Category Archives: Food

Southwest Wisconsin Wine Trail and Sparta, Wisconsin

March 31, 2013 – 11:07 pm

Today the Sun is shining, the birds are singing and the snow is melting in Southwest Wisconsin. There is hope that this summer will make memories for you all as you travel to the Southwest part of Wisconsin and visit the many places to see and many things to do.

We hope are you are making your plans to adventure to Southwest Wisconsin you visit the making wine tasting adventures through some of the most beautiful areas of hilly Southwestern Wisconsin. You will fine grape wines, many made from grapes grown by the winery, fruit wines and mead (wine made from honey). These wines range from dry to sweet and we know you will find a wine for your palates. Check out our Wisconsin Wine Page on our website for many to visit as you travel….And of course you can purchase some Wisconsin Cheese Too!!

Spurgeon Vineyards & Winery
Whispering Winds Winery
Bauer-Kearns Winery
Sinnippe Valley Vineyard & Winery2013 Calendar of Events – We have maps available at the B&B

The Great Wine & Chocolate Trail – Memorial Day weekend, May 25 & 26
The Wine & Cheese Sampler Trail – June 15 & 16
A Way COOL Wine Trail – July 13 & 14
The Wurst-Wine Trail EVER, August 17 & 18
All events run for 2 days for your enjoyment and convenience and tickets will need to be purchased and any of the listed winery.

We know that you will be coming on your adventure and “Let Us Take Care of You” it will be our pleasure. We will let you relax at our bed and breakfast here in Sparta, WI and you will have a wonderful time at our Award-Winning Bed & Breakfast.

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Food Sparta Wisconsin

Grow Local, Buy Local in Sparta, Wisconsin

November 10, 2012 – 10:01 pm

We support and enjoy that Sparta, Wisconsin has businesses that “Grow Local and Buy Local”. At the Franklin Victorian Bed & Breakfast we love to shop and send our guests to this business. We will highlight one business in the post. “Northwood Country Market“. One of many Unique Stores in the Area. Northwood Country Market is Owned & Operated by the Kilmer Family, Since 2001.

Large selection of Organic and Gluten Free Foods
Over 30 Kinds of Cheese, you can purchase sliced or chunked
Large selection of Deli Meats, Cut to your specifications
They are known for their choice beef and other fresh meats

Bulk foods galore! Candy, nuts, snacks, dried fruit, spices, Pastas and More!
In many seasons they offer locally grown produce, seasonal fruits by the case.

Please make sure to add this business to your plans when visiting our area.

Located-
1003 W. Wisconsin ST
Sparta, WI 54656
608-269-9005
Open Monday thru Sat. , closed Sunday

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Apples Food Fun Ideas

Wisconsin Apple Orchards, Apple Picking, Fall Oh My!

September 15, 2012 – 9:41 pm

In Wisconsin it is that time again this busy season for Fall, going to Apple Orchards and picking the most beautiful fruit the “Apple”. Here in Wisconsin it is very busy in our area Starting September 15th so much to do to kick off Fall.

Bauer’s Market & Garden Center in La Crescent about 1/2 hour from our B&B is Only the Finest Apples and more….
Apples including Honeycrisp and Sweetango, Red Cortland, Golden Supreme, McIntosh, Weathly, Haralson and Gala and many more varieties!

Free Samples are offered to make sure you take home our favorite! They also have Fall Decor, Fall Mums, Gourds, Mini pumpkins & more. Homemade and hand dipped caramel apples, fresh pastries, Amish jams and jellies, maple syrup and fall produces.
Located: Highway 14 & 61.
Phone: 507-895-4583, open daily form 8am to 7pm.
www.bauersmarketplace.com

Come visit another Orchard very close to Sparta and the Franklin Victorian Bed & Breakfast.
Maple Ridge Orchard
Enjoy the day and the flavor you love at a price you can afford! U-Pick Honeycrisp Starting Sept 15. Free Hayride!
Raspberries…you pick, bake good, caramel apples, pancake mixes and new inventory daily.
Located: 6675 Maple Ave, Cashton
Phone: 608-654-5151, open Monday-Sat. 9-6pm, Sunday 1-6pm
Follow Blue signs on Hwy.33 in Town of Portland.
www.mapleridgeorchard.com

There are more orchards to go to, but we just listed a few, come enjoy Fall and enjoy coming to Sparta and staying with us at the Franklin Victorian Bed & Breakfast.

