Apple Buzz 🍎 🐝 is a seasonal beverage served each fall at the Oaken Barrel Restaurant and Brewery in Greenwood. Their motto is:

” We brew it. We drink it. We sell what is left.”

The first time I had one there was a line 25 people deep just to but a case.

To show what a team player Heidi is, they were sold out of bottles to go so the only way to enjoy one was to drink a pint in the bar. 🍺

Just look how thick this brew is. All the apples used for Apple Buzz come from Adrian Orchard on the south side of Indianapolis. When they run out of cider from Adrian, they stop brewing Apple Buzz.

Heidi and I were on our way to see Elton John in concert. (Bucket list item for Heidi) Ten minutes after checking into hotel, we find out Elton is ill and no concert tonight. Oh well, just some quality time with my lovely wife and dinner in Greenwood.

Twigs and Sprigs Restaurant is located in Commiskey, Indiana at Stream Cliff Farm and Winery. It was our last stop on the Southeast Indiana Wine 🍷 Trail.

The spinach and artichoke dip with the freshly toasted French bread 🥖 was outstanding!

The triple grilled cheese on sourdough with 🥓 bacon and 🥑 avocado with a 🥗 salad and herb chips hit the spot.

Heidi and debated if there was room for the blackberry cobbler and ice cream and fortunately, the answer was “Yes.” We shared it and both left satisfied with the decision.

It is a cozy little spot with several opportunities; from wine tasting and lunch to the herb shop and beautiful flowers. We also highly recommend the wine tour. We received two wine glasses and a wine bottle tote bag being dedicated to the tour.

Sunday night dinner is a tradition with the Hackman family. Nina creates a masterpiece and any child, grandchild , etc. that can make it will be well fed.

Before Heidi and I were married I volunteered to bring mashed potatoes 🥔 to Thanksgiving for her family. I put three or four containers of Bob Evans mashed potatoes in a crock pot and topped it with some salt and pepper and a stick of butter and they were a hit. Compliment after compliment was thrown my way throughout the dinner. I just smiled and said “Thank You.”

After a while Heidi couldn’t take it anymore. She said ” My goodness. They are Bob Evans mashed potatoes. Quit telling him how good they are.” Bob Evans has been a staple with us ever since.

Tonight Nina fixed this delicious Salisbury Steak (glorified hamburger she called it) and Bob Evans mashed potatoes. Her gravy was simply beef broth, onions and mushrooms 🍄 and thickened up with corn starch. Just look at that 🍄 mushroom hanging on the the edge of that piece of meat!

I was like warm about something Heidi fixed for dinner one night and she stated, ” I bet if my Mom fixed it you would try it!” Of course I would. Because whatever Nina Hackman fixes for dinner is golden.

The best news is that this picture is tomorrow’s lunch.

Barry grows and picks them and Nina bakes them. It is a wonderful combination for me!

These Golden Delicious apples 🍏 are grown in Barry Melloncamp’s yard. They aren’t beautiful, but they bake up pretty darn good when his sister, Nina Hackman, puts them in a pie. These apples have never been outside of Grassy Fork Township. Harvested, baked and consumed by the family.

The top crust was sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar and made the crust. It was shell-like and crunchy and it made me 😊 happy.

Although a big scoop if ice cream 🍨 would have knocked it out of the park, this pie stands alone!

We visited Liam’s friend Dravin Guthrie at Riley Hospital in Indianapolis who had a tumor removed from his brain a week or so ago. Talk about an uplifting experience ! This young man’s attitude is very positive. His Dad, David and his step-Dad D.J. Are both linemen for Jackson County REMC. The Tuesday after Labor Day, I believe every RRMC bucket truck in the county was at Brownstown Central High School for a prayer vigil to show support for Dravin. The community support for Dravin from Austin, Crothersville and Seymout High Schools has been wonderful.

After our visit with Dravin and his parents, we took their recommendation and went to City BBQ. We had the brisket, ribs and chicken as well as the corn bread and Mac and cheese.

