RECIPES & MEMORIES OF THE OLD LUMBERYARD RESTAURANT (Part 8) MINERAL POINT, WI

RECIPES & MEMORIES OF THE OLD LUMBERYARD RESTAURANT

PART 8 

MINERAL POINT, WI

The top picture is of Larry Bauer - a wonderful, kind man who loved to help out at the produce stand.  He would make handmade candies and nut mixes to sell at the stand.  The 2nd picture is the exterior of the restaurant, Mort and Stinky in the Flea Market and an interior picture of the restaurant ordering counter and kitchen. 

Can't Believe that I am up to Part 8.  Started out with one post and gained so many followers - so, I just kept going.  I decided that I will do Part 9 & 10 and then, I need to really get going on the completion of the renovation at our Victorian home.  We are (of course) currently renovating a big old Victorian in the UP - in hopes of renting it out and moving to a lake house that we just purchased (In WI). So, two more 'parts' and then onto more renovation.  The nicer weather is calling us to the lake house.

 Thanks for the opportunity to walk down memory lane Mineral Point.  

 A little bit about our life since Mineral Point

Mort has always wanted to be able to just fish at one of the many homes/properties that we have renovated.  So, we've always bought properties/big renovation jobs, that had ponds or were waterfront.  And, because of working jobs, in addition to the renovation - fishing was just mostly a wish.  We stocked the big ponds and did go out on our various sized boats, but we'd end up just messing around with the frogs, snakes, turtles and our dogs that would be running around the pond or swimming out to us in the boat.  

This time is different - our newly purchased lake house is move in ready (although of course there are some changes we'd like to make - but don't have to).  This property, house and lake are near Pound, WI on Westcott Lake (a smaller, more natural Lake).  There are 8 lakes in the area - the larger ones are for jet skis and power boats - not our thing.  Our property right on the lake currently has a big old building - that needs complete renovation - so fishing and renovation about 100 ft. apart.  Dream combination for Mort - Renovation with breaks to throw in a line to possibly catch a fish. Our house is right across a dirt/gravel road from this property/lake.  

We feel really privileged to have been involved with the many renovations (we counted 25) Many buildings were saved from demolition - brought back with care and respect and homes and businesses were created from these labors of love.  

Since the Old Lumberyard Complex renovations (there were 8 buildings) plus the construction of the new buildings/businesses (at that time) Old Lumberyard Restaurant & Bakery and the Storage Units/Tourist Cottage/Apartments,  we have renovated two large homes/hobby farms on larger property in WI, an apartment in Mineral Point (the Cyrus Woodman home), two Victorian homes in the UP and a log cabin (a real log cabin from the 1800's).  The log cabin is also in the UP and had a KEEP OUT sign on it when we first saw it. Talk about an added attraction to the Crowley's (we love the hard renovations). We recently sold the log cabin (after 3 years of work) to a couple that approached us - it was not even on the market at that time. This log cabin was like most of our 'purchases' - it was being used/abused as a hunting camp (it was on several hundred acres) in the middle of state land.  Yes, we had bears, raccoons, porcupines, 3 different kinds of squirrels, possums, bobcats, so many deer and every beautiful bird you can imagine.   The log cabin was located on beautiful acreage and as an added attraction (to only the Crowley's) there was also an older mobile home on it, a shop full of tires and car parts and a fall down chicken coop.  Of course, we fell in love (the more obstacles the better).   First, we put up a new barn and fenced in an area for our animals that would be moving up there with us (from WI to MI) -  (chickens, peacocks, llamas, sheep, cats, dogs & Parrot). Then we filled several large dumpsters with the shop contents (old auto parts/tires) and the ridiculously large amount of crap from the log cabin.  (Who carries ten old dressers up a tiny staircase to the second floor).  We opened up one of the windows on the second floor and threw all of the dressers and other stuff right down into a dumpster.    We also had a full semi container (that we filled in Dodgeville) and had moved to his property in the UP.  The mobile home on the property was not in bad shape, and dry, so we filled it with boxes of our stuff that we probably had not seen in the last few moves.  

The cabin was rough - but as usual we made do with all of it's funkiness, and we slowly made living there less difficult. Every time we would look out into our woods/fields and see herds of deer or look at our outdoor camera that was on a tree near the cabin - and see the face and then the rear end of a bear - we knew that we could deal with this cabin.   First, we replaced the shredded interior door that was serving as the exterior entrance - and put in a full glass exterior door.  Then, we installed a wood burner (there was a beautiful yellow enamel cook stove in there that was used for heat prior to us)).  Changed out the existing windows - would have liked to install more but, we're talking logs from the 1800's - cutting through them). We would probably still be living there if we had not been convinced by this couple that really loved and wanted it, to sell it to them.  I guess we were ready though - so much beauty - but so isolated.  Snowstorms and wind that would knock out the electricity for days, trees that fell across the driveway and roads that were the last ones the township would get to.  Terrible reception for tv, internet and phone.  We're too old for this much excitement.  So, this couple turned out to be a blessing.  They are younger, from the area and have family nearby. We quickly sold a lot of our massive number of things (left this younger couple a lot of stuff) and loaded up once again and moved to our current home (an old Victorian) in Menominee, MI.  Mort had to quickly put up a greenhouse in the backyard to put a lot of our things in - we also filled the old carriage house and this large Victorian home.  Since then, we have been donating and throwing so much stuff - stuff we have been dragging around through so many moves.  We are now at a time of simplifying our lives (as much as we collectors can simplify). We are currently replacing windows, sanding floors, painting and putting in a new bathroom/laundry room on the first floor and getting this Victorian ready to rent.  We are planning on moving out to the recently purchased lake house.   Ah - gardening, fishing, sitting by a fire, and really being able to do some of the hobbies we've pecked at over the years - (making furniture for Mort) and hopefully finishing and publishing the many books that I (Laura) have been writing for years.  I've self-published one book  - but going to look for a publisher this time.  

