Play in the City

Cooking classes

Well, now that I received my totally awesome cookware set, I have to learn how to cook!

Even though my first cooking class experience was kind of a bust, I'm eager to take more of them and learn all I can about making delicious, gourmet food that will please my family and impress my guests at all the dinner parties I'll of course be hosting in the near future. J 

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel featured an article today about how the popularity of cooking classes is on the rise, and it had a lot of great information in it about where in the area to take classes, what types of classes are being taught, and who's attending them.

One resource not mentioned in the article was Milwaukee Recreation, which is the organization that Dave and I took dance lessons through earlier this year. The fall activity guide is posted online and registration is open for all kinds of classes, including some cooking classes. And their prices are really reasonable!

My first choice would be the sushi class, but it looks like that one's already full. I'm interested in the Dim Sum class, too, but it's offered too close to wedding time, so I think I'll have to wait until the spring.

But what a great thing to do for yourself now that fall is almost here. Learn to cook some new foods, just in time for all the holidays!

In other news, Dave and I are all signed up to take a Segway tour of Milwaukee this Saturday morning. The weather is supposed to be beautiful and I've always wanted to try one of those things, so I'm excited!

Remember when Segways were supposed to be the next big thing? They didn't quite take off, did they? I'll be sure to report back after Saturday and let you know if they lived up to the hype.

And finally … (WA)

The weekend ... and the next two months

Sometimes it's quite a challenge to judge how much of my personal life to include on this site, because there isn't really any site that I can model this one after. Blogs are usually either personal or written for a company, but mine doesn't really fall into either of those categories. I ride the fence, mostly focusing on my Milwaukee adventures, but often, too, climbing to the other side and letting you in on my life. I enjoy sharing, and I like to believe that people enjoy reading.

Tomorrow is the two-month mark until the big day, and looking through my planner, I see that there is only one weekend between now and then that doesn't include one or more of the following: family party, shower, engagement photos, dress fitting, hair/makeup trial, bachelorette party, family wedding. I tell ya, a lot goes into a wedding before the actual wedding day even arrives.

There may be some weeks – like this past one – where I don't quite make it out on the town to experience something new. So it's either personal posts or not much of anything! I just wanted to say that I will do my best to fit a lot in despite the upcoming craziness, but whether I manage that or not, come November, all will definitely be back to normal.

Whatever that means.

But anyway, on to the weekend … I did make it down to Mexican Fiesta for a short time on Friday afternoon since I had to drop off some flyers for a client. The music was especially festive and the crowd was surprisingly heavy on the gloomy afternoon. I regretted not having my camera with me to at least capture a little bit of the Fiesta atmosphere. As I said, I'll get to that one next year.

Saturday morning, Dave and I were off to the post office with our big box of invitations and, with excitement and nervousness, I handed them over to the postal worker behind the counter. After hours and hours of addressing and assembling and stuffing and stamping, these were my babies! I was tempted to say "please be gentle!" But they are now off into the world and will be reaching their destinations tomorrow and Tuesday. I told Dave, there's no turning back now!

Then last night was my first bridal shower, the official kick-off to all the festivities. It was a Sex and the City-themed party held at Christi's mom's bridal shop in Burlington. The place was decked out in pink and black, we drank cosmopolitans and appletinis, we ate plenty of food and some delicious cake, and we played a rousing SATC trivia game. When present time came, I was totally excited that a bunch of the girls went in and bought the 10-piece Calphalon cookware set that I so badly wanted! And best of all, nearly every one of my dear friends was able to make it. I felt incredibly lucky and had an absolute blast.

I'll post pics of the party in the extended part of the post and you can click to see - IF you're interested!

After a very late night last night and a full day with Dave's family celebrating birthdays today, I'm just spent. I sure don’t feel ready to go back to work again already tomorrow, but hey, at least next weekend is a long one! (Holy crap, the official end to summer already. How the heck did THAT happen?) I'll be sure to have something fun to report on next weekend.

Have a nice week!

Changing the subject ...

… sounds like a pretty good idea!

Congratulations to Milwaukee for being named America's Drunkest City this week!

On movies and war

These days, going to the video store, perusing the movie listings on Yahoo, and scrolling through the options on our cable’s OnDemand movie channel can all be described the same way: depressing, barren, boring, hopeless.

Finding a movie that’s worth my $8.50 at the theater or my $3.99 at the video store is pretty near impossible as of late. Friday night, though, was one of those rare and wonderful evenings in which I left the theater completely satisfied.

Dave and I went to the Oriental Theater on the East Side to take in a showing of Little Miss Sunshine. Yahoo! led us astray as far as what time the movie was playing, but it all worked out for the best since we got to sit at Twisted Fork and have a drink while we waited. Dave got to watch some of the Brewer game and I found out that the Twisted Fork serves free chicken wings on Sunday nights. Score.

