100 Happy Days: Week 7

This post marks the midway point of my 100HappyDays and I have to say that I actually am feeling a lot more positive about my daily life. Sure there are things that still get on my nerves and stuff but I try to not focus on that and am looking for my happy thing everyday - no matter how small it is. 

Day 45:

Well for some reason I didn't post anything for day 45 - I did watch a lot of Gilmore Girls and relaxed until meeting a friend at a bar for the Packer game. The bar experience was just average and the Packers lost. But all in all it was a good day and I'm not sure why I didn't post about it. I find myself becoming a bit more sarcastic from watching so much Gilmore Girls in a row but not in a mean way....just adding my two cents to things like Lorelai and Rory do. 

Day 46: 

 

Beautiful sunsets really make me smile. The sky just looks amazing and I really applaud nature for showing us this so often. It's probably the last weeknight sunset I'll see in a while because the sun is now setting when I'm still at work.

Day 47:

 I packed up my car and headed up to Appleton to visit my cousin and help her get things ready for her son's birthday weekend. It was Trick or Treat as well and us adults needed something to keep warm so Spirited cocktails for us while the kids were layered up under their costumes. 

Day 48:

 Yes the birthday theme is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and these cupcakes turned out really cute. More on the themed birthday to come after this next weekend. I really enjoy cake/cupcake decorating and themed parties. Maybe a new side job?

 Day 49:

 Took the birthday boy rollerskating and it really made me remember all the fun times at Skateland and Skate U I had in grade school. Rinks still look the same, the dice game and limbo are still played and the skates are just as ugly. However there are really cool jumbo wheeled rollerblades that are the new speed skates.

Day 50:

My first post-Day Light Savings run after work. Headlamp on the front, reflective wristband on and flashing red light on my back. No one can claim they didn't see this Minion coming by. And I ran my first 5k without stopping for a walk break. I was majorly impressed with my self and I think I'm still on a runner's high about it. Now I have to work on the speed.

#100HappyDays

March Recap

Although I had a Malware issue at the end of March, I still managed to get 12 posts out. They were rather well received and I see my readership increasing almost daily. I cannot thank you guys enough for that. If you think that someone else would enjoy reading my blog, please share it with them or ask them to like my Facebook page. Word of mouth is still one of the best ways to share things that you like.

So what were the most read posts? I wanted to do a top 5, but because two of them were a tie, I have a top 6.

5 (tie): Pork Burritos - these were soooooo good! I still remember the flavor and having a cold margarita with a salted rim was perfect.

5 (tie): Mock Reese's Peanut Butter Cups - this was the dessert for the pork burritos irronically and received rave reviews from Matt. I left him a container with nine of them in it and I think it was a day or two later that he told me he finished them off!!! I would have had a belly ache, but isn't that a guy for you? Bottomless pit that doesn't gain an ounce?

4. Book Review of Blackberry Winter - I'm currently writing my review of this month's selection The Fault In Our Stars that I also listened to on CD and will be sharing that soon as part of PB Finger's blog reviews.

3, 2, 1 - Lori, Karen and Beth's Wellness Journeys and the Energize Zone. These ladies are just amazing and still motivate me to stick with it now that my challenge is done. Time to join challenge number 2 this Wednesday and continue my nutritional education. You can't beat eight weeks of Boot Camp classes and eight nutrition classes. Keep drinking your water!!!

So additional things that happened in March that haven't made the blog yet and some will are:

St. Patty's Day 7k

Rumchata Car Bomb Cupcakes

Meeting Phillip Phillips

Checking out the Harley-Davidson Museum

Easter Dinner

Happy April - I have a lot in store, so I hope you stay with me this month and in the future. Again thanks for reading!

Wauk Wednesday: Bernie's Beer Dinner

When my friend Brandon invited me to Bernie's next Beer Dinner by Founders, I didn't hesitate to respond. Founders has great beer and Bernie's has excellent food. I couldn't want to see what Chef Brooke would come up with for this one.

