Peach blueberry crisp

A fresh fruit dessert with cinnamon-sugar topping

I'm lucky I snapped a picture of this peach and blueberry filling before I baked it; after it came out of the oven there was hardly anything left to take a picture of. The flavor turned out great, and I adapted the original recipe a bit — adding some extra spice and using cornstarch instead of flour. More on that later. 

I'm calling this a crisp instead of a crumble because the topping sort of melted together instead of remaining crumbly. I like the topping on the Pioneer Woman's peach crisp better. Even so, the blueberries, peaches, and sugary topping were delish right out of the oven, especially with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

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PEACH BLUEBERRY CRISP

WHAT YOU'LL NEED
FRUIT FILLING
2 pounds ripe peaches (6 to 8 peaches)
1 cup fresh blueberries
2 tsp grated lemon zest (about 1 lemon)
2 TBS freshly-squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour and/or corn starch (see flour/cornstarch note) 
1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
1/4 tsp almond extract (optional)
1/4 tsp cinnamon (optional)
*You could use thawed frozen fruit if you like, but it will be more juicy — try draining some of the juice before you start. 

CINNAMON-SUGAR TOPPING
1 cup flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 stick cold butter, diced

WHAT YOU'LL DO
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. For the fruit filling: Peel peaches and slice into thick wedges. Place them in a bowl and add lemon zest, lemon juice, sugar, flour/cornstarch, vanilla & almond extracts, and cinnamon. Stir to combine. Gently mix in blueberries and set aside.

2. For the sugar topping: Combine flour, sugar, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and butter in a bowl. Use a mixer, a fork, or your hands to mix until crumbly. 

3. Spread the fruit filling in an even layer in a medium-sized baking dish (mine was about 8 by 10 inches) or individual ramekins. Evenly sprinkle the sugar topping over the fruit. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the topping is browned and crisp and the juices are bubbling. Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream. 

*Flour/Cornstarch Note: Reviewers of the original recipe suggested replacing flour for cornstarch, both for a glossy appearance and a thicker filling. The filling was perfect right out of the oven — but the leftovers became a little gelatinous after a day. Next time I might try using just flour, or half cornstarch and half flour. 

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After lemon, peaches and blueberries might be two of my favorite fruits to bake with. If you haven't tried them together in one dish, you don't know what you're missing! This crisp comes together really easily, do there's no time like the present to try this dynamic fruit duo. Enjoy!
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DSM Originals

Necklaces, bracelets, and earrings for eclectic tastes

In case you missed it, I used to work at a magazine called Bead Style. Sadly, the magazine is no longer with us (print is dead, blah blah). But my incredibly lovely, remarkably chic, and insanely talented friend and Bead Style colleague, Dana, has started selling handmade jewelry. She started with an Etsy shop and a Facebook page, and this past weekend, through rain and shine, Dana took her stunning creations to the streets for the Oconomowoc Fall Festival. 

Let me tell you why I love Dana's work. Her designs are thoughtful, with gorgeous combinations of colors and beads (like craggy stones and bright Czech glass). Her pieces have range — sparkly dangles like Carnivale for your ears, necklaces with global flair, dainty beauties, and more earthy pieces too. 

I love the obvious time and detail in Dana's work — tiny clusters of beads and elegant wirework show she's dedicated to making something unique and heirloom-worthy. Any beginning jewelry maker can dangle a pendant from chain or string pandora beads, and while there's certainly a market for that, Dana's work is in another league.

As we head into fall and the eventual holiday season, I plan to keep Dana and other local sellers in mind. Why buy mass-produced bling when there are locally-made treasures to be had? If we're going to spend money (and we are), we might as well spend it on something worthwhile — like encouraging artists in our community to shine. Dana, shine on! Your first show was certainly just the beginning of Milwaukee's local jewelry scene becoming a much more beautiful place.

Check out DSM Originals on Facebook and on Etsy! 

North Shore Boulangerie

A European-style corner bakery in Shorewood

Guess what I did last weekend? Walked to the boulangerie! That's not the norm in Milwaukee, but I'm #blessed to live just a few blocks away from Shorewood's North Shore Boulangerie. Even before I walked in, I was hooked — the place certainly isn't short on curbside charm. 

Upon entering, there's the ringing of an old-fashioned brass door bell — the kind that dangles cheerfully from wrought iron. Be sure to get there early if you want your choice of baked goods. The boulangerie opens daily at 6am (until 6pm Mon–Sat, 3pm Sunday). You'll find classic breads and pastries: baguettes, buttery croissants, chocolate or almond croissants, and beignets filled with jam or chocolate.

