Gemutlichkeit

Pyrus 'Ure'

2011-10-05T18:19:00.002-06:00

This is my first crop of pears. Delicious!

Malus 'Prairie Fire'

2011-06-15T18:26:00.002-06:00

This flowering crabapple, Malus 'Prairie Fire' is blooming in the arboretum at Knox Creek Farm, Brantwood, Wisconsin.

Malus 'Coralcole'

2011-06-15T18:21:00.002-06:00

This flowering crabapple, Malus 'Coralcole' (Coralburst) is blooming in the arboretum at Knox Creek Farm, Brantwood, Wisconsin.

Yellow Lady's Slipper Orchid

2011-06-15T18:17:00.002-06:00

Four colonies of Yellow Lady's Slipper Orchids, Cypripedium calceolus, are blooming in the gardens at Knox Creek Farm.

Apple Trees in Bloom

2011-06-15T18:13:00.002-06:00

Looks like it's going to be a good year for apple production judging by the number of blossoms on the trees.

Japanese Larch Flower

2011-05-07T19:51:00.003-06:00

Spring has arrived at Knox Creek Farm with the blossoming of the Japanese Larch, Larix kaempferi.

Groomed ski trail

2010-12-27T15:38:00.003-06:00

Early, heavy snowfall has created great skiing conditions at Knox Creek Farm, Brantwood, Wisconsin.

Sunset

2010-10-24T21:38:00.002-06:00

A spectacular late fall sunset at Knox Creek Farm, Brantwood, Wisconsin.

Rainbow

2010-09-27T18:56:00.002-06:00

A gentle late afternoon shower produced this rainbow in the east at Knox Creek Farm, Brantwood, Wisconsin.

Hollyhocks

2010-07-19T18:38:00.002-06:00

Old-fashioned single hollyhocks blooming in front of the house at Knox Creek Farm at Brantwood, Wisconsin.

Northern Flicker Babies

2010-06-09T16:33:00.003-06:00

These five baby Northern Flicker's are growing rapidly in the wood duck house noted in a previous post. There were seven eggs. Two did not hatch.

Pinus mugo 'Pumilio'

2010-06-01T21:10:00.002-06:00

New growth on Pinus mugo 'Pumilio' in the Arboretum at Knox Creek Farm, Brantwood, Wisconsin.

Rhododendron 'Mollis'

2010-06-01T21:06:00.002-06:00

Rhododendron azalea 'Mollis' blooming in the Arboretum at Knox Creek Farm, Brantwood, Wisconsin.

Rhododendron 'Haaga'

2010-05-27T17:19:00.001-06:00

Rhododendron 'Haaga' was developed in Finland.

Daphne 'Carol Mackie'

2010-05-21T14:24:00.002-06:00

Daphne x burkwoodii 'Carol Mackie' is blooming for the first time in the Arboretum at Knox Creek Farm, Brantwood, Wisconsin.

Viburnum x rhytidophylloides 'Alleghany'

2010-05-17T20:37:00.002-06:00

This Viburnum x rhytidophylloides 'Alleghany' is currently blooming in the Arboretum at Knox Creek Farm, Brantwood, Wisconsin.

Picea abies 'Rubra Spicata'

2010-05-17T20:33:00.002-06:00

This Picea abies 'Rubra Spicata' growing in the Arboretum at Knox Creek Farm, Brantwood, Wisconsin, has blood red new spring growth. Striking!

Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker

2010-05-15T20:30:00.002-06:00

A Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker has drilled holes in one of my rare white birch trees in the Arboretum at Knox Creek Farm, Brantwood, Wisconsin. The object is to "bleed" tree sap. The sapsucker will lap up the sap with its long tongue. The sapsucker has done this to several of the white birch trees in the collection. I have seen the bird fly from tree to tree lapping up the sap. I think that this tree is effectively girdled and its days are numbered. The other birch trees are not this bad.