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BBQ Calendar of Events Concerts Contests Events Food Uncategorized

On The Trail Beer, Wine & BBQ Challenge – Sparta, WI

September 2, 2012 – 9:42 pm

On The Trail Beer, Wine & BBQ Challenge- This event will be in walking distance from the Franklin Victorian Bed & Breakfast. It will be very entertaining and a day full of fun things to do, see and taste!
September 15, 2012
Evans Bossard Park, Sparta, WI

The BBQ kickoff will begin at 8:00 AM and the Beer and Wine Garden will open at Noon. Sampling of Beer and Wine from 2:00-4:00 pm. The Sampling will include local breweries as well as local wine distributors.
Awards will be handed out or Homebrews, Amateur Wine Making, as well as BBQ.

There will be Live entertainment by Honey N Rust and The Pat Watters Band. Tickets are available for purchase at Westside Wine & Spirits for $30.00. The Live Music starts at 1:00 pm.

If you want more information please contact Westside Wine & Spirits (608) 269-1404.

All proceeds from this event will go to Glimmers of Hope Inc. This non-profit organization goes to help disadvantaged children in the Sparta, area! This events is sponsored by: Sparta Kiwanis, Glimmers of Hope Inc., & Westside Wine & Spirits

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Calendar of Events Featured Articles Food Gardening Sparta fun Activities Winter Activities

Norwegian Bake Sale in Sparta, WI

December 5, 2011 – 5:00 pm

Would you like to get some yummy Norwegian bake goods? Come to the Norwegian Bake Sale, Hosted by: Leon Garden Club. Homemade by “the Leon Lefse Ladies”.

Lefse, Rosettes, Christmas Cookies, Krumkake, Breads/Pies, Sandbakkles and Candies, oh my….

Starting at 8:30 am on Saturday, December 10th at Leon Town Hall, 8108 JackRabbit Ave, South of Sparta off Hwy 27.

A little history of Lefse…is a traditional Norwegian flatbread made of potatoes. Commonly on holiday such as Thanksgiving and Christmas it is served.
There are many types of lefse, but the main ingredients are almost always the same: sugar, flour, salt and milk, and cream or shortening.
The dough is rolled out using a corrugated rolling pin to remove any air pockets. Then using a griddle to make.
At the Franklin Victorian Bed and Breakfast innkeeper Jennifer remembers the memories or her grandmother and father all Norwegian serving this during their visits. She keeps the tradition going with her family. Loves it the best when served warm and with butter.

Come and help out the area ladies and support them for the holidays.

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Calendar of Events Driftless Area Festival Events Food Glass Blowing

Driftless Area Art Festival at Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin

August 10, 2011 – 2:00 pm

Driftless Area Art Festival 2011 at Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin for Two days.
Celebrating the Visual, Performing, and Culinary Arts of the Driftless Area.
80 Visual Artists, Live Music, Local Foods
FREE Admission and Parking
Located at Beauford T. Anderson Park, Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin

Saturday, September 17, 2011
10:00- 5:00
Sunday, September 18, 2011
10:00-4:00

Spend a few hours strolling through the exhibits and meet with the artists. Talk with them to learn the source of inspiration and way in which it was created for the piece you plan to take home.

Come and celebrate the beauty and artistry of the Driftless Area while staying at our Sparta bed and breakfast and join us for the sixth annual Driftless Area Art Festival in Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin. No matter which direction you are coming from, you’ll enjoy a scenic, meandering journey through wooded hills and deep valleys to this heavenly place known as the Driftless Area.

