It takes us a full day to get from Santa Barbara, California to Lakewood,Wisconsin. We got up at 3:30 AM stumbled around the house for a couple of minutes, drank some coffee then got ourselves to the airport. We always believe that once you check in, the rest of the journey is out of your hands, just sit back and experience it. The long leg of our trip was first-class from LAX to ORD, service was good, but the food was surprisingly delicious. Grilled Chicken Breast with a Cilantro Pesto, Braised Baby Artichoke, Roasted Tomato over a bed of Leeks, Creamy Orzo with just a touch of nutty cream. Loved the Braised Artichoke, going to try to recreate them while we’re here in WI.
During the short hop from Chicago to Green Bay we traveled through some gnarly clouds, beautiful but rather roller-coaster like bumpy. Almost lost my Braised Artichokes. Landed safely in Green Bay and accomplished the last two hours by car. So weird, it was Friday night beginning of very busy 4th of July weekend but compared to CA not hardly a car on the road. Arrived 9:00 and had a glass of wine. Ahhh, our little House on the Lake!!
Today we took my Mom (Elfrieda) to lunch at Rusty Nail/TNT/Rawhide. It’s been owned and named by three different families over the years and no one has bothered to settle on one name. Doesn’t matter what you call it, the food is fantastic. I got my personal favorite the Rueben. The restaurant bakes all of it’s own bread and it makes all the difference. I was also drinking New Glarus, Spotted Cow beer (Only available in state of WI.) Mom and Jim had burgers. Everyone was happy. I ate half of the sandwich, next day for lunch I looked for it but was gone. Mysterious how the second half always disappears, this has been happening for years.
Sounds delightful! xo