My Hobbies Over The Years

Introduction 

Over the years I have collected some interesting things. The things that I have collected are the things that I have enjoy collecting. This article will show some of the things that I have collected over the years. These are my personal hobby that I enjoy doing over the years.

Sports Trading Cards

The first thing that I collect are sports trading cards. I been collecting cards since 1978. Some of collection dates back to 1970. I also have some reprints of of older cards like the 1953 Milwaukee Braves and Johnson Cookie Factory promotional Milwaukee Braves. My collection mainly from sports teams from Milwaukee, like the Brewers, Bucks and Milwaukee Admirals (minor league hockey). In my collection, I own about 4,000 to 5,000 cards mostly baseball and mainly team sets. The most treasured card which I have is the Robin Yount rookie card.

When I started my collection back in 1978 I used to buy packs of baseball cards and at times traded with some of my friends. I tried to collect complete sets of that year's cards, but I soon found out that it was hard to do and to concentrate on collecting my favorite local teams in each sport. As the years went by I went to sports cards shows where I have traded some of my cards that I didn't need for the ones that I did need to add to my collection. I have also went to card shops to obtain team sets that I have needed.

Lapel Pins

The second thing that I enjoy collecting are lapel pins. I have started collected lapel pins when I used to work for McDonald's back in the late 1980's early 1990's. Some of the things that I have in this collection are sports, McDonald's, Wisconsin State Fair pins, service pins from work. Some of the pins that I received was from work and from some people who saw me wearing my pins and asked me if I collect them and I told them that yes I do collect them, so the next time that I saw them they gave me a pin or two. There are some of them like half of my Wisconsin State Fair pins that I have actually bought out of my own money.

Peanuts Collection 

The third thing that collect is anything that is related to Peanuts. Ever since I was a kid I enjoyed watching the holiday specials that was on television. But some of the things that I have in this collection are books, glassware, stuff Snoopy toys, DVDs to name a few.

Taking up a Hobby 

These are examples of things that you do. You can also take up hobbies as well. You have collect thing similar to this but there are other types of things you can do like playing a musical instrument, playing board games, fishing plus other things. 

I hope that you take up some kind of hobby to fill some of your time to keep you busy. Have fun and happy hobby.

*Pictures are from I have taken. 

Carrot Cake

Carrot Cake

I love carrot cake and is one of my recipes for carrot cake that use and the best recipe that I ever use. I hope that you use the recipe and enjoy it when it's done. 

Cake Recipe

2 cups flour
1-1/2 cups vegetable oil
2 cups sugar
3 cups shredded carrots
4 eggs
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla

Cake Directions

1. Preheat oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Mix oil, sugar and eggs.
3. Add vanilla.
4. Blend in all dry ingredients.
5. Stir in carrots and walnuts.
6. Pour batter into a glass 9x13 inch pan.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for one hour.

Frosting Recipe And Directions

Frosting Recipe

1/2 cup butter
8 ounces cream cheese
2-1/2 cups powder sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon milk
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Frosting Directions

1. Blend butter and cream cheese.
2. Add vanilla and powder sugar.
3. Mix well.
4. Add milk if frosting seems too thick.
5. Frost cake and sprinkle with walnuts.

Peanut Butter Dog Treats

Do you like making homemade treats for your dog or dogs? This recipe is to make peanut butter cookie treats for your dog. This is an easy recipe to make. I hope that you enjoy making them for your four legged friend and the dog will love them.

The Ingredients You Will Need








Peanut butter cookies for dogs

These are the ingredients that you need for making the cookies.

1 cup of creamy peanut butter
1 cup of low fat milk
1 table spoon of baking powder
2 cups of flour

Directions

Pre heat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix all the above ingredents in a mixing bowl. Roll out the cookie dough out and you use any cookie cutter of your choice.

After that place them on a greased cookie sheet. For easier clean up you may placed them on parchment paper on the cookie sheet.

Then place the cookie sheet with cookies in oven for 20- 25 minutes or until golden brown. After they are cooled placed them in a air tight container. 

*I've taken this picture. 

Wisconsin State Fair

THE WISCONSIN STATE FAIR

The Wisconsin State Fair is at West Allis, WI. The fair normally runs during the early part of August. Check out the website for dates and times. It is a fun place to go-to for the whole family. There are lots to see and do at the fair. I hope everyone comes and checks it out.

Midway

There are lots of games and rides for all ages at the midway. Fairgoers will experience thrills, chills, giggles, silly screams, smiles, and more with the variety of amusement rides and games for every age to enjoy.

Foods on a Stick

There are various foods that you can buy that are on a stick. My favorite food on a stick the cheesecake on a stick. Others are; deep-fried apple pie, chili cheese dog, plus a whole lot more. If you can think of what you on a stick, chances are one of the vendors at the fair might have it for you.

Kids from Wisconsin

The Kids from Wisconsin program was conceived and developed in 1969 by the late Mark Azzolina at the behest of then Wisconsin State Fair Board Chairman, Herbert P. Velzer and Fair Administrator Vernon G. Wendland. They were acting on a request by the late Governor Warren P. Knowles who, given the turbulence of the late ’60s, wanted to show the nation the best face of Wisconsin’s youth.

