Ben and I have been busy making the most of our sunny Sunday. We’ll be snowed in before we know it – there’s no time to waste! ;)

An early morning grocery shopping run was followed by a quick trip to the mall for new work kicks for Ben, and a mad dash to the onsite Panera for lunch. We were shopping away just fine, then all of the sudden both of us were ravenous!

(Totally repping for my fallen Hawkeyes…)

I was going to be adventurous and try the Thai Chicken Salad, but panicked from my aforementioned hunger level, and went with my standard order – You Pick 2 with Cream of Chicken Wild Rice & Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich.

You can’t go wrong with this combo! Creamy soup with chewy wild rice,

and the zestiest sandwich ever. The combo of cilantro hummus, feta cheese, cucumber, red onion, lettuce and spicy peppadew peppers is so delish.

I HATE peppers, but I just love those peppadew ones. They’re like a cross between pickles and banana peppers- which, ok I guess I love too. :)

A sweet apple served as dessert.

We were both to the point of stomach-shrinking hunger when we walked in, and were stoooofed by the time we walked out.

We decided to push through it though, and drive 20 minutes west to Adel, IA for a stroll on the local bike trail afterwards. It is gorgeous out today – no time to stay indoors!

Adel is home to the free sweet corn festival every summer (which I tragically missed this year!) and sits in a great spot right on the Raccoon River Valley Trail.

Normally we park and head east on the trail, but today we decided to switch it up and head west!

Ummm, it was kind of creepy!

The first 1/2 mile was normal enough, but then the trail emerged from a thick canopy of trees and started running right next to this eerie looking brickyard.

The whole vibe was totally horror movie-esque, and the abandoned warehouse-like structures randomly running along the other side of the trail didn’t help matters.

Ben, on the other hand, thought it was the coolest thing he’d ever seen.

Babe, let’s LIVE HERE! he pitched, regarding one of the most-busted looking buildings we encountered.

Seriously, we’ll buy the place, turn it into a bar for the bikers, and live upstairs!

Uh-huh! I semi encouraged.

Sorry, I just love old, decrepit things…

Teeheehee. ;)

It wasn’t all doom and gloom though. Once we finally got past the 1/2 mile long brickyard, the trail led us back into the trees and sweet, sweet nature!

That’s better. :)

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429 Comments

  1. Jaimie says:

    I liked Mr. Bar – B – Q on facebook. This looks like a much easier way to grill veggies than my method… tinfoil!!!

  2. Stephanie says:

    I love to grill pizza!

  3. Anne Weber-Falk says:

    I “LIKE” d on facebook too!

  4. Brittany *Sparkles* says:

    OMG I’ve never even heard of a grill skillet but that looks genius!!!!

    Favorite thing to grill would be shrimp& veggie skewers or mini burgers bc they’re just super fun and it’s football season :) my BF loves to grill Kielbasa (sp??).

    P.S. I still have not been to a Trader Joe’s bc there are NONE near me!!! it’s a travesty :'(

    P.P.S. I love love Panera and usually get the Broccoli Cheese soup but that wild rice one looks so good I may have to venture out and try it… right after making that chicken & veggies dish!

  5. Anne Weber-Falk says:

    I totally dig my veggies grilled to a crisp-tender. A light drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper make them perfect.

  6. Darcy says:

    My favorite thing to grill is a foil packets of zucchini, summer squash, potatoes and onions with a little s & p, olive oil and garlic. I’d love to try the combo in a basket though.

  7. Amber says:

    …and I have officially liked the Mr. Bar-B-Q’s Facebook Page!

    Good luck everyone!

  8. Amber says:

    Favorite grilling suspect = watermelon =)

  9. carmen says:

    i love to grill veggies and fruit (pineapple and peaches!)

  10. Lindsay @ Schnoodle Soup says:

    My favorite thing to grill is any kind of veggie. The smokey, charred flavor cannot be replicated!

  11. Hope says:

    I “like” Mr. Bar-B-Que, Inc. on Facebook!

  12. Hope says:

    I love to grill veggies!

  13. Nicole S says:

    I like to grill pineapple! There’s nothing else like it