The Best Fall Recipes
Fall is my very favorite season. I love the warm days, crisp nights, and all things fall like pumpkins & more! I also love all things fall recipes. To me, nothing is better than when the air is cooler and you can have the windows open while baking and cooking with delicious smells wafting through the air! With my love for all things fall, it seemed only right that gather up all my favorite and best fall recipes into one place!
Gluten-Free Harvest Granola
Honey, maple syrup, pepitas, and dried cranberries all come together with gluten-free oatmeal to make this delicious fall flavored granola! It’s homemade so you know exactly what’s in and you can customize to your liking!
Continue “The Best Fall Recipes”The Best Wineries, Breweries, & Cideries in the Midwest
I think it’s safe to say that microbreweries and wineries are gaining more popularity. Thankfully, we have some of the best wineries, breweries, and cideries in the Midwest! No need to travel to the metropolitan areas. From Minnesota to Wisconsin, & Iowa we are full of great places to grab a drink, enjoy a brew or wine, and relax! Check them out!
Oh My Osage, Iowa! 10 Reasons to Visit
Osage, Iowa, is a town around 3,500 people located in northeast Iowa. It may not be the place that you would typically seek out for your weekend getaway. But, I guarantee that there is plenty of things to do in Osage, Iowa, that will make your travels worth it!
A huge thank you to the Osage Chamber of Commerce for hosting our visit. All thoughts and opinions are 100% authentic and my own. For more details, please check out the Disclosure Policy tab!
Location
As previously mentioned, Osage is located in northeast Iowa and is situated along 2 state highways making it easily accessible. It’s also relatively close to a couple regional airports. This means you can fly in and road trip there and back, enjoying the Iowa countryside!
If you’re traveling by car…
- Des Moines, IA – 148 miles – 2 hours, 10 minutes drive time
- Minneapolis, MN – 134 miles – 2 hours, 12 minutes drive time
- Kansas City, MO – 341 miles – 4 hours, 50 minutes drive time
- Chicago, IL – 338 miles – 5 hours, 25 minutes drive time
Food Tour of the Iowa State Fair
Everyone has their own reasons for visiting the Iowa State Fair! For some its the livestock, for others its the grandstand shows, but for me, it is definitely, the Iowa State Fair FOOD!
Visiting the Iowa State Fair
It’s a tradition for T and I to attend the Iowa State Fair at least one day each year! It’s our date day or weekend and something we look forward to sharing with each other! We often do the same things at the fair…see the same things, and even eat the same fair foods, our favorites of course We’re creatures of habit and honestly ok with that!
The Varied Industries Building, Pioneer Hall, and the Shoppers Mart underneath the Grandstand are always a must for us. We also enjoy watching the FFA Parade of Champions and the Governor’s Charity Steer Show.
But, really…the Iowa State Fair is all about the food, right?! So, what do we eat? Well, it’s usually a lot of the classics, but I also try to taste one new item each year. It’s usually new to me, but not necessarily the fair. So, what do we love?!
Grab our Tips for Visiting the Iowa State Fair!
Continue “Food Tour of the Iowa State Fair”Fall Fun at Enchanted Acres, Sheffield Iowa
Enchanted Acres located near Sheffield, Iowa is a great place to spend a day in the fall! Kids, adults, and everyone in between will find something enjoyable at this pumpkin patch & hobby farm!
I’ve been to Enchanted Acres several times due to my love for Shannon, her pumpkin patch, and all the goodies there, but it was great to be back and know that the fall season is upon us.
The Big Red Barn
The center of Enchanted Acres is Shannon’s Big Red Barn. It is home to the Market Place Café, a shop full of homemade jams & other treats plus an abundance of fall & Halloween Décor. Personally, I’d pick up a jar of the strawberry jam. Shannon’s mom makes all the homemade jams and they are top notch! Grab a delicious sandwich, a baked treat, or their signature hot apple cider. Inside the big red barn, you can also pick up smores kits to make your own treats over the fire nearby!
Looking for more outdoor adventures this fall?! Snag my guide to 25 Things to Do Outdoors in Iowa!