We sat at the table with Chef Brooke's boyfriend and the Founders rep. The boyfriend (name eludes me) let us know we were in for a treat as she tested this entire meal out on him the week prior. The theme was St. Patty's Day and I was excited.

First course: Irish brown bread with two different butters - one sweet and one savory. The sweet cinnamon butter was delicious, but not overly sweet. I cleansed my palette on the Founders pale ale, which was nice and not too hoppy.  I then tried the rosemary savory butter and it brought out other flavors of the nice crusty bread.

Second course: Leek potato soup. I wasn't sure what it was going to taste like as I don't know what a leek tasted like. Onion was prevalent on the nose but the soup was creamy and warmed me through and through on another snowy Wisconsin night. This was served with Dirty Bastard. I can't believe this happened, but when I took a sip of soup and chased it with a sip of beer, the reaction in my mouth was wonderful. There was a sweetness that the soup brought out that you otherwise wouldn't have known was there.

Third course: Shepard's pie with Gorgonzola cheese and buttery mashed potatoes. The meat was so tender and the carrots were just adorable. The Centennial IPA showed its citrus notes in this pairing.

Fourth course: Irish stewed pot roast in a bread bowl. I got so full with this course and took the majority of it home as I had to have dessert! The roast juices soaked into the bread for a delicious treat! Red's Rye was served with this course and the maltiness came through.

Fifth course: Chocolate stout cupcake with van bean frosting. I love cupcakes and I have experimented with a few beer cupcake recipes myself and love them. Brooke outdid herself with this one. The cupcake really pulled the chocolate out of the breakfast stout it was paired with. The sugary treat paired so well with the beer! After eating some of the vanilla frosting, the coffee really comes through.

After the dinner, Brooke came out and said a few words. I got to speak with her a bit and asked if I could interview her for my blog and see where her ideas come from. I hope to feature her soon!

Another successful dinner at Bernie's Tap Room and I can't wait for the next one. Looks like Three Floyd's will be the next one on March 26th. I unfortunately have plans that night, but I did get insider info that the dinner will be repeated on April 9th and it's on my calendar.

My 12 Highlights of 2012

Happy New Year!!  2013 is here and the Mayans were obviously wrong, and I am so happy about that. There are so many more things that I want to do with my time on this earth.

Reflecting back on 2012, I accomplished much more than I thought I did and I can't wait to continue and add onto those things this year.

I already gave you the Top 12 most viewed posts of 2012 earlier this week, but now I want to share some highlights that may not be the most viewed or not read at all (as I didn't blog about all of them!). They are what made 2012 so awesome for me.

12. Camping & Dave Matthews Band

Dave on the jumbo screen at Alpine Valley

This summer was unlike any in recent years-- DRY & EXTREMELY HOT. We had drought warnings for well over a month which meant you couldn't grill out with charcoal or gas grills. My cousin and I planned our annual trip to Dave Matthews at Alpine Valley right in the middle of the drought. Camping was HOT and you were awake by 7 am if you wanted to be or not. Swimming wasn't refreshing because the lake was like a hot tub. We had to use extreme caution grilling out at the campsite and NO fires could be made. We even brought cold sandwiches to Dave to be on the safe side.

But as usual, Dave put on an amazing show and I wish I could have gone to both days. I am so in love with his music and him as an artist and I hope he comes back in 2013.

11. Volunteering

I love volunteering and sharing my skills with those that need them. This year, I continued my service to the United Way Marketing Board and #MKEFoodies Cookies for Kids' Cancer Bake Sale. In addition to volunteering for Good Friend Inc., I was also asking to join their board of directors this year! I attended my first board meeting in October and cannot express enough how awesome these ladies are with the message they are out sharing.

I also helped out with the Drug Collection of Waukesha County on a very wet day.

Robin and I freezing for a good cause!