Chaenomeles 'Victory'

2010-05-14T14:57:00.002-06:00

This is one of five cultivars of Chaenomeles growing in the Arboretum at Knox Creek Farm, Brantwood, Wisconsin. This one is Victory.

Picea abies

2010-05-10T20:32:00.002-06:00

A cone forming on a weeping Picea abies (Norway Spruce) in the Arboretum at Knox Creek Farm, Brantwood, Wisconsin.

Acer pseudosieboldianum

2010-05-10T20:23:00.003-06:00

New leaves and blossoms on Acer pseudosieboldianum (Korean Maple) in the Arboretum at Knox Creek Farm, Brantwood, Wisconsin.

Major Spring Snow

2010-05-08T19:48:00.002-06:00

A major spring snowstorm wreaked havoc with the trees and shrubs in the Arboretum at Knox Creek Farm. Many major branches were broken by the weight of the heavy, wet snow.

Rhododendron PJM 'Compacta'

2010-05-01T10:14:00.004-06:00

This Rhododendron PJM 'Compacta' blooming at Knox Creek Farm, Brantwood, Wisconsin, is a newer cultivar of the old PJM.

Prunus triloba

2010-05-01T10:09:00.002-06:00

This Prunus triloba, aka double flowering plum, aka Rose Tree of China is now blooming in the Arboretum at Knox Creek Farm, Brantwood, Wisconsin.

Spring

2010-03-23T21:43:00.003-06:00

The earliest spring ever has arrived at Knox Creek Farm, Brantwood, Wisconsin. Hopefully, some wood ducks will make their home in this new nesting box.

Sunset at Knox Creek Farm

2010-02-28T13:10:00.002-06:00

The sun is setting on another wonderful winter of cross-country skiing and sauna-ing at Knox Creek Farm at Brantwood, Wisconsin. Come join us next winter...

Gary Beecham

2009-08-30T09:01:00.002-06:00

The museum at Knox Creek Farm, Brantwood, Wisconsin, has acquired a blue glass vase (1975) by the internationally known glass artist, Gary Beecham. Beecham grew up down the road a piece in rural Phillips. His work is in numerous public and private collections worldwide. For more information go to http://www.beechamwhiteglass.com/

Native Plant/Wildflower Garden

2009-08-30T08:56:00.002-06:00

The native plant or wildflower garden at Knox Creek Farm, Brantwood, Wisconsin.

Columbine

2009-06-27T20:47:00.002-06:00

This beautiful yellow 'Denver Gold' columbine is currently blooming at Knox Creek Farm.

Burgdorf Lupines

2009-06-03T08:08:00.002-06:00

These lupines are Lupinus sericeus (silky lupine) that I brought back from the hot springs at Burgdorf, Idaho, a couple years ago. They are doing very well.

Wild Tulips

2009-05-06T11:31:00.001-06:00

Wild tulips in the early morning sun. Stunning!

After a Storm

2009-05-06T11:27:00.001-06:00

After a late afternoon storm...

After a Storm

2009-04-24T18:30:00.003-06:00

This photo was taken about 7:15 p.m. on April 24th after a late afternoon/early evening thunderstorm. The light was fantastic!

Sorbaria sorbifolia 'Sem'

2009-04-22T15:51:00.003-06:00

This Sorbaria is the first tree/shrub to leaf out in the spring. New spring foliage is pinkish-red, maturing to chartreuse. In summer, 6- to 8-inch panicles of white blooms cover the shrub. A beautiful shrub!

Robin's Nest

2009-04-20T16:44:00.002-06:00

Spring has finally arrived after a long, brutal winter. The robins have built a nest on the chassis (?) of the Amish buggy on my porch. The nest was constructed quickly in a day or two.

Ski Trail at Knox Creek Farm

2009-01-08T19:45:00.003-06:00

The seven miles of cross-country ski trails at Knox Creek Farm, Brantwood, Wisconsin, are groomed and in fine condition for skiing...

