Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Shrimp Harvest in Illinois and a Giveaway!

     Let's start with the exciting news first...I'm having another GIVEAWAY! I was pleasantly surprised when Jamie from CSN Stores contacted me to do another review or giveaway. I recently did my first review for the company and decided that a GIVEAWAY was in order this time. CSN Stores are becoming quite popular in Blogland. They carry so many different types of things. I was recently looking at an ottoman coffee table for my son's apartment. I have been using my new Le Creuset bakeware frequently and I've picked out some holiday dishes that I would love to have.

     One lucky follower will be receiving a $55 gift code to use on any of csnstores.com sites. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only. To enter:

1) Leave a comment letting me know you are a follower of my blog

2) Leave a second comment after visiting csnstores.com and tell me what you might buy if you win for a second entry.


This giveaway runs until October 17th.

     On Saturday we attended a shrimp harvest. For those of you that live near the ocean, this might not seem like a big deal...but, when you live in Central Illinois it is a bit unusual. This is our second year to visit Stan and Kay Zumbahlen's Dairy Farm in rural Newton, IL. For the past 9 years, they have also raised shrimp. They purchase the baby shrimp in Southern Illinois, where they have been nurtured for around 45 days, originally coming from the Texas Gulf Coast. The shrimp live in the Zumbahlen's pond for about 3 months and 1 day a year the pond is drained and the shrimp are harvested. People line up to buy the huge beauties for $8 a pound.


     This year the pond had already been drained when we arrived. You can see the people who are working picking up the shrimp from the bottom of the pond.


It was a cool, cloudy day and these people
are walking around in the muck to find the shrimp.


     I know they aren't pretty and I don't know why they have blue legs. This is one of the large vats where the shrimp are kept before being carried to the barn for purchase. At this point, they are still alive.


     Above you can see how most of the shrimp are harvested. The pond drains into this pipe and the shrimp come out the pipe and are caught in the netting. They are huge!


     We bought 10 pounds (you get a pound free with 10) and I cleaned all of them when we got home. My husband and father had shrimp cocktail for dinner and both of them were almost purring they were so good and fresh. I always have to wait a little while after watching them swim and cleaning them before I'm ready to eat them! It really is amazing to see this in the Midwest. They harvested around 1000 pounds this year and they always sell out. I froze ours in 2 pound packages and I'm sure we will be going back again next year.

I am linking today with Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer
for Outdoor Wednesday. Please take time to visit her
and thank her for hosting this fun event.

71 comments:

Pondside said...

What an interesting post! I'd never heard of shrimp being harvested outside of a coastal area. I can just imagine what a treat that shrimp cocktail must have been!

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Wow - that is so cool. I need to show your post to my kids. What a neat experience!

xox
Jen

ChRiS said...

this post is very interesting.....my son is living out west and misses hard shell crabs so bad he flys in 1 weekend to have them with us, please enter me in your great giveaway i am a follower just.plzzz@yahoo.com

ChRiS said...

if i won i would prolly put this towards some new frying pans...mine are getting shot!!

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Well I never have heard of shrimp in Ohio. That is pretty cool. I am sure they were delish. I am a follower and I say pick me pick me.

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

I would probably put that towards light fixtures for my upstairs hall. I want to replace the brass ones.

Sandy aka Doris the Great said...

Hi! Please enter me in this great giveaway. I follow!

Sandy aka Doris the Great said...

And for a 2nd entry, I'd buy a purse -- I've got my eye on The Sac or perhaps a Baggellini tote of some sort. Thanks.

Drawn to The Sea said...

Hey Sue! Guess what I'm having for lunch today (overlooking the Gulf)? Yep, you guessed it.

I'll be back to visit the CSN stores (won't be my first time) & do a little window shopping. Time to pack up my camera, we're heading for the beach :-)

Hope your day is wonderful!

Nellie's Cozy Place said...

Morning Sue,
Thanks for coming by and for your well wishes for my blood tests. I love the Krusteaz products as well, and I am noticing more and more that Target is not carrying as many as they did before, bummer, but thought you would like to know that you can order them online, looked for your scones mix, so go here
and you can see http://mybrands.com/BrandsHome.aspx?bid=164&p=4&st=1&B=True#prods
I know that looks wierd but that was the
address copy and pasted. If it doesn't work
just type in Krusteaz products in the yahoo search window.
We are going outside to work, so gotta come back later to read your blog.
Have a wonderful day hon,
Blessings, Nellie

The Charm of Home said...