10. Patio Parties

Although I have no pictures of this, there isn't much more to be said than grilling out on a summer night with some cocktails, great friends, good conversations and laughs. I hope that by the end of next summer, I will have a patio of my own to share with my friends and continue this (cross your fingers for me!!!)

9. CityTins

I am glad that I followed through on the use of my CityTin this year. I tried some great new restaurants in the area that I most likely wouldn't have without. I found new food faves that I can make at home this year, including hush puppies from Maxie's Southern Comfort, the potato skins at Cafe Manna, fried goat cheese from La Merenda, and olive tapenade from Cafe Lulu.

Potato Skins at Cafe Manna

I also was able to use the CityTin at Cafe Benelux and Swig. I didn't buy one in 2013 as I am really trying my hardest to save for a new home. 

Beautiful summer night at Swig.

   8. #MKEFoodies

Staying on the Foodie ride, I was able to attend quite a few events with the #mkefoodies group. I am so thankful to Lori and Paul and all of their hard work to make the events absolutely wonderful. Bartolotta's Rumpus Room provided us great food samples,explanations of why they do what they do and swag bags. I found out about the potato skins at Cafe Manna because of the group. I was able to check out Joey Gerard's in Greendale and found out that they make all of their own cocktail mixes from scratch. Ginger was another Milwaukee restaurant I was able to try with friends and baking for the #MKEFoodies Cookies for Kids' Cancer Bake Sale is always a blast.

7. Beerclub & Beer

Mondays nights at 8 pm on Twitter, a group of Milwaukee-area beer lovers get together and share a drink and their thoughts on it using #beerclub. I was able to participate quite a few times this year, even once while tailgating at Miller Park, and enjoyed most of the selections. I hope to be able to participate more in 2013, but I have a boot camp the first 12 weeks of the year that is held from 6-8 pm. I might just have to join late. This club and friends that really enjoy beer, have really opened my eyes to the world beyond Blue Moon and Spotted Cow!

My friend Jacob even had an Oktoberfest Birthday party and had a perfect beer & cheese tasting. I learned so much and have many new faves!

Bourbon County Stout - The super rare one!

6. Storm the Bastille

Again, with the summer being extremely HOT, running at night was about the only time I could get in a run without feeling I would pass out. So when my friend suggested that we Storm the Bastille, I was in. Some bars and stores even turned their hoses on us to cool us down. This will definitely be in the mix for 2013.

 5. The Color Run - Chicago

I hadn't been to Chicago in years prior to this run and man was it a blast. The weather was picturesque, we ran on the beach and I have never participated in such a fun event that involves fitness since I was on the Poms Team at Mukwonago (Go Indians!!). I was instantly hooked and signed up for Milwaukee one with my friends (and Mom) right after.

Color Run - Chicago

4. New Waukesha Restaurants

New stores and restaurants opened in Waukesha in 2012 and I was able to visit quite a few of them and enjoy a decent meal. I still haven't eaten food at Montecito, but they know how to mix good cocktails. I highly recommend the Huckleberry Lemonade.

O' What A Day Cafe has some scrumptious cupcakes in very unique flavors and now serves lunch--Best Butternut Squash soup I have had yet!

Bernie's Tap Room is really doing all it can to become a staple in Waukesha, and I think they have figured it out - gourmet bar food. The Duck pizza and beer cheese soup are sooooooo good.

Beer Cheese Soup at Bernie's Tap Room

Maid-Rite is really getting out there in the social media world to advertise the daily specials and suggest different options for lunch and dinner! I have to get back there for some soup.

I can't wait to try some more new places in 2013!

3. Green Bay Packers Game

I went to my first Packers Game in nine years this year and the icing on the cake....I won the tickets in an office drawing! My friend Tory had never been, so we met up in Appleton, drove in together and took it all in. I am ADDICTED to seeing in live and can't wait to go back. We are hopefully going to make it an annual trip!