In their first year, 400 kids auditioned for their 17-day camp, and 60 achieved positions in the first edition of the Kids from Wisconsin.

They have performed at the fair for many years. They perform at the Cousins Sub Amphitheater.

In 1982, Kids from Wisconsin, Ltd became an independent, non-profit corporation. A board of directors was formed, and a contract was negotiated with the State Fair for daily performances during its 11-day run each year. Kids maintain offices at the Fair Park administration building in West Allis, Wisconsin.

Performances have included county fairs, festivals, and conventions throughout the continent. The musical revue has helped raise thousands of dollars for worthy charitable organizations. Kids from Wisconsin maintain a demanding schedule each summer, performing 65 to 70 shows during June, July, and August.

Pig Races

Another fun thing to do is going to see the pig races. The SAZ’S RACING PIG was presented by the Milwaukee Admirals. There are normally about four races per show. Each is a different set of pigs racing around a track for the ultimate treat at the end of the race. They are always fun to watch. Each section of stands with people gets a chance to cheer for a pig to help them on to the finish.

Cream Puffs

One of the most popular delights at the fair is the Cream Puff. It all started in 1924 that was the year the Wisconsin Bakers Association and the State of Wisconsin began their joint venture to establish and operate a bakery using genuine Wisconsin dairy products in front of thousands of observers. That first year they sold 27,108 cream puffs. And each year there are always long lines in the Original Cream Puff Building. But they do have some stands around the fairgrounds for everyone who has a craving for one so they don’t have to go back to the building to get some.

Short History Of The Fair

The first Wisconsin State Fair was held in Janesville in 1851 on a six-acre plot along the banks of the Rock River and was sponsored by the State Agricultural Society. At this time, the Fair was held for just two days in October, admission was only a dime and attendance was between 13,000 and 18,000 people. It is reported that the Fair went smoothly, avoiding any accidents or disturbances. Some major attractions at the 1851 Fair included a 200-pound squash and a quarter-acre plowing competition. Along with all the hotels in the area, the barns were filled and there were a reported 461 entries with receipts totaling $570.31. At this point, the Fair was the largest reported gathering in Wisconsin history!

Throughout the next 41 years, the Fair moved between Watertown, Fond du Lac, Madison, and Milwaukee. It was not until 1892 that the Fair was held at its present site in West Allis, where it has taken place ever since. The current Fairgrounds features a grandstand with seating for thousands – the location of the Potawatomi Bingo Casino Main Stage during the Fair, a racetrack that is utilized for a variety of automotive events outside of the Fair and supplement parking during the Fair, multiple barns, a Coliseum, and various exhibit buildings.

Judging and Contests

Each year at the fair, there is always something going on for fairgoers and for the people who bring in their animals (like cows, sheep, and horses). The people who are showing off their animals are in the barns they have at the fair but for judging purposes, they go to the Coliseum. Fairgoers can go to the Coliseum to watch the judging also. There are contests for fairgoers there scattered throughout the fair like Cream Puff eating contest, people who have best moo call to name a few.

Final Thoughts

I love going to the Wisconsin State Fair. It's my favorite place to go to in August. It seems like there is always something going on there. Especially have to go there for my cream puff. The average attendance there is usually over 850,000 people or better each year.

Usinger’s Sausage

Usinger’s Sausage is located at 1030 N. Old World Third Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They have been in business since 1880 and it is family-owned.

History of Usinger’s

The business was started by Fred Usinger in 1880 and at the same location. Fred Usinger came to Milwaukee in the 1870s as a young German immigrant and with his favorite sausage recipes and $400. He had learned how to make sausage in Frankfurt, Germany. At the time the husband and wife worked between fourteen to sixteen hours a day making sausages. The saloons paid a premium price to Usinger for their sausages as long as the saloon customers enjoyed the sausages.

When the turn of the century when the German aristocracy started shopping on Third Street, Usinger opened up shop. The store soon became very popular, and soon they were sending sausages to as far away as New York. Due to the business became increasing more in sales Fred Usinger had to hire more help out to keep up with the increased work. Fred always kept an eye on the growth and kept it under control. He wanted to make sure he wanted to keep an eye on the sausage-making process.

In 1930 when Fred Usinger, who founded the business pass away, his legacy still lives on to this day. Their history spans over 100 years there is always a Usinger keeping an eye on the same sausage process did not change. The business is now in its fourth generation of making sausage. To this day they use the same recipes from day one when it has started. They never change the recipes or buy cheaper meat to keep the prices down as so many businesses have done.

Store

Their store is located at 1030 N. Old World Third Street. The store is attached to the factory and is open six days a week. This a place where you can find over 70 different kinds of sausages that they make. They are open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. If you would like to checkout Usinger’s website either to see what they all have to offer and if you want to go to see their store or order online you can click on their name to go to the site.

Products At Other Stores

If you live in Milwaukee or planning to travel to Milwaukee and you are unable to get to their store they offer their products in most of the local grocery stores in the area. Some stores may offer more of their product than other stores.

