Adventure: Holiday lights at Rotary Gardens

Went with our friends to tour the Holiday Light Show at Rotary Botanical Gardens. We were lucky to get a clear, not-too-cold night to wander the snowy gardens. Some of the light displays were hilarious: a Chinese dragon, a giant beaver and a cheerful sled all lined up together on the far side of the lake, for example! The luminaries lining the paths and the "tunnel" of white lights leading down to the sunken garden were my favorites.

Adventure: Christmas tree time

We picked an extremely cold day to get our Christmas tree this year, but it was still a fun outing. We always go to Schoenfeld's tree farm, outside Milton, Wisconsin. It's a lovely little cut-your-own tree farm, and we always like to visit with Pa Schoenfeld.

Adventure: Apple outing

Nothing says autumn like a trip to the apple orchard. We were lucky to have a perfect, sunny (if a bit hot) day to visit Eplegaarden in Fitchburg with our friends. The kids had a wonderful time, especially on the hayride. And Jaime and I both brought home just enough apples to bake a couple pies and crisps.

Adventure: Labor Day classic

This is the third year our family has attended the Rock River Thresheree (just outside Edgerton, WI).

This outstanding event features great food stands (not your standard fare); pony rides for the kids; a flea market; a working steam train (sit in the front to avoid the coal smoke); and an amazing assortment of old-timers who are eager to share their unique expertise when it comes to vintage equipment.