vacation - The Broadcasting Baker https://www.thebroadcastingbaker.com/tag/vacation/ Cooking and Life Adventures in Bloomington, Indiana Mon, 21 Nov 2016 05:46:21 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.thebroadcastingbaker.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2016/03/cropped-Broadcasting-Baker-Logo-small-web-32x32.png vacation - The Broadcasting Baker https://www.thebroadcastingbaker.com/tag/vacation/ 32 32 Eating Our Way Through Nashville https://www.thebroadcastingbaker.com/2016/09/19/eating-way-nashville/ https://www.thebroadcastingbaker.com/2016/09/19/eating-way-nashville/#respond Mon, 19 Sep 2016 08:00:58 +0000 http://www.thebroadcastingbaker.com/?p=2017 Waking up early to start the work week was especially hard this morning. We spent a long weekend at my brother’s house in Nashville and pretty much ate our way through the city. All of the food was amazing, but my body isn’t too happy with all the sugar and grease it consumed over the […]

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Waking up early to start the work week was especially hard this morning. We spent a long weekend at my brother’s house in Nashville and pretty much ate our way through the city. All of the food was amazing, but my body isn’t too happy with all the sugar and grease it consumed over the past few days. Time to get back on the lean, mean, green train today!

James and I headed south Friday morning in order to make it to Nashville by lunchtime. My brother and his wife were actually on their honeymoon in Maui until Saturday, so we had the day all to ourselves. We visit Nashville often, but don’t spend much time partaking in tourist activities since my brother knows all of the best places locals go. But, we decided to indulge ourselves and treat the long weekend like a real vacation.

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Hattie B’s

img_0033Our first stop was the famous Hattie B’s in Midtown. We’ve often sat across the street at Broadway Brewhouse (great spot for craft beer and jerk chicken!) and laughed at the long line of people waiting to try the famous hot chicken joint. Now we know what all of the hype is about! We waited for about an hour and 15 minutes before making it to the counter, but that’s part of the experience. James ordered his chicken southern style (no spice) and I got mine mild. I like spicy food and should have gotten mine hotter because it was pretty tame. We loved the chicken, but thought the pimento mac and cheese stole the show. We will be dreaming of that pimento mac until our next trip!

After our great meal and a pitcher of beer, we headed downtown to stop by a few of our favorite spots. James is a huge Jack White fan, so we almost always go to Third Man Records to check out the latest vinyl releases. Going to the shop is a really cool experience. In addition to the unique records for sale, there’s also a booth where you can record your own song on vinyl, a retro photo booth, and a listening room where you can sample some of the vinyl before purchasing.

Third Man Records & Music City Bikeway

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After perusing the store for a bit, we headed downtown and decided to walk down Broadway to the riverfront. A bank of Nashville B-cycles caught our eyes. They’re cheap to rent ($5 + $1.50 service fee for 24 hours), so we checked a couple out and headed out on the Music City Bikeway. The trail was nice and flat and there was hardly anyone on it, so we rode along the river for a few miles. We only ended up going about five miles, but it felt great to get a little exercise in! I was also extremely proud of myself for somewhat gracefully riding a bike in a short dress.

By the time we were done with the ride, it was time to head to The Ryman for the Brian Wilson concert. I got James tickets earlier this summer for our anniversary and we’d been counting down the days until the show ever since. It was an amazing concert and I loved seeing James sing along to so many of his favorite songs.

Prince’s Hot Chicken

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My brother and his wife got home early Saturday and got some rest before we headed out for another fun afternoon in the city. When he heard we’d tried Hattie B’s he decided we needed to try the original Nashville hot chicken at a place called Prince’s. The famous restaurant just opened a second location close to his house, so we headed over for another gluttonous lunch. Ben said the chicken at Prince’s was spicier, so I stuck with mild to be safe. James and I both decided we liked Prince’s chicken much better because the flavors were more distinct. I could still taste the amazing blend of spices through the heat. At Hattie B’s the sides stole the show.

Mantra Brewing

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We were absolutely stuffed by the time we finished lunch and headed to Mantra Brewing’s first block party. We had an absolute blast sampling all of their unique beers. Mantra’s brews are unlike anything I’ve ever tasted before — they feature unexpected, complex flavors that you can’t find elsewhere. Their Saffron IPA may be my favorite, but I also really enjoyed their Goo Goo Gish beer, which is a milk stout that tastes just like the famous Goo Goo clusters. It’s like drinking dessert!

Five Daughters Bakery

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Before heading out of town Sunday morning James and I made a stop at Five Daughters Bakery in 12 South to sample their famous 100-layer donuts. They’re similar to the famed cronuts of NYC in that the donuts are made out of flaky layers of pastry. And they were even better than I imagined. James ordered a salted caramel chocolate and I went for the seasonal pumpkin cheesecake. They were hands down the best donuts I’ve ever had. I can’t wait to go back to this place and try some of their other varieties! I highly recommend stopping by if you’re craving something sweet in the city.

We had an absolute blast being tourists in Nashville for once and both agreed we need to venture out to new places there more often. Nothing is more fun than exploring a place with the one you love. Now we both are in need of a major detox. Our stomachs haven’t quite recovered from the indulgent weekend!

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A Week On Lake Ouachita https://www.thebroadcastingbaker.com/2016/08/06/week-lake-ouachita/ https://www.thebroadcastingbaker.com/2016/08/06/week-lake-ouachita/#comments Sat, 06 Aug 2016 15:42:56 +0000 http://www.thebroadcastingbaker.com/?p=1770 We spent a relaxing week on a Dreamchaser Houseboat on Lake Ouachita.

