Tag: Local Flavor

Art by Patricia A. Hawkenson of Expressive DomainLocated Inside Artisan Forge Studios We couldn’t end our day at Artisan Forge Studios without grabbing these adorable art prints by Patricia A. Hawkenson of Expressive Domain! The rainbow patchwork watercolors truly bring these charming woodland creatures to life in the most brilliant of ways! I had to have them! Magical mushrooms for Trillian, and a bit of fairy tale mischief for Alysia! We spent some time with Patricia, chatting about art, and watching her work on the next project in her line of coloring books. These lovely creations are also right up…

Skinfully Decadent ApothecaryLocated Inside Artisan Forge Studios These Skinfully Decadent Lip Balms, are, quite literally, some of my favorite lip balms ever! One of the coolest parts about traveling is the opportunity to experience a myriad of local products from small business owners and artists. You can find the most amazing things you would have otherwise never known existed! And these lip balms haven’t left my pocket since I bought them! I will definitely be ordering more! Click HERE or on Any Photo in the Album Below to Check Out This Amazing Line of Handcrafted Skin and Lip Care by…

Sweet Driver Cafe and Sweet Driver Chocolates Delectably decadent chocolate truffles and a pair of creamy iced oat milk lattes from Sweet Driver Cafe and Sweet Driver Chocolates at Artisan Forge Studios…. Mmmm… Lusciously sweet and refreshingly quenching! If you love art, next time you are in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, be sure to check Artisan Forge Studios! Explore the outdoor sculpture gardens, the interior artist shoppes, and other fun businesses in this trendy artist cooperative and networking space. Then, of course, grab a yummy bite at the onsite lunch spot, Sweet Driver Cafe, and, lastly, indulge in the amazing collection…

Sweet Driver Cafe and Sweet Driver Chocolates Sweet Driver Cafe and Sweet Driver Chocolates If you love art, next time you are in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, be sure to check Artisan Forge Studios! Explore the outdoor sculpture gardens, the interior artist shoppes, and other fun businesses in this trendy artist cooperative and networking space. Then, of course, grab a yummy bite at the onsite lunch spot, Sweet Driver Cafe, and, lastly, indulge in the amazing collection of chocolate confections at Sweet Driver Chocolates! Just look at all the unique flavors they have available! Yum! If you are in Eau Claire,…

Artisan Forge Studios is an incredible cooperative art studio located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. You could spend most of a day checking out the exterior sculptures, the interior artist shoppes and businesses! Make sure to enjoy a quick bite or refreshing beverage in the onsite lunch spot, Sweet Driver Cafe and then finish your experience with a box of divine truffles from Sweet Driver Chocolates! If you love art, next time you are in Eau Claire, definitely check out Artisan Forge Studios! Click HERE or on Any Photo in the Album Below for Great Ideas on Fostering a Love of…

Garage Door Graffiti at Artisan Forge Studios Leaving our hotel to go get gas, I chanced across this little gem of a cooperative art studio in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. We ended up spending most of the day checking out the exterior sculptures, the interior artist shoppes, and, of course, the onsite lunch spot, Sweet Driver Cafe and Sweet Driver Chocolates! If you love art, next time you are in Eau Claire, definitely check out Artisan Forge Studios! Click HERE or on Any Photo in the Album Below for the Coolest Selection of Street Art Coloring Books for Kids AND Adults!

Leaving our hotel to go get gas, I chanced across this little gem of a cooperative art studio in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. We ended up spending most of the day checking out the exterior sculptures, the interior artist shoppes, and, of course, the onsite lunch spot, Sweet Driver Cafe and Sweet Driver Chocolates! If you love art, next time you are in Eau Claire, definitely check out Artisan Forge Studios! Click HERE or on Any Photo in the Album Below for Great Ideas on Fostering a Love of ART With YOUR Kids!

