NewBo City Market Rocks!

We checked out a dynamic new shopping venue in Cedar Rapids this past weekend and it is fresh, fun, creative - all things wonderful. It's only been open a few weeks but judging from the crowds it's a raving success.

Smoothie samples and friendly staff at Get Fresh!

Analise loved the smoothie and juice samples at Get Fresh - Bo. She even tried the It's Not Easy Being Green and said it was wonderful! They use fresh, healthy, good-for-you ingredients. Mmmmm...good! Her favorite was Strawberry Fields Forever. How fun are the names? Love it!

Most of the booths had samples. The lines were long, the place was packed, but it is worth it. P.H.A.T. Daddy's at the Market has hot, hot, HOT barbecue sauces (a few mild ones, too). We scored a bottle of their red pepper jelly (tasty poured over cream cheese as a dip) and a bottle of mild BBQ sauce. Can't beat P.H.A.T. Daddy's!

Of course, we couldn't leave without buying a sweet cupcake from That One Cupcake Place. Make that SIX cupcakes. Pretty and delish!

I absolutely love the concept of NewBo City Market. Bringing together local companies, vendors, craftspeople in a cooperative spirit to sell fresh food and products in an open market style. It's housed large building in an area of Cedar Rapids (New Bohemia district) that has struggled since the flood of 2008. NewBo Market is one of many projects to revitalize the neighborhood. The local flair and entrepreneurial spirit is encouraging and is a win-win for the community, consumers and businesses.

You can get breakfast, lunch, dinner from the many food vendors. There are flavors from all over the world: La Reyna, Caribbean Kitchen, Greyhound Deli, Iowa Soul Food Company, JoJo's Asian Foods, Russian Delights, Zaytoon Mediterranean Grill, Big Boy Meats. If you want to shop for home a dinner party you can pick up pasta and sauce from Pappardelle's Pasta, coffee from Roasters, fresh produce from Morgan Creek, cheese from NewBo Cheese Co., bread/rolls from Betty and Bobo's Better Breads and after-dinner desserts from Christopher Ryan Confections.

NewBo City Market is a fun place to gather, shop, each and chat.

Fresh flowers? Bark and Bloom. Snacks? CR Popcorn Shop. Unique, handcrafted jewelry, gift and more. Seriously - you can't go wrong. It's a sensory experience shopping at NewBo. Check it out! You won't be disappointed. xo - Em

Golden Girl

Our Golden Retriever, Miss Zoey, after a day at the lake! It was her first time and I think the look on her face says it all!

Move In Day at UNI

Another school year is upon us and we've been busy at our little house in Joetown. T just started his second year at UNI. He went to Cedar Falls a week early for marching band (go Panthers!) and of course the one day we move him it on this summer of drought it was pouring, POURING rain. He has a new (used) loft that he bought from a former UNI student - it's a double loft and T doesn't live on the first floor anymore. I'm sure it was quite a sight watching us maneuver 14' long boards up FIVE flights of stairs. Luckily we were able to take the rest of his things up in the elevator.

Miss A was a good big sister and climbed up on the loft and made her baby brother's bed for him. Awww... We left a couple of hours later than we'd planned and shared pizza in his dorm when we were done moving and unpacking.

So he's gone and of course there were a few things he forgot. His roommate, and classmate from Mid-Prairie, was coming home overnight so I thought it would be nice if I made a few treats for them along with the bag of items he forgot. T requested various cords that I wasn't quite sure if I knew what they were so I'd take pics with my cell phone and text them to him for confirmation. The main thing he wanted was his bike lock. So I packed a bag filled to the hilt with goodies, cords, some clothes, popcorn bowl. He loves, loves, LOVES Biscoff Spread and white chocolate/almond hot chocolate. Mmmmm... good! Bag successfully packed, picked up by his roomie and delivered to T. But, one thing was missing...

I forgot the bike lock! :/

xo - Em