Our Christmas Roadtrip to CA

Max's Holiday Party - 2nd Grade

This is Max's Holiday Video! Enjoy...

Photos by Harley

He's ONE already?

Scott's Nephew Jacob turned ONE in October...he's just so amazing!

PJW

Phoenix Jazz Workshop on played at Sacred Grounds Coffee House and Max and I took some photos of the band. I had some fun because I found some old photos of the band online.

"Working from a selection of classics by such titans as Wayne Shorter, Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk, and a host of Latin composers, the band provides a framework that allows for some sizzling improvisation."

Bryon Ruthe, Sax

Ted Sistrunk, Bass

Scott Zimmer, Sax

Rob Moore, Drummer

Rachel Eckroft, Piano

Go Cubbies

Simpsonized

Chicago with Max

To Learn more about Chicago from Max's perspective...click on the link to Max's blog and check it out!

Arbor Inn

We stayed at a historic bed and breakfast called Arbor Inn. The first two days we stayed in the Tap Room, the balance of the time we enjoyed the Studio with Max.

Formerly The Plough Inn, the historic structure served as a tavern and a stagecoach stop dating back to 1853. The Plough building is on the national register for historic homes and is one of Madison’s oldest existing homes. Visitors would hitch their horses outside on the their way in or out of town for a refreshment. They would then dance in what is now the sitting room and if necessary they could sleep in one of the bedrooms upstairs. It was a rowdy loud tavern known for rough characters and some bar room fights. Thus receiving the nickname "Plough Inn and Stagger Out."

The TAP ROOM was once a popular tavern in which carriage travelers stopped for spirits. A king bed, claw-foot bubble bath tub for two, stone shower, stove fireplace and dart board complete this historic gem.

The STUDIO is a bright and expansive environment with a prairie influence. A cathedral ceiling, skylights and a natural linens on a king-size bed comprise the former art studio of UW Professor Stebbins. Separating the suite's two rooms is an original exposed brick wall. Guests can retreat to the bath's skylit whirlpool tub and then unwind in front of the stove fireplace. This room also serves as our family suite.

Dane County (Wisconsin) Farmer's Market

When I lived in Wisconsin, my favorite thing to do was go to the Farmer's Market every Saturday. I loved watching all the new items the farmers would bring in, and sharing the bounty of the spring, summer and fall seasons.

In 1972, Mayor Bill Dyke recognized a need to unite the city dwellers and the county's agricultural benefits.

Inspired by Europe's open markets, Dyke called on the Dane County Extension Office and the Central Madison Committee of the Chamber of Commerce to help him replicate the European tradition. The three agencies joined forces to develop the Dane County Farmers' Market.

On the first Saturday in 1972, eager buyers set out to the square with the hopes of loading their bags, wagons and carfts with nature's gifts, only to find just five farmers and their wares. But by 1973, farmers by the dozens parked overnight to secure the best spot on the Square. In 1974, Barry issued season passes for the stalls in an effort to organize the growing Farmers' Market. The only rule then and still enforced today is that products must be Wisconsin grown.

Each Saturday approximately 18,000 customers converge upon the Square with carts, wagons, baskets, backpacks, grocery sacks, and enchanted relatives and visitors to fill weekly grocery needs.

Customers have established a counter-clockwise odyssey around the Square, and vendors can often set clocks and sales by customers. Early customers arrive by six in the morning to take advantage of the cool air and uncrowded conditions. They are the quantity buyers who want the certain variety of tomato to can or that particular cut of meat for supper. They comparison shop, making several circuits to discuss with vendors the quality and price of each attractive item.

Mid-morning customers still have grocery lists, but they also meet friends to enjoy a cup of coffee while surveying the flowers, processed goods, and unusual vegetables available at the market.

Late customers (noon until the closing of the market at two) often bargain shop and enjoy the shade, lunching around the Square and visiting a book store or two. Whatever the purpose for their visit, these customers are loyal. The market occurs rain or shine, hot or cold, and Wisconsinites ignore less-than-perfect conditions to visit the Square.

Taking Max to the Market, or in this case I should say, having Max take US to the market, was a huge thrill for me - something I had been looking forward to for weeks. We had visited the market nearly every weekend of his first year of life, and spoke with excitement about what he might think of the cheese, maple syrup and fresh fruit when he was older. I had always envisioned having him hold my hand and look in awe and the huge bales of corn, the colorful array of popcorn, and the gorgeous shades of and depths of color that adorned the organically grown crops of flowers, fruits and vegies.

Over the past few years, his visits to Wisconsin have left him a huge lover of maple candies, honey sticks and fresh beef sticks.

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