Farmers Market & Flea Market in Northern WI
Last Sunday we
loaded up our Jeep and headed for Northern Wisconsin.
I joked to a
friend that we had the car so packed there wasn't enough room
for a nail file.
I caught the most grief from my husband and son over my
new addiction...my
Vitamix blender. I knew we were planning to attend
local farmer's
markets and I could whip up a variety of fresh smoothies for certain.
I have blogged
about our 1920's lake cabin previously and
all the natural
beauty that surrounds the lake. This year I wanted to write
about something
different. It's difficult not to first mention just a few
details
about our
surroundings. Sunday afternoon we pulled into our driveway. I felt
instant
relaxation...however, I'm not the one who had to mow the yard which
was now knee tall.
I could barely see the house from all the May flies.
The exterior of
the cabin was covered with May flies in July.....
Since we arrived 7
days ago, I have seen more wild life than in the past year combined.
I think it's the
pace you walk at up north! Everything slows. You notice the calls
of the loons and the eagles flying over head. The ants carrying off all
of the May Flies, which only somehow survive a couple of days before they die
off. Plenty of deer and coyote line the back wooded roads, but our big
spotting was a large black bear less than a mile from the cabin.
My parents arrived
Tuesday evening. We planned to celebrate my mother’s 65th birthday in
Northern WI. Even though we only live blocks from one another back home,
life gets so busy that we don’t get the same quality time. I was excited
to give my mom her birthday gift more this year than ever before. I had
taken 40 years of our old family 8mm movies and converted them onto a DVD...AND
we had plans to dine at the White Stag restaurant. I have previously
mentioned (North-Woods blog July 16th, 2012) this establishment and my LOVE for
eating there.
My son was busy
planning pranks before their arrival, a trait he
most definitely acquired
from my dad. I know this because I was the
"victim" of his many practical jokes while growing up....so we have
had many laughs since their arrival....many hands of cards and beautiful walks
and a long sunny day on the boat.
Luckily ,my family
tolerates my addiction for attending flea markets, estate sales and farmers
markets. Wisconsin happens to be exploding with them....They just know
every time we get in the car and drive somewhere I can easily get sidetracked.
One of my favorite markets is the St. Germain Flea Market. Many of
the items in our Re-Purpose room have been found and brought back to the shop
all the way from St. Germain. This year I happened upon a vintage maple sugar
mold, farmer’s market cart, plaid camping stool and a few pewter containers
that we will use in floral displays.
A few of us at The
Cypress House have been working on putting together a farmers market out front
of the shop for over a year now. It’s the kind of event you can talk
about and then put on the back burner...and then out of the blue the topic
comes up again. Well this year we decided to make it happen. I
thought I would set the bar high and attend a few Wisconsin Farmers markets to
determine the types of items you can purchase at local markets.
We first attended
the Minocqua Farmer’s Market. WOW!
This was a beautiful display of organic locally grown produce, maple
syrup, honey with a glass display demonstration of a hive, buffalo and pork
meat, farm fresh eggs, fresh baked cookies, breads and cinnamon rolls,
beautiful cut flowers, plants & evergreens. Local artists had made
soaps and jams. I could have spent hours there talking with the
interesting vendors about their passion of bees and how the maple syrup season
this past year had been one of the best ever.
Next we attended
the Rhinelander Farmer’s Market, which is situated in Pioneer Park. It
runs along a small creek and there are plenty of shade trees and mosquitoes.
There were interesting displays of herb plants including cat nip, mint
and fresh cut dill. I even noticed baby chicks peeping around in a bin
and hand crafted jewelry, soaps and lotions. The unique local flowers
were beautiful. I was taken with one arrangement in particular which had
peonies and a type of lilac. (Hmmm.... maybe that is the same reason why
the May flies were hatching in July....how can lilacs & peonies just be
coming into bloom...very late growing season I guess!) Anyways, I left the
market with a strawberry rhubarb jam but wishing I would have purchased the
fresh dill a lady had so beautifully displayed.
How inspiring the
two markets had been and for what could be with our Cypress House Farmers
Market! Together our staff has worked many hours planning and seeking out
vendors and advertising to help spread the word. We hope it is something
that will continue to grow and become and attraction for the community. A place
where families can spend an hour or two on those precious Saturday
mornings.
We still continue
to seek out talented artists and local farmers for produce. If you, or someone you are acquainted with, are
interested in becoming a vendor please contact us at 815.562.4159. We are looking for local produce, honey, farm
fresh eggs, baked treats, artist, soaps & jams.
The Outdoor
Farmers Market
Saturday July 20th
Saturday August
17th
9-2P
The Cypress House
718 10th Avenue
Rochelle
Happy Summer!
Krista Stewart
Krista Stewart
