Afternoon in Ashland
Ashland is so adorable! I’m glad that I had the opportunity to visit such a cute little town. Mal and I spent the afternoon wondering around and exploring the downtown area.
So adorable.
Murphy would have loved this dog bar! 
Our first stop was Lithia Park that both Grandma and my father-in-law highly recommended. Even in the winter, the park was so beautiful. I can only imagine what it looks like in the summer.
While walking in the park, Mal and I stumbled upon some bamboo. Cool! We definitely don’t have bamboo in Boston!
Panda imitation.
Handsome.
We also saw the Shakespearian Theatre.
Self-portrait.
After visiting Lithia Park, we did a little window shopping around town.
I fell head over heals in love with a shop called, Prize. Basically, I was obsessed.
Prize was totally my style. I loved everything! Too bad my suitcase is completely full– otherwise, I probably would have bought a ton of stuff!
Mal and I worked up quite an appetite window shopping, so we took a friend’s recommendation to have lunch at The Black Sheep.
The Black Sheep is an English pub and restaurant with a cozy, laid-back vibe.
Mal and I sat under mistletoe. 
To drink, I ordered a 10-ounce Black Velvet (Guinness + champagne).
The 10-ounce half pint was the perfect amount for a mid-day drink.
Guinness + champagne was fantastic! The combo basically made a more bubbly Guinness. I might keep this concoction in mind for New Year’s Eve.
While I waited for my entree, I snacked on a piece of sourdough with a smear of butter.
For lunch, I ordered the Beans on Toast, which was cannelloni beans mixed with a cheddar cheese sauce and spread on toasted sourdough. Omg, amazing. The dish sort of reminded me of macaroni and cheese with its thick and creamy cheddar sauce.
Holy delicious. I ate almost the entire portion. Needless to say, I left feeling pretty stuffed. 
After lunch, Mal and I headed back to Medford to relax before an early dinner. Our flight to San Francisco departs at 6:00 AM, so we’re hitting the hay early. Let’s hope tomorrow goes smoothly!
See ya in a bit for dinner. I think we’re ordering take-out.
Tags: Ashland, Oregon, Prize Shoppe, The Black Sheep
Food Makes Fun Fuel — December 28, 2009 @ 9:27 pm
Lol–I just finished watching a Mythbusters where they showed how bamboo can be grown through people for torture which made me glad we don’t have it here in Boston.
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) — December 28, 2009 @ 9:29 pm
Haha I love the like me-like me on the card
I saw a pug the other day being walked by a 5 year old girl and her family and I whispered–it’s Murphy!!!
ashleigh — December 28, 2009 @ 9:33 pm
That town looks so cute, it looks like you guys had a great time!
I have never heard of a Black Velvet but that sounds like a great drink…. so do beans on toast!! What a perfect lunch
I hope you don’t run into more travel headaches!!!
Kristen @ Change of Pace — December 28, 2009 @ 9:44 pm
Beautiful pictures! Mal makes a GREAT panda! Glad you are having fun even after all the headaches
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is — December 28, 2009 @ 9:45 pm
What a cute town! That beans on toast sounds amazing!
diana(mymarblerye) — December 28, 2009 @ 9:49 pm
warm beans and bread=best winter dish ever. BTW good luck with that flight! With the drive and check in you should just go straight to the airport at midnight!
BethT — December 28, 2009 @ 9:51 pm
I hope your layover is smooth, but if not..call me!
Susan — December 28, 2009 @ 9:57 pm
Those beans and toast look fab! I sense a replication in my kitchen in the near future…
Good luck with your flight!
Carbzilla — December 28, 2009 @ 10:10 pm
Thanks for the tour! I haven’t been to Ashland since high school. I have a friend in town now from England who will be teaching there for the next 6 weeks. It’s certainly gotten spiffier since I went there for the Shakespearean Festival over 20 years ago! You’re not staying the night there, are you?
Carolyn — December 28, 2009 @ 10:28 pm
Good luck with your flight tomorrow. You’ve been really restrained with the shopping. Good for you!
