will blog for snacks 2015: Realtime update: July 17 Packer's new Pro Shop opens today in Green Bay

Good morning!

We're so behind on the blog, just entering Minnesota on the entries, so I thought I'd jump you forward to today and our Green Bay stint, which is sadly ending tomorrow. Hosts Aunt Marg & Uncle Randy plus Cousin Jonathan have provided excellent accommodations and fun. We've done so much.

Here's Jonathan and sweet pup Jasper, a brindled Boston.

Luckily we were here for trash day, where the even the trash cans say "Go Pack". Lovin' it.

Breakfast at Julie's Cafe, classic GB diner. Menu here.

Yes, it opens at 5 am. Awesome.

We of course had the Swedish pancakes with lignonberry jam, the Bird's Nest - a nest of hashbrowns and sauteed green peppers, onions and mushrooms, topped with Wisconsin cheese and scrambled eggs, in our case, biscuits and gravy, french toast sticks, and eggs over easy with hashbrowns. Yum.

See my new Cladyknit Irish wool sweater that Grandma gifted me in Madison. I'm so thrilled, especially since the weather has turned Portland for a few days here. The knits of this sweater promise success, wealth, and treasure (perfect on a cross country trip) with the diamond pattern, and "Work as the bee for a just reward" with the honeycomb pattern. Thanks Grandma! I love it.

Speaking of Grandma, she's all settled into her new Green Bay home. She's gone on cruises (who knew Wisconsin had cruises), dined with new friends, attended a church service, and been visited by exotic animals, all in the last three days. What a place! The boys and I rode to see her on her birthday on the 14th (Storm the Bastille). It was a quick 3 minute bicycle ride away from the house and oh so easy. I love the wind in my hair and free commuting. So glad we brought the helmets and the Meder's supplied the bicycles. What a treat.

Yesterday, July 16th, Margaret returned from her music class (she's teaching a middle school summer camp class at UW-GB during the morning and afternoon) and we packed up lunch for Bay Beach. Bay Beach is Green Bay's municipal amusement park where tickets are only 25 cents and the most expensive ride is only four tickets.

The boys, pre-riding, with tickets in hand.

Just look at these attractions.

Each ride has a plaque that list the maker, where it was sourced and its vintage.

And behold the Zippin Pippin, one of the oldest wooden roller coasters in the US, originally designed in 1912, and Elvis' fave (when it sat at its second home in Memphis). Green Bay rebuilt it for 3.8 million dollars opening it to the public in 2011. It cost 4 tickets to ride - a mere dollar.

Above, Marg in front of the SCAT, a stand up ride that plasters you to the wall with centrifical force. Not many of these exist anymore. Jonathan loved it.

Nothing like food dye in blue and red.

Regional food

Check it out - Hollnbacher's Wisconsin Gourmet Popcorn in Jalapeno & Aged Cheddar. Made in Waupaca.

Aunt Liz, sadly, not pictured, and I visited the Wednesday Broadway Street Farmers Market. It was PACKED (makes sense in Packerland). These dog pastries are out of this world - Portland, eat your heart out. Look at those ice cream cones. Unbelievable.

This is the OTHER table.

These flower vases made of ball jars hung by ribbons fastened within the jar lids were brilliant. I'd love to see these hung from trees with tea lights at a summer party. Ahhh, summer.

Missing pictures, but fabulous none the less were Aunt Julie's Gourmet Toffee in Dark Chocolate.

Renard's cheese of Sturgeon Bay had a fantastic Morel & Leek Jack Cheese that we couldn't resist at $3 for a half-pound. Flavor-infused cheddars are a Wisco specialty.

Top billing goes to Hippie Wayne's for their innovative pickles and jams. We'd been running low on our Oregon housewarming gift jams, so it was time to stock-up. Master preserver extraordinaire, Wayne Wojciechowski, recommended the top seller, Strawberry Rhubarb (2), as well as the Dude, It's CHERRY JAM with cinnamon, cloves and cardamon. Wayne does a beautiful jar of pickled eggs that I only wish I could have shared with someone. Brilliant.

Titletown baby.

Donald Driver statue downtown, all-time leading receiver in receptions and receiving yards for the Packers.

On Thursday, Randy got up early and drove for special treats at Willow Street Bakery this AM.

This review of Green Bay's famous underground Danish doughnut pastry, The Kneecap, the best from Willow Street, small and delicate with an indent for pure Wisconsin whipped cream, topped with powdered sugar to indicate to your family that you've already had yours, since it's on your face.