You Can Order O&H Danish Kringles HERE! If you’ve ever driven along Interstate 94, just across the Illinois border, and into Wisconsin, you’ve probably seen the signs for O&H Danish Bakery in the Racine and Sturtevant areas. I’ve seen the signs…. And I’ve been wanting to stop for a while now. And, hey, we FINALLY did! And, oh, wow! It’s pretty incredible! The bakery itself in the Sturtevant location is just a small vignette of a counter inside a Petro Travel Plaza, but don’t let it’s micro-appearance fool you. The flavor packed in this tiny space is AMAZING. Danish Kringle,…

CLICK HERE to Check Out Giordano’s Pizza! On our constant quest to find the Best Deep Dish Pizza in Chicago, we keep coming back to two pizzerias in particular. One is Connie’s Pizza. The other is Giordano’s. It is our opinion, thus far, that Connie’s Pizza offers the best crust. And Giordano’s cheese is absolutely unparalleled! Strangely enough, not too many Chicago pizza places are open late. So, when we are “just passing through” the Chicagoland vicinity, Giordano’s in Millennium Park tends to be open the longest; and it makes a pretty convenient stop for us to grab a pie…

After a great deal of anticipation, the sweetest new thing in Athens is finally here! On Washington Street, in the heart of Downtown Athens, Georgia, Condor Chocolates has just opened it’s brand new Choco Coffee Roasters Cafe + Factory! Gorgeously outfitted in a rustic-meets-modern industrial chic vibe, this counter service cafe offers all your favorite Condor brand chocolate truffles; chocolate bars; drinking chocolate; hot cocoa; locally-roasted coffee and espresso; and so much more! As convenient as the new downtown location may be, though, don’t just rush in and rush out! Grab your favorite hot or cold beverage from their extensive…

The last stop on our 2021 North Georgia Apple Excursion was Hillcrest Orchards. Here, we were able to grab some Braeburn and Arkansas Black. Each Apple House offers a different experience, and Hillcrest feels, by far, to be one of the most kid-oriented ways to spend a fall afternoon. The best time to experience Apple Season in North Georgia is usually going to be in September and October. This year, the Apple Industry as a whole suffered many setbacks, so many of the Pick-Your-Own Excursions ended early, or weren’t available at all. And most of the special events are over…

Our favorite Apple House experience on our 2021 North Georgia Apple Excursion was, hands down, Mack Aaron’s Apple House. It’s a smaller place, and looks a little unsuspecting from the exterior. If you only had a little bit of time, this might not be the place that would grab your attention. But, the customer service was the absolute friendliest. The folks working there truly appreciated our business, and they were genuinely kind and warmly personable. And, at the end of the day, those are the kinds of people with whom I want to do business. Most of the Apple Houses…

Next on the list for our 2021 North Georgia Apple Excursion is Aaron Family Orchards. They have a great selection of apples, and more importantly, the BEST prices out of all the Apple Houses we visited today! So, if you are looking for value, Aaron’s Apple House by Aaron Family Orchards is the way to go! Adding to our stash, we got September Wonder, Cameo, Rome Beauty, Crimson Crisps… And stickers! Yay stickers! Click HERE to Learn More About Aaron Family Orchards! CLICK HERE to follow along on our North Georgia Apple Excursion! For more fun things to do in…

R&A Orchards is an Apple House built for VOLUME! There are sooooo many apples in this place! Just check out the photos below! Prices were reasonable, and selection was great! In addition to the other apples we’ve collected thus far on our 2021 North Georgia Apple Excursion, we grabbed a handful each of Gold Rush Apples and Wild Twist Apples. R&A Orchards is on Highway 52, just Southeast of Ellijay, Georgia, and in close proximity to several other Apple Houses. If you are looking to buy a LOT of apples for a good price, this is the place to be!…

The first stop on our 2021 Apple Season in North Georgia Excursion was to Red Apple Barn. Red Apple Barn is on the Northwest side of Ellijay, where the greatest concentration of Apple Houses and Orchards tend to fall on the Southeast Side, but they boast a large, lovely property with lots of family-friendly fall activities! The purpose of our trip was primarily to buy pumpkins and apples for cooking and baking, so we’re too late in the season to experience any of the Fall Festivities first hand. But, we’d recommend checking out their website and Facebook page for all…

Give the taste of Georgia this holiday season! Consider small, locally owned produce markets to load up on all the regional flavors! Jaemor Farms, in Alto, Georgia, is full of produce grown on their own farms, as well as other items brought in from farmers throughout the area. They also have a market location in Commerce, Georgia. Peruse their themed gift baskets and boxes for curated flavor collections, or browse the entire store to create your own! Beyond produce, Jaemor also carries baked goods, meats, cheeses, and local dairy products; as well as jams, jellies, juices, sauces, ciders, and more!…

