Holiday Happenings in Downtown Waukesha

Mark Your Calendars as there are some great events coming up in downtown Waukesha for the holidays. I highlighted a few of the bigger events but I see that OurDowntown.com & Waukesha Silver Bells have rather extensive calendar with great events each night of the week in Waukesha. Live music, trivia nights, poker, karaoke, open mic, dance lessons and so much more fill each night of the week in Waukesha. There is always something going on.

11/21 - TREE LIGHTING - 8 PM - 9:30 PM
I have actually never attended this but I enjoy taking pictures of the gorgeous tree every year. I might just have the opportunity to be downtown during the tree lighting and might sing a song or too with the crowd. Listen for the tone deaf girl - that's me! 

11/23 - HOLIDAY STROLL - 12 PM -4 PM
Enjoy the wonderful shops that will be all decorated for the season and take advantage of some great sales and discounts.

11/23 - PHOTOS WITH SANTA - 12 PM - 3PM
Leticia Guzman American Family Insurance Agency on South & Grand.

11/23 - OPEN HOUSE AT THE WAUKESHA COUNTY MUSEUM - 1PM - 4PM
Enjoy a FREE afternoon at the museum before the Parade! 

11/23 - 52nd ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE - 4 PM - 7PM
I have made it a tradition with my friends to watch the parade every year. For the last few years we have watched the parade from the warmth of a local business on Main Street but I want to keep that a secret for fear of the place getting overcrowded. And the Packers game is at noon so no interference there. Maybe we will have to make it a day-long event with my friends again.

11/28 - BLACK FRIDAY
I'm sure the shops in downtown Waukesha will have some sort of specials for the day after Turkey Day but I haven't heard of anything specific.

11/28 - 12/20 - HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES - $5 per person or $12 for a family of 3 or more.
Fridays - 6 - 9 PM
Saturdays - 1 - 5 PM

11/29 - SANTA'S BREAKFAST - 8 AM - 10 AM
Martha Merrill's Bookshop - Advanced Reservations Required - 262-547-1060


11/29 - SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY
You better believe I will be in downtown Waukesha on Saturday supporting our local shops and buying my holiday presents. I cannot think of a better way to personalize gifts than buying local. And you truly can find something for everyone. I urge all of you to Shop Local for at least some of your gifts this year. The more money you spend locally, the more stays locally to benefit the local communities.

11/29 - FREE PHOTOS WITH SANTA - 1 PM - 3 PM
Waukesha Wireless Store - They are offering this every Saturday until Christmas

12/6 - GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS CELEBRATION - 4 - 5 PM
Last year, Downtown Waukesha broke the record for the most carolers in one area singing together and we are celebrating that amazing feat this year. 


12/6 - ROCKIN' KRINGLE ART CRAWL - 4 - 10 PM
The downtown shops stay open extra late and offer great deals and discounts to get that one of a kind, unique gift for that special someone in your life. 

12/7 - SANTA RUN/WALK - 10:30 AM
I participated in this a few times and both times there was a snowfall. Last year, it was even snowing during the run and I truly had snowflakes that stayed on my nose and eyelashes. I plan to participate again this year with friends.

12/13 - UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER SATURDAY- ALL DAY
If you are wearing an ugly Christmas sweater, local establishments in downtown will offer you a special discount. If you have ever needed a reason to wear an ugly sweater more than just to the office party or friend's holiday party - this is it.

Holiday Party Foods

I had my first of many Christmas parties this past weekend and boy did we have a spread of food. My friends really know what they are doing in the kitchen and I ate and ate and ate my way through the party :)

I made two treats that I have wanted to make for quite some time and finally had the opportunity: Apple Pie bites and crescent cream cheese bites. Recipes are below. Here are a few snapshots of other great party snacks.

Brandon treated all of us to two homemade cheesecakes - Eggnog and Pumpkin - I didn't have any but everyone raved about them. My Apple Pie bites are behind the two cheesecakes.

Mo wraps up front and my crescent rolls are in the back of the picture. Mo wraps are just lunch meat, lettuce, cheese and sauce wrapped in a tortilla.

It's Wisconsin so what is a party without cheese and sausage. The pepper jack had a bit of a kick to it - definitely mellowed out my palette after all the sweets I consumed.

