Copper Hen Cakery & Kitchen, Minneapolis (Eat Street), MN

Unpretentious. 

Understated. 

Comforting. 

We hit this relatively new spot during Restaurant Week, and what a nice place to find respite in on a Friday night after a long week. 

We went with their RW Dinner menu, and chose salad and soup, to split, then the gnocchi and cassoulet, then a carrot and pumpkin cupcake, again to split. Besides some minor oddities, it was all very good, especially the entrees...I mean, carrot gnocchi, please. 

(That's not the salad)

Beer flight. 

I'd go back at normal price and I've heard they do a mean brunch. Count me in. 

Taco Bell AM Crunch Wrap.

No, this wasn't a dare, but I could see why you might think that. Like many of America's poor food choices, I had not prepared for the day, I was hungry, and a coworker had an extra one. So, like any good, red blooded American, I ate it. 

I will admit, it tasted good. It went down just fine, and sure it sat heavy in my stomach for a time, but what kind of meal like this wouldn't a 9am? The full feeling seemed to disapate within a normal amount of time and it was business as usual in the ole internal food safe. 

Would I seek out more? Probably not. Am I hooked? I don't think so. Would I eat another free one after a poorly planned morning that left me hungry? Likely. 

Luceline Orchard, Watertown, MN

If you need something to fill your fall fun day, do what we did and pull up a coupon from LivingSocial for Luce line farms in Watertown, MN. They have a good set-up to host your gathering of friends and family for fall fun. 

Highlights include: pumpkins, apples, wine vinyard, cornhole, a corn box, barnyard animals, grilled meats (with a great apple-onion relish), hay bale mountain, hayrides, miniature pony rides, gift store, pre-picked apples to bring home, and more. 

I'm willing to bet your family and friends could easily blow a few hours here on one of the last few, sunny fall weekend days. 

6-month old footprints.

If anyone has cuter nephew footprint, Halloween-themed, creature artwork, lmk.

Jacob Bannon at Continental Clay Co., Minneapolis, MN

Seeing new artwork doesn't seem to get boring for me. And what an interesting mix of mediums, subject matter, and people at Jacob Bannon's (of Converge) recent show. Plus, Hive played a ~30 minute set to cap off the evening. It seemed to me everyone there was entirely into the whole evening. 

Quote of the Day.

You're never wrong to the do the right thing.  

- Mark Twain

Hairball, Eagan, MN

I couldn't have predicted that I would be in a church/school parking lot watching this band, giving all of their energy and such a performance to the audience. But, it all came true. Hats off to the band for an awesome show. Hopefully my ears return to normal soon. 

After a quick look at their website, it looks like these guys play mostly in the upper Midwest. However, if you ever get a chance to see them I would highly recommend it. 

Late Summer Storm, Lake of the Isles, Minneapolis, MN

On the way home from a late evening end, I had to stop and get out of the car to capture some nature as it happened. 

It wasn't too easy to snap the pics, but now I know about the "burst" feature. That would have helped. 

Steamboat Days, Carver, MN

This one is hard to describe, though it has a title that would invoke boats, it seemed mostly center around automobiles. Not only was there a small show of cars parked in the downtown while you visited booths and food stands, the main attraction for the afternoon was a burnout contest house in a park nearby all the activities.

I was surprised at just how "down-home" this event and contest seemed to be. Pick-up trucks parked around the contest area and many of them became the contestants. 

You definitely can't deny that this event was unique, but I also think it lacked a certain something. This now concludes my fair season this year. Phew. 

Revisit: Barker's, Hudson, WI

This place has yet to disappoint and a Friday night visit for a simple dinner couldn't upset the trend. 

Start with this...

Add a dash of a stuffed burger...

And a pinch of Green Chile Smoked Bacon Mac n' Cheese...

And one more of these...

And that's a meal fit for anyone...unless you have the gout. 

I can have my cake...

... and eat it too. Why wouldn't you?