One of my favorite concoctions so far this fall season, fresh out of Trillian’s Kitchen this morning, is her Salted Caramel Pumpkin Oat Bowl. The base is a creamy pumpkin puree blended into vanilla almond milk rolled oats, with a side of Nature’s Path Organic Pumpkin Seed + Flax Granola. Topped with Georgia Grinders Handcrafted Natural Organic Crunchy Peanut Butter, with a dollop of Park Street Deli (ALDI) Sea Salt Caramel Hummus, and garnished with a sprinkle of Raw Pumpkin Seeds from Muddy Pond General Store in the Mennonite Community of Monterey, Tennessee. Think of a soft, warm oatmeal pumpkin…

Fall is in the air! And if you are anywhere in, near, or headed to North Georgia, one of the best local gems for all your fall shopping is Opa Robby’s Market, in Athens, Georgia, on Atlanta Highway, right in front of Target! Jellies, jams, ciders, soups, sauces, syrups, and sorghum! Pumpkins and peanuts! Muscadines and scuppernongs! Coffee and looseleaf teas! Cocoa kits, hot chocolate bombs, and decadent handmade chocolate candies! Local Honey! Even elderberry syrups, tonics, and spreads! Opa Robby’s Market has ALL the fun fall flavors! Looking to get cooking? Check out the local and regional produce, including…

If you’re traveling along I-75 in Southern Georgia, headed to, or coming from Florida, Magnolia Plantation in Tifton makes a great pit stop! Take Exit 55 to stretch your legs, fill your tank (or empty it), and do a little Southern-Style souvenir shopping while you’re at it! As a convenience store, they offer affordable prices on fuel, clean bathrooms, and a wide array of snacks and drinks for the road. But, you’ll also find massive quantities of jams, jellies, preserves, fruit butters, sauces, candies, and nuts that make great gifts for the take-home! Peach preserves, peach flavored barbecue sauces, peanuts…

Heading out of Columbus, Georgia, towards Interstate 75, in the tiny town of Weston, Georgia, you’ll find ALL the big Southern Flavor at Merritt Pecan Co & General Store! Covered in nostalgic tin soda signs on the outside, and loaded with fun products on the inside, Merritt Pecan Co & General Store makes for a great Stop & Shop along your route! We explored the vintage signs, and then ventured in to grab some snacks and drinks for the road; as well as some souvenirs; and a handful of Mother’s Day gifts for Gramma. Check out some of the goodies…

It was a little cold… And a lot wet… But, that didn’t stop us from grabbing a hot drink, and strolling through the quaint Georgia Mountain Town of Helen. This Bavarian-themed village boasts fun German drinks, snacks, and desserts; as well as bountiful German meals. The streets are lined with adorable shops, boasting unique wares from artisans, both local and afar. Woodcarving, wood-burning, glass-blowing, and candy-making… Just to name a few! Beer steins, music boxes, and even Dutch klompen! Pretzels, crepes, lattes… And did I mention candy? Oh, the candy! From Fasching, to Oktoberfest, and everything in between, if you…

Hendershot’s Coffee/Bar/Music is an Athens Institution, indeed! From hot floral lattes with housemade syrups, and cozy herbal teas, to boldly roasted collaborated projects with Jittery Joe’s Coffee Roasters… (Check out 45 and 78!) From spirited cocktails, to open mic night… To the Athens Winter Community Market… Hendershot’s brings a lot to the table to keep Athens caffeinated, hydrated, fed, and entertained! And when those lovely lattes are served up by the esteemed Mr. Seth Hendershot himself, it makes the morning that much better! One of the greatest parts about living in Athens, Georgia, is that you’ve got a little music…

Breakfast this morning was a spread of homemade vegan waffles, with Wisconsin Cranberry Syrup, and Tennessee Mennonite Blackberry Jam; and a spread of apple and orange slices. Organic Unsweetened Coconut Chips from Trader Joe’s Uncle Mike’s Wisconsin Cranberry Maple Syrup Muddy Pond Wild Blackberry Jam And Trillian’s secret vegan waffle recipe! A pretty sweet way to start the day! Click on any link to learn more about the products we used, or any photo to try your hand at making Vegan Waffles!

