By Angela Denstad Time and again we treasure summer as a season of ease and adventure: a relaxing of the routine, the runaround, the wardrobe — a time for embracing an easy, breezy bonhomie. I’ve been enjoying my summer vacation for weeks now … except for the fact that I haven’t had one. Not in the usual sense, anyway. I haven’t taken any time off from work, engaged in … [Read more...]

Let me start by digging myself a hole. We’ve all heard the story of that lady (of course, no one I’ve ever known) who goes into her closet full of clothes and bemoans with a sigh, “I have NOTHING to wear!” Ok ok, we can make an excuse for her, like “those are winter clothes” or “I’m not feeling like that color today,” or “the laundry bin has taken my favorite shirt hostage.” … [Read more...]

Ok, this is a departure for me, but I like experiments.  This column (following my intro) was ENTIRELY written by an Artificial Intelligence interaction on Microsoft Copilot.  I did not change a single word. I did not write a single word!  I did NOT provide the recipe.  I asked for a humorous story about a boy named Timmy making spicy chili, and to please include a recipe.  … [Read more...]

Summer brings a host of activities for us to enjoy.  The warm and hot days also bring plenty of work, but I digress.  One activity my whole family enjoys is going up north to the cabin. The cabin is tucked in the forestland of northern Wisconsin.  Birches, poplars, tamaracks and pine trees help to cover acres of land.  Whether privately-owned or publicly-owned land, such as … [Read more...]

Mr. Google says it takes an average of 66 days to form a new habit, but I reckon’ he ain’t never seen nothin’ stick faster than a cowboy drawl, if’n you practice frum sun up to sun down fer just a few days! Google oughta been warnin’ me to mind what I’m practicin’ – ‘cause once it sets in, it’ll stick like a tick on a hound dog! How’s this ol’ cowboy twang sittin’ with ya? … [Read more...]

By Angela Denstad Time and again the old quip about law and sausages resurfaces: To paraphrase, if you’re fond of either, it’s best not to inquire about how they’re made. But as we prepare for the annual celebration of American independence during a legislative session like no other, it’s hard not to hold big, beautiful brats – or bills – top of mind. If you’re feeling … [Read more...]

The first crop of hay is done and it’s hard to believe that the second crop of hay is almost here. I’m always surprised by the passing of time. In my head it’s still the end of winter, then all of a sudden spring is gone and summer is here! Are we living on purpose or are we just passing the time? If I’m not careful, I can get into the endless rut of doing the daily … [Read more...]

I got a few comments on my last column about making salsa verde and hopefully a handful of you tried it out.  Writing about it triggered me into picking up all the ingredients and making a nice 4 cup batch.  I made the roasted tomatillo, garlic, and serrano pepper green salsa and then put it a Dutch oven with 3 pounds of large trimmed chunks of country style pork ribs (which … [Read more...]

Nowadays we look forward to a sunny day.  Just a few weeks ago the world “woke up” and blossomed due to the warm temperatures and the sun beaming its rays down on the earth.  The greening of the landscape is expanding. I have been drawn to the flowers and vegetables we have transplanted into the soil.  One afternoon, after watering them, I decided to cut the asparagus that had … [Read more...]

Everyone knows I’m crazy about kefir, but I heard something this week and I had to share: Did you know kefir can act as a natural antidepressant? I always heard kefir could help your mood, but I didn’t really believe it until this week! A new farm guest was picking up raw milk from our farm store and told me that when he regularly drinks kefir made with raw milk, he can tell … [Read more...]