Hi friends!! We’re just back from our stay in Wisconsin with our kids– John & Laurel. Those two know how to make everything fun. So here’s my favorite– “Great Eight” things we did for our Wisconsin winter!!
#1. One afternoon Larry and I trekked down to the campus of University of Wisconsin, for a stroll through the campus, a stop for the best ice cream (from their dairy department!) and a walk on the frozen lake!! yikes!
#2. We also studied our way through the Chazen Art Museum on campus one afternoon– small, but with a wide range of art from around the world and across genres.
#3. Saturday morning we browsed at the indoor Farmers Market, where each week a different restaurant in Madison, serves up a wholesome breakfast (That week was root veggie hash!!)
#4. On a blustery afternoon Laurel ferried us over to the Olbrich Botanical Gardens to wander through their greenhouse tropical garden– lush and warm and filled with singing canaries!
#5. We tagged along with John & Laurel and their realtor Wade, while they did a little house hunting around Madison (But are still looking to find the perfect place).
#6. Our most Wisconsin-ish adventure was an evening at the Fishing Expo– I had no idea there are so many many accessories to fishing, from boats to lures to wall mounted trophy fish!
#7. Madison has a gorgeous new library downtown so one day we hiked down past the capital building and on to the library, where we raided the new book section an sat and read to our hearts content. (P.S. the sculpture on the library wall is all made of battered old bookends!)
#8. And last but sure not least, we had several wonderful meals with Laurel and John– starting with an assortment of coffee shops, a few morning walks to Batch Bakehouse, Salvatore’s Tomato Pies (the Best Pizza!), fashionable Mint Mark Cafe for breakfast, Noddle’s & Company Pad Thai, and our very own John’s incredible burgers at home!
Loved every minute with our John and Laurel. They know how to hug and talk to and feed visiting parents in the very best sort of way! Thanks you two!! We can’t wait to come back to Madison…
The Thankful Heart 
Hi Rhonda my you two really know how to make the most of a vacation. Got tired just reading it. Sounds like a wonderful trip so much to do and eat!! Hope you are well!!
Hi Suzanne– yep, we’re tucked in back at home again. Missing kids and trying to eat better after all that food! hugs hugs from here.
Looks like a wonderful trip…you always find the greatest things to do and eat! 💗💗
Glad you had a fun time!
Hi Debi!! I know– isn’t eating one of the major parts o a good trip?? Hope you’re doing well friend. xox
Sounds like a fantastic week. Looks beautiful and full of interesting things to do and – most importantly – family
Hi Rosie– yep, we love being with those two. Missing them already! xox
Seems like you had lots of fun! Nice photos! All the best 🙂
Hi Rhonda – looks like you made the best of Madison even in extreme temps. It is weird to walk on the lake in winter, isn’t it? Was anyone ice fishing? And the food!! Man, you ate well! -Kat
Hey Kat- we did see a lot of people ice fishing!! Some with tents out on the water. And right where we were standing for that picture, a guy pulled a really huge fish out of a pretty small hole!! I don’t know how he did it! crazy! Stay warm!! xox
Looks like a great place to visit! Beautiful pictures Rhonda, glad to see you had a wonderful time with your family!💞
Hi Ursula! Your’e right– even after kids grow up and move out, it’s the best to have time with them!! xox
Sounds like you had a wonderful time! The food looks delicious, and of course, everything tastes better when you’re eating with family. 😊
Agree Daisy! We had fun making dinner for each other. And we did eat out on the go a lot! Loving your instagram quilting series!! Your sewing room is awesome! (and you make such use of it!) xox
What a wonderful trip! The food and sites look incredible. Nothing is better than spending time with family. So happy you had a great time!
So true Lisa– we love the time with those two. xox
Your trip looks like so much fun! Noodles + Co. is the best! Love the idea of an indoor Farmer’s Market as I know many cities just don’t have them when it’s cold outside.
Hi hi! The indoor Farmers Market is pretty small, next to the beautiful one there in the summer. But it’s fun to pick up something and make dinner around it. And– we don’t have Noodles & Co. here in California– so it’s a treat when we get back to Wisconsin! Hope all’s well with you… xox
HI Rhonda, I loved looking through these photos and seeing all the fun stuff you did while you visited with your family! Particularly, I loved reading about the foodie stuff, the coffee shops, Pad Thai, breakfasts and more. Also, loved reading about the fish place, and the farmer’s market, and was that a library you were in as well? xo
Hi Debra– Yep, Madison has the most beautiful 4 story library. The kid’s section has so many cubbies and nooks to read in. And the new books section is enormous!! So Larry and I just loaded up on new books and sat and read for over an hour. Loved it. They also have a well stocked used books store and a cafe that serves coffee and chocolate desserts! I’m a big library fan! (think you have the best job!). xox
Thank you, I do adore my job! The cafe sounds lovely, and I love cubbies and nooks for reading–I’m sure the children there do too! 🙂
I worked in the library in Jr. High school and then at the public library the years I was in college– have a huge soft spot of libraries! Happy reading Debra. xoxox
Wow, there really wasn’t much snow! I love Madison and haven’t been there for ages…years ago I used to meet friends from Chicago there, it was about halfway. Well, closer for them, I think! What a fun fun post. That burger looks pretty amazing! I think Madison is like a little enclave in the middle of WI.