You can also order café drinks — or stop at Stone Creek Coffee down the street beforehand (chai for the win!). Then snag a table. There are several spots perfect for two, as well as a more formal dining space and sidewalk seating (weather permitting). 

Now for the eats: I've only had baguettes and pastries at North Shore Boulangerie, and I have to say that while the pastries don't beat Rocket Baby, they are fresh-baked and scrumptious. Just maybe not life-changing. The baguettes, on the other hand, are divine. With such spot-on French bread just blocks away, my search for authentic baguettes is over. Yes, Rocket Baby boasts A+ baguettes, too — but they're not a stone's throw from my apartment. 

The moral of the story: If you live in or near Shorewood, don't ever buy a baguette from Metro Market ever again. And if you're a francophile like me, stop by North Shore Boulangerie for a pain au chocolat and that magical corner café ambiance you crave. I'm hoping to make it back to the Boulangerie for a sit-down breakfast or lunch one of these days. Stay tuned for a full report!

Klode Park

A quiet cove in Whitefish Bay

I feel like I'm about to divulge some great secret and part of me doesn't want to — but I'll take my chances. Besides, any dear reader of mine deserves to discover Milwaukee's lesser-known lakeside treasures. (P.S. Thanks for reading! You're the best.)

My brother Kevin and his lovely girlfriend Erin have been talking up Klode Park for months now — how it's a tiny hidden gem off of Lake Drive with no crowd and no pretensions. Well they're right! For those of you who are over the spring break vibe at Bradford Beach or even wish Atwater offered a bit more solitude, give Klode a whirl.

I've been there with Kevin and Erin twice now, and both times we were either the only people on the grassy hillside or one of only two or three other clusters of lake-loving folks. Bear in mine that while there is a beach, it's a pebbly one. Being nestled among rocks surely helps keep Klode hidden, and though there's little sand, there's a nice patch of green overlooking the water — perfect for a picnic. 

Check out the glamorous Klode Park website for more info. I'd say "Hope to see you there!" but if Klode is up your alley, I know you're craving some quiet time spent in nature, or a picnic with a few close friends. Now doesn't that sound heavenly? 

Lemon & cinnamon stove simmer

DIY home air freshener

There are two types of people in this world: People who know what a stove simmer is and those who don't. I didn't used to, but you hang around Pinterest long enough and you start to pick up a few things. Stove simmers are when you simmer herbs, fruit peels, spices, and extracts in water on the stove, as a natural air freshener. 

I'll give it to you straight. Adam and I live in a sometimes-musty-smelling apartment. It's old. Ventilation is the worst. There is most likely mold wreaking havoc inside all the walls, even though everything looks adorable on the surface. Point being, there are days when I walk in and curse that old apartment smell. So I finally turned to Pinterest and stove simmers. This one's my favorite, because I usually have all of the ingredients on hand. 

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LEMON & CINNAMON STOVE SIMMER

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

1/2 of a lemon, sliced 

2-3 cinnamon sticks

1-2 TBS mulling spices (or extra cinnamon sticks) 

dash of vanilla 

water

WHAT YOU'LL DO

1. Fill a medium pot 1/2 to 3/4 full of water. Add the sliced lemon, cinnamon sticks, mulling spices, and vanilla. Bring to a simmer on the stove. Allow to simmer uncovered until a fresh scent fills the air. 

2. Check on the pot every 20-30 minutes, adding more water as needed. *Note: Do not leave unattended for hours on end — I accidentally did this once and ended up with a burnt mess.

3. If you keep adding water to the pot, the simmer can go on for hours or even days. Just cover the pot overnight and bring it back to a simmer the next day! 

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This simmer will inevitably have people asking you what smells so good and ooh-ing and aah-ing and thinking you're all kinds of special because you do things like make homemade stove simmers as air fresheners. But friends, there's really nothing all that special about the process! If I can do it, you can do it. What is special, however, is how delicious your once-musty apartment will smell in no-time!

The Outsider at The Journeyman Hotel

A rooftop lounge in Milwaukee's Third Ward

I'd heard people talk about the rooftop bar at the new Journeyman Hotel in the Third Ward, but what they really mean is The Outsider — that's the name of the hotel's rooftop lounge. I'd also heard that you have to get there early in order to snag a seat (the place opens at 4pm), but we took our chances last Friday night around 6:00. 

