Sunday, October 30, 2011

Halloween at School

S and his best friend, T, went as dice. I painted these boxes in the garage, and a kitty got onto it and left white paint kitty prints all over the garage floor. S hopes they never go away.

J as a clown. He was a big ham in the parade.

Fourth Grade cupcake treats.


Miss N as a pink fairy. She is so cute. Her mom and I have become friends, a southern girl meets a northern girl (who she thought was a southern girl too.)


My niece, M, started at the school this year. It is so fun to see her every day. She was a princess.


The second grade party, making die cut jointed skeletons. The kids and adults loved it.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Visit to Wisconsin State Capitol

No protestors in sight.... time to visit the state capitol. Friday the boys didn't have school, so we went downtown. It was a perfect autumn day.

We have the most beautiful state capitol. We have visited many capitols across the country, and I feel safe in saying this. You also can walk right in... and walk on the grass (or picnic, if you are so inclined.) In the summer the Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra plays on Wednesday nights and thousands of people lay on the grounds enjoying the music.

The doors leading to the Senate chambers. Note the badger above the door.






Cooking Class, part 3

Another student has joined our little class. They were good learners and excited to take home a meal for the evening. Including dessert, caramel apple cupcakes.





The meal was Chicken Dijon Brown Betty, cranberries and salad with poppy seed dressing.

Their families really liked it. Next week will be chicken pot pie.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Quoted by S, two minutes ago...
"The best part of Christmas is hot apple cider, candy canes, presents and food... good food."
The kid totally cracks me up. How many 7 year olds list cider first?!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

The Shack

Yesterday we were in the Muscoda area for a memorial. I made sure we stopped my Grandmother's property, which was sold to the DNR after her death. The cottage, or as it was known "The Shack", is gone, but the Wisconsin River and the woods are still there as reminders of what was.

It was this time of year that the entire family, Aunts, Uncles and all the cousins would get together to cut wood. The men would head in the old truck to bring out the fallen trees, cut down the dead ones, and cut them into pieces that would fit into the wood burning stove. They would drive back to the shack, unload the back full of wood and the women and older cousins would use a splitter to make usable pieces, and the young ones would stack it. Enough wood to heat the shack through the winter. The day was filled with hard work, wonderful stories, lots of jumping into leaf piles and ended with a huge bonfire, with roasted weiners and marshmallows.



Taking my boys to the area that holds so many memories makes me miss an easier time, my mom and especially my Grandmother. How I wish Grandma could have met my sons. She would have loved J's adventurous spirit and S's gentle ways. And they would have adored her. Although she would have clobbered them in Scrabble, she showed no mercy.





Ready, set, throw 'em!

Friday, October 14, 2011

This Little Preppy went to Market

I road tripped to Baraboo on Tuesday to The Meat Market. It's a meat eaters dream.

Pork, chicken, beef, oh my! I came home with thinly sliced beef for Philly Cheesesteaks. I made breaded steak, a nod to my mom. Bought a beautiful chuck roast for the shredded beef enchiladas for cooking class. A cooler was filled, and the eatings been grand!



Right now the breakfast sausage is in a skillet, and breakfast burritos will be our breakfast.

If you are in the area, check it out http://www.themeatmarket.net/.

Cooking Class, part 2

This week J learned to make shredded beef enchiladas, guacamole and frozen Key lime pie.
It was wonderful. Next week, Good Wife Chicken.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Antique Shopping

S fell in love with this child size upholstered chair. He said he is going to save up for it.

Mama fell in love with this chair, and she said we should buy it now. Daddy had other ideas. Damn. Maybe for Christmas?! Hint, hint.


Haunted Gingerbread Houses

The nieces came over to create their haunted houses this past weekend. Everyone was very creative, and lots of icing and candy were used.









Saturday, October 8, 2011

Freckle Love

I love this face. The sprinkle of freckles (like his Mama) and the most perfect lips with natural pink color (not like his Mama). Some girl, someday, is going to love those lips.

Fromagination

Fromagination is the most beautiful store I have ever seen, anywhere.


The merchandise is lovely and the display's amazing. The store is right on the Wisconsin's beautiful Capital Square.



I bought a great wedge of Chalet Baby Swiss, my favorite Pleasant Ridge Reserve from Wisconsin's Upland Cheese Company. S loves triple creme, so a good size wedge of Delice de Bourgogne came home for him. The cheesemonger asked me if I liked blue cheese, which I do, then she gave me a taste of Rogue Creamery's Rogue River Blue. This cheese is wrapped in Cognac soaked grape leaves and is amazing. It is also the most expensive cheese I've ever tasted or bought, at $50 a pound. I bought a very small sliver of it. And I don't plan to share!

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Cooking Class, part 1

This morning was spent teaching a friend to make Beef Bourguinon.

It was a blast!
Add a little brandy and set it on fire. I can't wait to hear what her family thinks of her creation.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Unbuyers Remorse

Why, oh why, did I leave this amazing platter at the antique store?

Soon to make the return trip to bring this home. I have no idea where I will hang it, but love, love, love it.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Mama Pride

J received the Soar Award at school on Thursday for perseverance.

That is the optimum word to describe every day at school for him.

Everything about school is more challenging for him, which is heart wrenching and frustrating for Mama. I love him so much and I just want to scoop him out of school and keep him home to learn at his pace. He is a smart boy, it just takes him a little longer to catch on.

Cornhuskers, Welcome to the Big Ten

photo courtesy of www.madison.com and Wisconsin State Journal


Last night's game was amazing... that is if you were a Badger Fan.

I watched it from the comfort of my living room, and that corn was creamed 48-17.

Now we hope for the Brewers and Packers.