We traveled to Iowa this weekend to see family. We weren’t quite sure what Iowa was going to have in store for us. Well we made some memories and had a blast. We got there late Friday night and had a wonderfully delicious cooked supper by The Host and Hostess! (Sal and Beth) We had awesome steaks, pretty sure we ate a whole cow! The girls had tenderloin steak and the boys had porterhouse steak, along with an awesome brussel sprout side dish and mushroom garlic bread! What a perfect evening after a long drive. We had wonderful conversation with full bellies and tasty cocktails.

Saturday morning we woke up and had a delicious breakfast, then off to the farmers market we go! Oh, but not before we get our apparel right for the day! Beth had a cute purple skirt and top on. Sal thought it was too much! Of course, I thought it was cute, what do boys know about clothes anyway! 🙂 A little background, Sal is an Iowa Hawkeyes  and a Chicago Bears fan. After seeing what Beth had on, I felt it would be necessary that I wear my shirt that has purple on it too. Minor detail, my shirt was a Vikings jersey of Ryan Longwell #8, he is the place kicker of the Vikes. (Carl gave me the jersey as a present last year for my birthday) Sal walked back into the house and the look on his face was priceless. He wasn’t having a Vikes jersey in his house let alone walk around for the day with a Vikes fan. He made sure to wear his Chicago Bears hat!

We went to the farmers market for a bit! Then we had to make sure we were somewhere to watch the Iowa football game! 🙂

Then we went to the Chili and Salsa cook off. You pay money to get a certain amount of little cups, two spoons and then 5 beans. You go around with your cups and sample the salsa and chili. If you like that particular one then you drop a bean in their little box. Each table was themed or dressed up! We were there for about two hours. We had to try the chili that Beth and Sal loved last year. They said it was really hot. I tried just a little bit. My lips started burning, my forehead started sweating and my eyes were watering. I couldn’t get it to stop. It was intense, needless to say I did not try that chili again. 🙂

Carl and Sal had stood by the TV at the cook off. Beth and I were on a mission to try the other chili stations. We ran across a station that had a great sign and I had to get a picture next to it! 🙂

Their chili was delicious. They got my bean! 🙂

As we made our way down the line there was a gentleman who yelled out, Go Vikes! Of course we high fived! 🙂

Then we stumbled upon a table called the “Pink Ladies” from the movie Grease. The lady said she would flash me for my bean! I was a little scared however; this is what happened!

She was very interesting and very friendly. Their chili got my bean! 🙂

After we had figured out which chili’s we liked we ran back to get samples of them for Carl and Sal!

Ooohhhh Cheese! 🙂

We had a wonderful time in Iowa and will be returning again for more fun! 🙂

Thank You to the Host and Hostess! 🙂

– Adios