We Got Ice Cream!!!

UW Badgers Men's Hockey won 5-1 against the Massachusetts's Minutemen.

And because they scored 5 goals in one game, we got frozen custard cones from Culver's!
The Kohl Center... with Chihuly Glass Art. Dale Chihuly was a former student at UW-Madison.

Go Bucky!!!

J decked out in Badger finery!

S wants to be the Bucky Mascot when he is in college.

30 Minutes 1 Aisle = Patience is a Virtue

Grandma gave them $10 each to spend how ever they wanted, this meant for me 30 minutes waiting in the Lego/Nerf aisle at Target, waiting for a decision to be made. I could have used a cocktail by the end of this process.

I think S is really rocking the newsboy cap. J didn't get one, so he has been wearing my beret (which I haven't worn since the whole Clinton/Lewinsky mess). J is using his loom for the first time. He really wanted one for Christmas, and he got it from the other Grandma. I really think he will be an artist of some kind when he grows up.

What I Bought Myself For Christmas...

Stealing Magnolias by Debra Shriver

About her love affair with New Orleans
A Passion For Interiors by Carolyne Roehm
I have all her books, I like to live vicariously through her pages.
Maybe someday when I have the funds and staff...


The Great Lady Decorators by Adam Lewis
A look at the lives and careers of the pioneers of Interior Design.

Christmas Returns

photo courtesy of Wisconsin Historical Society


One of my favorite stories about my Maternal Grandfather was about him returning a Christmas gift. My mother gave him a Pendleton wool shirt, and he didn't like the plaid pattern. So Mom, Grandma and Grandpa went back to The Hub (a store in Madison, long gone) to choose a different one. Grandpa explained to the salesman that he wanted to choose a different shirt, and the salesman said that was no problem, took the first shirt, folded it and put it back on the shelf. Grandpa took quite some time choosing the perfect shirt, one he raved about. The colors were great, he loved the plaid pattern... this was the perfect shirt. The salesman said he made an excellent choice, and sent the threesome on their way. You see where this story is going, don't you? Yes, my Grandpa choose the same shirt he had just returned. Mom and Grandma didn't say a word, just winked at each other and smiled.

Christmas Day

Merry Christmas!

Santa was good to the boys.

J and S, along with S's new friend Stella.
(I think the penguin was named after a cute little girl in his class)

Future Quarterback for the Badgers, class of 2026.

They have been wearing these hats all over.

The Nutcracker Ballet

We took the boys to see The Nutcracker at the Overture Center in Madison on Saturday. The dancing was amazing, and the set was absolutely beautiful. They loved the ballet, especially the sword fighting part. When it started to snow on stage, S turned to me and said, "It's magical." It truly was. I think this is the beginning of a wonderful tradition.

Christmas in the Parlors

Filled with glass ornaments

A feather tree on the piano, with all the ornaments from places we have visited in the USA.

Middleton Place in Charleston, Mount Vernon, Baseball Hall of Fame, Graceland and more.

Candy canes for all the students at school.

Presents for the teachers and staff.

Everything gets taken tomorrow.

Christmas in the Dining Room

This gorgeous ribbon I found at Nell Hill's in Kansas City.
These built ins were the reason we bought the house!
The silver and crystal are looking pretty sparkly.

Dinner table set with Lenox Holiday china, Francis I silver, Waterford ice teas, which I use as water glasses, and my great-grandmothers wedding wine glasses. The huge silver punch bowl was found at an antique show in Illinois a couple years ago.

I love the tablecloth, which is humongous, found at The Company Store Outlet.

Christmas in the Kitchen

A feather tree with food glass ornaments. Between the blooming paper whites and the amaryllis, is my Santa chef.
The top of the cupboards are filled with Spode.

I love the extra deep sink, you can't see any dirty dished in it!

Care for some lunch? I found these cute nutcracker glasses at World Market.

The kids decorated the gingerbread house the day after Thanksgiving.

