Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Wisconsin Barns, Good Fences, Heifers, and Scottish Blackface Sheep


When we're in the area, we love to take drives out to the countryside around Westby, WI. It is my favorite part of Wisconsin.

As we were driving those winding, hilly roads, I spotted Scottish Blackface sheep (my favorite!!), so we stopped to gawk, and the young, friendly farmer came out and was more than willing to show us his new flock. Just last year he had purchased a starter flock, 4 ewes and 1 ram. This year, as predicted, he has several bouncing (really, they do bounce!) baby lambs. Both the shepherd and his little boy were so proud of their sheep. The 8 year old brought over a darling little Scottish Blackface lamb for me to pet. So woolly, so CUTE!!

 Some of this year's lambs, standing next to the huge hay bales.
They're the regular size huge hay bales, which show how small the lambs are.


 This heifer was dying to get closer to me.


 She begged me to scratch her ears - so I did. :-)


 A couple barns that probably won't be standing much longer.
The one on the left is an old tobacco barn. The boards were spaced for air flow, for drying the tobacco.

Back in the day - Some of my husband's ancestors c. 1910
working in their Wisconsin tobacco fields.
They would have hung their tobacco leaves to dry in a barn like the one pictured above.


 Tobacco warehouse est. early 20th century

Viroqua, WI



Linking to Tom's Tuesday's Treasures
and Theresa's Good Fences 
and Tom's Barn Collective

***

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Judy

45 comments:

Christine said...

Hello Judy! Your post today is like a joyful hug! The wee lambs are just adorable! I laugh out loud every time I am blessed to see them bounce & leap for joy!
Great old barns & I love the Tobacco factory sign!

Unknown said...

Love the lambs too. Tobacco is still grown here in Ky. but not like it once was. I used to love to be on my grandparents farm when tobacco time was going on. I never did smoke but loved the smell of tobacco curing in the barns. Brings back a great memory today. Thanks for sharing.

Tanya Breese said...

what a great day, such cute farm animals! love that old photo of your husband's ancestors!

Lois said...

Love seeing those lambs! My grandfather used to "string" tobacco as he called it when he was a young man. I also remember him rolling his own cigarettes using Prince Albert in the can!

MadSnapper said...

my paternal ancestors worked in the tobacco fields and the cotton fields in Georiga.. love that old pic and the first shot of the barns is beautiful. i love the shapes and lines and so much texture to it. plus i just love old barns and buildings. i am so jealous i can hardly type because of the sheep and babies and baby cows. i want to pet them all

Tired Teacher said...

I had no idea that tobacco grew as far north as Wisconsin - interesting.

Love the lambs and the barn photos.

Tom said...

What a great collection of nostalgic things, the great barn and sign are my favorite. Thanks Judy for joining this week and please come back soon.

Anonymous said...

That old black and white of your husband's ancestors is really something. What a nice treasure to know some history of his family.

Vee said...

So happy that you found some sweet black-faced lambs so nearby. They sure are darling! How nice that the farmer was a friendly man.

Debby Ray said...

I love farm animals, especially those darling black faced sheep. Great shots of those great old barns! :)

Sylvia said...

Cute little lambs. I love old barns, old homes and just about anything old.

L. D. said...

That was a neat experience to see all the animals especially the sheep. I really like the old barns but yes they look unreliable now. I didn't know that Wisconsin grew tobacco but I did know locals grew their own and made their own to smoke. A lot of fun photos to share, Thanks.

Elizabethd said...

All through the Southern parts of France we could see the old tobacco barns, not much used now.

eileeninmd said...

Hello, the old barns are cool. My favorite is the photo of the little lambs. Have a great day and week ahead!

DeniseinVA said...

Another lovely post full of interesting photos. I always enjoy the old photos too. I was in a living museum in Yorktown the other day and got to go inside a tobacco barn and saw all the dried tobacco hanging there. It was fascinating to see.

Heide at ApronHistory said...

Those lambs are too cute! I don't think I have ever seen lambs "bouncing" in the fields.

Didn't know tobacco could be grown in Wisconsin! How interesting.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

All of the baby animals are so cute. We are seeing a lot of baby cows and horses in the fields. I love these old barns. My Dad had an old tobacco barn on his property in NC. Hugs, Diane

Pamela Gordon said...

