Milwaukee Riverwalk

A Sunday stroll along the Milwaukee River

 

On Sunday morning, Adam and I went to check out Milwaukee's new donut shop, Holey Moley. I truly hate to say it because my love of donuts runs very, very deep, but: Cue the sad trombone. The flavor in the lemon old fashioned was way too intense to be pleasant (though it had serious potential if they would just tone it down), and the consistency of the vanilla cream raised donut was unlike any raised donut I'd ever had before — just odd. I'm hoping it's simply because they're a new business working out the kinks, but even the atmosphere made us sad. Where's my cute, bustling, trays upon trays of tasty treats donut shop, Milwaukee? 

Bummed out from our disappointing donut experience, we stopped at Milwaukee Public Market for juice and a croissant. Public Market is an amazing place that's always worth exploring, but the morning's full sunshine was calling to us. So Adam and I made our way to the Milwaukee Riverwalk. We started out at the intersection of Water and Buffalo, but there are multiple entry points along the river. 

We strolled the boardwalk, admiring the urban architecture and vacant outdoor patios at various restaurants and thinking how nice it would be to have dinner along the river one night and meander the Riverwalk afterward. We didn't run into many people on the walk — just one large group of tourists, a man walking two little Yorkies sans leash, and a visiting family who stopped to ask if we wanted them to take our picture (so we would then return the favor). 

Adam then unleashed his artistic side, snapping pics and boasting of his newfound appreciation for Instagram. If you didn't already know that every photographic problem can be solved with a filter, he will waste no time in telling you so. Grand Instagram delusions aside, this is a river walk that can go filter-free. 

Adam brings the photo drama.

Get outta town!

Chicago day trip

On Saturday, Adam and I day-tripped to the Windy City. His sister Laurin was in town from New York for Lollapalooza, so we made plans to grab food with her, then spend the day bumming around. For lunch we went to The Kerryman; we were drawn in by the extravagant florals and sidewalk dining, but eventually highly disappointed in the grilled cheese and brutal sun. Still, getting the Buettner siblings together whenever possible is a must, and it was great to spend the afternoon with Adam's big sister. 

 
















Soon it was Lolla time for Laurin, and Adam and I made our way to Michigan Avenue for some serious window shopping — but not before plugging the meter. Truly, Chicago, you're only hurting yourself with this whole parking insanity. Return to the meter every two hours? Or download some pre-paid app with a $20 minimum that auto-refills to $20 if your account dips below $10? Or pay $28 for three hours in a structure? How!? How. I'm not made of quarters. If someone in Chicago knows the secret to day-parking and not crying, please tell me. And if your solution is to take the train next time, Adam and I already thought of that.

Parking rants aside, we stopped at stores here and there — Adam sighing as he took the escalator all the way to the top floor men's department time and again, myself lugging ten things to the dressing room and talking myself out of every single piece, every single time. Before we knew it, two hours had passed and it was time to — you guessed it — plug the meter. We stopped at the car to pay up and adjust our feet for more walking: Adam padded his toes with stray napkins from my glove compartment and I changed into Keds (because why wouldn't I pack three pairs of shoes for a day trip?). 

We walked down to Navy Pier, which neither of us had ever visited before. It's definitely worth the trip, as our friend Nick told us, at least once in your life. There's a long boardwalk bustling with people that stretches down along the lake. Walking away from the city, you can look back and see the skyline — a very pretty sight. Then there's the Coney Island scene complete with carousel, ferris wheel, and swinger. But we just rested our feet and people-watched. 

One check of the time and we knew we would be due back at the parking meter in little less than an hour. So we decided to check an item off my Chicago bucket list: the Nutella Bar at Eataly. There's an Eataly in New York City, too, but I've never been. It's really like a cavernous, modern Italian marketplace with bars for meat, cheese, produce, and fresh pasta. Still rather full from lunch but knowing we'd be hungry somewhere around Kenosha, Adam and I shared a focaccia pizza slice, then made our way to the Nutella bar. 

I'm happy to report that the Nutella was top-notch. However, I regret to inform you, Nutella Bar owners, that I have some ideas for menu improvements. Ever hear of Biscoff cookies? But really, despite the mediocre Nutella pairings, parking theivery, aching feet, and a grilled cheese sandwich with more orange marmalade than cheese (true story), we had an amazing day. Probably just because, I don't know, getting out of town and hanging with your S.O. in a (slightly) foreign city is a refreshing, spark-inducing little adventure.

