Sunday Stroll at the Barnyard Shopping Centet in Carmel, California by Ruth Paget

Sunday Stroll at the Barnyard Shopping Center in Carmel, California by Ruth Paget

My husband Laurent and I have expanded our weekend stroll options to include the Barnyard in Carmel, California.

Early on the weekend, there is plenty of parking and two spots open for coffee and pastries.

We like the Lafayette Bakerry for latte and baguettes.  There is also a Bagel Bakery open for business in the nearby Crossroads Shopping Center.

The path through the Barnyard Shopping Center is beautifully landscaped.  Using the Google lens app, you can identify plants and flowers and then write about them in your journal or on your blog.

On the way home, you can stop by BevMo for any alcoholic beverage needs for lunch.  On our last visit, we bought two bottles of Ket brand Cosmopolitan martinis.

Enjoy strolling at the Barnyard Shopping Center in Carmel, California!

By Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center

-creator of French travel and culture games

-writer of 1900+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs

-family genealogist

-developer of 9 music theory games

Ideas from UChicago’s Library-Community Day reposted by Ruth Paget

The University of Chicago Library-Community Day is a little far away from Salinas and Monterey, California, but there might be some ideas in the press release below for Californians like zine making and digital archiving workshops:

https://events.uchicago.edu/event/269154-uchicago-library-community-day-open-house-and

Reposted by Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center

-creator of French travel and culture blogs

-writer of 1900+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs

-family genealogist

-developer of 9 music theory games

Log Cabin Breakfast in Northwoods Baraboo, Wisconsin by Ruth Paget

Log Cabin Breakfast in Northwoods Baraboo, Wisconsin by Ruth Paget 

My husband Laurent and I headed towards the Wisconsin Northwoods on I-94 North Direction Wisconsin Dells. We exited in the direction of Baraboo. 

Baraboo gets its name from the French trader and trapper named Jean-Baptiste Baribault (or Baribeau) who traded with Native Americans in the region in a trading post on what is now called the Baraboo River in the 18th century. 

Baraboo was officially adopted as the name of the Village of Adams that rose on the trading post site in 1852. 

Baraboo is now the county seat of Sauk County. (Sauk is the name of the local Native American tribe.) Baraboo is most famous as the winter home of the Ringling Brothers Circus. 

Circus World Museum now operates where the Ringling Brothers house animals, props, and performers for the winter. Laurent and I went to the Circus World Gift Shop where I bought a book about the history of Wisconsin agriculture. I did not feel like visiting the museum without our daughter Florence along. She will come on the next visit to see grandma. 

We went to the Log Cabin Restaurant for breakfast. This restaurant seems to have been around forever. The Log Cabin makes its own sausage, which is pudgy, porky, perfect. I ordered the 2x4 breakfast along with Laurent that came with: 

-2 over easy eggs 

-2 sausages 

-2 slices thick-cut bacon 

-2 pieces of French toast 

-a pot of freshly brewed coffee with cream 

Wow! That was a great breakfast in a restaurant that just smelled of nice coffee. We went back to Madison well fed. 

We had “light” dinners at Culver’s, the Wisconsin fast food chain, that featured butter cheeseburgers and chocolate egg custard shakes. 

The flights the next day from Madison, Wisconsin to Phoenix, Arizona and Phoenix, Arizona to Monterey, California were on-time and smooth. I was happy to be back at sea level in crisp cool air. 

We had a great time in Wisconsin and promised mom (grandma) to visit next year. 

Wisconsin Dairyland Vacation Days 7 and 8 Complete!! 

By Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books 

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games 

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games -creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center 

-creator of French travel and culture games 

-writer of 1900+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs 

-family genealogist 

-developer of 9 music theory games

Norwegian Noshing at Norske Nook in DeForest, Wisconsin by Ruth Paget

Norwegian Noshing at Norske Nook in DeForest, Wisconsin by Ruth Paget 

There is a large population in DeForest, Wisconsin which has Norwegian ancestry that can support two Lutheran churches and a Norske Nook Diner. (The other Norske Nook Diner is located in Osseo for this franchise-ready operation.) 

My husband Laurent brunched on Norwegian pancakes with lingonberries. Lingonberries are similar to cranberries and grow in the Northern US, Canada, and northern Europe. 

The Norwegian pancakes looked like thick crêpes folded over twice into fourths. Laurent said they were eggy good.

I ate a Wisconsin reuben sandwich with bread that was made with cranberries and brown rice from Minnesota or the lower reaches of the Mississippi River. The tart and savory bread tasted very nice with the savory corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing. I liked Norske Nook.

They have a souvenir section where we bought a calendar with scenes of Norway and art entitled Norway: Visions and Verse of Viking Land by Nancy Schmidt. I thought this calendar was great for designing imaginary lands for a fantasy book. 

I bought a book entitled The Last Word on Lutefisk: True Tales of Cod and Tradition by Gary Legwold. Lutefisk is eaten throughout Scandinavia. It is air-dried cod that is rehydrated and baked. It is usually served with melted butter and is flaky when well cooked.

