Balsamic Chicken

Tonight's dinner was Balsamic Chicken. I made it with red onions instead of baby spinach and white rice instead of couscous. It was good especially if you like the tang of balsamic vinegar.

Millions of Peaches

Yesterday, I checked out the Carbondale Farmer's Market. It was obviously peach season - they were everywhere. I got 6 juicy ones. The Amish ladies sold me some cinnamon raisin bread. It fills the whole house with the smell of a-mazing!

I'll be back! There were some guys selling pickles that I forgot on my way out.

People of Southern Illinois

Carbondale, IL

Poor guy started hacking up a lung all over the screen.

"Miner" League Baseball

I went to my first Southern Illinois Miners game on July 17. It was the annual Kiwanis game meaning club members from all over Southern Illinois were invited. We also got a shout out on the big screen. It was a hot day, but our seats were in the shade. We had a fellow Kiwanian hook us up with good seats and a parking pass (just outside of the gate).

Love the couple behind us!

I was wearing a sweet Kiwanis visor. The park was really really nice. Although, in my opinion they could use some new mascot costumes. The Miner, TNT, Canary and the Gopher were a little rough around the edges. We had a great time. Especially, when the home team won in the bottom of the 9th, woo hoo!

The Marion Eye Center sponsored the eyeball race. I was rooting for brown but green came in for the win.

STL Weekend

Last weekend Brandon and I had another St. Louis adventure. On Saturday we drove up to Jefferson Barracks Park for a vintage base ball game. The park was nice but it was in the 90s and there were only a few trees surrounding the field. I spent the majority of the game chatting to another player's wife. Telling your life story makes the time pass very quickly! The Clarkes won one and lost one.

The games were over at 4 and we headed into the city. Hunger pangs hit us in the car and a billboard caught our eyes. That is how we ended up at Gus' Pretzels. Being the foodies that we are, we just had to experience "a St. Louis tradition."

The pretzels were 55 cents each! They had a classic soft pretzel taste, obvious more fresh than those sold at a ball park but were sadly missing the Auntie Anne's  grease.

We spent the night at the Casino Queen (in another comped room!). Gotta love the view at this hotel:

That night we went to the last Fair St. Louis concert of the summer - Barenaked Ladies. So good! The concert (not rained out like last time) was in a park next to the Soldier's Memorial Military Museum. The band sounded really good live and the lead singer was so goofy. We loved when they played the Big Bang Theory theme song.

Our Sunday was spent at Six Flags. Mary Jo's dad's company - Illinois Electric - had a day at the park. Our tickets were discounted to $20 and including a buffet lunch. I'm afraid of roller coasters but Brandon always makes me go. I still don't have fun on them yet!

My First Sunset Concert

Since this blog is about the Capital of Southern Illinois, I think it's about time I have a post about something actually in Carbondale! Last night, I attended my first Sunset Concert. These concerts have been happening for over 30 years. Yesterday's concert was held in Turley Park (it alternates between there and Shryock Auditorium every week in June and July). I went with Brandon and Jarrod and some more friends joined us when we got there, including Kie:

and lots of Bud Light Lime, hooray!

Yes, alcohol is allowed in the park as long as you don't bring any glass bottles. It was a really hot night but not too bad in the shade with a cold drink.

I think the camo lawn chair really set the tone for the event. There were lots of young people, hippes hula hooping, kids playing on the playground and a few older folks. The music was provided by The Black Lillies who performed in the gazebo. There is just one more concert left in the series, next week, and I just may be there!
 
We were starving by the time it was over so we headed to Tres Hombres. We ordered our dinner at 9:30. Their kitchen stayed open until 10. That is probably the latest I've eaten since I've moved here! I ordered a combo plate with a cheese enchilada and an avocado tostada - standard Mexican food but it was satisfying.

Going to St. Louis tomorrow for the weekend. Crossing my fingers that the rain stays away!

Brandon's Favorite Food

Mostacholi night!

Big Smile!