Sauna Guests

2008-09-02T15:14:00.004-06:00

Recent out-of-town sauna guests were Ryan and Kadri. They enjoyed their gemutlichkeit experience at Knox Creek Farm, Brantwood, Wisconsin.

Ragged Fringed Orchid

2008-07-19T15:54:00.004-06:00

I was out pulling wild parsnips at Knox Creek Farm, Brantwood, Price County, Wisconsin, today when I ran across this Ragged Fringed Orchid (Platanthera lacera). I could not believe my eyes. The only other orchid I have ever seen in the wild is the Pink Lady's Slipper Orchid. I quickly ran home and got my camera. This orchid identification has been confirmed by Dr. Emmet Judziewicz, Associate Professor of Biology and Forestry and Curator of Vascular Plants at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He stated that this is a new record for Price County and the picture and data will be put into their database so they have an official record from Price County.

Killdeer

2008-06-28T17:22:00.003-06:00

Killdeer eggs in a ground nest. I was out walking by the new pond when a killdeer flew up and began to do its injury routine. That behavior may confuse most animals and some people, but to me that was a dead give-away as to the location of the nest. Sure enough...

Birds by Toikka

2008-06-24T16:58:00.005-06:00

The Koskela House Finnish Museum of Brantwood, held an opening reception for its new exhibit of Finnish glass birds, Birds by Toikka, on Saturday, June 21st. There were refreshments and music by Finn Power.

In the picture above are Rachel and Gavin admiring the birds.

One of the guests, Marianne, wrote:

"A delightful afternoon at the Koskela House Finnish Museum indeed! And--the beauty of it all. The breathtaking designs of the Oiva Toikka birds, the setting and views from the hills around your estate are an absolute perfect combination. Thank you for the invitation."

Fawn

2008-05-28T08:52:00.003-06:00

I was walking out in my yard this morning when I almost stepped on this little fawn.

Mallard Ducks

2008-05-04T16:20:00.004-06:00

A pair of mallard ducks set up residence on the pond down the hill from my house at Knox Creek Farm. Then the female disappeared while the male continued to swim around alone. I searched all over near the pond for a nest but could find none. Today I was walking the scenic route back to my house from the Koskela House Finnish Museum and was startled when a female duck flew up almost in front of me. Upon investigation I was thrilled to find a downy nest full of eggs. This was quite a distance from the pond.

Spring

2008-04-15T18:16:00.003-06:00

Spring has finally arrived at Knox Creek Farm at Brantwood, Wisconsin...about a month later than last year.

Ornamental Ironworking

2008-03-30T12:54:00.004-06:00

Yesterday I attended an ornamental ironwork class sponsored by the Driftless Folk School at the Metamorphosis Forge of Robert Schultz at Hillsboro, Wisconsin. We learned to forge scrolls. Scrollwork in blacksmithing is a common approach to adding ornamentation to ironwork. We observed and practiced several techniques to achieve a variety of scrolled ends. At noon Mrs. Schultz served us a delicious lunch of some type of baked carrot and potato dish, baked beans, brown rice, and carrot cake for dessert. Afterward they gave us a tour of their house under construction utilizing straw/clay infill for walls covered by natural plasters and stucco. Their residence is off-grid and will be solar powered. It was a very interesting and productive day. Picture is of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Schultz in front of their new house.

Jack Frost

2008-02-07T09:55:00.000-06:00

Jack Frost worked overtime last night creating this scene for the morning sun at Knox Creek Farm...

Jarvinen Skis

2008-01-27T10:26:00.000-06:00

I have acquired a pair of Jarvinen skis and poles made in Finland. The Jarvinen bindings were made in the German Democratic Republic. The skis are made of wood with synthetic tops and bases. The poles are bamboo. If someone can date these skis please notify me.

Esko Järvinen was a Finnish nordic combined skier who competed in the late 1920's and early 1930's. He won an individual bronze at the 1929 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Zakopane.

The skis will go on display in the Koskela House Finnish Museum at Brantwood, in northern Wisconsin.

