Corn Maze

You know that disappointing feeling you get when you spend a lot of time carefully curating the most perfect Christmas present for a child, only to find that when they open it – they like the box more than the actual contents inside the box?

Yeah. That was our corn maze experience a few weeks ago.

I had planned the most perfect fall Saturday.  I called my sister & said I needed to kidnap her kids -- that Zac & I were taking them to a corn maze (because it’s on my fall bucket list, after all).  We will get lunch, we eat will ice cream, we will have a super fun time navigating through the maze… and it will be perfect.

She didn’t tell her kids all week what we had planned on doing, she just told them Auntie KK & Uncle Zac were taking them on an “adventure”.

For the record, they are 5 and 2½ years old -- they don’t really know what an adventure is, but they were excited for it.  And I was too.

They arrived at our house mid-morning; car seats were fastened in my car, water bottles were filled, and walking shoes were on.  We loaded up the kids & hit the road.

“I hope we’re going to Bay Beach.” says Elena.  “Actually, I hope we’re going to feed the ducks.”

“We’re going to do something totally new – something you’ve never done before!” I said.

“Where is it?  Is it going to take long to get there?  Are there bathrooms there?” Elena asked.

“It’s in Door County & will take about 45 minutes” I explained... “And yes, there are bathrooms there...”  <-- this kid worries about the most random things.

…10 minutes later…

“Are we there yet?”

  

We arrived at Schopf’s Hill Top Dairy, which looks straight out of a child’s story book.  Pumpkins lined the adorable barn themed store-front, Adirondack chairs were scattered about the play area, so that parents can watch as children climb around the play sets, & there was even an area to feed some farm animals.

We didn't waste any time purchasing our tickets for the corn maze & began our "adventure" right away.

Roughly ten minutes in, Kane got sick of walking.

When we got done with the brown maze, I asked if the kids wanted to do the red maze next, and they all but started crying,  "Nooooo!!  Don't make us do another one!  I'm hot. I'm hungry. I wanna play!"

So we listened to the kids & found the exit.  Elena was never more happy...

They had more fun playing on the tractors & play sets than navigating through the maze.  Guess they are still a bit young to enjoy it.  I had a blast, though :)

It was after 12:30 and we were all hungry, so we ordered a pizza & some rootbeer & had a picnic outside.

 After lunch, we fed a few farm animals...

Kane would spend the rest of his life on a tractor, if you'd let him.

At the end of the afternoon, we decided that we couldn't leave without a sweet treat first....

And then we got to watch them milk the cows, which was neat.

So lesson learned... playground > corn maze.   Now we know :)

I'm still so glad that we kidnapped them for the day.  Life gets so busy, and I don't see them near as often as I wish I did.  I love spending time with them; they make my heart so full!

Make: Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup

Now that the weather is turning colder, I’m in the mood for home-cooked meals & cozy evenings.

Which means, hello soup season!

Isn’t fall the quintessential time to enjoy all things soup?  Chili, chicken noodle, creamy broccoli… give me all the soups!

To ring in fall, I made my first batch of creamy chicken & wild rice soup the other night, and it hit the spot, so I thought I’d share my recipe.














My recipe inspiration stems from The Double Dipped Life -- though I have quite a few variations to her original recipe.

To make my version, you'll need:

½ c. butter

1 chopped onion

1 t. minced garlic

1 c. frozen corn

2 c. frozen shredded zucchini

1 c. sliced carrots

¾ c. flour

8 c. chicken broth

2 boxes uncooked Uncle Ben’s Wild Rice without the seasoning packets

Shredded chicken, from a rotisserie chicken – about 1 lb of chicken

1 t. salt

1 t. curry powder

1 t. mustard powder

1 t. dried parsley

1 t. black pepper – more, if you’re my husband

2 c. half and half

I do want to note, my soup is thick – so more chicken broth can be added if you like your soup more soupy :)

Melt the butter in a stockpot.  Stir in onion, garlic, corn, zucchini, & carrots. Sauté for 5 minutes.  Add the flour & stir well. Over medium heat, add chicken & then the chicken broth, stirring consistently.  Bring mixture to a boil & then reduce the heat to low & let it simmer.

Add the rice, salt, curry powder, mustard powder, dried parsley, & black pepper.  Stir well, then add the half & half, stirring as you pour.  Let the soup simmer on low heat for 1-2 hours being careful that it does not boil, and stir occasionally.

This soup also freezes well – we like to freeze our leftovers in portion sized contains & take them for lunch.

I’d love to know, what soups are your go-to for the colder months?

Linking up at:
Elizabeth & Co | Adventure of Mel

Travel: Chicago, Part 3

After surviving the sky ledge, we hit up Chick-fil-A for lunch & then did some site-seeing until our architectural river cruise on the Chicago's First Lady.

We did not pre-purchase tickets for our cruise, but for those considering this cruise, it might be a good idea to do so.  Our hotel concierge was able to get us tickets to what we were told was a “sold out” tour, so that made us feel special, anyways :)

The cruise itself is highly recommended & well worth the $40. The 90 minute cruise was filled with history, not only about the sky scrapers that line the river, but also about Chicago & we learned how to differentiate between architectural styles.  Also, the river cruise is great way to see the city!

We knew we couldn't leave Chicago without authentic deep dish pizza, so after a recommendation given to us by our waiter at RPM the night before, we headed to Gino’s East.  We did not have reservations, so we were a bit concerned about the wait times, but again, our lovely hotel concierge got us priority seating!  Upon arrival at Gino’s, we walked by the line outside & got seated right away!

Gino's has such a cool atmosphere - a must visit if you're in Chicago!

After we chowed down until our hearts were content, we caught a cab & high-tailed it down to Navy Pier to ride the Ferris Wheel. 

It wasn't running when we were there the day before, due to the weather, so we were desperate to get a ride before we left (and we heard a rumor that it’s going to be taken down soon – if that’s actually true or not, I have no idea).  Just as we were starting our upswing, a beautiful fireworks display started.  You guys – it was magical!!

Picture this – it’s night time – you have the Chicago skyline on your right, and on your left, a lovely fireworks show over Lake Michigan.  It was the perfect finale to close our weekend in Chicago.

We ended the evening at Buckingham Fountain.  We went for the light & music show but since they had an event going on at Grant Park, there was no show.  Oh well, you can’t win them all!































We had such a lovely girl's weekend in Chicago; I hope I've inspired you to spend some time in windy city.  You won't regret it!


Read about Day 1, here.
Read about Day 2 {part 1} here. 

Five.

Today, we celebrate 5 years of marriage & 11 years of being boyfriend/girlfriend/best friends.

I’m not exactly sure how all those years fly by so dang quickly, but sometimes I can’t remember what life was like before Zac.

He.is.my.everything.  And I’m not just saying that, I truly mean that.

He continues to look past all my flaws & loves me anyways.  He doesn't seem to notice my blemishes; my unruly, frizzy hair never phases him, and in his mind, my love handles don't exist.  He knows I worry too much, but he loves me anyways.  He never turns down my crazy ideas, and is always willing to bring them to life, even if he knows they suck.  Even in my very worst moments, he loves me anyways.

Zac is a man of God, and encourages me to be a better Christian.  He is passionate about everything he does.  His will-power & determination is unmatched.  I’m positive there’s nothing he can’t do.

I don’t deserve his unconditional love, but I am so, so grateful for it.

Cheers babe – to 5 years, and to the next 55 ahead.  I love doing life with you!