They were just taking out a brisket as I was waiting for my plate and I watched them prepare my food. It was extremely fresh!

The meat was tender and they had their own home made sauces to choose from.

My favorite item was the cornbread. I put three pats of butter on it and after it melted it took three packs of pure 🍯 honey and I washed it down with a Cheerwine Cherry 🍒 Cola.

Good Stuff!

This is two side pieces and the ultimate corner there on the right. That corner is the Right Bower of all trump ♦️ cards when it comes to brownies!!! It has chewy towards the middle and crunchy on the edges and it is fantastic!!!

“Oh, it’s just a brownie mix with extra chocolate chips, pecans and marshmallows.” Whatever my mother-in-law touches turns out golden. (Except for those stuffed peppers. I’m just not going there.)

Nina cooks for her family every Sunday evening and it is the highlight of my dining week.

If you saw the title and understood, then you are from Seymour, Indiana and have eaten at the Pizza Palace. My brothers and I have enjoyed this pizza since the 70’s. It was originally associated with Pizza King and the products are very similar.

My go to is sausage, pepperoni and 🍄 mushrooms. I can’t help but eat the whole square when I get started.

They have added a craft brew bar in their big dining room that is lined with televisions.

This was my fave, Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy. Next Thursday they are featuring Oktoberfest beers and since Heidi told me about it, I think she wants me to attend.

I did order a deluxe just because Heidi likes them.

Doe’s Eat Place started as a grocery store in Greenville, Mississippi in 1903 and has since developed into a handful of fine eateries in the south. We ate at the Doe’s in Paducah, Kentucky, a lovely city on the Ohio River just about 30 miles from where is feeds into the Mississippi River.

Doe’s is located in the historic downtown district just about two blocks from the flood wall.

My catfish fillets were fried to perfection and were also very large. I ditched the tartar sauce and had them bring me some cocktail sauce. Delicious!.

Bruce and Mendy Stahl shared a ribeye 🥩 that was medium well and was very juicy as you can see.

Heidi enjoyed the Mahi-mahi with cheesy rice and was also happy with her dish.

Doe’s Eat Place has won much well deserved attention from The Paducah Sun newspaper. This establishment is in the ‘Highly Recommended” category on Walt’s Diner.

The reason for our trip to Paducah was actually a visit to Purple Toad Winery.

Heidi and Mendy loved it and want to go back.

The Hard Truth is a distillery and restaurant that is connected to Big Woods Brewery in Nashville, Indiana. 325 acres of “I need to visit this place!

We tasted cinnamon vodka and coconut 🥥 rum and then we ate at the Hard Truth restaurant. It was fantastic!!! Pork Nachos. Bavarian Pretzel 🥨 and Cheese, 🍤 Shrimp 🥚 egg rolls and 🐓 chicken wings!!! Whoa!!! They were all incredible!!! Heidi had a coconut rum Bahama Mama and she ❤️ loved it. Baron and I had Strawberry 🍓 Blondes throughout the evening and were always happy. Rachel, she had a Blonde and I don’t know what else , but we all had fun. Look at this food.

We are seeing Vince Gill tonight and the Hard Truth is an integral part our evening.

Quaff On!!!

.

I love alliteration!!! As well as Winzerwald Winery and their new menu.

Heidi and I tasted 8 🍷 wines and liked every one of them. We were actually the first customers at their new restaurant and we were impressed. I had the flatbread with a cream cheese garlic spread topped with bratwurst and 🥓 bacon. Quite delicious.

Sophie had bbq sauce with chicken and bacon.

Katy, the chef, fixed our flatbreads as well as a Bavarian pretzel 🥨 with cheese and she is doing a wonderful job !

Tina was our wine tender and she guided us through the selections and we enjoyed every one of them. Her energy and friendliness made for a fun afternoon.

Heidi also managed to bring three bottles home with us. They also have music 🎶 every weekend. We plan a return trip in September!