Happy Monday!

Have some Fred & Ginger.

Start your week with Swing Time. 

TGIF

Seriously.

This week has been a week. And this day has been a day. It's 7:00 and I'm still at the office. The highlight of my day (aside from the prospect of finally going home) was my brief lunchtime respite in which I visited the Metro Market salad bar and treated myself to a vanilla flavored Horizon mini milk. It's like melted vanilla ice cream. If you like that kind of thing.

I drove back to the office with the windows rolled down, sipping on boxed milk like a four-year-old and playing Brett Dennen's "Sydney" on repeat (literally five times straight). Without my little jaunt into the great wide of Bluemound Road, this longest-day-ever would have been a major bummer. I really need to get out of the office at the noon-hour more often for treats, unnecessary selfies, and Sydney.

July 2014

A few of my favorite things

Cedarburg Strawberry Fest with Mom & a convertible.

A July 3rd filled with fireworks, basement smells, and meeting Noah.

Fourth of July in Tosa & a recipe for star-shaped brownies.

Wishing on a lantern & grilling cilantro lime turkey burgers.

Celebrating Bastille Day with baguettes & beignets.

Rooftop music in downtown Milwaukee.

An overnight trip up north with feasting & friends.

Tosa Tonight's evening with the Concord Chamber Orchestra.

A dinner of 4 tasty baguette toppers. 

Music of the night

Phantom of the Opera tour 2014

Last night, Adam and I double-dated with our friends Joel and Vanessa for dinner and a Broadway show. This morning, all I can think is: 

#1. What delightful people! 
#2. I'm such a Broadway snob. 
#3. Never the nosebleeds. 

I love saving money as much as the next person, but so much is lost when you're sitting Balcony, Row D. But more on that later.

Dinner was a delight, as were our dinner dates. We went to Cubanitas, which always has such a vibrant, downtown vibe. The place is even better in summer, when its floor-to-ceiling windows open out onto the sidewalk. We ordered tasty beers, "not oaky, not tinny" Chardonnay, and guacamole with plantain chips to start. For dinner, plates of beef and fish served with yellow rice and black beans.

Vanessa, Joel, & plates of Bistec

Before we knew it, it was 7:10 and we had to high-tail it to the Performing Arts Center, myself clinging to these gargantuan Parisian platform sandals Aunt Kal handed down to me (I can see why she did). Despite inappropriate footwear, we made it to our seats just in time. Adam and I squinted at the stage and I longed to be close enough to really see the ballet dancers, the gorgeous costumes, and Christine's expressions. Her voice was outstanding (nearly on par with Sierra Boggess' "Wishing you were somehow here again"), and the Phantom offered shades of Ramin Karimloo at times. But at other times, I found they lacked passion and zing — that certain X factor. Though I'm sure some of my disappointment stems from being so far away from the action (hence, never the nosebleeds!). 

Either way, it was worth it for the experience, for the music, and for the times when the voices transported us to the Paris Opera House. I just wish we'd splurged for the floor seats! 

Crostini for dinner

4 tasty baguette toppers

You could put almost anything on a baguette and I'd eat it. You could even not put anything on a baguette and I'd still eat it. Last Friday, I toasted baguette slices (crostini) and topped them with four different yummies. With a green salad on the side, it made for a delicious little dinner.

First up, slices of brie with a dollop of fig jam. Note: A little jam goes a long way. In place of fig you could also try blackberry jam or honey with black pepper.

Brie & fig

I then made two goat cheese varieties. For one, a healthy layer of goat cheese topped with a ribbon of prosciutto, arugula, a drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkling of salt and pepper. 

Goat cheese, prosciutto, & arugula

For the second of the goat cheese variety, I once again started with a layer of cheese. I then chopped up some roasted, marinated tomatoes you can find in the deli section of Metro Market. If you can't find tomatoes (or red peppers even) that are already marinated for you, substitute halved cherry tomatoes tossed in olive oil, salt, pepper, some minced garlic, and fresh basil. I just chose the deli tomatoes this time out of convenience. When the tomatoes are set, top once again with arugula, a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper. (I bet a drizzle of balsamic would be just as tasty!) 

Goat cheese, marinated tomatoes, & arugula

I kept it simple for the last type of crostini. I knew my brother would be home and he's not so hot on things like brie and goat cheese. So I spread the baguette with a thin layer of butter (because why not?) and topped it off with a thick slice of sharp cheddar cheese. Yum!

Butter & sharp cheddar