Continue “Fall Fun at Enchanted Acres, Sheffield Iowa”Eat Gluten Free in the Midwest at these Delicious Stops
One thing I’m asked for over and over is the best places to eat gluten free in the Midwest! If you’ve followed along for a while now, you know that I have a gluten allergy. I was diagnosed in November 2019 and have been working to adjust my eating ever since. Eating at home is easy as I have complete control of the groceries that I keep in the house and how food is prepared. But sometimes when traveling, eating gluten-free can be a challenge! (It’s amazing how many places offer only fried foods & sandwiches!) Thankfully, over the last several years, I’ve found several delicious places to eat that either offer Gluten-Free specific menus or have lots of menu options that are gluten free!
*Note – I cannot guarantee that cross contamination does not happen at any of these restaurants as cross contamination. For your own allergy/intolerance, please make sure to consult each of the restaurants before dinning there!
Select A State for Gluten Free Eating
- Missouri Gluten Free Eats
- Minnesota Gluten Free Eats
- Iowa Gluten Free Eats
- Willie’s – Hampton, Iowa
- Montage – Cedar Falls, Iowa
- The Pub on the Cedar – Charles City, Iowa
- Central Perk – Estherville, Iowa
- Waterfront Grille- Okoboji, Iowa
- Twin Span Brewing – Bettendorf, Iowa
- The Map Room – Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Starboard Market – Clear Lake, Iowa
- KB Emporium – Clear Lake, Iowa
- Urban Pie – Cedar Falls, Iowa
- Piggy Back Smoke Shack – Osage, Iowa
- Your Pie – Various Iowa Locations
- The Drift – Winterset, Iowa
- River Ridge Brewing – Bellevue, Iowa
Austin, MN – Not Just SPAM: 9 Reasons to Visit
I don’t know about you, but when I hear of Austin, Minnesota, I can’t help but think of SPAM! It makes complete sense since Austin is the home to Hormel, the maker of SPAM. But, after a recent weekend getaway in Austin, we know that there are so many more reasons to visit Austin. In fact, there are 9 reasons to visit Austin, MN. Whether you love spending time outdoors, history, or art, Austin offers it all! Time to plan a trip to visit Austin, Minnesota.
Thank you to Discover Austin, MN for hosting our visit to Austin! All thoughts and opinions are 100% authentic and my own. For full details, please see the disclosure tab.
Hormel Historic Home
Plan a Visit to West Central Iowa: 3 Day Itinerary
I’ve fallen in love with West Central Iowa! It holds some of the very best gems in Iowa. From wineries, rich Danish culture, good eats, and more you’ll be ready to plan a visit to West Central Iowa! And with this 3 day itinerary, it’s easier than ever! Ready to pack and get going? (Make sure to download the checklist at the end!)
Day 1: Elk Horn
On Day 1, start your visit to West Central Iowa in Elk Horn. This Danish community has so much to offer! Of course, the focus and center point of this community is their authentic and historic Windmill, but that is just the beginning!
Continue “Plan a Visit to West Central Iowa: 3 Day Itinerary”The Best Day Trips & Weekend Getaways in Southeast Iowa
The Midwest is full of lots of great day trips & weekend getaways. Iowa alone has a plethora of them! Southeast Iowa is no exception to this rule! Whether you’re looking for a day trip or a weekend getaway, we have something for you! Wineries, breweries, museums, good food, and more! Check them out!
*Note – For the purposes of this post, Southeast Iowa is considered anything South of Highway 20 and East of I-35!
A Stay at The Black Hawk Hotel – an Escape in Cedar Falls, Iowa
Historic hotels have become our favorite stays and a night at the Black Hawk Hotel in Cedar Falls, Iowa, recently was no exception.
We were given a gift certificate for Christmas to the Black Hawk Hotel and I couldn’t wait to use it as this has been on my “must-visit” list for awhile now! We decided to use it on a Friday night for a quick getaway before T started spring fieldwork. The gift certificate we were given was part of a holiday promotion in which we were able to get the best available room, 2 free drinks from the bar, and an early check-in and early check-out time! (Watch their social media channels for different promotions!) Lucky for us, the best available room was a queen spa suite. WIN!
This post contains affiliate links for your ease! More details can be found on the Disclosure page.
Continue “A Stay at The Black Hawk Hotel – an Escape in Cedar Falls, Iowa”