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We’re back in Indiana after a few days on Lake Ouachita in Arkansas — and we brought a few more freckles and tan lines back with us. We spent the past week on a houseboat with family and it was certainly a trip to remember. My aunt and uncle own Dreamchaser Houseboat Rentals and went out of their way to make sure we had a blast. Their houseboats are equipped with water slides, hot tubs, gas grills and plenty of room for a big gathering with friends and family. There’s something extra special about being able to stay ON the water!

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My sister, niece and nephew made the trip down to the lake for the first time and it was especially fun to see the kids take to the water. My uncle tied our boat up on an island that was the perfect spot for swimming and exploring. Most of our time was spent just swimming off the back of the boat.

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My uncle also took us tubing a couple of times, which was a first for the kids, my sister and James. I couldn’t believe how fearless the kids were on those tubes! My niece kept screaming, “Faster, faster” every time she got going. Surprisingly, she only fell off once. My cousin Zoe is a pro on the water and showed her a few tricks to keep the tube from getting off-balance.

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It was great to spend time with the Cattaneo side of the family during our trip. We love traveling with my aunt, uncle and cousins and get a kick out of hearing stories about my mom and uncle’s lives growing up. Watching their back-and-forth banter leaves most of us in tears from laughing so hard.

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Staying on the lake was just what we needed after a summer that was dominated by the process of buying our first house. Having no set agenda and spending the days floating around on the water was the perfect way to unwind and relax. The best vacations are those that require nothing more than a swimsuit and a bottle of sunscreen. It had been three years since I’d last been down to the lake, but we’re hoping to make this an annual tradition.

What summer traditions does your family have? Chime in by posting a comment below!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Heading North https://www.thebroadcastingbaker.com/2016/05/20/heading-north/ https://www.thebroadcastingbaker.com/2016/05/20/heading-north/#respond Fri, 20 May 2016 08:00:35 +0000 http://www.thebroadcastingbaker.com/?p=1483 Congratulations on surviving another week, friends! Our weekend started a little early because we’re heading up to Southwest Michigan to spend a few days relaxing with friends. The trip couldn’t come at a better time. Between the stressful house hunt and the death of a family member, it’s been a rough week. I’m looking forward […]

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Congratulations on surviving another week, friends! Our weekend started a little early because we’re heading up to Southwest Michigan to spend a few days relaxing with friends. The trip couldn’t come at a better time. Between the stressful house hunt and the death of a family member, it’s been a rough week. I’m looking forward to a much-needed distraction and quality time in one of our favorite places, with some of our favorite people.

Southwest Michigan is a region that will always hold a special place in our hearts because it’s where we spent so much time together when we first started dating. James drove me up to Silver Beach Pizza for our second date and it will always be one of my favorite memories. We spent the night laughing, talking and walking along the beautiful beach. We’ve made many trips back since then.

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We’re renting a house in Lakeside with a group of friends and plan to spend the weekend relaxing, laughing and indulging in plenty of good food + drink. Our friends Molly and Angelo organized the getaway and asked us all to bring some food to share for the long weekend. Here’s what I’m contributing:

We don’t have many set plans, which makes for the best kind of long weekend. The one stop that’s definitely on our list is our favorite brewery in Sawyer. We’re blessed with plenty of good beer in Bloomington, but this place is unlike any other. We’re definitely coming back with as much beer as we can fit in our cooler.

What are your essentials for a long weekend away at a cabin? I’ll be back Monday with a full breakdown of our weekend a guide of our favorite places in Southwest Michigan. Cheers to the weekend!

 

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Florida Beach Reunion https://www.thebroadcastingbaker.com/2015/08/20/florida-beach-reunion/ https://www.thebroadcastingbaker.com/2015/08/20/florida-beach-reunion/#respond Thu, 20 Aug 2015 01:12:42 +0000 http://www.thebroadcastingbaker.com/?p=518   Fun fact: you can carry a homemade cake or pie onto an airplane. Not only will it make the people you’re visiting happy — everyone on the plane will want to be your friend and the cake will get its own window seat. I toted a delicious gin and tonic cake down to Ft. Myers, […]

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Fun fact: you can carry a homemade cake or pie onto an airplane. Not only will it make the people you’re visiting happy — everyone on the plane will want to be your friend and the cake will get its own window seat.

I toted a delicious gin and tonic cake down to Ft. Myers, Florida for a long weekend away with my two best gals, Katie and Emily. Katie lives in Ft. Myers and we decided to visit to celebrate her birthday a week early.

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And, boy did we celebrate! It was a weekend full of laughter, relaxation and a little too much rum. Since we all live in different places, we try and make the most of the rare times when we’re all together. We spent Friday night going out on the town before lounging at the beach all day Saturday.

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It had been so long since I’d spent a full day in the water and it felt amazing. The water was so warm compared to what we’re used to in the Midwest! We all got a little too much sun, but it was worth it to spend hours floating on the waves.

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I came across this amazing tank top on Etsy a few months ago and figured our reunion was the perfect excuse to finally purchase the shirt — it’s perfect for a day at the beach. People loved them!

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As usual, we packed so much fun into a quick trip. Every place Katie took us to was amazing, but here are my favorites: Cowboy Up Saloon for a night out downtown, Cottage Beach Bar for beachside drinks (order the Miami Vice — a combo of pina colada and strawberry daiquiri) and  Nervous Nellie’s for dinner after a day at the beach (this place has very generous portions — most entrees can be shared).

Now I’m just trying to get back into my normal workout and healthy eating routine. It’s hard when you don’t have much time to get organized before heading back to work. I’m trying to plan ahead because James and I are going out of town every weekend until September — a hectic end to summer!

How do you stay on track when life gets crazy?

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