Things to Do!
We love living out in the middle of nowhere. Some folks might ask, "What is there to DO around there?!" Well, most days we like to just sit on the porch and do NOTHING, but we have found that there is plenty to see and do in the little towns around us.
Here are some of our favorite places to visit:
Bijou - Lebanon, IN
We had heard rumors about a wonderful French restaurant on the square in Lebanon, but it took us over a year to finally visit it. When we did, we couldn't believe we had waited that long! Besides home, Bijou (means "jewel" in French) is our very favorite place to eat. We love everything from the filet mignon (with sauce bearnaise) that melts in your mouth, to the creamy potatoes lyonnaise, to the delightful palate-cleansing passionfruit sorbet. Phillipe is the resident Frenchman and he always remembers which wine we like and that Bill is allergic to eggs! It may be a bit pricey - but it's as close to France as I've yet been, so I think it's an excellent bargain.
Celebrating our anniversary with another fine dining experience at Bijou!
Bob's House - Jamestown, IN
Bob Riner is our neighbor and we just love him. He's a spry 80-something year old with the BEST stories, and some great jokes. While visiting Bob, we may pop into Riner Enterprises, the business adjacent to Bob's house, ran by Bob's son, John. They sell Dixie Chopper mowers
and Dixon mowers and can fix just about anything with an engine. AND if you need a new phone, they are also an AT&T cell phone dealer. They also will jump start cars, and hold a ladder while their dingbat neighbor climbs in through a window after she's locked herself out. So I've heard (lol.) In their "spare time", the Riners also farm. They're a great family, great neighbors and they throw REALLY good tailgate parties!
Cottage on Pearl/Pearl Street Coffee Roasters - Thorntown, IN
We like to go here for breakfast on Saturday mornings. The biscuits and gravy are delicious and this is the only place I know where you can get persimmon pancakes! In the summer, sit out on the porch and enjoy some live bluegrass with a nice cup of freshly roasted coffee or a tall glass of sweet tea. It's a great way to start the day.
Festival of the Turning Leaves - Thorntown, IN (usually the last weekend in September)
Bill and I consider ourselves somewhat of a pair of small town festival connoiseurs.
We hit a lot of them, however, this one has proven to be one of our local favorites. We love the parade, the vendors (flowers, local honey, local artists), the food (blue gill and morel mushrooms!), the car show, and the various forms of entertainment. It's a well-organized festival that offers something for everyone and hasn't lost it's small town feel.
Farmer's Market of Lebanon - Lebanon, IN (May 30 - August 29)
Located outdoors on the southeast corner of the courthouse square in Lebanon, it has the true feel of an old-fashioned farmer's market. We've gotten the best strawberries, green beans, asparagus,
and Indiana sweet corn. If you can't wait until the hot days of summer to get a good, ripe tomato, you can get one here from a local vendor that grows them in a greenhouse. In addition to produce, the market also offers local art, candles, kettle corn, and homemade fudge. And if all that doesn't sell you, the Humane Society of Boone County is usually on hand with a pooch or two so you can get your fill of doggy kisses for the day!
North Salem Old Fashion Days - North Salem, IN (Labor Day Weekend)
Another festival favorite! This 3 day festival over the Labor Day Weekend is pretty jam-packed with things to do. Our favorite things are the car show, the flea market, the Red Dog Saloon burgers, and the truck pulls. I had never been to a truck pull until 2009 when we happened to catch them at this festival. I think I'm hooked (pun intended.)
Parky's Smokehouse - Lebanon, IN
For a long time, it seemed like the only time we could get real smoked barbecue was when we went traveled to the South. Bill and I stumbled across Parky's one night when we were driving around looking for somewhere to eat and hoping it wasn't going to have to be fast food. I have lost count of how many times we've been back. Our favorite dish is the pulled chicken with homemade potato chips and sweet tea (or Blue Moon, depending on our moods.)
They also make their own barbecue sauces, including a tasty, sweet rootbeer sauce! And last, but certainly not least, they make a delicious blue cheese dressing - and anyone that knows me knows that I can NOT pass up a good blue cheese dressing. Luckily, you can buy it to take home.
Stookey's Family Restaurant - Thorntown, IN
If you like fried catfish, you've found your place. Stookey's is a friendly, family-owned restaurant. I especially love going here because they display local artist's paintings (for sale) on their walls - and because they have sugar cream pie! MMMM MMMM!
Sugar Creek Art Center - Thorntown, IN
There are a lot of great local artists in the area and now they have a place to call "home." The Art Center is a beautifully renovated building that is still undergoing some construction.
Several artists have studios in the building which offers everything from pottery, to paintings, to scarves, to jewelry and photography. I could go on, but I highly recommend that you come and check it out for yourselves.