A Grand Day Out in Madison

Sept 17 - A Perfect Day with my Sweetie in Madison, WI. We woke up and Oliver had already done some of his work and biked off to a friend's house to spend the night. Nice to have an older kid who can manage himself.

We (the adults in the house) "drove south" to Madison for a grand day out.


I got a start on my album of Wisconsin's Barns. This one is on Hwy 26 (I think). Someday these will all have crashed to the ground as people stop farming.


We got to Farmer's Market in time to see our old friend, Tom Brantmeier, who was there selling garlic and herbs, veggies and fresh pears. CL worked for him on the farm in Monroe for a time back when we were courting.


We got to Farmer's Market too late to get any cheese curds or bakery, but this colorful pepper stand was still up. Love the reds!


We did get some of this delicious pesto from The Renaissance Farm stand before market closed. Even brought an insulated bag to keep it cold until we got home. Yum!


After 15 years, we still like each other. ;-)

We had a nice lunch from Johnson Public House Cafe (decent warm hard-boiled egg sandwich, a salad, and an almond croissant) eaten on the shore of Lake Mendota. We watched a guy move across the water on what appeared to be a surfboard, but he was treating it more like a Gondola. He didn't fall off, and he made good progress, which makes me believe this was not his first attempt at it!


Then we headed over to St. Vincent De Paul's on Willie St. to see what treasures we could find. I got a couple of "new" sweaters -- one is a real wool cable sweater from Ireland. Bring on the snow and cold! I'm ready for it. ;-)


Also got a copy of One Thousand Splendid Suns for a mere $3. This book has been on my list for several years. Now that I have a copy, there's no excuse NOT to read it now!


This is the bag they put my St. Vinny Treasures in. I loved it! From Madison, WI to Fairbanks, AK. Multi-Culti and green, too!

After the St. Vinnie's adventure, we stopped at my friend Bob's house. He's a remarkable person with remarkable interests. Including an incredibly green thumb :


Bob's whole back yard is a lush and beautiful garden (No, I don't think he owns a lawn mower). We could see a little hummingbird flitting around among the flowers.

Bob wasn't there when we arrived, but he knew we were coming and he left a note on the front door for us ...


... and a big jar of his golden honey. Yum! He keeps honey bees to "work" the neighborhood gardens. A jar of Bob's honey is always a special treat! Thank you, Bob!


This is one of Bob's chickens. He has some real chickens, too.

Off to Hubbard Ave. Diner in Middleton for dinner :


They are known for good ol' traditional food done well (like biscuits and gravy, or fried chicken, and especially pie). Tonight I had a BLT, and since I didn't have to set a good example for Oliver, I actually had the French fries. ;-)


CL had the White Chicken Chili with cornbread-- along with some of my dinner. You don't think he keeps that boyish figure by ordering just a cup-of-soup, do you?


And then of course, dessert! It's all about the PIE at Hubbard Ave. Diner.
"You can't eat your green beans until you've had your pie!"
This is the apple pie a la mode. Yum!


Cherokee Marsh at sunset. This was always the BEST light show in town. This is absolute bliss for me--Heaven!


Then, of course, the reason we came to Madison this day. Hiatt gave a decent concert playing some of the old favs (Through Your Hands, Have a Little Faith in Me, Drive South ...) along with songs from the new album. We think it was his daughter Lilly Hiatt who opened for him. Looks like she's a chip off the old block! It's always good to see old friends!

What a perfect day!