We really like Madison too– with the capitol and the University there, there is lots going on. Nice restaurants and events, but it seems so friendly and accessible at the same time. We’ll be making plenty of trips back there, I’m sure. hugs hugs Mollie! xox
I love your blog! Such a great way to keep everyone posted. Your photos and captions are always so nice! Glad you had a good time in WI
HI Deb!! So fun to hear from you here! I was sad we couldn’t get together last week– but you know we’ll be back soon!! We did have big fun with the kids and John made us some awesome burgers!! Hug hugs!
They sure do know how to make everything fun. I know I’ve told you this before, but I seriously had zero interest in Wisconsin until you started posting about it. Now it’s totally on my radar! Looks so pretty and fun. Thanks for always sharing, Rhonda.
Hey Lacey– that’s it. Days with Laurel and John are always fun! Missing them now that we’re all settled back home. You know I love hearing from you! xox
You sure had a wonderful time. I love the look of all your trips. Wishing Laurel and John best wishes with their house hunt 🌼
Thanks Brigid!! I think they are just figuring out what they want/need in a house. it was fun wandering through some possibilities! I’m sure they’d love a gorgeous walled garden like yours… hug hugs!
I want that Burger…NOW!
ha ha ha! It was enormous Paul. Afterward Larry and I agreed we should have split one! We might run across a good Burger on our trip in April!! Fun to hear from you!
It looks like a glorious location. I love your highlights. That pizza does look delicious.
The pizza was SO good Lisa! Wish I could make crust like that in my little oven! Are you a pizza maker?? What are you up to this week?? xoxo
We tend to buy frozen as it’s just as good and cheaper! I was looking at my beautiful library of books this weekend. How about you?
Hey Lisa– Sounds like a great use of a weekend. Do you re-read books?? I have a few old favorites I go back to when I need a little comfort-book reading. take care. xox
Oh yes. Some over and over.
Hello Rhonda! It looks that you had an amazing time with your family! I love your pictures. Mainly the food look so tempting (I am sure my husband would want that huge burger) 😀 Have a great week! Hugs!!!
Wasn’t that a crazy burger Vero?? Laurel & John really do make everything so fun –she’s our “baby” and I’m missing her already! Sort of like seeing your mom out the door! hugs hugs!
😀 It kind of was. I guess I would go for it too and my husband definitely 😀 😀 I can imagine that you do ❤ Hopefully, you can see her soon! Lot of hugs, Rhonda!
What a great cool time you spent with your family! Cool visits too! Many beautiful photos!
So kind Sophie. It was a wonderful week with them– missing my girl already. hugs hugs friend!
Your pictures are absolutely stunning and I loved peeking into the museum and library. Looks like a great time filled with mouth-watering food!
Oh thanks Marcia. I think we have similar ideas about travel activities! That library was awesome– 20 times the new books we have in our little library at home! and the museum was such a pleasant afternoon for us. We’re going to Seattle in a couple weeks and Iv’e read they have an amazing library too. Can’t wait to check it out! Hope you’re doing well and staying cozy Marica! xox
I’ve been to the main library in Seattle, it’s huge and gorgeous. Have a fun time! xo
Oh fun Marcia! You should do another post on libraries you visited!! I looked at pics online of the library there. It looks amazing! If it’s raining, we may just hole up in the new book section and read! hugs friend!
I think my two posts on Seattle were back in 2016, May & June. Going to that library is like going to the Emerald City, lots of lime green. xo
Oh thanks Marcia!! I’m sure I was reading your blog back then. I’m off to look for them!! Always enjoy your traveling posts! hugs from here!
Gorgeous and how on earth do you stay so slim eating all these divine creations you cook up? I love to cook and do so daily, but I must limit dessert to practically never!
You can never run out of vacation spots in WI! I am a feeling you blogger and write about travels to WI State Parks. Thought you might enjoy! https://gotowiparks.wordpress.com
thanks! Fun to find your blog– We love Wisconsin!