If you follow me on Instagram and Twitter, you might have noticed we spent Tuesday among fried food and livestock. We were at the North Carolina State Fair! I went to the fair nearly every year of my childhood and haven’t been in about a decade. Matt and I drove down to take Mazen for the very first time.
Our first night we spent in Hillsborough and walked to dinner at the Wooden Nickel with my parents.
{I love this bar}
Beers for all!
Well, almost all.
We shared the Old Bay edamame (genius!!) and fried green tomatoes to start
I shared a salad with Matt
And fish and chips with my mom. Love me some fish and chips. (‘Chips’ just sound so much healthier than fries dontchathink?)
We took Mazen home to bed and then Dad, Matt and I went back out for more beers at Hillsborough’s newest bar, Hot Tin Roof. The bar is in the old Hillsborough Plumbing building and has a really fun vibe.
After Hot Tin we walked to Mystery Brewing. I joked with my dad that I wished these cool bars had been here when I lived in Hillsborough, but since I wasn’t of drinking age then I guess it didn’t matter!
Tuesday morning mom and I squeezed in a mother-daughter shopping trip and left Mazen with the men. I was SO excited to see that Southpoint mall has an Athleta store! I’m a huge fan of their catalog but picture shopping isn’t as fun as trying things on in person. I left with quite the bag of goodies – herringbone tights, a running top, a sweater tunic, a summery dress, and a yoga-ish top.
We came home and found Mazen awake from his nap and ready to go to the fair!
First thing’s first – can’t miss the hushpuppies!
We took M to see the talking Smokey Bear
And found pumpkins and gourds galore
Plus tons of cows, pigs and livestock. M thinks everything is a cat! “At at at!” he says and points.
We walked and walked and walked. M did pretty well getting in and out of the stroller.
I oddly wasn’t that hungry most of the afternoon, so I didn’t get any fried Twinkies or anything
But I shared these zucchini fries with Matt (better have something nutritious under all that batter!) and sampled some of mom’s fudge
And then for dinner I dove into a calzone.
We stayed until dusk and headed home without the joy of a single ride! My favorite ride is the Enterprize – what’s yours!?
In a few years I bet he’ll want to ride everything!
Julie says
You have beautiful life, Kath!
Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs says
Looks like a great time! I love going to the Fair, but it’s been ages since I’ve been to one!
Have a great weekend!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
I’ve actually only been to one state fair, here in Illinois a couple years ago! Weird since I live in Kansas City, which means I had somewhat easy access to both the KS and MO state fairs growing up, but I guess it was just not a thing with my family. I LOVE it though – all the rides and animals!
Becca says
Kath, you should frame that first picture of you and Matt, the one against the fence with the sun peeking out from behind. It’s so lovely!
Karen says
I agree…you both look beautiful and in the great outdoors!
Laura says
Kath, I love your jeans. They look so great on you. What brand are they?
KathEats says
Thanks. They’re Banana from about 4 years ago ( a miracle they still fit! )
Elisabeth says
I was going to say the same thing! Never bought their jeans – now I’m going to have to check them out!
Sarah says
Oh no, did you hear about the accident on the ride at that fair? I just saw it pop up on my news site. I think it’s the same fair, right? Scary…
KathEats says
Oh no. I’ll go look now
Irene says
So scary!!
“People were screaming and a lot of people were in pain. Family members actually ran away, like they couldn’t bear to look at it. They were dropping about 30 feet high up in the air,” he told ABC News Radio.
KathEats says
I saw that. I can’t imagine. Luckily no one was killed.
Danielle says
Have you thought that he may be saying “that”? My nephew pointed at everything and said “that” when he was around Mazen’s age. He was asking for us to tell him the name of everything, as in “what is that?”
Akaptein says
I was going to say the same thing. I too thought Anderson was saying cat, until it morphed into “dat” and now “that.”
Jessica says
My nephew did the same, only he said “this”. It was sooo cute!
Julie says
Those fish and chips look sooo good!
Anne says
Looks like you had a great weekend! I was just wondering where you got the blue polka dot top?
KathEats says
Loft!
Janelle says
Oooh. I want to see pictures of the Athleta clothes! I love their catalog, but a store would be so fun – and way easier to see if things fit.
Ashley @ Hudson on the Potomac says
Old Bay Edamame is genius!!! Also those “chips” look wonderful!!! Glad you all had fun at the fair! The state fair in Delaware is in the middle of July — and almost too unbearable to enjoy! Although, I usually try to make it back for a country concert! 🙂
Maggie says
Mmmm love the hushpuppies!! Mystery brewing pumpkin beer is my fav. Scary how one of the rides injured people last night, it was one I used to love too!