One of our favorite destinations in Savannah, Georgia, is, of course, strolling down River Street, perusing shops and restaurants, and enjoying the gorgeous Savannah River vistas. One of our favorite shops along River Street is Byrd’s Famous Cookies. Always offering free samples of their bite-size delicacies, any flavor of these bagged shortbread cookies make a great souvenir from your time in the Hostess City of the South! Some of our favorites are the Lemon Coolers, Key Lime Coolers, Georgia Peach Cookies, Salted Caramel Cookies, Confetti Cupcake Cookies, and the Triple Chocolate Cookies! The more you buy, the greater your savings!…

I’ve been exploring a lot of smaller cities and towns around the Atlanta area. Today’s adventures brought me to the quaint little town of Woodstock, Georgia. Smack dab in the middle of a historic railroad route, still right on the tracks, you’ll find a modern expanse of boutiques, shops, bars, restaurants, dessert spots, and more… Among the hippest of those dessert spots, you’ll find Pie Bar! Straight to the point, Pie Bar sells a collection of pies, whole, or by the slice. And locally roasted coffee by Cool Beans Coffee Roasters with their proprietary Pie Bar Blend! So many fun…

We entered Gallup, New Mexico in search of one of my favorite guilty pleasures! Navajo Tacos! One of the best parts of the Southwest! A quick Google Search netted us Earl’s Family Restaurant. When we pulled up in the parking lot, and even entered through the front door, I was a little underwhelmed that the ambiance of the place didn’t feel very authentically “Southwestern” to me. It was more of a cafeteria type atmosphere, and reminded me a little of eating dinner with my Grandmother when I was a kid. But, don’t let first impressions fool you! This was a…

We’re always on the lookout for local, regional, or unique craft sodas and other sparkling waters! While we were in Espresso Fino grabbing our lavender breve, we also stocked up on Bluefly Farms Lavender and Rosemary Sparkling Water. Bluefly Farms is based out of Peralto, New Mexico. We also grabbed a handful of New Wave Sodas in Blueberry, Mango, Cucumber, and Blackberry! Cool and refreshing for the walk around Albuquerque, and a few extras for the ride out of town!

We’ve been hitting the coffee scenes in Cookeville and Chattanooga pretty hard lately, so we decided to see what else might be available along our Tennessee route. And, yay, we found something AWESOME! And they are even open until 7pm! The Coffee Collective! The Coffee Collective has been in Downtown Sparta for a little over two years now. But, the refurbished, warm, historically eclectic-style atmosphere with original brickwork and antique bicycle theme makes the place feel like it has been a part of the community forever! I love nothing more than rolling into a quaint “new to us” town, and…

Ah, yes, another morning at a fabulous Athens restaurant… Athens, Georgia truly is THE Dining Destination of the South! I came to Mama Jewel’s this morning looking for some Chicken and Waffles, but I ended up not being able to resist the Smoked Salmon English Muffin, and the unique sound of the Ooey Gooey with housemade Jalapeno jelly and brie smothering a fried chicken breast! The service was awesome, of course, and the Southern Pecan Coffee was refillable!

Yay! It was Opening Day at the Athens Farmers Market in Bishop Park in Athens, Georgia. We’ve been looking forward to this event for QUITE a while! We absolutely LOVE all things fresh produce, but, surprisingly, incorporating purchases from Farmers Markets is a relatively newer thing for us. And I am even more ashamed to admit that, because, growing up, my Grandfather ran a produce stand in Martinez, Georgia; and I have countless fond memories of spending afternoons with him while he worked. Setting up tempting displays of the brightest tomatoes or the greenest peppers; helping customers make their selections;…

When in Philly, you MUST Cheesesteak! But, the truth of the matter is, they are all made differently, and there are lots of choices in meats, breads, cheeses, and toppings. So, you’re probably going to want to Cheesesteak more than once! There are lots of good Cheesesteak Shops throughout the Philly area. But, my personal recommendation is to head to Passyunk Avenue and 9th Street, and hit up BOTH Geno’s Steaks AND Pat’s King of Steaks, all on the same block. Try a few different combinations and get a genuine taste of some of Philly’s best Original Recipe Cheesesteaks! You’ll…

