This Little Preppy went to Market

I road tripped to Baraboo on Tuesday to The Meat Market. It's a meat eaters dream.

Pork, chicken, beef, oh my! I came home with thinly sliced beef for Philly Cheesesteaks. I made breaded steak, a nod to my mom. Bought a beautiful chuck roast for the shredded beef enchiladas for cooking class. A cooler was filled, and the eatings been grand!

Right now the breakfast sausage is in a skillet, and breakfast burritos will be our breakfast.

If you are in the area, check it out http://www.themeatmarket.net/.

Fromagination

Fromagination is the most beautiful store I have ever seen, anywhere.

The merchandise is lovely and the display's amazing. The store is right on the Wisconsin's beautiful Capital Square.

I bought a great wedge of Chalet Baby Swiss, my favorite Pleasant Ridge Reserve from Wisconsin's Upland Cheese Company. S loves triple creme, so a good size wedge of Delice de Bourgogne came home for him. The cheesemonger asked me if I liked blue cheese, which I do, then she gave me a taste of Rogue Creamery's Rogue River Blue. This cheese is wrapped in Cognac soaked grape leaves and is amazing. It is also the most expensive cheese I've ever tasted or bought, at $50 a pound. I bought a very small sliver of it. And I don't plan to share!

Unbuyers Remorse

Why, oh why, did I leave this amazing platter at the antique store?

Soon to make the return trip to bring this home. I have no idea where I will hang it, but love, love, love it.

Christmas Returns

photo courtesy of Wisconsin Historical Society


One of my favorite stories about my Maternal Grandfather was about him returning a Christmas gift. My mother gave him a Pendleton wool shirt, and he didn't like the plaid pattern. So Mom, Grandma and Grandpa went back to The Hub (a store in Madison, long gone) to choose a different one. Grandpa explained to the salesman that he wanted to choose a different shirt, and the salesman said that was no problem, took the first shirt, folded it and put it back on the shelf. Grandpa took quite some time choosing the perfect shirt, one he raved about. The colors were great, he loved the plaid pattern... this was the perfect shirt. The salesman said he made an excellent choice, and sent the threesome on their way. You see where this story is going, don't you? Yes, my Grandpa choose the same shirt he had just returned. Mom and Grandma didn't say a word, just winked at each other and smiled.

Shopping at Pryde's of Old Westport

The best kitchen store I have ever been in, and considering how many I've been in, that's saying something! If you are in Kansas City, you have to go to Pryde's of Old Westport.

Note the chandeliers, they are made from whisks.
Preppy scrubbers.

As Pryde's says, if you can't find it, you don't need it.

Don't think this is a place to just "run into", as my husband can tell you, you need some time to cover the multiple floors and to see all the good stuff. He was in the car with the boys, and finally had to come into the store to see how much I was spending, based on the amount of time I spent in there.

The staff were so friendly. They has suggestions of places to eat and things to see. They thanked me for coming into the store, thrilled that I had saved a magazine clipping and had to seek them out.

Shopping and BBQ

Nell Hill's in Kansas City
Mad for the Plaid. I bought some amazing plaid ribbon for a Christmas wreath.

The displays are gorgeous.

I want everything!

If I could have fit them in the car, I would have two new Black Watch sofas in my living room right now.

Lunch at Arthur Bryant's Barbeque

The line was out the door, which is always a good sign! The 'que was fantastic, and totally worth the wait.

Pulled pork, Beef Brisket, and Ribs. Oh my!