Every time I walk into the Oriental, I feel like I’m going back in time; a time before oversized, sterile multiplexes edged out nearly every small, charming, full-of-character movie house. We handed our tickets over and walked into the beautiful main theater, the red velvet curtain covering the screen before us, the balcony looming above us and the Buddha statues with the red bindis on their foreheads keeping watch.

We took our seats and for the next two hours, we were genuinely entertained and moved by the movie we saw. I mean, it wasn't the best movie I've ever seen, not by far, but it was hilarious and touching, and it blew most of the movies I've seen recently out of the water.

Like many quality films, Little Miss Sunshine was a limited release. In the meantime, Beerfest and Snakes on a Plane will be shown in just about every theater in America.

I don't even really want to think about what this says about the American public – I'm just grateful I live in such close proximity to an enchanting little theater that shows the more out-of-the-way, off-the-wall films that the big mega-plexes don't show.

Saturday we returned to the East Side to check out the East Side Open Market, which is held in the Beans and Barley parking lot every Saturday in the summer. We checked out the fresh produce and flowers, and gave everything else – clay pots, jewelry, soap – the quick once-over before heading inside Beans and Barley for some lunch. We were starving and the wait for a table looked long, so a moment later we were back outside and on our way back to the car. We stopped for a moment and listened to the band that was playing, and then moved on.



The East Side Open Market was cute – your average little farmer's market/craft fair. It didn't inspire me enough to write anything further. You know what did inspire me, though (and not in a good way)?

The war protesters who were hanging on the street corners.

Choosing between festivals

I heard on the radio this morning and from several coworkers that Irish Fest was a blast and totally packed this weekend. Add this to the list of festivals I have yet to experience and want to. 

There are obviously plenty of people who hit up every single festival throughout the summer. As for me, I’m a bit festival-ed out already after going to Summerfest, Festa Italiana, Bastille Days and State Fair. For someone on a limited budget (me) and for someone who doesn’t want to gain 10 pounds during the summer (me), one has to be choosy! 

So I missed Irish Fest for another year, and I’ll also be missing Mexican Fiesta, which starts this Friday, since I’m all booked this weekend. I think I’d love this fest, too. (though I will be IN Mexico in two months, so that makes it a little better!)

I’ll definitely check these two fests out next summer – I just have to pace myself leading up to them!

Your turn: Which Milwaukee summer festival is the best and why?

Blatz Grand Opening

The Grand Opening event at the Blatz went so well today!

I left the house around 10:15 this morning and arrived at the Blatz to help set up and make sure all was well with the food, musicians, etc. before the event started at noon. I hadn't seen the place in probably a month and boy, had a lot changed. All the dust and equipment was cleared and the place was sleek as ever.



I got the grand tour and took plenty of pictures, then at noon, it was time to roll. We weren't quite sure how many people to expect for the open house, but we guessed maybe 100 or 150. Well, the people began to pour in right at noon, and by 1:00 p.m. we'd done well over 150 and all the food that Holiday House had brought over – mini cheeseburgers, crab cakes, mushroom tarts, spring rolls, chips and guacamole - was nearly gone.

In a slight panic, I zipped over to Metro Market to see what they could whip up for me on a moment's notice. Realizing that I'd have a real hard time maneuvering two carts full of food into my car and then into the Blatz, I called Dave, who was at home enjoying his lazy Sunday, and he reluctantly came to help out. We were back with reinforcements – taco dip, spinach dip, fruit, cheese and sausage platters, cookies and more beverages – within 45 minutes or so, and then all THAT food was gone by 2:30!

When all was said and done, I'd say more than 500 people came through the doors throughout the four-hour event. It was awesome! But I suppose that's to be expected – you offer people free food, free Alterra coffee, free massages, and a chance to win a nice prize, of course they'll show up! I think there were quite a few attendees who were seriously interested in living there, which was great to see.

My feet are sore after running around in heels for six hours, and I'm bummed I didn't get to score any of the delicious food we were offering, but what can you do?

I'll put up some more of the photos I took there today at the end of the post, so click if you want to see.

Dave and I hit up the Oriental on Friday and the East Side Open Market yesterday, so I'll be back tomorrow or sometime this week so post about that.

For now, it's time to hit the couch for dinner and a movie. Later!

Plans for the weekend ...

The summer weekends are winding down already. It’s hard to believe.

This weekend, check out Irish Fest on the Summerfest grounds, or head to the Milwaukee County Zoo between today and Sunday for Zoo A La Carte.

I only get one day off this weekend, as I’ll be working an event on Sunday. If you’re considering moving downtown, come check out the Blatz Condos on Broadway and Highland between noon and 4:00. See the new areas like the gym, the café, and the rooftop deck, plus the fully-decorated model units. There will be food from Holiday House, music on the rooftop, plus samples and giveaways. I think it’ll be a fun event – hopefully there will be a good turnout. I don't normally use my blog to promote clients, but I'll make an exception for the Blatz - that place is AWESOME, and if I were looking to live downtown, I'd seriously be moving in tomorrow.

