Monday, May 4, 2015

Wisconsin Barns and Good Fences



I hope you all had a great weekend. The weather in NW Wisconsin was perfect - warm and sunny, with a slight breeze. On Saturday night, Carla and family (The River Flowing blog) (Don't miss that gorgeous header on her blog!) came over, and after dinner we took a walk in the moonlight. Mr. C., working in construction as he does, just happened to have many reflective (fluorescent yellow) vests for us to wear. The moon was nearly full, the evening lovely, and we probably scared only a few motorists who happened upon the group of dazzling images when they turned the corner onto Fifth Avenue.  We had walked just over a mile when I thought it might be a good idea to turn back, due to the cries of nearby coyotes.  I wasn't sure I wanted them attacking in a pack and shredding us and our lovely reflective vests. Mr. C. assured me that there was nothing to fear, but I'd rather have nothing to fear if we were carrying a weapon, not simply planning to appeal to the coyotes' good nature and sweet reputation.


The barn photos were taken in the Bloomer area a few weeks back. Isn't that a cute little playhouse! When I was a kid, the neighbor girl and I made a playhouse out of their old chicken coop, a little Quonset hut-style affair, and my sister and I made a clubhouse at our place out of a corn crib. A kid's gotta have a playhouse/clubhouse, even if it's just a fort in the woods!

Note: And because you wanted to know the origin of the name Quonset hut, here's what Answers.com has to say:

 "Quonset Point Naval Air Station in Rhode Island where the first Quonset hut was built in 1941 took its name from a local Indian word that may coincidentally have meant small long place." 

Anyway, the original Quonset huts had corrugated steel roofs (that curve down and form the outer walls as well).  And now you know the rest of the story...

Another Wisconsin barn
I need to take more barn photos
now that Wisconsin is turning green once again!


 Glad the pasture has returned


Early May and starting to green up
(Maybe not such a 'Good Fence')


What's happening in the yard
Catkins on the birch tree and
a pond garden full of daffodils


Yesterday was a beautiful day to have lunch out on the porch and reflect upon the awesome beauty and design God has given us in his creation.

Oh. And one more thing:

Just because I had to share this with y'all:


Littlest Granddaughter, melting my heart
I'm sure I have a similar photo of her mama.

Have a great Monday!


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56 comments:

  1. SylviaMay 4, 2015 at 6:36 AM

    Good morning, great post, I love old barns. That fence looks like the cows may have been trying to escape!

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  2. A Bit of the BlarneyMay 4, 2015 at 6:45 AM

    Your daffodils are beautiful!! And such a wonderful pastoral scene. Most relaxing! Have a grand day1

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  3. Terri DMay 4, 2015 at 7:05 AM

    Littlest granddaughter puts the daffodils to shame!! :)

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  4. Julie's LifestyleMay 4, 2015 at 7:33 AM

    Wow I love those barn photos! It's so pretty where you live! Thanks for sharing the photo and wishing you a wonderful week.
    Julie xo

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  5. Linda KayMay 4, 2015 at 7:38 AM

    The granddaughter is adorable. The barn is great, so sturdy. And I'll bet those cows are really content now that they have that wonderful green grass to munch on all day.

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  6. MadSnapperMay 4, 2015 at 7:38 AM

    must get my important comment out first. I LOVE THAT BIG COW... that is just about the cutest play house ever.. my cousins dad built one for us but it looked like a lean to shed because it was.... lovely barns and a fun walk with the coyotes.. when we walk, i carry my dad's old walking cane and Bob carries the 2 inch thick handle only of an ax...

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  7. Arlene GMay 4, 2015 at 7:47 AM

    Love the photo of that precious grand, Judy. And it looks as if spring has finally arrived in Wisconsin. Also thanks for the explanation of Quonset Huts...I had never heard that. And I am with you, coyotes are not my favorite animal!! They are quite the pest here.

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  8. Primitive StarsMay 4, 2015 at 7:55 AM

    Morning, traveling through Wisconson last week was magical, loved the countryside. The old barns are beautiful, always love your pictures.Blessings Francine.

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  9. PoppyMay 4, 2015 at 8:00 AM

    Hi Judy,

    Visiting from Judith's Mosaic Monday, your link of the beautiful black and white spotted cow caught my eye! What gorgeous pics of your springtime in bloom. Pretty flowers, pastures, and precious granddaughters! Enjoy

    Poppy

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  10. LynneMay 4, 2015 at 8:16 AM

    Cute picture of your grand and the dandelion . . .
    A moon walk sounds like a wonderful thing to do . . .
    Not the coyote possibilities though . . .
    I liked that shiny gray steel like barn roof, the barn too!
    Yay for more Wisconsin barns . . .

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  11. Tired TeacherMay 4, 2015 at 9:04 AM

    That playhouse is darling! I yearned and begged my mother to left me use the old brooder house for a playhouse, but she refused. It was a Quonset hut shaped building, just as you described. Aww, memories.

    The photo of your Grand is sweet.

