Flashback Friday: Building a Raised Garden & a Mini Getaway

I've been doing more packing and waiting around for utility inspections than I care to share here. So, I thought I would do a flashback today. Thanks to Pinterest, our DIY raised garden is the most popular post we've done. You can check out how we built ours (for under $200) here.

We did manage to sneak away last weekend to Chicago for a few days. We took Amtrak (about a 5 hour ride) from STL to Chicago's Union Station. It was our first time on the train and we loved it. We were both able to kick back, drink some wine, and enjoy the view. (It beats only me one of us getting to do that if we drive).

Cruising along

 

Springfield, Ill

As all good mini-vacas should, our Chicago to-do list mostly consisted of food we had to eat. As you can see, we take this very seriously...

Fist sized t-rav at Gino's East

 

The second best sandwich of his life.

We also did a TON of walking.Which, unfortunately, didn't counteract all of the pastrami, Italian beef sandwiches, deep dish pizza, toasted raviolis, crab balls and french macaroons that I consumed. And beer. I just kept telling myself that the next couple weeks of packing, moving a crap-ton of heavy boxes and lifting furniture will just melt those Chicago carbs away!

The bean.

Chicago from Navy Pier

New Updates! Vanilla Bean Breaks the Silence

It's hard to believe it has been three months since we last spoke. I'm sorry for giving you the silent treatment!

How have you been?

What have you been up to?

While I haven't been blogging -- things have been busy around Vanilla Bean. Don't get me wrong...some things are still the same. Master bedroom progress has not moved since February. But, we've still been occupied with projects around the house, cooking and lounging around many other things.

Let's take a look...

 Mr. VB was busy this winter, building a bar in the basement.

It's called The Alaskan and is the new hotspot in our subdivision (as you can tell from the photo below).
It even has its own Facebook page!

He took it a step further and made his first batch of homemade brew this spring.

The first batch of Hollandbush Lager was delicious...and I am eagerly awaiting the next batch. (Once we get through the first one!)

We also kept the VB kitchen hopping. We roasted some garlic.

Made birthday dinners, such as Porcini-Crusted Filet Mignon with Fresh Herb Butter and
Garlic Truffle Fries.

On Jan. 1, I started Weight Watchers in preparation for our spring vacation.
I lost 20 pounds and gained a new wardrobe!

Thank you Jennifer Hudson and Skinny Taste for the inspiration and recipes!

 

Then, Mr. VB and I took to the seas for a Transatlantic cruise!

I'll post more pics later, but we visited Florence, Barcelona, Pisa, the Azores, Cartegena and Saint Tropez.

We ate delicious food....

Drank unforgettable caramel macchiatos... 

Took a moment to think about all the delicious food (and wine) we were enjoying...

Then, got right back out there and had some more!

I can't wait to show you the beautiful outdoor market in Barcelona and the new outdoor project we are working on at the house. We'll talk more soon!

Anniversary Trip Part III: The Final Chapter

We've got a couple more places to check-in on the anniverary trip. A recap wouldn't be complete without mentioning La Dee Marie Bed and Breakfast and LuLu's Antiques. A walking tour is in store again...with a few surprises (like how we nearly escaped death and/or getting an eye poked out at La Dee Marie). Below are some of the sights around the B and B.

Isn't that porch awesome? There was plenty of room to grab a chair, a glass of wine and just relax.

I have to step in here to mention how we escaped an early grave. Or, in the very least, an eye patch. While the room we stayed in was very quaint, there was one glaring threat: the faux crystals dangling precariously around the bed.  (See highly technical illustration below)

Feel free to insert variations of overplayed references here. Such as "If these crystals are a swingin', don't come a ringin'." It's a pickle just waiting to happen. I'm just sayin'.

Before we wrap thing up, let's stop in at LuLu's Antiques. This store had tons of great finds at even better prices. Here are a few of my faves:

Anniversary Trip Part II: Walking Tour of Ste. Genevieve

With all of the wine, cheese, crackers and chocolate-covered pomegranate seeds (now a winery must-have) we consumed at Cave Winery, we knew some exercise would be in order. For you out-of-towners, Ste. Genevieve is located on the west bank of the Mississippi River approximately sixty miles south of St. Louis and is about 250 years old. Today the town has the greatest concentration of original French Colonial buildings in North America and is still the only surviving French Colonial Village in the United States. Cool.

And, according to these signs, it has spent alot of those years under water. Check out this sign that marked the historic flood levels:

 

So, grab a glass of wine and join me as we take a tour of this quaint little town.

 

Next stop, LuLu's Antiques and La Dee Marie Bed and Breakfast!