Have a good weekend all – talk to you soon.

My first State Fair cream puff

Well, I made it to the Wisconsin State Fair this year after all.

After complaining recently about my extreme lack of funds, I was contacted by a man from State Fair Park who kindly offered me two free passes to the Fair as well as complimentary Sky Glider and Giant Slide passes.

Yes, my blogger status has its perks!

Not about to pass up such a sweet offer, Dave and I hit up the Fair last night. The weather was absolutely ideal – sunny and about seventy degrees – and the sun was just starting its descent as we drove around the perimeter of the grounds looking for parking. Not wanting to pay the $9 in the lots or the $10 that close-by residents were charging, we found street parking about 12 blocks away and hoofed it to the Fair entrance.

I was starving after eating next to nothing all day because I was at my first dress fitting. In celebration of it being over and doing so well all week, I was ready to splurge. As soon as we entered the gates, I hightailed it to the corn dog stand.



Once I'd finished my greasy, crispy, delicious dog, I stood up and realized how insanely crowded the Fair was. I've been to the Fair plenty in my day, and I swear I've never seen it so crowded. But why wouldn’t it be packed on a beautiful Saturday evening?

We strolled slowly through the masses of people and finally made it to where the animals were. Seeing the animals is one of my favorite parts of the fair, and we walked through and saw the cows and horses. We also saw a huge number of llamas and wondered what the heck do farmers do with llamas?

Next was the birthing barn, which Dave didn't want to go into. I told him we probably wouldn't actually see an animal giving birth; we'd probably just see newborn babies. We saw baby piglets and chicks and ducks – and they were all so darling! Definitely more enjoyable than actually watching an animal give birth – I used to show goats at the fair when I was young and I've seen a few being born – it isn't very pretty!

I usually like going through the 4-H exhibit halls, but we skipped those this year. We came upon the Giant Slide by accident and as I dug our free passes out of my pocket, Dave said "why don't you just go and I'll take your picture." Well fine – I went alone. I remember being young and going on these slides with my dad, and I always loved it. But as I walked up the stairs with my burlap sack this time around, I found it a little ridiculous how nervous I felt. But when I got to the top, I hopped on and slid down – and I obviously had nothing to worry about. It was totally fun!



We got Dave some food next – a chicken wrap thing at Brew City Barbecue. Leave it to Dave to get something totally odd instead of some traditional Fair food. Of course, it wasn't very good – yet he ate the whole thing. I got myself an ear of corn and as I polished off the buttery, salty ear, I marveled at how happy food makes me!

Finally, it was time to experience what I'd been anticipating all day: my very first State Fair cream puff. I posted about them last year and said how they'd never really appealed to me, but that maybe I'd have to try one next year. Now, I know I'm the last Milwaukee blogger to blog the cream puffs (Audra, Charlie) but I'm still hopping on the bandwagon.

We entered the dairy building and saw the cream puff line to our right – it was ridiculous! It was moving awfully fast, but we just couldn't believe the hoopla surrounding these things. As we moved through the switchbacks, we watched the crowd to our left who had already gotten theirs. They all looked so happy, and there was a lot of laughter when their faces and hands became covered in the sweet cream.



I still had my doubts. I just didn't think I'd be a fan, and I was almost tempted to order a blue ribbon brownie instead. I watched as "Team Cream Puff" worked tirelessly behind the glass cutting the pastries in half and filling them with globs of cream.

When we got up near the windows to order, another member of the team yelled "keep the line moving!" over and over again. "One please!" I said when it was my turn, and I handed over my $3. I was handed a cream puff and we scurried out of there before we got stampeded.

Armed with the cream puff and a load of napkins, we parked ourselves off to one side of the pathway and got ready to dig in. Dave told me that I was supposed to mush it together and then split it in half, but when I separated it, there was only cream on one side. So instead I put it back together so I could eat it like a sandwich.

I took my first bite and ….

Oh my gosh! It was divine!

Ok, I see what the hype is about. I'd never eaten anything quite like it. The pastry was soft and the cream was so incredibly sweet. It was cool in my mouth and so smooth going down. I loved it. I offered Dave some of it, but he didn't want to eat it the way I had it, and was peeved that I hadn't split it in two. So I ate it all myself!

I had almost the entire thing gone in probably five minutes, and I threw away just a little bit of the cream. When I was done, I felt a little woozy, and I was in a cream puff coma for the next half hour or so.

Dave got a chocolate malt and drank it as we watched some jugglers, and once he was done, we made our way over to the Sky Glider. We waited in line ten minutes or so and then hopped on, ready to make our trip back to the other end of the park.

