Madison, WI

This past weekend Micah and I headed to Madison, Wisconsin for a much needed mini vacation. We packed up Friday morning and hit the road. I love having someone to go on adventures with!

DAY ONE:

 

Our first stop was lunch at the Great Dane Pub and Brewing Company. They have this great little outdoor seating area out back surrounded by vine covered brick walls. I had the 

Capitol Falafel (Ground chickpeas and seasonings crisp-fried and served in a warm flatbread 

wrap with hummus, tomatoes, Bermuda onions, mixed greens and our

homemade cucumber yogurt sauce.) and Micah had the Texarkana Burger

(Seven-ounces of fresh choice beef* broiled to perfection topped with sharp

cheddar, BBQ sauce, Applewood bacon, haystack onions and chipotle

cream cheese.) We both really enjoyed it!

After lunch we walked along Lake Monona on a path bustling with other walkers, joggers, bikers and rollerbladers. Meanwhile people were boating and kayaking in the lake. That is one of the greatest things about Madison, there is so much to do outside! 

The heat got the best of us though so we headed back to the car to change into shorts. :) After we changed we walked around the stunning Wisconsin State Capitol building (pictured below) and then down State Street. State Street is full of fun and unique shops and restaurants. Very fun!

After our long stroll we headed to our hotel to check in, rest and get ready for dinner.

When it was time for dinner we headed back downtown with the intention of eating at The Old Fashioned. When we got there it was almost an hour wait so we headed down the street to get a drink while we waited. We chose Merchant for a glass of wine but when we were seated right away we decided to stay for dinner, and oh my goodness am I glad we did! Merchant focuses on "quality local ingredients, honest and simple cooking, and the American craft of bartending." The result is incredible. I had the Tagliatelle pasta (tagliatelle pasta, French filet beans, oyster mushrooms, onion, pistachio & spinach pesto, Grana Padano, cracked pepper) and Micah had the Pork Pappardelle pasta (pappardelle pasta, Fox Valley Berkshire pork sausage & San Marzano tomato ragu, cherry tomatoes, house-made ricotta, Grana Padano, green onion). The pasta was homemade and all the ingredients were so fresh and delicious. Even though our meal was filling we couldn't resist dessert. We went with the Red Beet & Dark Chocolate Cake (Harmony Valley Farms’ red beets, dark chocolate ganache) with vanilla gelato. Holy Moly! Words cannot describe how amazing it was. So smooth and rich! I will remember that cake for a long time. :)

Day two:

First stop was ^^Colectivo Coffee^^. Some of the best coffee we have ever had. Go there.

Next was breakfast at Marigold Kitchen. I had a yummy omelette with a side of delicious potatoes and Micah had eggs and pancakes. We washed it all down with a couple of mimosas. We were on vacation after all. 

It did rain Saturday morning but we were prepared and it was actually kind of fun!

After breakfast we wandered around the enormous Dane County Farmers' Market. So, so, so many fruits and vegetables! But my favorite thing was the flowers. They were beautiful!

After we made it through the farmers' market we stopped at Brocach, an Irish pub, for a drink. There was even a man playing a bagpipe outside.

Next we headed to Fromagination to taste some cheeses and peruse the shop.

After Fromagination we headed back to State Street to people watch and window shop.

We had a late lunch at The Old Fashioned. This time we were seated right away. :) The Taste of Madison festival was in full swing after lunch but it was pretty crowded so we avoided the crowds and decided to check out the capitol building a little more. 

This building is beautiful and the pictures I took do not give it justice.

Since Merchant specializes in cocktails we made our second stop for an afternoon drink. I had the Bee's Knees. Very tasty!

After our cocktail we drove back to the hotel to swim and relax before dinner.

For dinner we chose Sardine. I had the Grilled Norwegian Salmon (French lentils, sautéed spinach, portobello mushrooms, tomatoes, beurre blanc) and Micah had the Steak Frites (grilled ribeye, compound butter, frites). Not too shabby.