A few memories of the Old Lumberyard Restaurant

We had so many wonderful customers.  One of them loved our chocolate chip cookies so when I found out when his birthday was - I made him a giant (about 8 inches across) chocolate chip cookie and took it to his place of employment. 

We catered Alliant Energy Events - also Lands' End Holiday Celebrations. The day of the Lands' End Holiday party was subzero outside.  We had three trucks moving all of the catering cabinets.  The only issue that day was keeping the food from freezing.  The parties were always successes because I always treated them like they were at my home and for my friends.  

 Laura had the great (?) idea of preparing complete Thanksgiving dinners and delivering them on Thanksgiving Day (in various stages).  Some customers wanted everything completely cooked and ready to eat, others wanted everything assembled and ready to go into the oven.  I was so busy for days and Mort had to deliver all of them - there were maybe 15.  

Whenever I was asked if I was going to make (such & such) for any upcoming holiday - I would say 'of course' and then go and look it up and learn how to make it (thank goodness for the internet).  That's how I learned how to make Stollen - I had so many orders and absolutely loved making this holiday treat.  So, here is the recipe I used: 

GERMAN STOLLEN

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup candied red cherries, halved

1/4 cup currants

1/4 cup candied citron, diced

1/4 cup Rum

(combine all of the above ingredients in a bowl and set aside)

4 1/2 cu of flour - all purpose

2 yeast, active dry packages

1 cup milk

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 teas. salt

2 eggs

1Tab orange peel, finely shredded

2 teas. lemon peel, finely shredded

1/2 cup almonds, blanched chopped.

Confectioners' glaze**

In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of the flour and yeast.  Heat milk, butter, sugar and salt over low heat, stirring constantly until warm (120 to 130 degrees).  Add to dry ingredients along with eggs and fruit peels.  Beat at low speed of electric mixer for 1/2 minute, scraping sides of bowl.  Beat 3 minutes on high speed.  Stir in fruit-rum mixture, almonds and enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough.  

Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead in enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately soft dough that is smooth and elastic (5 - 6 minutes).  Shape into a ball.  Place in a greased bowl, turning once. Cover. Let rise until double (1 hr.).

Punch dough down. Divide in half. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.

On a lightly floured surface roll each half to a 10 x 8 - inch oval. Fold lengthwise in half so that the top half overlaps to within 1/2 inch of the bottom half.  Press folder edge firmly.  Place about 4 inches apart on greased baking sheet.  Cover and let rise until double (45 minutes).  

Bake at 375 degrees for 15 - 20 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool.  

Serve sprinkled with powdered sugar or spread with confectioners' glaze and decorate with candied cherries.  Makes 2 loaves.

CONFECTIONERS' GLAZE**

Mix 1 cup sifted powdered sugar and 1 Tab milk.  Add more milk, 1/2 teaspoon at a time, until spreading consistency.  

BAKED FRENCH TOAST

This was mainly made for the Tourist Cottage guests - 

but did also make occasionally for the restaurant/bakery

1 loaf sourdough bread

8 eggs

2 cups milk

1/2 cup heavy cream

3/4 cup sugar

2 Tab vanilla

TOPPING:

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 teas. cinnamon

1/4 teas. salt

1/2 cup cold butter, cut into pieces.

( I would also add either raisins or pecans - or both)

INSTRUCTIONS

Cut loaf into cubes and place evenly in a greased 9 x 13 pan.  In a bowl, mix together eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar and vanilla.  Pour evenly over bread.

COVER YOUR PAN WITH SARAN WRAP AND REFRIGERATE OVERNIGHT.

Mix together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl.  Cut in butter with this mixture until crumbly and place in a Ziploc bag and refrigerate overnight as well.  Take pan and Ziploc out when ready to bake.  Sprinkle crumbly mixture evenly over the bread.  Bake at 350 for 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on how soft you like it.  

IT IS A GREAT BRUNCH TREAT - YOU JUST HAVE TO THINK ABOUT MAKING THE MAJORITY OF IT THE DAY BEFORE - WHICH IS SOMETIMES GOOD WHEN YOU HAVE A LOT OF OTHER THINGS TO DO ON THE DAY OF....

STAY TURNED FOR PART 9 

 The Tourist Cottage....