Two Kids In A Candy Store

 

I felt like a kid this week. I played hooky! I tossed my responsibilities aside for a day, kidnapped my Mom, and took her on a surprise adventure.

Our first destination was Bass Lake Cheese in Somerset, Wisconsin. Bass Lake Cheese is a family owned and family run award-winning cheese factory owned by "Master Cheesemaker" Scott Erickson and his wife Julie. Bass Lake Cheese has a fun display of old dairy memorabilia as well as a large window to watch cheese-making. Sadly, they were not making cheese the day we were there.  We will just have to visit again. Like two kids in a candy store, Mom and I studied all the cheese cases, sampling several varieties, trying to make a decision on what kinds to take home with us. I decided to buy provolone and green olive cheddar, but the cranberry cheddar was tempting too. 

Following our cheese excursion, we traveled on to River Falls, Wisconsin, home of the Best Maid Cookie Factory. I guess you could say this was our second "candy store." Along with the factory, Best Maid has a wonderful retail outlet store with delicious cookies, that we HAD to sample. Chocolate chunk, oatmeal raisin, sugar cookies, the only thing missing was the cold glass of milk. Wow! Even while playing hooky I think about dairy. Once a farmer, always a farmer. 

After purchasing several cases of cookies, (Yes, I said cases. Hey, there was a sale!) we settled in for a good visit over lunch at a neighboring restaurant.  Mom and I had a great day. I never played hooky as a child. If this is what it's like, I might just do it again. What are you doing next Wednesday, Mom?

What Happens In Wisconsin...

I like the size of the cheese, but not the mouse!

What can be more perfect than visiting "Wisconsin-America's Dairyland" during June Dairy Month? John and Michael promised they would do just fine on the farm without us, so Sara and I hopped in the van and dashed for the border. We were off to see Matt and Heidie tie-the-knot. I invite you to join us on our journey.

In typical farmer fashion, our inner alarm clocks didn't let us sleep late, so we were one of the first guests to enjoy the continental breakfasts each morning at our motels. It was also hard to remember that we didn't have to "rush home to milk cows" each day. Old habits die hard.

Heidie and Matt's wedding was held in a traditional country church, surrounded by cornfields. The service was beautiful. The dinner was delicious, complete with cheese sauce on the chicken. Go dairy! And, we danced like crazy. "YMCA!"

The National Mustard Museum. Did you know there is one?

Jelly Belly Factory Tour. Yes, there are jelly beans in the bags.

 Three outlet malls in one day! Lots of bags in the car. We stayed until closing.

 I won 20 cents at the Casino. I didn't bother cashing in the voucher.

Sara with an orange moose? We're not sure why it was there.

Three Antique Malls and no purchases. Sad face!