Madison Excursion

For the last weekend in February, Jenni and I ventured to Madison, WI. When we initially planned this trip, we were going to attend a Passion Pit concert at the Orpheum Theatre.  By the time we had it figured out for the weekend, time off from work, and a place to stay... the concert was sold out. Though because neither of us had taken significant time off and been out of town since Christmas, we decided to keep our plans any way! Despite the onslaught of Winter Storm Q, who's anticipation was more overrated than what actually happened in Minnesota and Wisconsin, we left the cities Friday just after noon. The roads were close to dry, and the light snow we did experience was gone by the time we drove past signs for Tomah. We rocked out to all my Now cd's: 1, 2, 4, 5, and 7, mixed in some Grammy Nominee albums from the late 2000's and Totally Hits 2001. Wow. Talk about a set of throwback jams.

Upon arrival, Jenni and I went to Erin's apartment. Erin and I went to school together at UW-Stevens Point, and she landed a job in Madison. We settled in a little bit and started planning what to make up for dinner. Having a few ideas, we settled on salmon (it was Friday, which means no meat for Erin!) with sweet potato fries! Yummmmmmy. We took the evening to relax and enjoy each other's company and only really set up plans with other friends late in the night. Jenni and I left to meet up with other friends from high school who were around, Sarah, Erin and Lizzi. Erin also lives in Madison, Sarah is in Chicago and Lizzi was home on vacation from France! We met them out for drinks and made plans for brunch the following morning.

Brunch was at the Marigold Kitchen. If you are ever in Madison, go. Please. Do yourself the favor! It was great to combine groups of friends, this is something I do often and I love it when everyone meshes well! Erin, Sarah and Lizzi had other plans to get to after brunch, and Jenni, Erin and I made coffee plans with a friend of Jenni's and another friend of Erin and mine from school. We helped fill the coffee house with stories and laughter. After our afternoon date, we headed back to Erin's to lounge some more. We finally decided on dinner at the Great Dane. Best. Ever. Do it, also. Please.

Sunday morning we pulled out early and headed to Fond du Lac for some brief family time for both Jenni and I. Her family was celebrating a birthday and mine was going to help me with taxes and I wanted to get an oil change. Real fun stuff for Jenni! :) After our short stint in Fondy, we headed back to Minneapolis for an Oscar party! On the way back to Minneapolis, we got a phone call from our friend Kate, who was looking for some extra drinks for the Oscar party she was hosting! *For those of you who do not know, alcohol is not served in Minnesota on Sundays. Before Jenni and I left Wisconsin, we picked up some additional beverages.

The Oscar party was intended to have everyone dressed to the nines, and because I set Jenni and I back by close to a hour leaving Fond du Lac, we were not in 'to-the-nines' wear. Next time..