Gathering Ideas…. a visit to Walkup Heritage Farms

For years..

and years..

and years…

Machine Man, the Blessings & I have been gathering Ideas

each spring we would go to various "heritage gardens"

or "idea gardens'

"dream gardens"

and so on…

this year is no different..

It it GOOD to be inspired,

encouraged

and to gather more "ideas" as one walks this crazy road…

sometimes

it's in the actual walking it

that one starts finding 

MORE questions to ask

one of our favorite "heritage farms"or "idea gardens"

is Michael Walkup's 

"Walkup Heritage Farm"

we all SO enjoy seeing what Michael is up to each year.

His farm is about 5 acres, but he only farms approximately 2 of those.

Yet still, he is productive, sustainable, and dare we say?

a bit magical?

There is something OLD WORLD about this hidden gem.

Tucked away amongst the hustle and bustle of the 

traffic of Crystal Lake Illinois.

Somehow it's shocking when you notice

the VERY large homes lining Michaels property,

you just feel as though you are in Europe,

NOT in one of Chicagoland's MANY suburbs.

I feel encouraged when I am here,

because it's so beautiful,

and it isn't in anyway

perfect.

it's edges aren't "JUST" right

but they somehow ARE :)

The bird bath,

covered with years of thankful birds affections

makes me smile.

crazy right.. but so so nice

the kids love this spot,

where the bunnies are

and the geese

and the ducks 

it's just a hoot.

here in the green house is where the seeds are sprouting..

all sorts of wonderful things to be grown

outdoors they've up cycled a variety of materials to make

cold framed gardens

yay!

love the upcyced railroad tie raised gardens…

so smart considering Michael and his wife aren't in their 20's anymore!

something Machine Man & myself to consider!

My Mother in law who was with me, liked this idea for her OWN garden..

I also appreciated the fact that Michael may have gotten these 

pieces locally

because Crystal Lake is a Train town.

here are some old pieces of wood 

that had been drilled into

and spores of these wonderful edible mushrooms were placed inside..

these are harvested and sold at market..

GREAT idea!

seriously.. 

that would be so delicious sautéed with some butter and garlic!

Michael has lots of chickens..

which make me smile 

and here is Michael and Machine Man 

discussing a variety of things

especially cattle panels..

yes..

and how effective these panels are

for adjusting your rotating farm in the quick

how great they are even for goats and sheep,

which is JUST what we'd want them for…

So fun making friends with like minded ideas.

One thine that I have hoped to do EVENTUALLY 

Michael has already fully embraced here at his farm,

and that is raising Heritage and Pilgrim Turkeys..

FUN right?

oh.. I have a dream…

and I love

gathering ideas

Thank you so much To Mr. & Mrs. Walkup

of Walkup Heritage Farms

for their kind tours, 

for faithfully answering our barrage of questions

and for just DOING it…

going for their dreams

LIVING it out

in the midst of the chaos

and encouraging others

to do they same.

Truly you are a blessing to your community.

OH STOP THE PRESSES!!!!!

THEY are HERE!

the LADIES!

The Queen's have arrived

and they are UTTERLY adorable!

yes with the chicken coop going up in just weeks

I thought you'd want to meet

the future inhabitants

TA DAH!

beginning to bloom

have I mentioned lately 

how much i LOVE spring?

love the blossoms

hidden blooms

bits of happiness smiling all around me…

have a happy day!

Laying Eggs

yep…

those are some filthy eggs

but don't worry

they didn't come from the store looking like that

Daisy and Lily produced these

and they clean up nice!

Have you ever eaten duck eggs?

They are RICH and delicious!

A duck egg is about the size of two chicken eggs…

take a look

big difference right?

Isn't THAT a pretty shade of yellow/orange?

but like I said…JUST one.. ONLY one of these

is worth about two chicken eggs..

so for todays Omlette..

I'll just be needing to scramble up 

ONE egg

Are you wondering if the kiddo's eat Duck eggs?

yep

Little Man's comment was 

"Mama… You mean Lily laid this JUST for me? awww"

and he ate it right up….

when he saw her next

he said thank you..

too cute!

wee updates on porch

YES it feels like progress

is slower than

molasses

but

doesn't it look PRETTY that new siding?

and how about that ceiling?

I love the way it makes the door color POP!

here is a photo from about 3-4 weeks ago

believe it or not

this is all that was done since…

the two pad areas were laid out..

why the delay..?

they had MORE snow!

Icy cold & Wisconsin snows

will reek havoc on newly poured concrete

so..

Patiently and expectantly I await it's completion..

(psst.. supposedly… it SHOULD be done for Memorial Day weekend)

so so so hopefilled!

praying for the builders

for their diligence

for the weather

for their family life

for their safety

for all their jobs to run smoothly

and for me

to be at peace in the final stretch of the wait!

Cleaning up Country Style

Buying a forgotten Farm

that was sold out of Estate

means

we got a hidden gem…

but HIDDEN

under a LOT of trash

mess

and years

is NOT to be forgotten…

End of Winter Beginning of Spring

is the PERFECT time to start attacking the problem areas…

not so many IF any bee's/wasps

and we can SEE the ground

because ALL that winter snow 

layed all the grasses flat!

This was a great day..

of sorting and organizing..

Metals with Metals

Brick with Brick

Rock with Rock

Rubber with Rubber

and wood?

old unusable wood

got burned!

big big bonfire here!

To have a fire like this one..

One MUST have a burn permit..

and one MUST let the authorities 

KNOW that you are doing a BIG burn…

or some passerby might just see smoke

and call the fire chief

and then..

you are in an awkward situation..

one must also teach little people fire safety!

and be able to walk the perimeter

to be sure it's not spreading..

we had a GREAT fire..

and are sad to say..

we have more still to burn..

so much to clean up..

but thankfully

Marshmallow's are 

gluten free

and readily available here at Blessings Farm! 

don't you ….!

BUDDY!!!

 don't you

even 

THINK

about 

coming 

into 

my house

with your 

muddy self...

really Mama?

you're kidding right?

oh…

little boys..

muddy messy miniature men

I sure love 'em