Howdy!
Well, Memorial Day weekend is finally coming to a close! We have jammed so much into the past several days between strolling through the Farmer’s Market, spending a lazy afternoon fishing, and eating our way through a BBQ festival – but we decided to not stop there.
Last night Ben and I wrapped up the festivities by attending a surprise benefit BBQ for a friend of his battling cancer!
His motto going through this battle has been “Just try and ruin my day.” Love that positive outlook!
It was SO hot outside, but luckily the BBQ was held at a nice little shelter in a cute little park that I didn’t even know existed!
There were a lot of folks that came out in support and we had a good time chatting,
grilling,
and eating! I was still stuffed from the super ‘Q we had at my parent’s house, but all bets are usually off when I see baked beans. I just love ‘em!
We called it a night pretty early since we had to be up bright and early this morning to drive to western Iowa. We spent the day with Ben’s Grandma for her 86th birthday and Memorial Day. Happy Birthday Grandma P!
The drive west took about 2 hours, and I actually love it. It’s so scenic and picturesque. You know you’re in the Midwest when you get stuck behind tractors going 15 miles an hour…
when your backyard is a soy bean field…
when windmills, not skyscrapers, dot the landscape…
and when the view out the window is picture perfect! Go Midwest!
Ben loves it too. I swear… 
After visiting with Ben’s Grandma and visiting some family gravesites, we all headed 25 minutes west to Omaha, Nebraska for lunch at Upstream Brewery!
I’m told that Upstream used to be an old firehouse. It was super lofty, funky and had a great atmosphere!
I ordered the Chicken Prosciutto Salad.
Fresh garden greens, artichoke hearts, grilled chicken, prosciutto and center-cut bacon. It was HUGE and 30 minutes into eating, it looked like I had barely made a dent!
Perhaps I was saving room for dessert – Macadamia Nut Chocolate Brownie with Vanilla Creme Anglaise. O.M.G. Bliss….
I read American Wife on the way home – I’m obsessed. It’s loosely based on Laura Bush’s life and is captivating. I started reading this morning and am more than half way through, if that tells you anything!
Ben’s parent’s dog also caught up on some reading on the way home. She’s quick as a whip.
I’m off to RELAX before the start of my short work week.
Happy Memorial Day everybody!!!
Haha ohhh the midwest!! I feel ya.
I loved you pictures! I’m near Omaha and love that restaurant!
That salad looks amazing! I’m flying home out of Omaha next week. I think I know where lunch is going to be!
Ahhh the good midwest…I know the feeling.
Looks like a fun weekend!
Thank god for this short week! I’m still tired from this weekend!
Such a great weekend. Happy Birthday to Ben’s Grandma. Looks like you guys had a great little day trip!
I LOVED American Wife- one of my fav reads! Just interesting, and different.
Wow, it looks like the sky just goes on and on forever and ever!
LOVE the top you are wearing! And thoughts and prayers are with your friend
Awwww – I’m a transplanted Nebraska (out in California now) and thank you so much for these pictures. Oh, how I miss The Upstream. Yummmmmmmmmmm.
How do you read while in a car? I used to be able to do that too when I was little but now I get too car sick
The Macadamia Nut Chocolate Brownie looks heavenly!!!
Wow, you had quite the Memorial Day weekend! Tons of fun in the sun!
On a side note, I had a little IGE “celebrity sighting” today (or at least, I’m pretty sure I did, LOL–correct me if I’m wrong), but I swear I saw your brother, sis-in-law and nephew at the mall today! I was strolling along and noticed them on the other side of the hall, and thought to myself “I know these people. . . how do I know these people??” And about 50 steps away, it hit me–I’ve seen their pictures on your blog! HAHA! You’ll have to tell them they’ve been recognized–they’ll have to invest in some dark sunglasses now! LOL!
Aw, does his grandma live near Council Bluffs? My parents are between CB and Treynor.
The Upstream is good.
I get the raspberry glazed chicken each time… and their mashed potatoes are DELICIOUS.
I think the Midwest/Iowa is so scenic… I’ve posted this a million times, but I MISS IT!
Ahhhhhhhhhh!!! You’re reading one of my FAVORITE books! I have read it more than once and just adore it! As well as Laura Bush… I just met her last week in Kasnas City at an event for her new book and she’s everything you would imagine in person. So classy and polite! Enjoy!
Once you’re done I absolutely recommend checking out LB’s memoir, Spoken from the Heart.
I loved that book! I finished it soo quickly. I couldn’t put it down.
hahahahhaa…Kristin…I thought you’d get a kick out of the fact that your “landscape” pictures are so very ‘foreign’ to me;) NJ certainly doesn’t look like that;) hahahahahaha….Glad you had a great weekend!!
Oh the Midwest
too funny…we were also back in small town western Iowa this weekend for my husband’s class reunion (Dunlap, anyone?!), but also had to escape to the city and hit Old Market and Whole Foods too.
I’m from Earling originally, so very close. I went to Dunlap’s prom a very long time ago. Live in Omaha now and just went to the Upstream last week.
I love Upstream! The food is so good!
Your book sounds very interesting! I can’t read in the car…I get so sick! You are lucky that you can pass the time that way!!
I ate at the Upstream today too
Omaha love!
Just finished American Wife and loved it – let us know what you think!
The midwest sounds/looks a lot like Scotland except we have more hills and the tractors aren’t as fancy!
[...] Comments « You Know You’re in the Midwest… [...]
I love the Upstream too, I am from Omaha. We have two locations, but the Old Market one is my favorite
Glad you enjoyed your weekend!
I have to go to Omaha this month for work-I’m excited to try this place out. The food looks great!
my family loves the upstream too
my sister is having her rehearsal dinner there later this year!
I LOVED American Wife!! It was a really different read for me and I really enjoy a book sways from the “usual read”.
The Upstream is awesome – next time make sure you have a beer! I have had one too many happy hours there when I worked downtown
Good thing I live in CB so it’s close!
I’m reading American Wife, too! Definitely a page-turner!
I too get carsick! In fact, I don’t even have to be reading… ugh. In the front seat I’m usually ok though, so you’ll find me driving a lot
Looks like a fun weekend.
[...] I just realized tastes the exact same as my Chocolate Macadamia Nut Brownie from yesterday, but is probably 1/10 the calories. These bars are genius, I’m telling [...]
I just finished American Wife and absolutely loved it. SO GOOD! Curtis Sittenfeld’s two other books are also fantastic. Love your blog btw, this might be my first time commenting but I’ve been enjoying it for quite a while!
Just finished American Wife… SO GOOD! I loved it too!
I recently read American Wife and was blown way – it’s a brilliant book!
[...] another edition of You Know You’re From the Midwest When… (here’s editions one, two & three!) You know you’re from the Midwest when you don’t say “Maid [...]
Ha! I also have a picture of my dog “reading.”
Brings tears to my eyes in how frickin lovely the midwest is. Glad you love it! There are sure not people anywhere as nice as the midwesterners!