Further North

I didn't have to teach this Wednesday (I teach private music lessons in my home most days), so the kids and I headed up to see our friends the Morrises. Elise made us a delicious lunch of grilled cheese sandwiches and chicken noodle soup.

Being a true Wisconsin gal, the cheese she used was only the best. If you've never had Brick cheese, than I'm sorry to say that your life is devoid of meaning and purpose. Get yourself a hunk of Brick cheese, and suddenly the birds will start singing, the sun will start shining, and a chorus of "AHHHHH'S" will descend on you.

See, it really works!
After our lunch, we packed up the kids in my van for an outing.
Perhaps "wedged" would be a better term to use that "packed".

Want to know where we went first? Why, to get more cheese, of course! In Wisconsin, you can get creamy happiness for $2.79 a pound.

(Can you tell I like cheese?)

Now, at this point in my narrative, I have to confess something very sad - my children think that hills are hugely entertaining. Since we live in the flatlands (hence, we are "flatlandbillies", not "hillbillies"), hills are rare and exotic things.

(You should pause the music player on the left sidebar before playing the video)



After getting some cheese and some laughs, we drove to the quaint town of New Glarus and hit the Bargain Nook, a resale shop that carries mostly Lands End stuff. I was in heaven.
I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE my new coat, which was $35 and is warm enough even for me. I'm actually looking forward to having coat-wearing weather! (Yes, I know, I am insane.)

I got a new coat for Peter which should hopefully work for him next winter. I think this one was around $12.

New boots - $9. (They weren't dirty when I bought them. The dirt is just Peter's handiwork.)
Being my father's daughter, I went a little shoe crazy. Not only did I get boots for Peter, but winter boots for me (which are so lightweight and yet warm!!!) - $9, comfy sandals for my upcoming trip - $4, summer sneakers (they have mesh fabric on the sides) - $4, some men's shoes for $9, and best of all, some really cool sort of shoe that - are you ready for this - will show off my hand-knit socks - $4!Whoops! I got Handyman a pair of shoes too for $11, but I think he was wearing them when I snapped this picture.

Oh, here's one last pair of shoes that I just couldn't pass up - $4. I couldn't quite get the color right in the photo, but they're a nice olive green color.
After shopping heaven, we went across the street to the New Glarus Bakery. Being my mother's daughter, I bought just about every pastry in the shop.
I had to peel the kids off of the glass displays several times. I couldn't really blame them, though. (Try not to lick the monitor).
Gabe was especially pleased to have fresh cookies.

The child downed THREE of them before we left the shop.

Now, please excuse me while I go pet my new coat.