So who knew that South Bend was the place to go for amazing Italian restaurants and huge farmer’s markets!
Friday night six of us crammed into my parent’s rental car for my favorite pizza EVER! (Only my dad would rent a Crown Vic just so he could have both his ENTIRE family in the car the whole trip.) We enjoyed dinner with more than 10 of my family members. It was filled with laughter, memories, and great food. Rocco’s has been a South Bend institution since 1951. My dad and his siblings grew up eating pizza in the corner booth every weekend with their parents and friends. We kept that tradition alive Friday night. The best moment was when three of the siblings walked in together and gave Rocco’s wife and daughter huge hugs and the laughter started. Three of the children, Rusty, Will, and my dad are known for their stories, loud voices, and gift of gab. They kept the stories flowing Friday night. 
Delicious gooey cheese, chewy crust along the edges, thin crust along the rest of the slice, and only fresh vegetables! Rocco’s doesn’t believe in using any canned goods so you know that their sauce and mushrooms are fresh. 
Who do you think I favor? My mom or dad? We’ve had better pictures but hey who cares! 🙂 We can’t wait around for only the best pictures.
Saturday morning I had to forego my long run due to the weather. It was 35 degrees and raining. That was not a good combination considering that I didn’t bring a running jacket or long sleeve top! I did my reliable gym workout:
6 miles on the treadmill (not my fastest as the legs felt like LEAD..58 minutes)
25 pushups, 25 lunges, 20 pushups, 20 squats
Ab workout on the ball (obliques, weight ball, center)
In keeping with the walk down memory lane, we headed over to the South Bend Farmers Market Saturday morning. Our trip included tasting rhubarb for the first time both raw and cooked, sampling head cheese, and practicing my photography skills. 
The Farmers Market was incorporated in 1924 and is now one of the largest indoor farmer’s markets in the Midwest. There were 96 stalls in addition to some outdoor stalls which included an ice sculptor 
(HE USED A CHAINSAW!!) and camel rides. I was amazed by the quality of the South Bend Famers Market and immediately wished I could buy everything in sight.
As we were boarding our plane it started to pour! I was worried that our flight would be delayed but luckily these ugly clouds didn’t keep us from reaching South Bend!
After arriving, I made good on my promise to Bo and took him on a tour of Notre Dame campus via a 4 mile run. It was a tough run for me as it was my first outdoor run in the last couple of weeks. But, I finished it and will do it again tomorrow. Hopefully after a few days back on the pavement I’ll feel more confident about my upcoming half marathon. Regardless, campus was absolutely gorgeous and Bo felt the beauty and magic that I felt on this campus growing up. 
My dad and his family grew up with this bakery. Every single birthday cake, Saturday treat, etc came from the hallowed walls of this buttercreamed filled bakery. Dad and Rusty indulged on a few delicious petite fours this afternoon. I must admit, this was the best petite four I’ve ever had. 
South Bend’s oldest pizzeria and the place they grew up with. In fact, this friendly face 
served them a fresh slice every Friday night for over 20 years! Delicious pizza here I come! Hopefully this will be the perfect treat before a long run tomorrow morning.