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  12. AnonymousMay 4, 2015 at 9:22 AM

    Great barns and cows but the star of the day is your granddaughter. Sweet. Have a great week.

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  13. Coloring Outside the LinesMay 4, 2015 at 9:33 AM

    Aww- your granddaughter is adorable. I do love the black and white cow and surely that fence could not contain him if he decided to stroll across the fence line! LOL! Pretty barns, also. Have a super Monday!

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  14. RoseMay 4, 2015 at 9:49 AM

    I certainly understand the melting moment...she is so cute. Love the barns, of course. I don't think I have met a barn I didn't like.

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  15. Ginny HartzlerMay 4, 2015 at 9:59 AM

    Your granddaughter is beautiful! And I love the barns. It is so nice to see ones in good shape and looking pretty! Even the cow looks all new and pretty! We have no coyotes around here, but we do have a lot of bears and foxes. Her header IS pretty! I am headed back there now to read and leave a comment.

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  16. Lisa @ Two Bears FarmMay 4, 2015 at 10:27 AM

    Those are fantastic barns! I think I could fit two or three of my house in them :-) Love the granddaughter!

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  17. 21 WitsMay 4, 2015 at 10:44 AM

    Gosh so many nice photos, I like that cute little playhouse too, the sweet cows, and your little grand-daughter too, and barns and info with them. Enjoy your week ahead!

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  18. Karen @ Beatrice EuphemieMay 4, 2015 at 10:53 AM

    Such pretty country scenes and that little darling is just too precious! I don't trust coyotes either :) xo K

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  19. Carla from The RiverMay 4, 2015 at 11:07 AM

    Hi Judy,
    It was a wonderful evening for a moon walk. :-) Thank you for the great time and adventure with the coyotes. LOL

    I love that photo of little Lucy. How did she like her first dandelion?

    Carla

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  20. Judith @ Lavender CottageMay 4, 2015 at 11:18 AM

    Surely a coyote pack wouldn't attack a human pack strolling in the moonlight! I suppose if they came close enough you could break into song yourselves to leave them wondering what just happened. LOL
    I hope those content looking girls laying in the pasture don't get the idea to storm the leaning fence, that could cause some excitement I think.
    Such a sweet granddaughter, the cherry on top for this post and the rest of us grannies. Thanks for sharing her with us and linking to Mosaic Monday Judy.

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  21. AnonymousMay 4, 2015 at 12:02 PM

    Lovely shots. I really like that cute playhouse!

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  22. Ingmarie WeMay 4, 2015 at 12:39 PM

    Great photos of the old barns, the landscae and the cows. And your little grandchild is so sweet with the dandilon in her hands.

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  23. L. D. May 4, 2015 at 12:53 PM

    I could remember the word catkins the other day when I needed it. Your granddaughter is so pretty. Being an old farm boy I always like seeing the cows. i had to go get the milk cow each night from the pasture so she could be milked.

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  24. Vel CristeMay 4, 2015 at 1:48 PM

    Beautiful scenery and your pictures are equally so! Your grand baby is super adorable!

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  25. ~Lavender Dreamer~May 4, 2015 at 3:25 PM

    It really looks like Spring there now. And how nice to spend time with Carla and her sweet family. She's one of my best blog buds! Enjoy your week! Hugs, Diane and thanks for the sweet comments today. I still feel pretty rough so I'm glad to have friends to make me feel better.

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  26. Pamela GordonMay 4, 2015 at 3:55 PM

    Gorgeous photos of the barns, cows in pasture, daffodils and littlest grandchild! I never knew where the word 'quonset' came from. Thanks. :)

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  27. Cheryl May 4, 2015 at 3:56 PM

    That is a heart melting photograph indeed!! What a sweetheart!

    Love the little (big?) playhouse! Any child would enjoy having such a place to pretend. Our older children used to play in a section of our (former) barn that had been a chicken coop. My son once decided to light a fire in the "fireplace" (pretend fireplace, real fire!), but my husband was able to save the day and put out the fire before any real damage was done.

    Glad you were able to avoid the coyotes!

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  28. KarenMay 4, 2015 at 3:58 PM

    I enjoyed all the scenery, but especially the photo of the little one!! Precious.

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  29. Pat @ Mille Fiori FavoritiMay 4, 2015 at 4:00 PM

    Coyotes seem to be prospering everywhere. Here they have plenty of voles and field mice to eat and stay away from populated areas. Fox are seen more frequently. Sweet granddaughter--they all seem to love dandelion flowers, don't they? :)

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  30. TexWisGirlMay 4, 2015 at 5:07 PM

    the last photo is adorable. thanks for the dose of holsteins, too! the only way i'd be afraid of coyotes if i was one person out alone in the middle of nowhere. otherwise, they'll leave a 'pack of people' alone, for sure. :)

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  31. kitty@ Kitty's Kozy KitchenMay 4, 2015 at 5:15 PM

    I can see why your little granddaughters just melts your heart! Your photo of her, melts mine! All your scenery pics are gorgeous!

