One of the most ROMANTIC ADVENTURES can be a ROAD TRIP with a sweetheart! There is nothing better on a cold winter's day than a ride in the car with seat warmers cranked and all the time in the world for important conversations. The car can actually be a relationship building tool because it leaves people with nothing to do but dream and scheme and conversate! In the car we can learn about all the little things that matter to those we love. Of course, it helps if there are some UNIQUE things to see and do along the way!
Here's a road trip plan for Saturday, February 15th.
First stop: Lake View Organic Farm for some real treats. These are the things your sweetheart can't get just anywhere. For those who are always looking for unique and different...the farm is where you'll find lots of interesting farm products for your pantry, pets and plate. Plus, you can say hello to Homer the cat and the gaggle of ducks that hang around the store!
Next: Rush River Ice Sculptures: After you leave the farm, head downhill on 420th to County A. Take a left and travel north about two miles. The ice sculptures are midway between Highway 10 to the north and Highway 35 (Wisconsin's Great River Road 35) to the south on County Road A along the Rush River. The sculptures are magical and otherworldly created by water pressure from an artesian well. I personally enjoy a slow drive past these crazy monsters, but some people like to park and walk around on the ice exploring the shapes up close.
After that: Camp Pepin Ice Carousel Even though I prefer to stay off the ice at the ice sculptures, I'm ready to bundle up to check out the ice carousel at YMCA Camp Pepin. I've seen photos of the carousel from past Winterfests and it sure looks intriguing! Anything to celebrate winter and blow away that nasty cabin fever is welcome!
Finally: If a nice long trip in the car seems fun and romantic, I'd have an early supper at ThaiPop in Rochester and then head to Sylvan Brewing in Lanesboro...there is an Inn next door if the beer is too tasty to stop after one or two!
Do you know someone who needs a great idea for Valentine's Weekend? Feel free to share this post with anyone who needs a nudge!
WHAT'S IN THE FARM STORE?
EGGS: The chickens only lay 1/2 dozen or so a day, and with prices in the regular grocery stores so high, our eggs are getting snatched up fast! When and if we do have them, they are FIRST COME FIRST SERVED. We're not holding them or taking requests. Winter is slow for egg production and we only have a couple dozen birds.
In addition to a few eggs, we also have many other wonderful things!
To my great joy, we're stocked once again with Sunflower Oil and Maple Mustard Vinaigrette! And...
NEW: Chili Crisp Spice Blends to bloom in hot oil and drizzle over meals as a condiment. I have two new creations. The first is an Indian Tadka made with a variety of seeds from the garden, a mix of hot chilis, garlic, and Indian spices. The second is a Morel Umami Crisp with a mix of dried morels, chilis, garlic, onions, and spices found in traditional Asian Chili Crisps. These spice blends can be used dry sprinkled on dishes or bloomed in our sunflower oil.
Another NEW PRODUCT is a spicy HOT RUB for chicken, pork or beef. This is a blend of our dehydrated hot peppers, garlic, maple syrup and brown sugar.
CHOCOLATES...did somebody say chocolate? In the past I have made CBD Chocolates for our shop, but decided to make chocolates everybody can enjoy! In the store now are handcrafted SALTED SUNFLOWER SEEDS IN DARK BELGIUM CHOCOLATE. They're a delicious way to recall the splendors of summer!
BIRDSEED: We have three options. There are large and small bags of black seed sunflowers as well as bags of the screenings. William calls the screenings (a mix of wild seed and sunflowers) "SFB" Seeds for Birds.
What else is in the store? Maple syrup, jams, wool felted hats and bowls, art cards, COOKIES, Cowboy Candy, Soups, Taco Sauces, Sunflower Oil Soap, Sunflower Facial Serum and Healthy Glow Body Oil to fend off Winter's drying effect, Strawbales, Hay, Corn (feed deer), barley (feed chickens, goats, sheep, cattle) oats (feed chickens, treats for horses), wood shavings for bedding...there is more...lots of goodies and goodness galore!
If you show up between 5-6, you'll likely see this wowsome result of warmer winters. Our fourth crop alfalfa stands UNCOVERED by snow making for perfect winter forage for this giant herd of hungry deer.
Whatever you end up doing for Valentine's Day, I hope you are surrounded by love!
We're sending lots of it out from the farm to you all!
Sarah and William Brenner