Gathering.. more ideas.. Adventures with Anne at Cantigny Park

We are adventurers …

in fact.. our old blog had a title along those lines…

and one of our FAVORITE things to do

is go on adventures looking for NEW ideas

a few weeks back we decided to head all the way to 

Wheaton Illinois

to visit Robert McCormicks old place

now referred to as Cantigny park..

We grabbed Miss Anne 

and took her along with us!

sometimes we do that..

just pick people up and take them with on our 

Adventures..

But we DID let her know we were coming..

just..NOT what we were doing..

she was SO thrilled!

Flowers abounded

it was hard not to stop EVERY few feet and take photos!

after the winter we've had

seeing such VIBRANT colors

was a thrill

to the cabin fevered!

these woodland flowers gave me ideas for 

some woodsy area's at Blesssings Farm..

aren't they darling?

and look at the bridge!

that wee creek is darling..

I couldn't help but imagine how much my 

puddle ducks

Daisy Poppy & Lily would adore it!

Anne liked it too,

she stopped to get photo's of the Blessings !

and good children they are

they stopped for her to get a very nice shot! 

Robert McCormick has dedicated a portion of this nearly 200 acre park

to the Veterans 

With Tanks scattered here and there

for children to climb on and explore

and a War Museum as well.

C.S. has been coming here once a year since he was about  Little Man's age..

it's a WONDERFUL place to come

worth the drive

every time!

There are gloriously large fields where visitors can stop

and have picnics

and toss a ball or frisbie

which is just what we did.. we really just kicked back

and had a lovely break

then off to the idea garden..

would you believe Miss Anne

had NEVER heard of 

and IDEA garden..

well she was IN for a treat!

creative right?

so cool

C.S. loved how it was steeped..

Buddy wanted to go IN

creative right?

a nice path..

i was thinking morning glory to climb on it ...

what about you?

simple ties..

wonderfully creative and cheerful!

makes my heart happy!

totally funny!

really?

love it!

great idea!

super creative

way to save space and increase production

love the clean lines

oh the bursts of color!

hungry?

LOVE!

how the chain draws the water down

attractively to the basin

and the filter to prevent

issues

the spout to attach a hose

or place a bucket beneath…

so creative!

YAY! for compost

really I like the screening between the three bins!

nice for air flow!

yep

heaven

seriously

can I dream or what?

now for the how?

hmmmm

oh!

uh huh

yep she's diggin it

how FUN!!!

finally in air conditioning

I come back from the bath room to find these three on the floor trying to find

the parking space

C.S. helped Anne On to the floor…

because she HAD to help Buddy find it..

really?

too funny

I think our 

IDEA Adventure Day 

was a HIT!

I think Miss Anne is HOOKED

and

I hope YOU my dear reader

check out the wonders of Cantigny Park next time 

you are ANYWHERE near 

Wheaton Illinois

it's worth taking the time

delaying your flight

whatEVER! 

now..

go have an adventure!

and tell me about it!

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.