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  32. DonnaMay 4, 2015 at 5:29 PM

    Those barns are huge....what a sweet pea you have there too. She is adorable.

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  33. Maureen @ Josephina BallerinaMay 4, 2015 at 5:53 PM

    Hi Judy,
    Fed Muker. Got a bunch of hearts back after petting him. My chores done fore the evening, I return to bed.
    :I m & jb who is just sorta ok with Muker and does not want to pet him

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  34. Debby@Just BreatheMay 4, 2015 at 5:55 PM

    Always enjoy the barn photos. Sounds like a nice walk and a good time to turn around and go back!

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  35. AnonymousMay 4, 2015 at 6:58 PM

    Judy, That last photo of your granddaughter is the sweetest! I'm happy your weather is so pleasant. Your photos are lovely.

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  36. AnonymousMay 4, 2015 at 7:16 PM

    What a sweet picture of your granddaughter! And I love the ones with the cows. They certainly are enjoying life!

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  37. DianeMay 4, 2015 at 7:42 PM

    What a cutie with her dandelion. Nice barn pics too!

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  38. podsoMay 4, 2015 at 8:00 PM

    The last picture the best of all of course! I'm glad your weather was so good this weekend and it sounds like a lovely walk but I too would be anxious to get home. We even have those guys in our city/suburbs.

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  39. Gail DixonMay 4, 2015 at 8:24 PM

    Very sweet post. Littlest granddaughter is precious.

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  40. tagsthoughtsMay 4, 2015 at 8:50 PM

    Lovely! My family has always stopped along the way to photograph barns. And we have many paintings of old barns. I just love these. Thanks so much for stopping by tagsthoughts.com today.

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  41. Mary Howell CromerMay 5, 2015 at 4:45 AM

    Old barns are so charming and your images shared are really wonderful. I love visiting my youngest daughters father-in-laws home. It is right next door to a dairy farm.

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  42. SmalltowngigglesMay 5, 2015 at 6:35 AM

    Love the pond and daffodils. I always wanted a pond in the back yard but with years of daycare kids around, we didn't figure it would be a good thing.
    And now ? Have thought about it, but don't think I want the added work.

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  43. TheresaMay 5, 2015 at 7:09 AM

    I love barns and especially silos:) Sweet blooms in the fields and the hands of that sweet little one! Have a blessed day dear friend, HUGS!

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  44. DebbieMay 5, 2015 at 7:29 AM

    those little ones, they sure do love those dandelions!!!

    you have some really beautiful barns in your area!!!!

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  45. This N ThatMay 5, 2015 at 9:00 AM

    She's adorable.Glad things are greening up in your word..

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  46. Deb @ Frugal Little BungalowMay 5, 2015 at 10:39 AM

    Ah she melted my heart too....

    I cracked up at your shining group scaring the motorists ! :)

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  47. Debby RayMay 5, 2015 at 1:07 PM

    Great photos, Judy. We have been hearing coyotes around my area too and on the way home from church on Sunday, we saw a dead one on the road just about 1/2 mile from our house! :O

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  48. CynthiaMay 5, 2015 at 1:21 PM

    Beautiful barns and landscape. I enjoy this weekly post. Your grand baby melted my heart too

    Cindy

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  49. TannaMay 5, 2015 at 7:04 PM

    Such beautiful photos... spring is definitely popping out all around! Such a big beautiful Holstein cow!! But, her beauty pales next to that little grand! blessings ~ tanna

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  50. Nancy ShumanMay 5, 2015 at 10:58 PM

    Coyotes! I heard those at a friend's house one evening some years ago, and was so creeped I was afraid to go out to my car (can you tell I'm a city girl?). But the moonlit walk sounds wonderful; I love the way you wrote of it. And your granddaughter is beautiful!

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  51. eileeninmdMay 6, 2015 at 3:47 AM

    A midnight walk with the full moon sounds nice.. I love the barn and the pretty daffies. But, your grand daughter stole the show.. So cute. Enjoy your day and the week ahead!

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  52. TomMay 6, 2015 at 11:37 AM

    Tiny, big and bigger and a cutie to boot. Tom The Backroads Traveller

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  53. IdaMay 7, 2015 at 1:05 PM

    Wisconsin is very picturesque. That playhouse is darling. I love the barns, the fences/cows and your new little granddaughter is just precious.

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  54. ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®©May 8, 2015 at 6:57 AM

    Sweet shot of Littlest Granddaughter, C.M.
    ~

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  55. A Colorful WorldMay 8, 2015 at 11:23 AM

    Wonderful photos! And such an interesting narrative too. Glad you enjoyed your walk. Love the barn, the countryside...the sweet grandbaby! I lived in a Quonset hut as a baby on a Naval base in S Ca. :-) I hear you won Theresa's chickadee drawing! Congratulations!

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  56. J_on_tourMay 12, 2015 at 5:02 PM

    I love the style and components of that playhouse, it's what I would think was possible but wouldn't expect it. Nice to see you're enjoying some weather.

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