Weekend in Madison

I just had a super fun weekend! On Friday, Anna and I drove up to Madison, stayed with my friends, Russ and Ryan, and had a super fun time going out for amazing dinners, visiting a winery, and having an all around blast.

On Friday, my friend Tamara had the brilliant idea to go to Mariner's Inn for Restaurant Week.  That means, for $25 I got to have clam chowder, surf and turf, and key lime pie.  It was all delicious and it was a great way to kick off our weekend away.

On Saturday, we woke up and walked over to the Farmer's Market.  We picked up fresh raspberries, cheese curds, and a mini apple pie.  Then, we got Cosi sandwiches and salads and met up with Tamara to go to Wollersheim Winery. We had our amazing picnic lunch and toured the winery.  It was very interesting and, of course, we all got wine! It was a lovely afternoon.

After returning to campus, Anna and I walked around State Street and then got ready for dinner with Russ at the Old Fashioned.  This is one of my favorite restaurants and it did not disappoint!  Also, Anna got to try her first Old Fashioned Cheese Curds (the best in Madison!).

Overall, this was just a fantastic weekend and we even got to see Anna's grandpa on our way home in Milwaukee!  It was really fun to get away and see such great friends.  Next weekend, I will be moving to Chicago! Ah! Can't believe it is almost here!

My New Keurig!

I just love coffee so this is cause for celebration!

I purchased a new Keurig to go in my new apartment.  I am very excited about this contraption because you can make pretty much anything with it!  Bri is not a coffee maker and I am a total addict and between the two of us, we can use the Keurig to make whatever we want!  I am excited to try out all sorts of new coffee!!

So far, I have made three different cups with it and I love them all!  My only problem, is that I want to figure out the cheapest way to buy coffee for my Keurig.  Does anyone have any suggestions?  What do you like to make?

I am getting ready to move and I can't wait to take this guy along!

Foodie Friends Friday: Party Time!

This week, Foodie Friends Friday is back!  This week is a just a party so bring whatever you want! Just follow the rules and link up some recipes that are perfect for this party! Also, host favorites will be featured on Daily Dish!  This week I'm linking up Dark Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, M&M Mug Cookie, and Whole Wheat Flatbread Pizza.

Most Clicks:

1. Fruit Salad with Basil Chai Vinaigrette

2. Italian Pasta Salad

3. Bierrocks

And Host Favorites!

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An InLinkz Link-up

An InLinkz Link-up

Dark Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

My cooperating teacher during my high school student teaching brought in banana bread a couple of times to share with the math department.  This is the story of how I discovered the best banana bread ever!  Seriously, it is amazing! At the end of the year I asked her for her recipe because I just knew I could not live without this bread in my life.  She said that her secret was that she uses a TON of bananas.  Yep, that's it!  So, I've been saving up bad bananas in my freezer for a while now and last night I finally had enough to make the banana bread!

Dark Chocolate Chip Banana Bread 

Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
pinch of cloves
7 medium bananas, mashed
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup canola oil
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (or whatever mix-ins you prefer!)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 and lightly grease a 9 by 5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
3. In a large bowl, beat sugar with oil.  Beat in the eggs and the vanilla.  Beat in the mashed bananas.  Slowly beat in the flour until just combined.  Stir in the chocolate chips.
4.  Pour the batter into your loaf pan and bake for 55-60 minutes.

Enjoy :)