New Year's Day

2008-01-01T15:39:00.000-06:00

Courtney and Rachel skiing out to the shack to celebrate New Year's Day.

Rachel, Gavin & Eric

2008-01-01T15:34:00.000-06:00

Rachel, Gavin & Eric at the shack.

The Boys

2008-01-01T15:29:00.000-06:00

Don, Tristan & Gavin ready to go out for a ride.

The Whole Gang

2008-01-01T15:25:00.000-06:00

The whole gang celebrating New Year's Day at the shack.

The Ski Trail Groomers

2007-12-30T17:02:00.001-06:00

Don & Jarrett grooming the ski trails at Knox Creek Farm, Brantwood, in northern Wisconsin.

The Groomers

2007-12-30T16:57:00.000-06:00

Don & Jarrett

And the Skiers

2007-12-30T16:51:00.000-06:00

Courtney & Rachel skiing at Knox Creek Farm, Brantwood, in northern Wisconsin.

The Skier's?

2007-12-30T16:47:00.000-06:00

Courtney & Rachel

Aldo Leopold Bench

2007-12-15T15:54:00.000-06:00

An Aldo Leopold Bench rest area on the ski trail at Knox Creek Farm, Brantwood, in northern Wisconsin.

Ski Trail

2007-12-15T15:34:00.000-06:00

A portion of the ski trail on the old Brantwood/Knox Mills railroad bed at Knox Creek Farm in northern Wisconsin.

Stabbin' Cabin

2007-12-15T15:05:00.000-06:00

On the ski trail...the Stabbin' Cabin...ready for full moon skiers (daytime skiers, too) at Knox Creek Farm, Brantwood, in northern Wisconsin.

Chickadee

2007-12-13T12:10:00.000-06:00

Black-capped chickadees, Red-breasted nuthatches and Redpolls all eat sunflower seeds out of my hand.

Don & Co.

2007-12-09T16:25:00.001-06:00

Don & Rachel and their crew about to set off on a Christmas tree hunting adventure...

Koskela House

2007-12-07T18:12:00.000-06:00

The Koskela House Finnish Museum at Knox Creek Farm, Brantwood, in the late afternoon sun.

Snow

2007-12-02T10:54:00.000-06:00

Winter has arrived with six inches of snow...

Uncle Fogy

2007-11-21T12:34:00.000-06:00

Pinus banksiana 'Uncle Fogy'

A pendulous form of Jack pine found growing in a garden in Richfield, Minnesota, with wildly undulating, pendulous branches. The winter buds are densely covered with resin. A bizarrely attractive collector's plant.

Planted in 2002.

Bob's Buck

2007-11-19T22:28:00.000-06:00

Bob & Don with Bob's 9 point buck shot on Don's property...

Quiet Conversation with Jesus

2007-11-07T19:26:00.000-06:00

Many times when I am troubled or confused, I find comfort in sitting in my back yard and having a Leinies along with a quiet conversation with Jesus. This happened to me again after a particularly difficult day.

I said "Jesus, why do I work so hard?"

And I heard the reply: "Men find many ways to demonstrate the love they have for their family. You work hard to have a peaceful, beautiful place for your friends and family to gather."

I said: "I thought that money was the root of all evil."

And the reply was: "No, the LOVE of money is the root of all evil. Money is a tool; it can be used for good or bad."

I was starting to feel better, but I still had that one burning question, so I asked it. "Jesus," I said, "what is the meaning of life? Why am I here?"

He replied: "That is a question many men ask. The answer is in your heart and is different for everyone. I would love to chat with you some more, Senor, but for now, I have to finish your lawn."