We’ve cumulatively spent a few months in Philly over the course of the last two years. So, it stands to reason that we’ve made a sizable dent in sampling the Philly Cheesesteak Scene. For me, it’s impossible to pick a favorite. They each have slightly unique twists to the final product. They each have enough custom options available with meats, and cheeses, and toppings that they are all different enough that it’s hard to compare. So, basically, pick one and enjoy! But, if I was to be so forward as to suggest a win-win tasting experience, we tend to gravitate…

Ah, yes! An absolutely, authentically amazing Brooklyn Hero Shop! Defonte’s has been slinging the best sandwiches in Red Hook, Brooklyn since the 1920’s. The people behind the counter, as well as the customers dining in, are just as much the heart of the Brooklyn experience as the sandwiches themselves. We’ve never met a kinder group of people that were just as thrilled about having us in their neighborhood as we were to be there! And the food? Incredible! We had a Hot Roast Beef and a Soppressata with Capicola and Provolone. Mmmmm!

We meandered through Times Square on our way to Alysia’s Birthday Surprise. We couldn’t resist the quintessential late morning / early afternoon food cart snack… Pretzels and Hot Dogs, New York Style!

Grizzly’s is the “True Alaska Curiosity Shop” and worth a look while enjoying Downtown Anchorage! They boast a huge selection of T-Shirts, Ulus, Smoked Salmon, Chocolates, Post Cards, Totems, Jewelry, Soaps, Made in Alaska, Books, Gifts, Alaska Souvenirs… And so much more! Check it out! How could you say no to this adorable gang?!

Billed as Alaska’s Biggest Gift Shop, we definitely appreciated their low prices on souvenirs. We always do our best to support small businesses as we adventure, and Polar Bear Gifts is an Alaskan-owned business with prices even lower than Wal-Mart in most instances. So, we figured we’d give it a shot. And, of course, I spent too much. But, I always do! We stocked up on magnets, license plates, stickers, and a few of the other goodies we add to our collections as often as we can. And, if nothing else, you definitely need a photo with the giant bear…

After a fun and scenic trip over the last 10 days, through Georgia, Tennessee, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and now Minnesota, we have arrived in our longer-term destination for the remainder of the month! A private home in an outlying rural community of Minneapolis, Minnesota. We’re going to spend our time exploring Minneapolis, St. Paul, St. Cloud, Elk River, and more! Stay tuned for TONS of Minnesota adventures over the next few weeks. But, for now, COFFEE on the back porch! And a day of relaxation! Heck yeah! Cameron’s Chocolate Caramel Brownie Coffee (To this day, still pretty much my…

This is the kind of place I live for! Just some random sign or brochure you happen to see while doing something else… And you go check it out! And you learn some cool stuff! And you get to eat cool stuff! The Wisconsin Cranberry Discovery Center is just a hair off the beaten path, but well worth the very slight detour! Inside this quaint little history museum, you can learn all about the fascinating Wisconsin cranberry industry! And the gift shop is absolutely loaded with EVERYTHING cranberry you could possibly think to try! Cranberries, candy, coffee, honey, jelly, sauces,…

We never really knew what cheese curds were… And, I guess, I still really don’t! But, wow, they ARE delicious! And they make a great road snack to munch on while traveling the highways and byways of the State of Wisconsin. The folks at Humbird Cheese were super-friendly, and they seem to have the reputation of being THE place to stop along I-90/94 for all your cheese shopping needs! Cheese samples are generous, and they boast an impressive variety of other locally-grown and locally-made products for sample and sale. Looking for a taste of Wisconsin? Check out Humbird Cheese! Humbird…

Mmmm…. Chicago Deep Dish Pizza! You have to try some at least once in your life! Or, better yet, route every road trip you ever take through Chicago and allow enough time to enjoy this INCREDIBLE Chicago institution as often as you can! There are several places to indulge your pizza cravings. And Giordano’s itself has several locations throughout the area. We always find ourselves at one of the locations closest to the Willis Tower. It’s always busy, and a Deep Dish is never a quick order. Always allow at least an hour to get your pie. I think the…

A Chicago Dog just outside the Field Museum of Natural History… This Quintessential Chicago Street Food, an all-beef dog, “dragged through the garden,” includes yellow mustard, chopped onions, sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato wedges, pickled sport peppers and a sprinkling of celery salt, inside a poppy-seed bun. This Windy City Classic is easily available at food trucks, street carts, sporting events, festivals, and, pretty much everywhere!