Sue,
I read this last year on your travel blog. It is such a neat thing they do. I bet it does sell out fast. Thanks for hosting a giveaway.
Sherry

The Charm of Home said...

I am like Kim, in that I need to replace some old brass light fixtures. Would love a lantern look. Thanks again.
Sherry

Ms. Kathleen said...

Somehow shrimp and Illinois just don't go together in my mind. It is great to learn something new, especially since shrimp is one of my fav foods. Intriguing!

Mosaic Magpie said...

Now you know we love a giveaway. Those CSN stores have everything!
Debbie

Unknown said...

I would buy the 12" Emerilware iron skillet!
{Rebekah}

Traci said...

I live in Louisiana & had no idea anyone "up north" harvested shrimp! They are my absolute fave!!! Also, I'm a follower & want to win!!!

Traci said...

I just discovered CSN a couple of months ago. I found it from reading all the blogs! I saw some Christmas dishes that I'd love!

Donnie said...

I've never seen anything like that. My hubby is from Beardstown, Il and said that would be cool, especially since he loves shrimp. Thanks for taking us with you.

Bonnie@Creative Decorating said...

You know I am a follower!! We lived on the gulf coast and but back in the midwest now so this is amazing to me!!

Bonnie@Creative Decorating said...

I want some counter stools that debbiedoos got on csn!!!

Kathleen said...

I think I remember this from last year! Yes, it does seem unusual in your area. We have clams , crabs, oysters, etc, but I have never seen a shrimp here.

Kathleen said...

I am a follower, and I would use it on dishes. I bought 2 hall lights from them a few months ago.

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

How cool is that!
Love the pics and enter me please!

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

I need baby stuff and they have a ton!
I also love their dishes!
Cindy

xinex said...

This is so interesting, Sue. I have never seen a shriimp farm before. I can imgaine how good and fresh those shrimp are. Yep, I am a follower....Christine

xinex said...

Hi again Sue. I think I will buy an outdoor rug for the front porch if I win....Christine

Andrea at Opulent Cottage said...

I'm such a geek, but that is fascinating! We LOVE shrimp here at Opulent Cottage, but I might have had a hard time eating them, too, after seeing the farm. I hope the boys enjoyed theirs!
Cheers, Andrea
p.s. I can't believe I'm not already a follower, but I'm signing up right now! And I may have to have a new bird feeder if I win :))

The Quintessential Magpie said...

That is really amazing, Sue! I have never heard of such! WOW! Who knew!

And that is great that CSN let you do this giveaway. I love them. They have lots of great dishes, and I know how I would spend it if I won! ;-)

I'm trying to blog more, but it has been crazy! I miss you and everyone, but I have had to rest some before I hop back in the saddle. I think you understand what I mean. It's been a little bit of R&R this week for the caregiver. ;-)

XO,

Sheila :-)

Gypsy Heart said...

I had no idea shrimp were harvested away from the coast ~ interesting! I'd love to be entered in the giveaway...I'm definitely a follower. :-)

xoxo
Pat

Gypsy Heart said...

Oh, and I think I'd use the prize toward Christmas dishes.

xoxo
Pat

Monica H said...

Texas Gulf shrimp really are the best. I think it's amazing you can get them fresh where you live- cool!

Monica H said...

oops, forgot to tell you that I'm a follower in my last comment.

Also if I were to win, I'd share the gift certificate with my momma!

Drawn to The Sea said...

Gee, I pop in all the time...would have sworn I was already a follower. Well, I'm official now.

I'd use the $ toward a Dale Tiffany lamp, either the Mosaic Amber or the Shells. Leaning toward the Shells... I have an old stained glass lamp (pearlized white glass) that needs a companion.

While eating harbor-side lunch, I told my husband about the shrimp farm... so nice that you can get fresh (even if you freeze it, it's still a world of difference.)

Have a great weekend!

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

I'm a happy follower of your blog...so please count me in. Shrimp in Ohio? WOW!!!!

Blessings,
Linda

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

I'm needing new area rugs and they have a huge selection to pick from...so I'm sure that would be what I would pick.

Blessings,
Linda

Amy A said...

Thanks for your kind words on my blog today :) I'd love a chance at the giveaway and I'm a follower!

Amy A said...

If I won, I'd definitely use the credit towards a new sofa! I sooooo need a new one and this would be a good excuse to go ahead and make the purchase :)

andrea d said...

i follow andrea d
drea8685 at yahoo dot com

andrea d said...

if i win i want a pair of bearpaws boots
drea8685 at yahoo dot com

Kim @ Touch of Nostalgia said...