Christmas in the Living Room

A place for the Christmas cards.
I would have started a fire and taken the picture then,
but since it's 10 degrees below zero, it's too damn cold! The silver dishes will have greens and roses in them on Christmas Eve. B gave those to me a few years ago, and they are so beautiful.

The Dept. 56 dickens Village. S REALLY liked helping with the trees and snow.
He has a good eye with decorating, and so does his brother. And, not to brag, but they didn't get that from their dad.

The candy cane tree

What To Do After A Snowstorm?

Play outside for a couple hours, never taking off the Packers helmet.
Come inside and warm up with hot chocolate,
complete with homemade marshmallows, whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Barnes and Noble School Event

S plays Beethoven in front of an audience for the first time.

Good practice for his spring recital.

Third grade performing at Barnes and Noble.

J at the piano.

We had a school fundraiser at Barnes and Noble on Saturday. We had a great turnout, and hopefully will raise a lot of money for our school. I spent the gift wrapping for tips, watching the weather for the impending storm. Luckily the snow waited until I got home. If you plan on shopping at a Barnes and Noble store or online, before December 15, please use voucher number 10259307. Thanks!!!

Everything's Coming Up Roses!

Looks like we are going to The Rose Bowl!!!

Can't wait for January 1, I'm already planning the party!

Hilfinger Ad

I saw this on another blog (Thanks, Hopsy) and I love it. The vehicle is my dream car. I could see myself stepping into the scene.

Hallelujah!

Check out the Opera Company of Philadelphia signing the Hallelujah Chorus at Macy's!

Welcome to the World, Baby!

I am the proud Auntie of beautiful Emily.

Born yesterday at 3am.

She brings the total to 7 nieces.

She is perfect.

Christmas Card

Christmas pictures were taken today. Thanks to my lovely and very talented little sister, Amy. She always does a great job, and the card has 8 phenomenal photos (the above is the cover).

She makes house calls, so check her out at Amy Hall Photo.

Keeping out of Trouble

The above and below are ideas courtesy of How Does She?

A balloon wreath, ready for the next birthday and Oreos dipped in chocolate on a stick.

and Puppy Chow, ready for the school bake sale tomorrow.

Hey, it keeps me out of trouble, and I don't eat any of it.

Piano Recital

Today was the third grade piano recital. He had his piece memorized, and was so proud of himself. We have been listening to "Bubblegum" for two months (frankly, I am SO sick of it), and he practiced that song almost every day. Good job, J. I am so proud of all your hard work. You did great!

What a Couple of Turkeys!

I saw these yarn turkeys in a blog (forgive me, but I can't remember which one)

and thought they would be perfect for the first grade classrooms this fall. They will have feathers stuck into them, as each child reads their allotment of books to qualify to go to the next Lunch Luau. I think they turned out cute.

Say Cheese!

Today I pre-ordered the newest cheese from Uplands Cheese. They make the Best Cheese in America, really, they won an award, for Pleasant Ridge Reserve.

I have loved this cheese for years, especially on a piece of baguette with fig spread. On Friday they are releasing the second cheese by their dairy, Upland Rush Creek Reserve. It will be saved for Christmas Eve. How many days away is that? If you have to try it, call Fromagination, the most beautiful store in Madison, right on the Capital Square.
And make sure you order both, I know you won't be disappointed.

Update: November 11

I scooped the New York Times! See their review of the cheese here.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

from Jockey Mike Smith (AKA - S)

and Superman (AKA - J)

The Nelson-Atkins Museum

We went to the Nelson-Atkins Museum in Kansas City last weekend. And it was fabulous!

We especially liked the shuttlecocks on the front lawn.
The Thinker, Flat Stanley and S. We brought Flat Stanley on our trip, he is part of the first grade program at school. They chart all the places he visits. We took him to Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone National Park this past summer too.

Isn't it a beautiful building?
It had wonderful exhibits, and it's free!
Plus, the gift shop had the best selection of design, art and cookbooks I've seen outside of Rizzoli's Bookstore in NYC. The Nelson-Atkins is launching on online store this fall.
Our weekend also included the World War I monument, a Toy and Miniature Museum, and Union Station. We will definitely go back to see more of the city.