Stef had this idea of collaborating with me about living in the midwest (and how she misses it) and she living in California (near the coast which I long to be by) .We could share our together, ...through photos.

Our story:
Midwest girl moves to California
but ends up missing the Midwest.
They say: "You can take the girl out of the midwest but you can't take the midwest out of the girl"

Midwest girl lives in the Midwest
but her heart belongs to the coast.
They say: "You can stay in the midwest, but you can always travel!"

The first venture out was to our local hang outs: HobNob
in Alameda, CA and Benedicts
in East Dundee, Il.

Stef: "The HobNob is a cute, quaint little joint in DT Alameda where we usually go whenever we get a date night out. Its easy, the eats are fun and a bit more exciting than any other bar/grill and the icing on the cake is that they have games ...yes, games. They used to have Connect 4 on each table but now you have to give them your first born before checking one out at
the bar. The owners are great and the decor and art on the walls makes me
feel like I'm actually out in the city and not in our small town.

Jen: "Benedicts is a cozy little breakfast spot, just over the river... This
places specializes in friendliness and morning delights. There is
nothing like a room filled with smiling staff, coffee served in a bright
Fiestaware mugs, and the fattest bowl of oatmeal sprinkled with all kinds
of goodness to get the day off to a bright start. No Connect Four (though
I love that game) but they have a tree ~ right in the middle of this
little house is a tree, a live one, growing right through the floor, and
up through the roof, complete with its own tree house. Good stuff.