I went to Stockholm... No, not that Stockholm

    What do you do when your kitchen is demolished, everything in your house is covered with tarps, and you just want to get away from the noise and sawdust?  You take a day trip!
     That's exactly what I did with two friends.  A 50 minute excursion to the little village of Stockholm, Wisconsin; traveling south from St. Paul, Minnesota, along the Mississippi River to Lake Pepin, it was a 10 hour escape that left me feeling as tho' I had been on a European holiday... exactly what I needed!

     Stockholm basically consists of the main road (Highway 35) going through town, with the village of Maiden Rock to the north and Pepin to the south, and a little side street with shops.  The sign reads 82 residents; blink, and you might miss it entirely.  But don't do that!  Named as one of the top 5 shopping destinations in Wisconsin by Travel Wisconsin, the old buildings, specialty shops and galleries, and restaurants that you will find in Stockholm are oozing with charm.  The beautiful homes that surround this hamlet make me think, do I really want to live in the city of St. Paul?

     After having a lunch of beef and vegetable soup with French dumplings and tortellini at Bogus Creek Cafe & Bakery, we toured the shops and couldn't pass up a dessert of freshly baked pie at The Stockholm Pie Company.

     Now, I'm embarrassed to admit this, but I think I've become somewhat of a pie-snob.  Yes, it's true.  I like my own pies and tarts an awfully lot, and find it hard to eat these elsewhere, usually being greatly disappointed by the crusts and fillings passed off as a dessert in many restaurants.  But, a bake-shop that boldly advertises "Pie" in its name... well, you have to give it a try.

     And, let me tell you, I am craving another piece of Berry Cherry pie with vanilla ice cream.  It was all anyone could ever hope for in a piece of pie; a flaky crust, and a filling of tart cherries paired with flavorful, sweet berries.  I'm sorry I didn't purchase an entire pie to bring back to my family.  Pies and tarts are something I have not attempted recently.  But since a friend brought me his Hamilton Beach table oven, I've been entertaining thoughts of baking again.

                                    And what did we do the rest of the day in Stockholm?

We visited the amazing home of my friend's mother.  (Photos to follow in an upcoming post).

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                         And ate pizza on the farm.  (Also coming soon in a post.)

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