Small Scale Life

Small Scale Life Welcome to a backyard naturalist journal about birds, habitat, and small scale living on the shores of the Willow River in Wisconsin. Come grow with us!

Join your hosts Farmer Tom and Julie as we discuss creating a U-Pick Micro Flower Farm from scratch in Western Wisconsin. We will also be growing flowers, vegetables, and community by holding events at our farm and by interviewing market gardeners, urban farmers and flower farms who are all connecting to the land and serving our customers.

🌺 IT’S WEDDING DAY! 💍💐We loaded up the beautiful flower arrangements from the cooler at The Landing and headed down to H...
09/04/2026

🌺 IT’S WEDDING DAY! 💍💐

We loaded up the beautiful flower arrangements from the cooler at The Landing and headed down to Hope Glen Farm in Cottage Grove, MN, for today’s wedding!

The flowers have a gorgeous tropical-island vibe, and of course, your Wedding Flower Expert Jules created some of her most beautiful arrangements yet. ❤️

I had to grab an action shot because…well…she’s just way too pretty. 😍

Me? Yeah, I’m kind of a big deal too. 🤣

You know what a Hot Dog I can be…so Jules bought me a new hat. 🌭😂

Now we’re cooling down, waiting for the ceremony, and enjoying a little time to chat and have a few laughs before the big moment.

So…what are YOU doing today?

And be honest…

Bet you don’t have a hot dog hat like me! 🌭🤣

06/11/2026

PSA: Watch out for turtles crossing the roads!

Female turtles are making their way onto and across roads in the Upper Midwest. We have had a number of painted turtles (like this lovely lady) and snapping turtles in our yard and laying eggs. This painted turtle was in our driveway and heading for the front yard maple to lay her eggs.

Unfortunately, other turtles aren’t so lucky. I saw a massive snapping turtle (seemed to be the size of a basketball) get hit by a passenger car down near New Prague, MN, today. The poor turtle ended up on her back and looked to be in poor shape.

Be careful. Don’t be distracted. The calls and texts can wait. Watch out for wildlife on our roads!

That includes turtles, turkeys, geese, deer and other critters out there.

This little lady was not hurt in the filming of this PSA and is back in the Willow River.

Yesterday the Orioles came home to The Landing. Today the Hummingbirds returned. This little guy surprised me, made me s...
05/06/2026

Yesterday the Orioles came home to The Landing. Today the Hummingbirds returned.

This little guy surprised me, made me smile and brought a tear to my eyes.

I was texting my sister, opened the Birdfy app, and there he was. As she said, “It’s like someone is sending you a message.”

Yes…I totally receive that. We know who it is, and I am so happy to see my little fast and fierce friends again.

Run free, little Hummingbird. Run free.

New Richmond, WI
5/5/2026
Birdfy Hummingbird Camera

03/28/2026

Red stops by for some black oil sunflower seed. He is always watching for the Sharp-Shinned Hawk and other predators.

Never get too comfortable; you never know when a predator is lurking.

Time to restock the feeders and make more bird seed creations! Farmers Market Season is approaching rapidly, and we are going to be at the New Richmond High School Farmer’s Market on April 11 and the New Richmond Heritage Center Farmers Markets on Saturdays this year.

Game on! 🐦‍⬛

03/25/2026

It’s a Beautiful day. Listen to the birds!

The snow from Winter Storm Elsa melted away, and now the ice is melting on Mary Pond and the Willow River.

Grey ice = getting thin!

What’s your guess?

03/18/2026

Aftermath

The sun also rises as it chases Winter Storm/Blizzard Elsa away from The Landing. We survived the storm and were promptly met with -9 degree F temps this morning and 1”-3” of snow tonight.

The snow is still falling.

By the weekend we’ll be in the mid-40’s. Welcome to March in the Upper Midwest!

The weather changes as fast as the current on the river…

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2625 Northwestern Avenue
Wausau, WI
54403

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