Conscious Cup Coffee Roasters
This is not a coffee blog, but this is a post about coffee. Every now and then we need to blow off some steam and recharge. Here and there are some choice destinations to keep us on track. All serve fresh-roasted coffee and panini. Our next stop is Cary, one of several locations of Conscious … Continue reading Conscious Cup Coffee Roasters
Eagle Watch Weekend at Starved Rock
“Tranquility base here. The Eagle has landed.”—Neil Armstrong; July 20, 1969 “I want to fly like an eagleTo the seaFly like an eagleLet my spirit carry me”—Steve Miller; August 13, 1976 Scroll down to see more photos and read more about Eagle Watch Weekend at Starved Rock. “The hike up Starved Rock was a great … Continue reading Eagle Watch Weekend at Starved Rock
Joe Donut
We’re past New Year’s Day, so may I take a moment to break: a) A forgotten pumpkin on your porchb) That turkey wishbone you dropped on the floorc) The crisp $100 bill you got as a giftd) Your New Year’s resolutione) All of the abovef) None of the above It always comes full circle every … Continue reading Joe Donut
North Shore Distillery
A distillery is not a brewery. But we did visit a brewery last time! Inside joke. Scroll down to see more photos and read more about North Shore Distillery. “Ooohhh, this is something special!” A distillery is not a brewery. Spirits or beer, we put one pajama pants leg on at a time in this … Continue reading North Shore Distillery
Two Brothers Artisan Brewing
Not long ago, I thought that Two Brothers was a coffee roastery. It is! But it’s moreso a brewery—when it’s not actually roasting tea leaves or distilling spirits. Scroll down to see more photos and read more about Two Brothers Artisan Brewing. “Has a sharp bite to it!” If only I could bring to you … Continue reading Two Brothers Artisan Brewing
New Glarus
Last month, Lisa and I stopped in Middleton, Wisconsin to visit Grace Coffee Company and National Mustard Museum. This second leg of our journey would take us to New Glarus where we experienced: Swiss + German fine dining, the origin of “Only in Wisconsin” beer, world champion cheese, fresh original pizza like we remember, coffee … Continue reading New Glarus
Grace Coffee x Mustard Museum
It’s the traditional back-to-school month, so let’s start with a pop quiz. What should you never put on a hot dog?a) Hershey’s Chocolate Syrupb) Black coffeec) Elmer’s Glued) Bactinee) Ketchup or Catsupf) All of the aboveg) None of the above It’s true that you could answer correctly with choice (f), but that wouldn’t cut the … Continue reading Grace Coffee x Mustard Museum
Milwaukee County Zoo
I was going to Milwaukee County Zoo. I pocketed my disposable cardboard and plastic camera. My nylon wallet’s Velcro closure secured paper but no plastic. The radio dial pulled in more static than music. Air conditioning from the Old World—let’s call it— buffeted through the vents and open car windows. It was hot, sunny, and … Continue reading Milwaukee County Zoo
Tupelo Honey
In the deep south, at the Apalachicola River basin in the Florida panhandle, and the Okeefenokee Wildlife Refuge at the Florida-Georgia line, white Ogeechee tupelo trees grow. They blossom about 10 days every year. There are other locations of lesser tupelo gum trees, but here there be treasures. This is the source of the most … Continue reading Tupelo Honey
The Simple Luxuries 