Desmond Valentine

Desmond (half Bengal, half Siamese), on his first birthday

Cattails

University of Wisconsin, Green Bay

Kamry totally rocking it on campus at UWGB. We were loving the "Danish Modern" 1960s vibes in the science building.

these chairs are awesome

they just don't make buildings like they used to

Hexagons

Welcome to our living room--built in the 1920s with no overhead lighting. Dylan made us this gorgeous ceiling light from scratch--cut all the hexagons, stained the wood, designed the a-symmetrical pattern, and wiring (of course with the consultation of our electrical engineering pals).

The Bees are moving to Ledgeview

Beekeeping: Another one of Dylan's ideas that I thought was totally out of the ordinary until we started digging a little deeper to find a whole network of people involved. I often wonder if things become popular all at once, OR,  if I just didn't notice until I started looking…probably the latter! There is an entire honeybee store (Honey Bee Ware) in Greenville, "Helping Beekeepers Keep Bees". Honey Bee Ware receives bees from California allowing Wisconsinites to pre-order and pick bees up from their shop (a shop filled with beekeeping gear, books, and of course close to every beeswax/honey product you can imagine). 

Boxes were hand-built by Dylan and Justin, bees were picked up from Honey Bee Ware, and the bees were moved into their new homes (THIS blogpost). Below is one colony made up of thousands of bees and 1 queen. The whole outfit would crumble without their queen.

The queen in her special Limo: a little wooden box sealed by a cork. The cork gets removed and replaced with a marshmallow that the worker bees eventually eat through to free her.

An adorable Kamry

Dylan

Justin

We'll keep you posted!

Casa de Meghan

Setting of this interview: Meghan's adorable apartment.

Meghan is nurse, potter, knitter, Kombucha brewer, succulent whisperer, finch mom, and most importantly, follower of Christ. Dylan and I met her at our favorite coffee shop (Kavarna) last summer, but it feels likes we've been friends for years.

While living in San Francisco I noticed that people have mixed impressions towards the midwest as an outlet of art and exciting things--when I told Wisconsin-transplants (living in CA) that I was moving to Green Bay, they told me it'd be a transition. Meghan (a resident of Green Bay), on the other hand,  makes Green Bay look like an artisan/cultural wonderland….this blog post is an interview with Meghan on her favorite things about Green Bay and advice on how to find everything an artistic and diversity loving spirit needs within a city that feels like a small town.

Q: You could've been a nurse anywhere, why Green Bay?

Meghan: Nothing in particular, I didn't CHOOSE Green Bay specifically--it's where my Family is from, it's where I'm rooted I came back for the large base of support. (she came back to Green Bay after graduating Nursing School in Eau Clair)

Q: You have a unique network of local businesses and community events you regular, where did you find these things?

Meghan: Talking to people! Keeping my eyes open. For example, I rode my bike past the Artisan Center and Art Garage and wanted to see what was going on! Seek and you will find! 

Q: Tell me about some gems of Green Bay:

Meghan:

• The Artisan Center: Unbeatable open studio hours and so many people to talk to!
• The Attic: Coffee Shop--a little less mainstream, a little more studious and relaxed atmosphere
• La Espiga Market: Really cheap chia seeds and other fun things to try like coconuts and exotic fruits
• St. Paul's Lutheran: They preach God's word straight forward and applicable + lots to get involved with
• Fox River Trail: Beautiful running/biking trail with a lot of nature and older homes to see!
• Blackstone Cafe: Green Bay has it's own unique diversity that shouldn't be discounted when compared to bigger cities (you can see some of this diversity at Blackstone Cafe).

Q: It seems like you've made a lot of connections at work. Do you agree with that?

Meghan: Despite it's stresses, you meet so many people you would have never met otherwise--I've met people from other countries and been exposed to a wide range of Green Bay Natives as well.

Side note: Meghan always seems to be doing something--whether it be making tamales with neighbors or picking her friend's brain about composting--she is constantly asking YOU what YOU think about a, b, or c. It's an ability she has that I believe is hard to master.

Q: What advice would you give to somebody who thinks they live in a boring city?

Meghan: Every city has it's gems--talk to people, make connections, seek out places you can do your  hobbies (for example, pottery at the Artisan Center)

Meghan is gifted in many things, and one of those things is paying attention. I'm so glad to call you a friend Meghan!

Maple Sugaring (How Maple Syrup is Born)

A dozen youtube videos and few weekends ago, Dylan decided to tap some maple trees on a very particular weekend--a freezing day followed by the first not freezing days when sap starts to melt. I thought this was a very unique idea, but it turns out most people you talk to around here are connected to at least one person who has tried to tap a tree. Dylan picked some maples in his parent's woods, but we've seen bags of sap hanging off trees in residential neighborhoods…

After gallons of collection and enough boiling to make everything in the house soggy, Dylan had half a liter of the most delicious syrup I have ever tasted. Before this, the only syrup I'd experienced cost  $2.99 and was mainly made of high fructose corn syrup and artificial caramel coloring.

Dylan's collection buckets--I think we were all surprised to find these full of sap on a daily basis. I thought sap would be thicker and sticky, but actually it looks and tastes like water.

Dylan didn't think this photo should be included

Boiling off the water

Filtering

 Sanitizing Jars

 Concentrating

 Bottling

 Ta-da!

As Dylan's Dad puts it:  "thats really cool…..but that was a lot of work."