set of old-fashioned bicycles up on the road hoping someone would take them. The next day they were gone... Hopefully they found good a good home!