Oh I found so many things I'd love to buy there! I'm thinking though I'd buy Emerilware Cast Iron 20" Reversible Grill / Griddle - EC8616 as I've been wanting one. And yep...I'm a follower of yours! Your giveaway ends on my birthday! *shuffles feet...looks wishful* I'd love me a griddle for my birthday! LOL

Unknown said...

I am a follower. Such a lovely giveaway ... I love the dinnerware but would have a hard time picking a pattern.

Have a beautiful weekend ~
TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon

The Borrowed Nest said...

I am a new follower of your blog! Found you on Savvy Southern Style's Blog :)

The Borrowed Nest said...

Ok - I'm a dreamer - but I'm loving the leather club chair from CSN! Thanks for the great giveaway :)

Mary L said...

Please enter me in the great giveaway! Love your blog!

Mary l

Maria said...

Hi Sue!

My daughter and husband would love some fresh shrimp!

Oh I'm a follower! Please enter me in!
*Maria

Maria said...

ps...

Now let's see... I stopped over to CSN and I see they have a great collection of electric tea kettles! I'd love to get one for work!
Thank you for hosting this giveaway and thank you to CSN too!
*Maria

Red Couch Recipes said...

Sue, I have never seen a shrimp harvest -- how interesting! I am a follower. Joni

Red Couch Recipes said...

If I won, which I am always trying to win a CSN giveaway, I would get some more dishes -- perhaps some Johnson Brother's transferware or a new soup tureern. Joni

Sophie said...

OMG! THat is crazy, I totally want to go. You can never have enough shrimp around here.

Oh, and I follow your blog so enter me!

Sophie said...

I have been saving up for the Sharper Image juicer CSN has!

Liz said...

I'm a follower! Thanks for the giveaway!

Liz said...

I would buy a new Calphalon saute pan!

Cindy said...

I'm definitely a follower and would love to win your giveaway! I've never seen a shrimp harvest away from the coast either.

Hugs XX
Barbara
lmoore@flippinweb.com

Cindy said...

Whoopie I went to the CSN site and I do believe I might purchase a set of tables or table lamps.

Hugs XX
Barbara
lmoore@flippinweb.com

Kathy said...

I am a follower of your blog-I love how you have a mixture of posts from cooking to decorating and interesting posts on shrimping in the midwest ( who would have thought?:-)) I have made your mothers apple cake -easy and and so yummy -thanks for sharing

Kathy said...

I have my eye on a rug from the CSN site -I am crossing my fingers

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

LOVE Your POST!!! How interesting, BUT now I'm craving "SHRIMP"!!!
Enter me in you giveaway please, I AM a Follower!!!
Thank you for this wonderful post...

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

I went over to "Check out CSN" and I'm definitely in NEED of a toaster oven!!! Please enter me again in your giveaway!

Pondside said...

I can't believe that I didn't enter this! Well, here I am, and I'm a follower, of course.

Pondside said...

If I won, I'd be putting the certificate towards the Pine Cone house numbers - too, too sweet!

Cass @ That Old House said...

Yes, I'm a follower! And -- have never heard of inland shrimp harvesting. Amazing!
Cass

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

I've been catching up on a few of your recent posts. I love your table and those cute candy skewers!
Hope all is well with you.
Please enter me in your giveaway. I been wanting those Napoleon bee glasses!
And of course I am a follower!
Yvonne

La said...

I am a follower! La

La said...

I've had my eye on a stoneware casserole that I would buy if I win. Fingers crossed! La

kristin said...

I'm a follower and i have tons of things ive been eyeing up! :)

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Hi, Sue, I left a comment earlier on this post, but I didn't tell you that I am a follower. I think you know I am, but I am and wanted to say that proudly!

I said I would buy some china... they have lots of pieces I like A LOT, and I would probably apply it either toward some Wedgwood Nantucket OR they have lighting I just love, and there is a red lantern I am gaga over... Of course, Mr. Magpie would have to pony up, too! ;-)

XOXO,

Sheila :-)

dee dee said...

Sue,
I had to go back to see if I had signed up for your wonderful give a way and was shocked to see that I had some how missed it the first time around...so here I am.. I'm a happy follower!
Dee Dee

J Rodney said...

I'm a follower.

J Rodney said...

If I won I would use it towards the DaVinci Baily bunk bed for the boys.

Jennifer said...

Hi ! include me in the fun. i am eying the bar stools for my son and the outdoor furniture for my daughter...they would make fun Christmas presents...I just signed up to follow but have been reading you for a long time...
Cheers! Jennifer aka Gigi

Sue said...

The Giveaway has ended.