Cheryl Morgan Maxey says
We haven’t been to Hot Tin Roof yet, but will say that the Nickle has the best wings! But in addition to their wings, they have the daily special board and have some pretty great specials on a daily basis. You should have posted Cliff’s pickle jar on your blog!
Jennifer says
I LOOOOVE Athleta!!! Also..is that polka dot top from Ann Taylor LOFT by chance? It looks like something I almost bought from there!
KathEats says
Yup!
Lauren @ Sassy Molassy says
Ooh, can we see what you bought at Athleta? A little fashion show perhaps? I’d love to see them! I always love the Title9 catalog, but rarely buy anything.
Maureen says
What fun adventure!! I love fairs, but the California State Fair is always in the hottest month of the year, so it’s never truly enjoyable.
Nichole says
I don’t normally comment but you had me at South Point Mall. My daughter just graduated from NCCU and that mall was/is her home away from home.
Mom says
It’s a great mall!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
This post reminds me our time in NC/SC when we used to live there ….and nice Athleta finds! Congrats and enjoy! New (workout) stuff is always so motivating for me! You look great in all these pics, Kath!
Laura says
I used to work at that Athleta! Glad you got to shop in person, it is so much more fun that the catalog and I feel their sizes are a little big so it’s nice to try on. I normally wear a small but end up getting at least 50% of my clothes in extra small there. Enjoy the new clothes!!
Tracy says
I have such fond memories of the state fair with my siblings and grandpa!
An Athleta just opened here in Kansas City, too! You’re right…so much better to see in person. Please please show us your purchases 🙂
Anna @ Fitness à la Anna says
That’s a beautiful picture of you and the hubby! Looks like you guys had fun 🙂 It’s a bit too cold up here in Canada for fairs, they all happened a couple of months ago.
Theresa says
Kath, you look great! Those last photos are so cute! Looks like so much fun. Also, I am dying to try Old Bay and edamame!
Emily says
You look SO good! And that Mazen, what a cutie.
Alex @ Kenzie Life says
I love your lilac scarf! So pretty! And I also think the girl sticking her tongue out (is that what she’s doing? looks like it) in that picture of you in the bar is pretty interesting timing. It’s always funny to see what people in the background are doing in pictures. Looks like a good time!
KathEats says
Haha I think her mouth is just open
Shel@PeachyPalate says
Those carved pumpkins are awesome! We call most fries chips in Ireland! They’re usually thick cut…fries are the kind you get in McDonalds.
Nicole says
Fun! I love state fair time!
lynn @ the actor's diet says
Sadly, I think my days of riding rides are over, especially now that I’m an old woman who throws her back out WALKING DOWN THE STREET. However, I will take that calzone!
Floey says
Adorable pictures! 🙂 Do you guys still have your bread place thingy?
mandie says
Look at Mazens big boy shoes, did you give up on the soft soled ones? How do they affect his balance?
KathEats says
I went to Stride Rite to buy some more soft soles and she told me since he’s officially walking to get the medium ones. He loves them and walks great!
Ashley R. says
Your family is so cute!
Emma says
I can’t believe two people from Kansas City commented already and no one mentioned that your beer at Hot Tin Roof was served in a Boulevard Brewing pint glass! While a controlling interest in the company was recently sold to a Belgian company, it is definitely still our hometown beer. Such a great brewery! I highly recommend pretty much everything, but Tank 7 is fabulous if you can get it in Virginia.
Matt says
Boulevard just started distributing in this area and I’ve been really impressed with their beers. You’re right, Tank 7 is awesome and I’m not a huge saison fan either!
narami says
Hello Kath! I’ve been reading you for about four years now, big fan of this fantastic website. I wanted to ask you if you have any favorite recipes and/or feedback about sprouts? (alfalfa, broccoli, clover or crunchy mix specifically). Thanks and have a great weekend!
KathEats says
I don’t have any specifically but I love them on sandwiches!
Jaclyn says
Hi Kath! Not to place great importance on this but since every woman loves to hear it, I want you to know how BEAUTIFUL you are in this post. You are radiant! xo
KathEats says
🙂 Thanks! I love your disclaimer
Livi says
ooooh Old Bay edamame?! I can’t wait to make some!!
Leanne W. says
The Wooden Nickel is a very cool bar in a small town. Great atmosphere on Friday/Saturday night. Hillsborough is getting up there in the world
Rachel says
Ah I went to the fair last night! The fireworks at the end were amazing… Loved all your pictures. Sadly the hushpuppies were all out by the time we left.
Neil Butterfield says
That bar does look rather cozy, glad that you had a great time.