Saturday, October 16, 2010

dairy good days II (madison, wi)

Even though Miss Everythingtarian had to work on Monday, she sent me off with a fun list of things to do in downtown Madison.
 
Lesson 3: State Street
Lesson 4: University of Wisconisn
Lesson 5: Lake Mendota
I stopped for lunch at the Sunroom Cafe. Let me see if I can explain to you the amazingness this meal was: The lettuce was crisp and fresh, topped with juicy tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, sprouts, creamy avocado, and tuna salad. The cafe was bright and a sunny, a floor above State Street and filled with students, professors, and locals. I sat alone, read my book, and enjoyed every minute of it. And then, the tour continued.
[U. Wisconsin's AXO]
[Wisconisn State Capitol]
Did you know that Wisconsin became the 30th state exactly 140 years before I was born? It's a super cool trivia fact. Definitely worth knowing.
[Lake Monona from Monona Terrace]
[Overture Center for the Arts]
I was able to get through most of it by 5 o'clock so that I could reunite with Holly.
Have I mentioned how much I love her? The plan was to go out for good old traditional Wisconisn fare: beer and cheese curds :). The Old Fashioned didn't work out, so Graze it was!
Holly hadn't ever been there so we were both excited for the new American gastropub.
Lesson 5: cheese curds.
They kind of rocked my world. These cheese curds were battered in vodka, deep fried to crispy perfection, and filled with squeaky curds of cheddar cheese.
They were also incredibly rubbery. I don't think it's possible not to have fun when eating these. 
But just in case, I had a glass of local blonde wheat beer to wash it down with :).
To balance the meal out, Holly and I also split two fabulous salads. You know, we are "healthy living bloggers," after all.
Later that evening, Holly took a 15-minute nap that lasted an hour. She felt really bad about it, but I don't think she understands how spectacular of a host she was. I just had the most wonderful time in the 48 hours I spent with her. Madison is the only state capitol on an islip, a huge foodie town, and a place that I need to go back and visit my real life blogging friend. I'm such a lush.

7 comments:

  1. YAY!! Holly is awesome - love that the two of you met up :)

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  2. Hi! Beautiful pictures like allways.

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  3. VeggieGirl: Aw, I love it too!

    Bogdan: Thank you!

    GF Gidget: Thanks so much!

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  4. i miss you! i am sooooo glad we finally got the chance to meet in real life - and i mean this, i am so glad we got along like i thought we would. here's to reunion #2!

    mwah!

    p.s. thanks for not minding that nap - my body appreciates it :)

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  5. hahaha holly took a nap...and it lasted an hour. Aside from pictures and seeing her on your blog, it's things like that which JUST SOUND SO HOLLY, that I knew you wouldn't have made that up! hysterical. and wow, that sentence was really poorly constructed. watever...u catch my drift!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


    oh and yes.............that salad looks phenom. no one can underestimate the power of a good salad.
    looked bomb

    love you!

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  6. Holly: Ditto! Can't wait for reunion #2 :)

    glidingcalm: Haha, love you! Let's all hang out in the sam city one day... k?

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