TAGGED WITH: FOOD, MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN

Visit West Allis Farmers Market In West Allis

The History Of the West Allis Farmers Market

The West Allis Farmers Market was established around 1919 and it has been an outstanding source of excellent products for the different generations of families that lives in the area. The families have come to shop at one of the largest, and possibly one of the oldest, established Farmers Markets in southeastern Wisconsin. One of the main reasons that this farmers market is one of the best markets is that the farmers that come here grown all of their products they have to sell. People in the area always said if you want the best products always shop at the West Allis Farmers Market.

Fresh Produce And Floral Plants At The West Allis Farmers Market

When the West Allis Farmers open for the season, which runs from the first Saturday in May through the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the first things to arrive there are the floral plants for the people who enjoy planting floral gardens at their homes. There a few people that will bring some produce and bake goods for sale. There is a wide range of variety of different types of products that comes to the farmers market throughout the year when the farmers market is open. Some of the things that come to the market are floral bedding plants, radishes, asparagus, and rhubarb. The produce that comes into the farmers market in June is Strawberries and raspberries for the fruit and also coming in are zucchini, squash, peas, snap beans for the vegetables. Some of the produces that come in about a week after the Fourth Of July is corn, along with many other squashes and herb plants. Some of the things that come late season are the fresh apples and cider. Chickens and fresh eggs are always available along with other fresh meats. 

The main reason that the West Allis Farmers Market open later in the day is to allow farmers to bring the freshest produce that they have picked that morning and bring those to the market for the people to purchase. And when the farmers are sold out of their products they are allowed to leave the market early. 

Food Vendors At The Farmers Market

During the days the West Allis Farmers Market is open you also can find food vendors on the side street by the farmers market. The vendors are from the local area businesses and they serve hot sandwiches, bakery, drinks, and other yummy things. There are a variety of different things for everyone to enjoy. Some of the food vendors are very popular at the farmers market and they offer some best products that they serve, especially those that are from the local area.

My Personal Experience Of The Farmers Market

My wife and I enjoy going to the West Allis Farmers Market. We try to get to this as much as we can when we are available to go there. Seeing the different farmers with their variety of different products that they offer. The food vendors outsides the market are great. So if you are in the area and would like to visit this farmers market I urge you to go and check it out. Your experience of this market would be awesome.

My Life As A Volunteer

My Life As A Volunteer Of Clarence Schreiber 

Epikos Church 

I started to volunteer at my local chuch in July of 2014 as part of the connection team. I have done different things while volunteering here. A few of things that I've done has been greet people as they come into church, handing out bulletins which contains announcements, connections cards so they can fill out to let the church now that the people who had visited and if they have any prayer requests that they may have. And a envelope in case if they would like to donate money to the church.

Mitchell Park Domes 

And since then I also volunteer for the Mitchell Park Domes in which I have been helping out for a few years now. When I started for the Domes it was the time when I went on disability from my work due to my arthritis in both of my feet and my left ankle and also other health issues. Both places has been very accomodating because of my feet and I have been fun doing them both.

I always wanted to wanted to volunteer for the Domes for awhile. Shortly after going on disablity from due to my arthritis in both of my feet and my left ankle, I filled out an appication to voluntering at the Domes. My first time that was to volunteer for them was at a luncheon on September 24, 2015 and other dates. So, I decided to agree to volunteer for that date as well as other dates that they had offered. I have told them about my feet and they were able to accomadate by doing things that either sitting or very little standing involved. At the lunchon that I have helped out at I filled swag bags and manning the information table about the Domes. I was happy to hear that the luncheon was for the Menomonee Valley Parters and for some of the bussisnesses from the Menomonee Valley

Shepard Express 

I started to volunteer for the events sponsored by the Shepherd Express. The Shepherd Express a weekly news paper. My first volunteering job that I did for them was for the Stein and Dine event at the information table. There I helped out with helping guests where they need to go and help selling t-shirts for the event. This was a sit down job in which I was very grateful for. I also have done other events like Street Eats which was fun. I was given out promotional frisbees for them when they buy tickets to purchase food at the different vendors, I handout frisbees that acts like a plate for their food from the food trucks. This event was was held at a park in the Third Ward.

Wisconsin State Fair 

 I've been volunteering for the State Fair for about five years. When I started for them it was under the House of Moo, but for the last couple of years they have changed the name to Dairy Lane. I have learned what the dairy industry was all about in turned a teach fair goers about the industry as well and also about the different cows there was and the different types of feed that eat. I'm grateful that they given me free tickets to enter the fair and a coupon for a free grill cheese sandwich in the Dairy Provillion across the cow barn. 

My View On Volunteering

Grant you we all like to get paid for the work that we all do, but there will be a time that we will be face that many things that we will get satisfaction from won't be the work that we get paid for all the time, but the satisfaction for some of the things we don't get paid for. I know that I like to get paid as well, but I do enjoy volunteering for the places thatI do. With the volunteer jobs that I have, I am able to interact with lots of people that I incounter, because I am more of a people person.

Don't get me wrong I did enjoy my job at the grocery store and was getting paid fairly for the job that I was doing as a bagger. But when I became disabled and unable to do the work that I was doing I've found another way to enjoy a different types of other work.