Autumn Gold

2007-11-07T18:08:00.000-06:00

Larix kaempferi

Japanese Larch

Minneapolis

2007-10-19T18:28:00.000-06:00

Just returned from an overnite trip to Minneapolis. The reason for the trip was to have breakfast with Oiva Toikka this morning and to have him sign my three new purchases. Toikka is one of Finland's most distinguished glass designers, whose trademark birds are well-known the world over. He appeared at FinnStyle, the store that handles his work, as well as other Finnish items. Toikka personally signed my glass red tailed hawk, a Finnish Dove made to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Finnish independence and his beautiful, new blue Suomi 90th Anniversary Vase of which only 100 were made. Unfortunately, the batteries in my camera went dead after only a couple of pictures. Oh, the Scandinavian pastries melted in my mouth! And Ben Horn, owner of FinnStyle, put me up in the nearby Hilton Hotel the night before. Thank you very much, Ben.

After meeting with Toikka, I drove to the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and toured their 230 acres of gardens. This is the research center that has developed and introduced over 300 hardy varieties including the Honeycrisp apple that I planted in my yard last spring. A special treat was touring their library, built in 1971, and outfitted and furnished by George Nakashima. Nakashima is the famous Japanese-American furniture designer whose work I had seen previously only on Antiques Roadshow. He is deceased and his furniture today is priceless.

The entire trip from begining to end was wet and rainy...

Squirrels & Mushrooms

2007-10-16T14:18:00.000-06:00

Occasionally I will find a mushroom on a balsam tree branch. No one else that I have mentioned this to has ever seen mushrooms in trees. I have now found a cache of them in a bluebird house. Knowing that squirrels frequently use my bluebird houses I have to assume that squirrels pick mushrooms and place them on balsam tree branches and hide them in places like bluebird houses.

Windsor Chair

2007-10-15T18:09:00.000-06:00

This Windsor chair was made by Nichols and Stone in Gardner, Massachusetts. They have been making chairs like this since 1857. I found this chair for two dollars at a garage sale this last summer. It was the find of the year!

Fritz

2007-10-14T17:32:00.001-06:00

Fritz in the ruins of an old log cabin on his estate...

Fritz & Ruddy

2007-10-14T17:15:00.000-06:00

Fritz and Ruddy at their estate near Prentice...

Sunrise

2007-10-14T15:15:00.000-06:00

A recent sunrise...

Hunting Gang at Happy Andy's

2007-10-08T14:12:00.000-06:00

The happy, successful bird hunting gang at Happy Andy's...

More Mushrooms

2007-10-07T21:41:00.000-06:00

More fall mushrooms...

Dinner at Happy Andy's

2007-10-06T21:53:00.000-06:00

Art & Jeff and children drove up to their retreat Happy Andy's, for the long weekend. For dinner this evening they prepared fillets of duck breast and venison "baloney" on the grill. The duck was medium rare and the finest I have ever eaten. The venison had a wonderful distinctive flavor. This was all washed down with Brigadoon Winery's Highland Red, an American dry red wine. The meal was accompanied by great conversation. It was truly a gemutlichkeit experience...

Turtle

2007-10-05T09:56:00.000-06:00

A turtle wandered across my lawn...

Fall Mushrooms

2007-10-04T19:49:00.000-06:00

Fall mushrooms.

Fall Color

2007-10-03T19:28:00.000-06:00

This is a yellow birch in my yard.

Cyrilla & George

2007-09-27T20:23:00.000-06:00

Cyrilla (with Buddy) and George checking out the cattle...

Visitors from Cleveland

2007-09-27T20:05:00.000-06:00

My old friends Cyrilla and George from Cleveland, came for a visit. Here they are enjoying lunch on the deck of the Stabbin' Cabin. Another gemutlichkeit moment at Knox Creek Farm...

Koskela Kin

2007-09-27T18:36:00.000-06:00

Another photo of Arnold's sisters Helen and Irene with her "baby" Lizzie, and nephew Terry. Thank you all very much for the additional gifts of historical family possessions including baby Lizzie and carriage, to the museum...

Koskela Kin

2007-09-27T18:14:00.000-06:00

It is with sadness that we note the passing of our dear friend Arnold Koskela, whose gifts made possible the Koskela House Finnish Museum. Returning for the funeral are his sisters Helen and Irene, and nephew Terry.