Estela @ Weekly Bite — December 28, 2009 @ 10:32 pm
I just love little towns like that!
I have to try the champagne and guiness!
Jenna — December 28, 2009 @ 10:49 pm
so beautiful!
that cute lil boutique looks right up my alley as well, super adorable!
your lunch meals looks so great as well.
have a great dinner tonight and good luck traveling tomorrow!
jenna
Britt — December 28, 2009 @ 10:58 pm
That is too funny about the Black Velvet, we have actually had the topic of Guinness mixed drinks come up a lot. My hubby, after possibly a drink or two, decided to mix Guinness & eggnog….. Guinnog. It actually wasn’t that bad. He did 3/4 Guinness to 1/4 Eggnog.
We actually joked about the Guinness & Champagne! LOL
Tasha — December 28, 2009 @ 11:05 pm
Prize is my kind of place!
Heather @ The Joyful Kitchen — December 28, 2009 @ 11:26 pm
Ashland sounds like it’s on my list of places to visit after this post! The lunch looks fantastic, I’m definitely trying the Black Velvet in the next couple of days!
Maggie — December 28, 2009 @ 11:35 pm
I work for the company that publishes the YSL Style, Style, Style book! SO funny! That store looks great and so does the pub. Have a safe flight tomorrow!
Jessica — December 28, 2009 @ 11:44 pm
The beer and the beans and toast both made my mouth water! I need to try to find a recipe for the beans
I think I can manage the Guiness LOL!
Jay — December 29, 2009 @ 12:01 am
I was in Ashland in September and love it there. The Black Sheep is definitely the best place to go. We went several times in fact! They have a great traditional english drink which is called a Snakebite – half cider (like Strongbow), half lager, and about a shot of raspberry liquer. Mmm!!
Niki — December 29, 2009 @ 12:10 am
The beans on toast looks so good! Simple but you can tell that it’s made with love. Wow! I’m definitely going to have ot make that soon.
Ameena — December 29, 2009 @ 12:30 am
Ashland looks really pretty! I am in love with that store Prize.
Cynthia (It All Changes) — December 29, 2009 @ 12:42 am
I love quirky little stores like that. We have one near here that I love to visit and buy stuff.
Tasha - The Clean Eating Mama — December 29, 2009 @ 1:56 am
What a wonderful day! I have only driven past Ashland on I-5 but have never stopped. Now I will! It looks like such a cute and quaint town!
Cassie @ A Very Busy Mind — December 29, 2009 @ 7:38 am
Bahahaha. Mal’s panda impression is hilarious.
Jenny — December 29, 2009 @ 10:52 am
Looks like a fun day exploring! And Prize looks really neat.
I’ve never heard of a Black Velvet! Sounds cool
Jen @ Green with Greens — December 29, 2009 @ 11:03 am
Isn’t Ashland great? I love that town. We actually almost lived there. Sad.
That bean dish looks terrific. Glad you are enjoying your time up here in the great Pacific Northwest!
Scott — December 29, 2009 @ 12:12 pm
Hi Tina, bamboo actually grows wild in and around Boston and much of southern New England. I had bamboo growing in my yard when I lived in Newton. I see it every where!
MB — December 29, 2009 @ 2:52 pm
We actually do have bamboo in Boston. There is a little park/walkway with a fountain just before you go into Chinatown that has bamboo all over the place.
Allison K — December 29, 2009 @ 4:12 pm
Awwww. Some of my Dad’s family lives in Ashland, we went there every summer as a kid. I have such great memories of playing in Lithia park with my cousins.
LindsayRuns — December 30, 2009 @ 9:35 am
Beans on toast and guinness and champagne…looks like I’ll be trying some new food soon, that looks awesome!
Katherine — December 31, 2009 @ 1:14 am
So glad you enjoyed Ashland! I was there a couple of weeks ago for a work-related trip, and will have to keep the The Black Sheep in mind for when I return.