Aw. those black faced lambs are so sweet and small. I love the old photo of the tobacco workers. And sadly, those barns have seen better days for sure. It was cooler here today but not bad for April. Have a nice week.
Pam

Anonymous said...

I know that made your day for the farmer to be so welcoming and for the little boy to bring over the sheep! So cute and the heifer was not to be outdone! lol
I lived in NC briefly and remember well the tobacco fields/barns. Love your photos. Have a nice evening, Judy.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I really enjoyed these photos. I love old barns and those sheep are so darn cute!

Michelle said...

I love those sheep. I have wanted a few, but alas, we still have cows! Tobacco is still grown around here and tobacco barns are still in use.

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

I want those beautiful black faced sheep, Judy! We don't have a farm, but I still want them. The barns are lovely, sad to see the one going back into the earth. We have many tobacco barns in VA. even though tobacco is no longer a lucrative crop. Thanks for sharing your lovely state, Judy. ♥

Susie said...

Judy, Thanks for the history lesson...I never knew tobacco was grown that far north. Sad about the old barns. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

Terri D said...

Love those little lambs!! Always love your barns and fences!

Cheryl said...

Those sheep! Those faces! So adorable!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Love the old barns but the lambs stole the show for me.

Anne (cornucopia) said...

Great mix of photos. But those adorable lambs were my favorite.

Lowcarb team member said...

Oh what a lovely selection of photo's. Loved to see those lambs.

I did enjoy your DVD post too, thank you.

All the best Jan

Dicky Bird said...

I just went to Westby recently. Did you go to the dairy? The lady told me that this dairy is the official yogurt maker for the country of Iceland. They make a thick icelandic yogurt - very, good - better than greek. The country of Iceland actually has a person who comes every 3 months or so to check on the operation and quality of the yogurt. The butter and cottage cheese - super!

podso said...

I always enjoy your farm/country photos and it was especially fun to see the little lambs. I wonder if any of those old barns actually fall to the ground.

Tracy Batchelder said...

Aren't those sheep adorable!

Lynn Blaylock said...

I love these pictures of the old barns and farm animals. I grew up in tobacco country in North Carolina so the tobacco pics tug a little heart-string. Thank you for the beautiful post. Have a very blessed day!

Karen said...

I enjoyed your photos today, especially the farm animals. My granddaughter loves animals. Hope you are having a nice week.

This N That said...

Yes, those barns have seen better days..Reminds me of the tobacco barns throughout the South...Beautiful photos..Adorable sheep..

Lynne said...

Lambs do indeed bounce . . .
A fun sight . . .
Black face would be fun to see too!
Great barn pics . . .

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I had no idea that tobacco was ever grown in Wisconsin. Just got up and I've already learned my new thing for the day ))! The old barns are fascinating in their decay ... And it's lovely thinking about the farmer and his son so proud of their flock (as well they should be). I'm glad you were there and thank you for sharing the joy!

Buttons Thoughts said...

Great shots farm theme is my thing:) Your ancestors worked hard on that tobacco farm I am sure of that. Poor barn. All wonderful shots. Hug B

carol l mckenna said...

Wonderful post and photos ~ love the barn and the sweet critters and husband's ancestors ~

Happy Weekend to you ~ ^_^

Anonymous said...

Lovely shots.

TexWisGirl said...

so sweet that the farmer came out to greet you and show off his growing flock! neat barns, too.

Stephanie said...

Lovely shots of the old barns and critters!

GreenComotion said...

The Black Sheep are beautiful.
I liked all your photos.
I have to admit that I didn't know they grew Tobacco in Wisconsin.
Me not knowing doesn't mean much :)
I am glad to know it now.
Have a Happy Weekend!
Peace :)

Breathing In Grace said...

Awesome pictures. These would be great to link up tomorrow! HOPE you have a great weekend.

Ida said...

Awww...those baby lambs stole the show. - Sure enjoyed your spring on the farm photos.

Anonymous said...

Some of us don't have to be asked twice to provide ear scratches. :D Those hay bales do look huge next to the lambs - which are adorable!

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