Bracket Fungi

2007-09-18T20:13:00.000-06:00

Bracket fungi on a stump.

After

2007-09-17T19:18:00.000-06:00

Eight hours later the pond is finished...

During

2007-09-17T19:02:00.000-06:00

The pond is being dug...

Beginning

2007-09-17T18:47:00.000-06:00

The pond-builders have begun digging the pond...

Arrival

2007-09-17T18:31:00.000-06:00

The pond-builders have arrived...

Before

2007-09-17T17:53:00.000-06:00

The pond-builders have been called...

Conifer Collectors

2007-09-16T19:33:00.000-06:00

My conifer collector friends from Green Bay, Vonnie and Tom, came on Saturday for a tour of my arboretum. The tour took seven and one half hours! I was exhausted when we returned to the house. They brought a generous gift of ten assorted conifers, trees, shrubs and plants. Thank you very much, Vonnie and Tom!

Another Fall Mushroom

2007-09-11T14:01:00.000-06:00

Another fall mushroom...

Fall Mushroom

2007-09-10T20:58:00.000-06:00

A fall mushroom...

Any mushroom people out there?

Apple Tree

2007-09-09T20:05:00.000-06:00

One of my apple trees was so heavily laden with apples that one of the major branches broke down.

Open House

2007-09-08T18:40:00.000-06:00

The Koskela House Finnish Museum at Knox Creek Farm held an open house today. Pam and her spinning group friends put on a demonstration of everything related to spinning. Home-made baked goods, soap and other items were offered for sale. Refreshments were served. This picture of Arnold who was born in the House 90 years ago was the only photo that I took. I was too busy giving tours to take any other photos, unfortunately, as there were so many that I would like to have taken. The most interesting and fascinating people stopped in for tours of the museum. They really made my day. I am looking forward to seeing them again sometime. It was another gemutlichkeit experience at Knox Creek Farm...

Dwarf Conifer

2007-08-22T20:52:00.000-06:00

Pinus uncinata var. rotunda 'Hnizdo' (Mountain Pine)
Purchased from Edelweiss Nursery in Duluth in 2005 for $30.
This pine is a little over 12 inches high and is doing well.

This photo and info is for my conifer collector friend in Green Bay.

This Afternoon

2007-08-20T18:58:00.000-06:00

This afternoon I was walking on the road out to the log houses when a coyote came running from the opposite direction around a bend in the road. When it saw me it quickly reversed and disappeared.

Later I went out on the trails with my ATV and ran into some small trees and branches across the trail. Upon investigation I concluded that some bear had knocked the chokecherry trees and branches down in its pursuit of cherries.

And later yet I ran into a patch of blackberries as yet undiscovered by the bears. I stuffed myself with the big, juicy ripe berries.

Sauna

2007-08-18T19:34:00.000-06:00

After a long, hot summer with temperatures in the 80's and 90's, a cold front came in today and when the temperature reached 55 this evening I knew there was only one thing to do and that was to fire up the sauna. The thermometer quickly climbed to over 200 degrees. After a hot sauna I cooled off with a Leinie's on the Aldo Leopold bench on the porch of the sauna. It was wonderful! Sorry, no pictures...

Aldo Leopold Benches

2007-08-17T21:03:00.000-06:00

Eight new Mautz red Aldo Leopold Benches to place on the trails...

Evidence at Happy Andy's

2007-08-15T18:20:00.001-06:00

The evidence in the cornfield at Happy Andy's...

Cornfield at Happy Andy's

2007-08-15T17:56:00.000-06:00

The cornfield at Happy Andy's is in a shambles. Various varmints are having a picnic every night.

Happy Andy's Cornfield

2007-08-15T17:32:00.000-06:00

Half eaten corn at Happy Andy's...

Burgdorf Cabin

2007-08-15T17:03:00.000-06:00

One of the many cabins at Burgdorf...