Mountain girls come to the flatlands

One week ago Cindy and Bonnie arrived from Vail, Colorado. They really live in a town called Edwards - but nobody has heard of that, so we'll just say Vail. Cindy moved there shortly after graduating from Drake University in 1976. Some of her Drake friends were moving there, and she didn't think teaching art in Bum#($% Iowa sounded like her calling. So she became a professional waitress in a vacation town.

Bonnie is her best friend - she's half of the Bonnie/Eric duo. Eric was one of Cindy's husband Bolder's best buddies. He was with Cindy when Bolder left this world, and was such a great help through that difficult time. He gave a great talk at Boldie's memorial about their friendship. The Goldsmiths have been lucky to be invited to their home the past 4 years for Christmas dinner. (They are really good cooks, much like my sis and fam).

We had a fab time show the girls around our new town, which of course is Cindo's college town. Paul got to drive us. We called it "driving the Daisies" He's a lucky (and very patient man).

On Friday we toured the Drake area - checking how much the school has changed. The Kappa House looks great too. Cindy entertained us with stories of her renegade youth.

After touring, we stopped for a drink at our fave - the Standard - we got trapped there as it was pouring. Tragically, we had to have another drink. Then we went home for pork cutlets from Whole Foods, and a version of a potato recipe I snitched from one Jane Buck posted on Facebook. Red potatoes sliced and baked with butter and a packet of Ranch Dressing. It was delish. I made a cheesecake that day too. I know - pretty homey for me!

I love this window-front in downtown DSM - sooo busted!

On Saturday we took our guests to Des Moine's fabuloso Farmer's Market. They were impressed! We headed directly to the Farmboys breakfast burritos first off - as we support our former Creston neighbors from Prescott. You can't beat that value. Just don't unwrap the thing, as I found out it blows up. You need the paper to keep it together.

Cindo bought a cute wreath, we got gorgeous asparagus, so very tasty strawberries, an angel food cake, a loaf a bread and Dutch letters (they only come in S). The bands were not anything spectacular that day, but there was a family of fiddlers/pickers. And a corny puppet and enthralled the kids. The weather was great, before once again clouding up.

We headed back towards the State Capitol so they could get a look at that. There was a heart walk going on - we ran into some mimes (who tend to creep me out). I yelled at them to "give us a shout out". Here is what they did.

see...creepy!

Standing on Cass County

We visited West End Salvage next, of HGTV fame. Okay - it hasn't been very popular on HGTV and can be found during odd times. They have some interesting stuff that is probably overpriced. Fun place though - and they have a "cute shoes" discount.

That night we went to my fave restaurant - Alba. I haven't been everywhere yet - there may be better places out there. But I find Alba interesting. I had a quinoa salad that was so interesting and refreshing, along with grilled scallops. Everyone enjoyed Alba. And the wine we drank there.

It doesn't look that cool - but quinoa was!

In my next blog - our trip to Atlantic and Walnut, plus the worst movie ever made...