We ate well in Springfield. As I mentioned in my last post about chasing the Lincoln ghosts, I had the opportunity to join Sara of Travel With Sara on a road trip to Springfield, Illinois last week. The Springfield Illinois Convention and Visitors Bureau graciously invited Sara to visit and provided our lodging, activities, and restaurants. This was our first time in Springfield, so we […]
Chasing Ghosts in Springfield, Illinois: Lincoln’s Ghost Walk
Confession: I am fascinated by ghosts and other haunted things. Nothing too scary, though. Never in my life did I ever predict I’d chase the Lincoln ghosts. This past week I had the opportunity to join Sara of Travel With Sara on a road trip to Springfield, Illinois, the Land of Lincoln. She was graciously invited by the Springfield […]
Our First County Fair: Cake Decorating & Pork Sandwiches
When North Iowa blogger Val of Corn, Bean, Pigs & Kids asked me if I wanted to team-up and compete in the Franklin County “Cake Wars” decorating contest, of course I had to say yes. I warned her that my cake decorating abilities were very limited. In culinary school in Moorhead, MN, Mrs. Kraft patiently […]
I’m Smitten With Smitten With Squash: Layered Greek Tzatziki Dip
I’m smitten with Smitten With Squash, Amanda Paa’s new cookbook. She’s a Twin Cities resident who also blogs beautiful recipes at Heartbeet Kitchen. Just as the book’s description says, Smitten With Squash is truly a celebration of this diverse and under-appreciated vegetable. It seems that Midwesterners get inundated with zucchini and yellow squash in the summer and winter squash ranging from acorn […]
I Got Chickens: Meet Twisted River Farm
Every day that we live in Iowa, I learn how much I don’t know about farming. Jake’s still a city kid at heart, and I thought I was, too. But since our move to North Dakota, I have become very taken with the rolling prairie and big skies. I was driving back home to Mason […]
What Details Make A Dining Experience Extra Special Or Extra Annoying?
Des Moines author, columnist and blogger Wini Moranville recently wrote about “What to Look for Before You Splurge in a Restaurant,” which gave me some food for thought. After I read her piece, I’ve pondered the little things that make a dining experience extra special or extra annoying. Of course, I notice different details depending on the restaurant’s price range, but here’s what’s […]