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Butterfest Calendar of Events Concerts Contests Events Festival Food News Quilting Sparta fun Activities

Sparta Butterfest Festival JUNE 9TH – 12TH, 2011 – Sparta, WI

June 1, 2011 – 9:00 am

June 9-12, 2011 – Sparta, WI VISIT US ONLINE! http://www.spartabutterfest.com/ and on Facebook.
Butterfest is excited to bring you so many events: The greatest fest food, Exciting Rides & Games, Art/Craft/Flea market, Spartafest Poker Run/Ride, Lumberjack Shows, Great Entertainment and Bands, The Freezers on Friday, The Pat Watters Band on Sat, and Bob & the Beachcombers on Sunday, A Wonderful Car Show, Butterfest Royalty, Miss Sparta Pageant, Parade on Sunday, Men’s Hockey Tournament , Quilt Show, Softball Tournament, Sparta Stampede Run/Walk Firemen’s Water Fights, and the famous Milking Contest to just mention a few….

CLICK TO SEE BROCHURE AND DOWNLOAD YOUR OWN COPY OF OUR 2011 SPARTA BUTTERFEST EVENT GUIDE

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Bike Trails Food Recipes

7 Ways to Healthier Breakfast

March 30, 2011 – 3:15 pm

At the Franklin Victorian Bed and Breakfast in Sparta, Wisconsin we always are trying to provide our biking guests a healthy breakfast that will help them concur the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail. Here are 7 ways to help you in fixing your healthier breakfast at home.

1. Substitute plain yogurt or pureed low-fat cottage cheese for half or more of the sour cream in a recipe.
2. If a recipe calls for cheese, choose Swiss cheese for the lowest sodium.
3. Add a little oatmeal to pancakes, muffins or quick breads. You may also need to add a little extra liquid.
4. Add Vegetables. Add shredded vegetable like carrots, zucchini or pumpkin to quick breads, muffins or cakes.
5. To cut down on salt. You can reduce salt by a quarter to a half of what is called for in a recipe. Increase other salt-free spices and seasoning to add flavor.
6. Substitute skim milk in recipes. If the recipe calls for water, use skim milk instead to add calcium.
7. Honey and real maple syrup are healthier options for sweetening that processed sugar.

Here are 7 ways to a healthier breakfast and there are many more ways to serve healthy breakfasts at home.

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Calendar of Events Contests Events for Valentines Day Food

Hershey’s Kisses “Gift in a Jar” of Love, Sparta, Wisconsin

February 1, 2011 – 11:00 am

Kisses gift in a Jar- A jar of Hershey kisses will remind the recipient of how much they are loved, here at the Franklin Victorian Bed & Breakfast. in Sparta, Wisconsin.

• The person who guesses the correct number (or closest to) wins a $50 gift certificate to the Franklin Victorian Bed & Breakfast, Sparta, WI and the second place winner wins the “Hershey Kisses Gift in a Jar” of candy!

• Entries will take place during the months of February 1 to April 1. The winners will be announced on April 2, 2011. We will contact the winners by phone or email, and announce on Facebook and Twitter.

• Guess as close as you can without going over the number of candies in the jar. (One guess only please)!

All entries can be done in person as a Franklin Victorian Bed & Breakfast guest, emailed to us, or entered on our Fan Facebook page after “Like Us” or our already Fan Facebook base. Follow Us on Twitter to watch how the entries are coming .

Come have fun! And Good Luck Everyone!

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Calendar of Events Food Sparta fun Activities

Twilight On Water Street 2010, Sparta Wisconsin

October 3, 2010 – 12:00 pm

The 3rd annual Twilight on Water Street in Historic Downtown Sparta is October 14, 2010.

Hurry and get tickets because there are only 250 tickets available! From 5:00 – 7:00pm receive a gift bag and special items at each store and walk thru the shops of Historic Downtown Sparta and enjoy shopping, dessert, a Style Show and prizes at Jake’s starting at 7:30pm!

Advance Tickets will be sold at the Quilt Corner Sept 27-Oct 1 only. Post-advance tickets go on sale October 2 at participating Water Street merchants for $10 each.

Contact the Sparta Chamber at 608-269-4123 if you have questions.

The Quilt Corner is just a block from the Franklin Victorian Sparta Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast and is a wonderful quilt shop that brings people and bus tours from all over the area.

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