2. Nephew Time

Little Alexander has completely stolen my heart and every time I see him, our buddy bond gets stronger and stronger. He turned one this year with a cookies and milk party and I think next year he will be out on the boat with his dad and grandpa fishing up a storm. He already wants to drive the boat as you can see.

Let's go people - I'll steer!

Family is so important to me and being able to spend time with my little buddy is something that I cherish sooooo much. I can't wait to see him so much more in 2013.

1.  Brewers Games

This year, my friend Tiffany and I bought a 10 pack of tickets that included Opening Day tickets for free in the pack. So my dad and I bonded while making the Jumbo Jenga for such an occasion as Tailgating on Opening Day. The game was a huge hit with all our neighboring Brewer Fans and for some cookouts I brought it too throughout the summer. I haven't found the right sized tote to carry it in yet as my trunk is small and the blocks are big, but I still love it.

And after Opening Day, Tiffany and I were able to enjoy some great food at Miller Park and some food  that was just ok.

Miller Park Poutine - AH-MAZING!

I even ran the Brewers 5k and Color Run, both held at Miller Park. I love my brew crew and the stadium appeal.

Brewers 5k - pre-race

Note To Self: Chalk drifts in the wind, watch where you park :)

Tiffany and I didn't purchase another 10 pack this year as we are both choosing to travel more in 2013, starting with a trip to LA for her for her 30th bday, and then we are both going to Salt Lake City in mid-February. After that....who knows!? Suggestions welcome!

Well that is all of them - whew what a year to review!! Of course there were other great things that happened this year (Grant Park, Foodie Penpal, Runner groups and cooking), but no one wants to read that much about me! Coming up later this week, I will give you my 2013 goals as I'm still tweaking them, but I want to thank all of you for the blog support in 2012 and hope you continue to read in 2013. If you have suggestion, lay them on me. I'm always up to making the reading more enjoyable!!! :)

Happy New Year!

Wauk Wednesday: O' What A Day Cafe

Ever since starting my Facebook page for my blog, I have really started to see that Waukesha businesses are understanding Social Media. Not all get it yet (I can help with that), but those that do, make my stomach begin to rumble mid-morning while I'm figuring out lunch.

Last week, I saw on Facebook that O' What A Day Cafe had butternut squash soup, which is one of my new favorites. I hadn't even realized they had lunch yet, so double excitement. I walked on over to Main Street Plaza on a beautiful early December day to grab my lunch to-go.

I was pleasantly surprised at how much work had happened since the last time I was in the location (about a week after they opened for some amazing cupcakes.) They put in a long bar on one wall with stools at it. A few low tables are in the middle and two high tops are against the other wall.

The cupcakes are still displayed on the counter, but I had to resist today (I have been indulging a bit too much lately in sweets).

Cupcakes on Display

I was greeted by a very friendly employee who helped me pair up a soup and 1/2 sandwich combo, although I didn't see it on the menu. Of course I got the butternut soup and she suggested the honey ham wrap that was the special.

I went with her suggestion and took a seat while it was prepared. Two older ladies were enjoying coffee and cupcakes. She told me that I was going to love my sandwich as she had it last week. I then noticed that they serve Alterra coffee and breakfast items - too bad they aren't open until 9 am, so I'm already at work and can't partake except on a weekend.

It only took a few minutes until the employee was back with my soup in a styrofoam coffee cup and told me about the apple, red pepper chutney on top (more stomach rumbles!)

I walked back to work and couldn't wait to dig in. The soup was the perfect blend of sweet and savory. The apple chutney added a crunch element that put it to the top of my soup list. Overall the soup had a slight spice kick, but not too much to kill my tastebuds.

The wrap was thin, but I didn't need much after the soup. I picked swiss on the ham wrap and the honey mustard was homemade and delicious. I also got some potato (maybe veggie) chips and fresh green beans on the side. I love healthy options and finished everything!!!

This whole meal was wonderful and I can't wait to go back to try more food, coffee drinks and of course cupcakes. So if you get a chance, definitely stop by for a bite or take some cupcakes home!