Lex Naturalis: An Adventure Out in the Country

Summer Diversions

This week's homeschooling posts are interrupted by an adventurous interlude. As every Wisconsinite will tell you, the State of Wisconsin is known as "God's Country." And after the evening I had in Wisconsin, I'm hard-pressed to argue with that statement.

Late afternoon on Tuesday, we packed up the car and headed to a farm near Stockholm, WI. I've wanted to do this for the last 6 years. I don't know why it's taken us so long to actually do it. We opted to take the WI side of the river road and were met with one of the most beautiful drives we have ever experienced.

There were row, upon row, upon row of tall green and golden corn stalks, 
alternating with dizzying ups, downs and arounds through steep hills and valleys of thick, dark, lush woods. All of this above the glittering, gleaming, stream of lakes that begins as the Mississippi River, becomes Lake Pepin and eventually becomes the Mississippi River again. The tiny, quaint villages of Maiden Rock and Stockholm were almost too charming to believe. We passed signs for fresh eggs, maple syrup, berries and more. We were in love with God's Country and talking about buying a farm and becoming farmers {I'm not kidding}.

A to Z

Why go to a farm in WI on a Tuesday evening? Well, for pizza, of course. We were headed to A to Z Produce and Bakery where, in their words, "We grow vegetables. We bake bread. We make pizza." They do indeed make pizza...on the farm every Tuesday from 4:30 to 8 p.m. from March through November. Every week the menu board reads a little differently, depending upon what's available from their farm. They use their own vegetables and process their own meats.

A to Z Pizza Farm is run like a well-oiled machine. When you arrive, you give your order to Pete after perusing the chalkboard menu of choices for the evening. Pete gives you a number and a time to be standing near the ovens waiting on your pizza {and he sounds pretty serious about the time thing}. I, being a rule follower, was standing waiting for our "Margharitta" pizza with orange, green and red tomatoes, garlic, basil and mozzarella 5 minutes before it came out of the outdoor brick fire oven, per Pete's instructions.

Bring It In, Take It Out

Here's the thing about A to Z, they supply the pizza and the box. That's it. The would-be diner supplies EVERYTHING else and you take EVERYTHING, even the pizza box, with you when you leave. We brought a quilt and chairs, ice cold water with orange slices, the makings for my take on a Caprese Salad, fresh peaches, dark chocolate chip cookies and flasks of ice cold milk, plates, napkins, cups and flatware and water spray bottles with fans, balls and bubbles. Some brought folding tables and chairs, colorful table clothes, jars of flowers, instruments, games, wine, beer and whatever complimentary foods tickled their fancies.

Each group, some families, some couples, some friends, some girls' night out groups, etc., picked a spot amongst the trees, near the pastures, between the barns, next to a green house, beside an old chicken coop, close to the goats or near the cows, in the sun or in the shade. We chose an open spot for the boys to run and play ball, but didn't think of the hot sun that came out soon after we had settled our gear and set up camp. Next time {oh yes, there will be a next time}, we'll choose a place in the shady glade.

The Report

The pizza, salad, peaches, refreshingly cold and slightly citrusy water, warm melty chocolate chip cookies and ice cold milk made a wonderful outdoors meal. We enjoyed seeing the cows, pigs and goats and exploring the farm buildings and gardens. The ants did try to take over my bottle of balsamic vinegar in the picnic basket and a spider almost dropped on my head, but other than that, I survived the country meal.

Here's the down low, if you decide to go. When the ingredients are gone, whether it's 8 o'clock or not, the pizzas are done. So, be sure to arrive fairly early. We got there around 5 p.m. and got the 63^rd pizza made that night. By the time our pizza was ready, 20 minutes later, the numbers being given out were in the 120s. They sell about 350 pizzas on any given Tuesday night. The pizzas range in price between $24 and $28 and are large. Our pizza loving family had plenty of food with just one pizza. In case you are wondering, there are 2 bathrooms, one modern and one not too bad for an outhouse kind-of bathroom, but I lucked out and got the modern bathroom when it was my turn in line.

The Scoop

We came away from A to Z, hot and sweaty, full and satisfied and very happy to have a most lovely drive home back to the city. But, we're still talking about a farm. If I were you, I'd find an open Tuesday evening to go out to the farm for pizza. Homeschooling posts will return on Thursday. Over and out...

One more photo must :

 

 

http://www.atozproduceandbakery.com/

Anna

 

 

Comments

[Sally]

Sounds wonderful,Anna.Looks like you all had great fun.

love,
Sally

[nic]

What a wonderful evening. We're going! (And can't wait to visit you on the farm. But, find one close.)

[Heidi]

I had never heard of this. Wish we could go! Looks like you had a great family adventure!