Day three:

This was my favorite day!

It once again started with coffee at Colectivo Coffee.

I loved their yellow espresso machine. ^^

One last walk around the capitol before breakfast.

Breakfast was at the Daisy Cafe & Cupcakery. Micah and I both enjoyed a strata, an egg casserole dish.

^^Venus Fly Trap^^

My man enjoying the conservatory and carrying my purse for me. :) Lugging around a camera and a purse can get pretty heavy after awhile!

We meandered around the Olbrich Botanical Gardens after breakfast. The conservatory was our favorite part. Really pretty!

Cheers!

Babcock ice cream from the Daily Scoop. I had the Mocha Macchiato. Yum! 

Last but certainly not least - Memorial Union Terrace. This was my favorite part of our trip. It was a beautiful day to sit by Lake Mendota with my feet in the water and have a drink with my husband. Since it was Labor Day weekend everyone decided this was the place to be. People were swimming, paddle boarding, boating and just enjoying the weather.

It was hard for me to leave that day. Madison, you have worked your way into the heart of this lady. Maybe this can be a yearly tradition. :)

Iowa State Fair

Earlier this month Micah and I traveled to Des Moines for the Iowa State Fair. This has become one of my favorite traditions that Micah and I have started for our family of two.

Micah's first meal of the day: Pork Chop on a Stick and an ice cold beer. Please note, at this point it was only about 10:30 in the morning. :)

Some prize winners in the Ag Building.

The ever famous butter cow. One of the most popular attractions at the Iowa State Fair.

^^Giant pumpkins!^^

^^Giant American Gothic!^^

Beer and cow butts. Haha!

^^Pretty ladies^^

One of the highlights of my day were these baby cows. They were so cute and snuggly!

:)

Corn dogs and Gyros! (The gyros were so ridiculously good!)

                                    

^^Goofin' around^^

^^Pioneer Hall^^

   More food! Mint chip ice cream and corn on the cob!  

     

The crowds got insane in the evening! Luckily we skipped over them by riding the Sky Glider.

It was another great year at the Iowa State Fair. See you next year!

For the Love of Disney

Today marks 9 months that I have been married to the love of my life! The day after we were married we flew off to Disneyland to celebrate our new life together. To celebrate today and the last 9 months I thought I'd share some pictures of our favorite moments at Disneyland. 

Our first night at Disney!

Meeting some of our favorite characters!

^^Disneyland Fun!^^

^^California Adventure fun!!^^

Blue Bayou Restaurant inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.

If you go to Disneyland, make reservations a couple months in advance for this place. It is such a fun experience and a must in our opinion.

Wine Country Trattoria at California Adventure

We had appetizers and drinks at this restaurant on a sunny afternoon. It was a very nice atmosphere and the food was scrumptious! We got wine to go (in plastic wine glasses) and walked around California Adventure afterwards. So fun!

Just a glimpse of some of the yummy food we had at Disney. Rustic Bruschetta (Roasted Artichokes, Mushrooms, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, and Caramelized Onions on Crostini with Tomato Oil and Parmesan)  at Wine Country Trattoria, Fried Green Tomato Sandwich (Cornmeal Crusted Fried Green Tomatoes layered with two slices of fresh Heirloom Tomatoes, topped with Havarti, Rémoulade, Jicama-mango Slaw and served on a Multi-Grain Roll) from the Hungry Bear Restaurant and room service our last morning at the Disneyand Hotel.

Enjoying the warm California sun at our hotel

In line for the Haunted Mansion during the Mickey's Halloween Party on our last evening at Disney. Note the churro in Micah's hand, his favorite treat at Disneyland. It quickly became my favorite snack as well. Fried dough covered in sugar, how can you go wrong?

We were as giddy as children the whole time we were at Disneyland together. It truly is the happiest place on earth for us. We cannot wait until our next trip!