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We first moved to the beautiful unglaciated hills of southwestern Wisconsin
in 1973. Like many of the early "back-to-the-landers", we came with many ideals
and few resources. For $15 per month, we rented an old log cabin — the floor of
each room slanted a slightly different direction and gaps in the walls allowed
snow drifts to form in every room.
We learned a lot that first year including: that in Wisconsin you need a
gas-powered chain saw, not a hand-powered bow saw, that dandelion buds taste
much better than burdock roots, and that you can't make enough money to live on
by going to art fairs which also feature carnivals or sporting events.
However, Peter soon sold his first big art piece. Wild with success, we used the
money from that sale as down payment on our current home and surrounding 100
acres. Our house is a small "Norwegian-type" which means that there is a chimney
in the middle and that it is square with sides facing north, south, east and
west. The land is a point where two trout streams meet and rocky ledges make
perfect lookouts.
Much has changed since our first years together, but we continue to heat with
wood and to grow most of our own food. We treasure the aroma of oak logs burning
on a frosty morning and savor the taste of heirloom tomatoes still warm from the
sun.
Opera in the Park Raspberry Bars
Filling layer — mix and heat to a boil, then let cool until slightly warm:
3 ½ c raspberries
1 ½ c sugar
2 T cornstarch
1/3 c oatmeal
1 t vanilla extract
Crumb layers — mix until crumbly:
1 ½ c oatmeal
1 c brown sugar
1 c butter
1 ½ c flour
1 t baking soda
In 9" x 13" buttered pan, press about 2/3 of crumb mixture.
Spread raspberry mixture over that, then top with remaining crumb mixture.
Bake at 350 degrees until topping is golden and raspberry filling is bubbling
near the center (about 40 minutes.)
Our house in summer, from Rohowetz Road. Phlox and golden glow have taken over the roadside. Looking south across our garden from our screen porch. Looking up our garden path toward the house, with perennial daylily and leek patches in the foreground. In early August our lycoris bed puts on a show. Cabbage family plants started for fall, protected from rabbits in wire cages. Later when they are larger, the cabbage family plants no longer need rabbit protection. Echinacea seems to have taken over an area intended for wildflowers. Daylilies and tiger lilies in our flower border. Another view of our flower border featuring phlox and golden glow. Our old tractor and mower in the barn. Heifers in front of our barn. We provide pasture for young stock from the farm where the award winning Pleasant Ridge Reserve cheese is made. Cattle eating a bit of organic corn. Our house seen from Rohowetz Road, this time in fall. Cocoa at the entrance to our driveway, greeting visitors to the annual Fall Art Tour. Fall chores include bringing in the firewood. Buzz sawing smaller firewood for our wood burning parlor and kitchen stoves. During the colder seasons we enclose our screen porch to make it a greenhouse. In the greenhouse, JorJan is even able to grow such exotics as this gloriosa lily.
Our house in summer, from Rohowetz Road. Phlox and golden glow have taken over the roadside.
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