Monday, March 18, 2024

Road Trip ~Day Three ~Burger Battle ~Sweet Shopping Highlights

Our last full travel day took us through four states…
Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

Including some Big Bridges over some Big Rivers…
The Missouri, the Ohio, and the Tennessee.

Being St. Patrick’s Day Weekend,
naturally we’d take our lunch break in O’Fallon, IL.
And naturally, we’d order the Beast Burger
that features Pastrami with the Beef.

Plenty for me to have a few bites with my side salad.

The 1st Street Grill is located on a quaint little street,
lined with lovely boutiques.
We stopped into Saddleback Chocolate looking for a little dessert.

…and were promptly greeted by Annie.

My choice? The Espresso and Dark Chocolate Truffle.
Hubby enjoyed Dark Chocolate with Peanut Butter.

The second I stepped into Fezziwig’s,
 I knew that I’d spend too much time browsing.

The displays were simply stunning.

There were gourmet grocery items and unique kitchen gadgets.

I was fascinated with the Good Hair Day Pasta.

Some people are just so creative.

Check it out on-line.

There was something for everyone, and I wanted one of everything.
However, since I need nothing, we got out of there with
only a couple of gifts and a consumable item.

We could have spent more time, visiting more shops.
But this was our mid-day break and
we were only halfway to our end-of-the-day destination.

Stay tuned.
The next day we’ll be with family.

Take care,
~Natalie

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Road Trip ~Day Two ~KC Baby ~Smokestack Tour

We Retired Empty Nesters enjoy a Brewery Tour when we travel.
Since Hubby brews his own beer, he is familiar with
the different ingredients and the process.
We have been to seven different Breweries over the years.

This trip we purchased tickets for the 
Boulevard Brewery Smokestack Tour in Kansas City.

We left Omaha in pouring rain…

…and were welcomed into Kansas City with sunshine.

We had a little extra time before the tour started
so we visited The Union Station.

It was worth the mile walk to get there.
The interior is stunning.

Yes, we’d like to come back sometime.

The mile-walk back to Boulevard worked up a little appetite (and thirst)
 so we enjoyed a bite and beverage in their Snack Bar.

A fresh pour of the Dank 7 Brew as we sat in the Vintage Pub,
while Jake entertained us with history and fun facts
about the family, prohibition, and the brewery.

Our tour guide, Danielle, took turns with Jake
to talk ingredients and process.
We visited three different buildings on their campus.


Our last stop was the Third Floor Roof Deck to appreciate
the view of the Boulevard Campus and the City.
Jake referred to it as “Selfie Point”

It was a beautiful day and a beautiful view.

And now my favorite part of the experience…
The Food and Beer Pairing Tasting

From left to right:
*The Dank 7, a Belgian Style IPA with Smoked Salmon Spread
 on Rye Toast, topped with Arugula

*The Pale Ale, an American Pale Ale with a skewer of
thinly sliced Cervelat and a cube of Aged Sharp Cheddar.

*The Unfiltered Wheat Beer, a hazy American Classic,
with Kansas City Style BBQ Rib Tips

*The Whiskey Barrel Stout, a Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout
with a Chocolate Chip Cookie

A perfect ending to a great day.
Thank you Boulevard, Jake and Danielle,
and Kansas City.

Take Care,
~Natalie

Thursday, March 14, 2024

On the Road Again ~How it Started ~Burger Battle Begins

It’s time for our annual Spring Break trip to visit family.

After her hospital stay and four doses of an antibiotic,
Lizzie seems more like herself…
and all packed up to stay with Great Grandma.

It was a bit gloomy when we left,
However, do you remember how our trip started last year?

We left town in a blizzard.
Coincidence…
it looks like we both are wearing the same clothes, haha 😛 

Of course, Hubby’s Burger Battle has begun.
In Sioux Falls, the Taphouse 41 set the bar high.

Hubby ordered that Mushroom Burger,
and it will be hard to beat.
Plus, Duck Fat Fries are crispy and full of flavor.

Check out my little salad…

The Petit Strawberry Spinach,
A perfect blend of Salty and Sweet.

The Taphouse 41 is all about Burgers, Beer, and Bourbon.
This is a creative display, and no,
we did not have any bourbon for lunch.

We set foot in three states on the First Day,
South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska.

I tried to find some creative inspiration on Pinterest…
Without a whole lotta luck.

(Google image)
We had hoped to spend our evening in the Old Market Historical District,
Browsing shops and sharing an appetizer,
but we weren’t in the mood to fight the traffic
 between the hotel and downtown area.

Instead, we enjoyed the evening at Winchester Grill,
 A neighborhood dive bar.
Check out the Stage for Karaoke…
We got out of there, just in time!

Meanwhile at Great Grandma’s

Take care,
~Natalie

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Happy Happy Birthday, Dear Emily

She is a wonderful wife and mother, our daughter, a caring sister,
niece, and granddaughter.
She enjoys being an aunt and is a good friend.

Best wishes for a fabulous day celebrating with family.
We look forward to seeing y’all soon.

Take care,
~Natalie

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

It’s Been a Week ~Here’s What Happening in our Neck of the Woods ~Sewing Studio ~Hubby’s Woodshop ~Good Food ~Furry Friends

Lizzie reports that it is a good day…it has been a good week.
We did set a record high temperature, and then had snow the next day.

Trudie the Troublemaker is finished and ready for her forever home.
Adopt her, if you dare.

We did create another batch of Wooden Hearts.
Give a gift that says “I love you”…
Not just on Valentine’s Day.

In the Woodshop, Hubby experimented with this new Green Stain.
What do y’all think?

We are working on Stars…

…and Stripes.
God Bless America 🇺🇸 

Hubby and his sister took their mother to
her appointments at the Sanford Heart Hospital.
Her test results were favorable and she is a candidate
for the Valve Replacement Procedure.

I stayed home to look after our houses, collect the mail,
and care for our cats.
Susie says Hi.

It still feels like Soup Weather.
I tried a new recipe for Black Bean Chili.

Speaking of food…look closely.
These carrots are not edible.
It is this week’s collaboration between
Hubby’s lathe and my Worktable.
Ready for listing in my Tins and Treasures Etsy Shop.

Best Wishes for a Wonderful Wednesday.
Find something that brings you JOY.

Take care,
~Natalie

Road Trip ~Day Three ~Burger Battle ~Sweet Shopping Highlights

Our last full travel day took us through four states… Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Including some Big Bridges over some Big ...