We walked into the lobby of the hotel, a little unsure. The lobby is pretty cool — you can tell this is an upscale boutique hotel. We quickly spied a line of people waiting for the elevator, the line extending almost to the front door of the hotel. We waited for about 10 minutes, or two trips of the elevator. The elevator doesn't seem to run very regularly — whether that's for crowd control or because there's only one rooftop elevator, I'm not sure. But the wait was well worth it. If in doubt, I say stick it out. 

The Outsider features a beautifully-stocked bar to the right and a spacious indoor lounge area to the left, which leads to an open-air patio. But even outside there is some coverage from the elements, as well as wind shields along the perimeter. Throughout the space are comfy couches and long benches, so it's likely you'll be able to find a spot to sit. However, I imagine it would be even easier on a weeknight and with a smaller group (4 or less). 

The bar was busy when we arrived. You'll find waitresses milling about the lounge, taking orders from those seated. Those orders are then fulfilled at the bar, so if you're waiting there for a drink... Well, you might be waiting a while. Fritz and I must have waited 15 minutes, by which time the bartender who helped us said the drinks were on him. I guess patience pays off! Pro tip: Get a drink at the downstairs bar before getting in line for the elevator. 

With drinks finally in hand, we found a spot outside on a cushy couch and enjoyed the view of the city and The Outsider's comfy-chic ambiance. This really would be a great spot for date night or girls night — any time you're feeling a little fancy. And although summer is winding down in Milwaukee, it looks like The Outsider will remain open as long as possible. There are the aforementioned wind shields keeping the cool night air at bay, as well as numerous fire pits scattered throughout the lounge and patio — and boy do those fires make a lovely difference in temperature. Overall, I'd say The Journeyman's rooftop lived up to its hype. Put it on your MKE bucket list!  

Fathom events in Milwaukee

Coming to movie theaters in fall/winter 2016

This week, my mom and I went to see The King and I — a Rodgers and Hammerstein movie musical from 1956 — at the Marcus Majestic movie theater in Waukesha. What's a movie that old doing in a mainstream cinema? For that, we have Fathom Events to thank! 

Fathom hosts all kinds of film, theater, and concerts in cinemas across the country, and we're lucky enough to get some (though not all) in and around Milwaukee. Here are four upcoming features from Fathom Events that will soon be gracing the Milwaukee movie scene.

Miss Saigon, September 22nd
The Fathom description: "Captured live at London’s Prince Edward Theatre, this epic love story tells the tragic tale of young bar girl Kim, orphaned by war, who falls in love with American GI Chris – but their lives are torn apart by the fall of Saigon."
Why I'm psyched: I've been listening to the soundtrack of Miss Saigon for as long as I can remember. It's from the same creatives behind Les Miserables, if that's any indication of its greatness. To finally see it on stage — even stage on screen — is a dream. I'm geeking out over here! Check this video for a sneak peek.

Hamlet (starring Benedict Cumberbatch), November 15th
The Fathom description: "The story of a son who is forced to avenge his father’s death but rages against the impossibility of his predicament, threatening both his sanity and the security of the state. As a country arms itself for war, a family tears itself apart... Shakespeare's greatest tragedy." 
Why I'm psyched: You heard me say "Shakespeare's greatest tragedy" right? You also heard me say "Benedict Cumberbatch" right? The end.

Breakfast at Tiffany's, November 27th & 30th
The Fathom description: "In director Blake Edwards’ timeless and Academy Award-winning classic from 1961, Audrey Hepburn plays an intoxicating New York party girl, embarking on a wildly entertaining, comedic adventure to find love in the big city."
Why I'm psyched: Confession — I've never actually seen this movie. Blasphemy, I know! But that's not the only reason I'm psyched. This movie is part of the TCM Classic Film series — the same series that brought us The King and I this past week. Can't wait to see what other classic films they have up their sleeve!

The Nutcracker, December 18th
The Fathom description: "Christmas would not be complete without the enchanting tale of young Marie and her Nutcracker prince! Danced by the Bolshoi, E.T.A. Hoffmann’s fairytale staged by Russian ballet master Yuri Grigorovich will transport children and adults alike to a world of magic and wonder for the holiday season."
Why I'm psyched: Without plans to go to Russia any time soon, watching the ballet on the big screen is the next best thing. Plus, Fathom isn't stopping at The Nutcracker — catch the Bolshoi's Sleeping Beauty on January 22nd and Swan Lake on February 5th.

If you're not in Milwaukee, be sure to check out what movies and theater Fathom Events will be featuring in your neck of the woods! I know they have The Labyrinth and Never-ending Story coming in hot — just not in MKE. Such a bummer! But I'll take what I can get.