Not a fan of heights, Dave didn't like it one bit. I normally have no problem with heights and I enjoy the bird's eye view of the festivities below, but his nervousness then made me nervous for some reason. I just kept picturing us falling to the ground below, even though I know the thing is very safe. Needless to say, the 8-minute journey to the other side of the park – complete with two stops due to people not boarding or getting off the way they're supposed to – was not overly pleasant. I did enjoy the view, though, and got some good pics from up there!



Relieved to be back on solid ground, we made our way through the still-heavy crowd to the exit. We'd spent maybe two and a half hours there, and not being huge crowd people, we were content with that.

As always, I loved the Fair. As I said last year, it's a great Wisconsin tradition. And I do believe I've discovered another item to add to my gotta-have-it-once-a-year food list. Just like the Saz's combo platter at Summerfest, I think the cream puff will have to be my new indulgence at the State Fair!

Coming in one month!

So … I posted this on July 13 and "a couple days" turned into almost a month.

But it all worked out since today is exactly one month until Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin holds it big Grand Opening and opens its doors to the public.

When I first set foot in Pier Wisconsin, I was working a party there so I didn't get to take any pictures, but when I went for the YPM event last month, I was armed and ready with my camera – and so I give you some of those photos:

My coworker and I spent some time outside the Pilot House, looking out over Lake Michigan as we sipped our wine, before we went back inside for the presentation. We heard from Michael Cudahy, who financed much of the project, and we saw a really great slideshow of the construction. When he was done speaking, Christine Rodriguez, the CEO, described the new facility as we all listened eagerly.

During my last year of college, I had a marketing internship at the Betty Brinn Children's Museum. Twice a week for an entire semester, I would walk through the museum to the back offices and wish that I could stay and play in all the exhibits rather than sit at a desk for four hours. I'd never been to such a place as a child, where playing and learning happened simultaneously through innovative and unique exhibits and programs.

As I sat and learned about Discovery World, I couldn't help but keep flashing back to the Children's Museum, and I realized that I'd finally get my chance to learn and play, too. I've never been a fan of Science or Math – I'm more an English and History kind of girl – but the science at Discovery World is fun and interesting because it applies to our everyday lives.

In the packet we were given as we left that night, Pier Wisconsin was described as "a groundbreaking educational, environmental and cultural center that will connect human endeavor to our natural world through innovation, exploration, discovery and technology delivered through hands-on interactive exhibits and experiential learning programs."

Having forgotten half of what I heard since so much information had been covered, I went home and logged onto the Discovery World website – and I urge you to visit, too, and have a look around. The website describes in great detail what the museum will hold – and it blows my mind to think about how much will be housed within that one facility!

In a very quick nutshell, Discovery World will be home to nine lab areas "dedicated to developing innovators by educating young people about science, technology and communication," freshwater and salt water aquariums, and loads of exhibits such as the TechnoJungle, the HIVE, and the Sea of Sustainability. It also contains a café, a gift shop, a theater, an outdoor amphitheater, and of course, The Pilot House.

To build buzz around the new destination, Discovery World started a countdown in June called "101 Days of Summer" leading up to its official opening. This countdown includes camps, programs, classes and special events every day of the summer. Discovery World will continue to hold workshops and classes like this after its opening, which is excellent news for us locals – these events will give us yet another option for learning and socializing.

Just a few of the events that caught my eye were Sunrise Tai Chi, Love Science: Aphrodisiacs, Discovering Podcasting, Bare Bones Digital Photography, and – this one's coming up August 24 – Salsa Dancing lessons!

Memberships to Discovery World are of course available and the various levels include different benefits, from a young adult yearly membership for $20 that includes unlimited admission, to a "Discoverer's Society" membership for $1,000 that includes everything under the sun – unlimited admission, parking, sails on the S/V Denis Sullivan, tours, invitations to special events, donor wall recognition, invitation to the annual ball in the Pilot House, and much more. Individual memberships are $45 and Family memberships are $65.

I'm incredibly excited about this facility – it's going to be a huge draw for Milwaukee. As Christine Rodriguez said, it's already receiving national and international attention and people from all over are going to come through its doors. Those of us who live in its backyard definitely need to take advantage of it.

I'll be there for the grand opening in a month – hope you will be, too! 

Love is in the air ...

Whoo hoo! Amanda and Mark got engaged this weekend!

Of course I shared in Amanda's joy with screams and excitement when she called Sunday morning, but I wanted to throw my congrats out into cyberspace, too! J

The weekend was good and productive. Today I've spent the day assembling my invitations and – if I do say so myself – they're fantastic.

I feel like I just have this random day off that's quickly coming to an end, but then I have to keep reminding myself that I get the ENTIRE week off. It's crazy!

One of the many things on the agenda is to FINALLY post about Pier Wisconsin, which is set to open in just a month. So expect that in the next couple of days!