Lutefisk is the centerpiece of Norwegian Lutheran Lutefisk Suppers that can serve 600 to 1400 in about four seatings as fundraisers. My family has attended a lutefisk supper at the Vermont Lutheran Church where we all ate lutefisk and Swedish meatballs and gravy to participate in local community life. 

After our pretty delicious brunch at Norske Nook, Laurent and I returned home, did some reading, and got ready for one more day of touring before our return to California. 

Wisconsin Dairyland Vacation Day 6 Complete! 

By Ruth Paget 

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + other Kindle books 

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games 

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games 

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center 

-creator of French travel and culture games 

-writer of 1900+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs 

-family genealogist 

-developer of 9 music theory games

Swiss Cheese, Swiss Art Values, and Kino (Cinema) in Monroe, Wisconsin by Ruth Paget

Swiss Cheese, Swiss Art Values, and Kino (Cinema) in Monroe, Wisconsin by Ruth Paget 

After a great morning visit to New Glarus (Wisconsin), my husband Laurent and I drove to Monroe, the county seat of Green County that is also famous for cheese making. 

When you drive into the county seat square, Civil War canons greet you around the imposing stone and brick county offices. 

Laurent went to Baumgartner’s Cheese Store and Tavern to purchase some Swiss cheese for my mom. There is a covered outdoor terrace that can be a café or biergarten depending on your beverage and food. 

White Swiss crosses on a yellow brick building decorated the top of an art gallery featuring local artists’ work. Swiss white crosses signal the following values in modern Swiss art: 

-peace and tranquility 

-craftmanship 

-minimalism 

Local galleries like this one give artists exhibition credentials so they can work their way up to city galleries and international fairs like Art Basel. 

Finally, Monroe, a town of 10,000 people, restored its movie theatre from 1931 and shows first-run movies in it to add to the town’s cultural offerings. Admission is by cash only, which reminds me of how Stuttgart, Germany preferred to do business when I lived there. 

The afternoon visit to Monroe was a success. We drove back to DeForest and ordered pizza and pasta from Pizza Hut and slept like babies as we geared up for more tourism the next day. 

Wisconsin Dairyland Vacation Day 5 Afternoon - Complete!

By Ruth Paget 

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games 

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games 

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center 

-writer of 1900+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs 

-family genealogist 

-developer of 9 music theory tests

Watch for the Quail MotoFest 2027 reposted by Ruth Paget

Watch for the Quail MotoFest in 2027 at the site below for event dates, tickets, and motorcycle information:

https://www.peninsula.com/en/signature-events/events/motorcycle

Reposted by Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Centet

-creator of French travel and culture games

-writer of 1900+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs

-family genealogist

-developer of 9 music theory games

Grilled Swiss Apple-Cheese-Pesto Sandwich at the Fat Cat Coffee Works in New Glarus, Wisconsin by Ruth Paget

Grilled Swiss Apple-Cheese-Pesto Sandwich at the Fat Cat Coffee Works in New Glarus, Wisconsin by Ruth Paget 

On Day 5 of our vacation in Wisconsin, my husband Laurent and I set out for New Glarus in southwestern Wisconsin. 

New Glarus is a slice of Switzerland in the US. Its streets are full of Swiss German chalets, restaurants and taverns where you can eat Swiss specialties like cheese fondue, souvenir shops with Swiss products, and the New Glarus Brewing Company on the edge of town where you can do beer tastings, take tours, and buy merchandise in the gift shop. 

New Glarus was founded in 1845 when the Canton of Glarus in Switzerland suffered a financial crisis that was brought about by several factors: 

-crop failure 

-overpopulation 

-widespread poverty 

The Canton of Glarus helped a group of settlers find fertile land to farm in the US to ease the overpopulation at home. 

For brunch, Laurent and I went to the Fat Cat Coffee Works, which is located in the town’s old train depot. Neighboring shops sell local crafts and art, vintage kitchen items, clothes, and flowers. 

We ordered an iced tea for Laurent and an iced latte for me, which was delivered on an antique hutch. We placed orders for French toast for Laurent and a Swiss grilled apple sandwich for me that was made with melted cheddar and Swiss cheese and freshly made pesto. Both dishes were delicious. 

I liked learning a new dish to make with apples to give some Swiss flair to fall at home in California. I liked the paintings of tractors in the dining area along with the coffee pot that had been repurposed into a light. A framed photograph of a light brown Swiss cow, a tractor, and a red barn was selling for $125 by Brian Schmitt. 

On the way out, we bought two 2-pound bags of locally roasted Ancora coffee beans that were selling for $37 each to drink at home through fall as a souvenir of our trip. 

Wisconsin Dairyland Vacation 2026 Day 5 Morning – Complete! 

By Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks,  Marrying France, and Europe's Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center

-creator of French travel and culture games

-writer of 1900+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs

-family genealogist

-developer of 9 music theory games