Even though this was just a quick stop for us this morning, MOO-Ville Creamery looks like it’s QUITE the destination! So many cool flavors from which to choose! And you can watch the ice cream being made right in front of you! The gift shop carries lots of local Michigan goods. And outdoor fun abounds as well!

If you are looking for an “authentic” Tennessee dining experience, I would definitely put Puckett’s Franklin on the list! Located in Downtown Franklin, in a row of awesome Tennessee eateries, Puckett’s is an AMAZING choice! They offer plenty of savory Pulled Pork Barbecue selections, prepared in different platings, accentuated with your preferred flavor of Puckett’s branded sauce. Other menu options include unique takes on Southern Fare Favorites, such as Shrimp ‘n Grits, Piggy Mac, Meatloaf, Southern Fried Chicken, and more! All meals include Cajun Corn Cakes; and one of many side options is my personal favorite, Sweet Potato Fries! Scrumptious…

We first discovered the amazing experience of Indian Frybread in Cherokee, North Carolina on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. Chee’s Indian Store, just off of Interstate 40, not long after you cross the Arizona border headed West from New Mexico, offers a fun store full of local arts and crafts; as well as a food stand offering Navajo Tacos on delicious frybread. If you’re looking for a sweet tooth fix, you can also get your frybread covered in honey and/or powdered sugar. Inside the store, you can make hot tea; and for the take-home, we purchased a box of the Yanabah…

With a super friendly staff, and a VERY extensive selection of craft sodas, Speakeasy Spirits is an explosion of all sorts of flavor possibilities! We’ve spent several months in Gulf Shores, Alabama this year, and we made regular trips into Speakeasy Spirits to keep our fridge stocked with AWESOMENESS! While we certainly didn’t get to try them all, be on the lookout for assorted posts in our Soda Pop Savant category to see which ones we were able to experience! Two of our absolute favorites, for sure, are Swamp Pop’s Praline Cream Soda and Havana Soda Company’s Havana Mojito! If…

One of my absolute favorite things to do in a city is to relax and enjoy a carriage ride! I find them to be incredibly affordable, and a good value for the information your personal guide will share with you along the route. A little local lore, mixed in with some unique historical facts. You may very well get into side streets or tighter alleys that you might not otherwise access via car or on foot. And if you, as a parent, are used to being the driver, the photographer, and the kid herder, all-in-one, carriage rides are a GREAT…

To this day, I will say, the Crawfish Etouffee at TABASCO® Restaurant 1868 ranks among my absolute favorites. I think I finally put my finger on the secret ingredient, and can do a pretty solid job of recreating the deliciousness in my own kitchen… But, I won’t lie! I crave the heck out of the real thing! Mmmm….

Mmmm! The best part of a factory tour is always the product sampling afterwards! The TABASCO® Country Store offers plenty of Sauce samples, as well as the ability to try TABASCO® Sauce Ice Cream! Wow! And it is REALLY good! But don’t take my word for it! Go, try some yourself!

Tour the history and production of TABASCO® Sauce on Avery Island in South Central Louisiana! Onsite activities and exhibits include the TABASCO® Museum, Pepper Greenhouse, Barrel Warehouse, Blending and Bottling, Avery Island Conservation, Salt Mine diorama, TABASCO® Country Store, and 1868! Restaurant.

We spent a while on this trip trying to find a smaller, more authentic Cajun-style restaurant, heavy on local flavor, but a little light-handed on the tourist pricing… We finally found Crazy ‘Bout Crawfish Cajun Cafe, and are SUPER glad we did! They had a GREAT Sampler Platter, that let us try a little bit of everything… Some of the things we were already familiar with, like Gumbo, and Etouffee, but we were able to expand our horizons with some newer-to-us dishes, like Maque Choux. Also, we tried ALLIGATOR! I’m not sure if any of us really liked it… But,…