It was the late 1980s or early 1990s that Billie Mae (Mom) found this recipe somewhere and started making it and ever since, Poppyseed Chicken has been a grandkid favorite!

Even that year she forgot to put it in the oven on Thanksgiving and provoked Rae to say: “ How are you not ready, you know it’s coming.” We have been enjoying it for three generations.

The ingredients are: chicken (rotisserie from Sam’s Club), Cream of Chicken soup, two cans, two sleeves of crushed Ritz Crackers, sour cream(we substituted Greek yogurt, and two sticks of butter 🧈. We used Kerry Gold and it is fantastic!

When Heidi discovered we didn’t have Alfredo sauce, she came up with a wonderful Plan B.

Then, Heidi comes up with a pumpkin bread mix that turns out excellent.

These snow days have been wonderful dining experiences. Biscuits and gravy, Swamp

potatoes 🥔 with smoked sausage and green beans. And it’s only Monday.

Heidi wanted The Wintin Christmas 🎄 to be special. So, for starters we cooked a beef tenderloin and boiled king crab legs . They were over the top tasty!

Above is the cookie dessert and an iced cookie that Rae made and it was fantastic!

Heidi reading 📖 to Lawson and Kenlee to complete a wonderful Christmas party.

For starters, The Palace in Louisville is a wonderful venue. I enjoy the art decoration and the vibe. (Too dark for good inside pictures)

We saw Trisha Yearwood perform with her band and an orchestra and they were fantastic! There were approximately 35 musicians on the stage and the talent was incredibly thick. She told stories between a mix of ballads, Christmas 🎄 and hit songs and was very entertaining. Although I missed the Packers overtime loss to the Bears, ( my lack of support may be why they lost) Heidi and I really enjoyed the show. Trisha showed great personality and of course her music was spot on.

We shared the Ultimate Feast at Red Lobster 🦞 before the show and it was excellent as well. Fried shrimp 🍤, coconut 🥥 shrimp, lobster tail, crab 🦀 legs and baked potatoes 🥔. Heidi had a cool cocktail 🍹 called The Snow Globe while I had a Blue 🌙 Moon with an Orange 🍊 slice.

I also missed the Purdue/Auburn game. But all is good this holiday season.

Mae’s Town House has recently extended their hours to 8:00 in the evening. We used to take Mom there on Wednesdays and she would get the salmon 🍣 patty special every time.

I went with the chicken tender platter with cottage cheese and onion 🧅 rings. (BBQ sauce for dipping.) Although I couldn’t eat all of the rings, the platter was a good choice.

Before ordering I was on the fence as I also considered the biscuits and gravy which is also darn good. ( Note: they have several breakfast items that are served all day.)

The 🥥 coconut cream pie 🥧 was a homerun! I actually had it first and it was, as always, incredible. The crust was flaky and ever about it made me happy.

Located in downtown New Albany, this place was recommended by a couple of guys at the bank 🏦 where we had an appointment. We are glad we fought the traffic and went.

I started with a Tangerine Wheat beer out of Eureka, California on draft that was l

ight and crisp!

We shared two cooked sushi 🍣 rolls: The Swanson and the Ballin’ Out of Crunch Roll.

We finished with the banana 🍌 pudding won tons drizzled in caramel and topped with candied walnuts with vanilla ice cream 🍨 on the side.

The atmosphere, service, and food was all on point!

Lawyer, Rae, Lawson and I had a day out that included lunch and a visit to the Best Card Shop in Mooresville.

I delivered Law and Rae’s Pokémon cards from 25ish years ago as Lawson’s current interest has ignited a renewed fire 🔥 for the older generation. I stuck with the 1970s basketball cards.

Throw in a trip to Costco and some fall foliage and the day was a success.

On spring break we tried the smoked fish dip at every restaurant. I thought it was a southern thing. However, The Shoreline Brewery in Michigan City has an excellent version.

I had the Stellar Blue beer 🍺 which is a light German 🇩🇪 brewed beer with a hint of blueberry 🫐 . Then, Heidi and I shared the grilled walleye with wild rice and Brussels sprouts.

Sophie had the margarita pizza.🍕

Royale With Cheese in Michigan City is a cool spot with a great 🍔 burger and tasty sides. You know it is worthy when you see several construction workers and guys in neon green traffic vests lining up to dine there.

I had the bacon 🥓 cheeseburger 🍔 🧀 with grilled 🧅 onion. Sweet potato 🍠 fries on the side. The burger was excellent! Also, that is a Jones Soda 🥤 Root Beer in the background. (I also tried the orange cream and ginger ale, all good.)

Sophie had fried green beans with Thousand Island for dipping. Top of the line. (Not pictured)

The ultimate Mom and Pop shop. Actually, two old guys are running this tiny little business in a gravel parking lot in Michigan City.

Referring to the signs, they are also not Amish.

My blueberry 🫐 pie a la mode was spot on. Heidi had pumpkin 🎃 with salted caramel and it was also on point. (They were out of apple 🍎 pie 🥧)

The good news is that Heidi and I hiked the Three Dunes Challenge at Indiana Dunes State Park. So we at least had burned 🔥 some calories before hand.

We hiked Mount Jackson, Mount Holden, and Mount Jackson, down along the beach of Lake Michigan and back. Note*** Hiking 🥾 sand dunes is tough work!

Wowzer! This place was incredible. The girls (Heidi, Sophie and Andi 😊) chose this one.

After a day of driving and a hike at 🥔 Potato Creek State Park we were ready for dinner.

But wait! We ordered dessert.

So creamy ☕️ with a coffee taste. Even the strawberry and cookie were da💣bomb.

Heidi says those were the sweetest blueberries 🫐 she has ever had. Another homerun.

We are in Michigan City for two more days and going to Indiana Dunes State and National parks.🏞️ Tavern On Twelve will be tough to beat or not go back to.