Caroline found a recipe called "Just Like Wendy's Chili" and she had cheese, sour cream, chives, pepper flakes and Fritos for us to dress it up with. It was delicious and it did resemble Wendy's chili.

Bagel Dip! Another Caroline specialty that is always loved by all.

 Meatballs - there were little smokies too but I didn't get a picture of that.

 Sweets! It's not a Christmas party (or any party) without them. Oreo balls and sugar cookies!

 

And of course libations and a roaring fire set the mood for the evening. This is one of my favorite holiday beers. I also tried the Cranberita from Budweiser and it has a wintery taste to it when you mellow it out over some ice. Straight from the can it's too sweet. And at 8% alcohol per 8-oz. can, it's good to water it down a bit.

Apple Pie Bites:
I found them on this blog. I had to cook mine a bit longer but my apple slices might have been larger. My mom sprinkled her's with powdered sugar and I think a powdered sugar and water glaze would be a nice addition and make it more like a turnover. But everyone loved them.

Crescent Wreath:
I made the wreath last year for a Christmas party but put veggies on it. This year I used the same concept, but went for a completely different flavor.
1 tubes of refrigerated crescent rolls
1- 7 oz tub of Honey Cream Cheese
1 tsp. cinnamon
12 grapes cut on quarters
1/4 cup Craisins
1/3 cup pistachios (I used Wonderful Roasted and Salted Shelled)

Open each tube of rolls and cut into 8 pieces and arrange on a cookie sheet in a wreath shape. Cook for the time on the package or until the crescents are lightly browned. Remove from oven and let cool. Mix  cream cheese and cinnamon together. Spread evenly over the crescent rolls. Top with Craisins, grapes and pistachios. That's it - nice and simple.

Christmas Time in Waukesha

In just 4 weeks, it will be Christmas, so I hope you got a good start on your holiday shopping.

I heard from my parents that downtown Waukesha was really hoppin' on Saturday for Small Business Saturday shopping. The only dislike was the two -hour parking. Sure they knew about the structure but by the time their two hours was up, they were all the way on the other end of town and realized they needed to move. They decided to just call it a day and come home. But they did go back on Sunday and enjoyed brunch at People's Park and bought a few more things they eyed up on Saturday.

So with just 3 weekends left until the big day, here's what's going on in Waukesha.


Energize Zone Wellness Center is having a Countdown to Christmas Craft & Vendor Fair on Dec. 7 from 10 am - 3 pm. Details on the Facebook page.

Not in Waukesha, but the #mkefoodies are hosting a Cookies for Kids' Cancer Bake Sale at the Hudson Business Lounge in the 3rd Ward on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 1 - 4 pm. I have baked a bunch of treats for this event and each year we have sold out, raising tons of money for a great organization. Please help us sell out again this year and check us out in our new location.  And I'll be there :)

Waukesha Art Crawl - Saturday, Dec. 7 - 4 - 10 pm
You can bet that there will be plenty of great deals and merchandise from our local shop owners

Montecito is having ladies night and DJ Flacko on Saturday and they are also collecting winter clothing for those in need. 

The Lucky Rabbit is having some live music: Robert Allen Jr. on 12/7 and DJ Devast8 on 12/13

Carroll University presents Silent Night, a concert at Shattuck Auditorium on Dec. 7 & 8.

The Santa Run is Sunday in downtown Waukesha. It's supposed to be pretty chilly, but my friend Tory and I are going to brave it and run it :)

Not in Waukesha, but this is still a great event - Buy Local Gift Fair at Lakefront Brewery on Dec. 8

Boscos Social Club is having an Ugly Sweater Party & Contest on 12/14. Prizes, giveaways and another Facebook contest!

My friend Christmas Party is on the 14th and I can't wait to bring some delicious treats and share in the holiday cheer with all my friends.

Spurs Saloon is getting close to opening and hopes to announce their opening date soon! 

Save the Date: Jackson's Blue Ribbon Pub is having their Christmas Party on Jan. 18

Pin-It Tuesday: Christmas Party Recap

I owe a lot of my new favorite treats to Pinterest. Sure I used to search the internet for recipes before the existence of this website, but now with social media, making recipes that my friends are also posting and from fellow blogging-friends means more to me (and makes me feel that they will be fail-proof).

Two weekends ago, my friends all got together at Tory's new apartment for our 2nd Annual Christmas Party. Everyone makes a dish or two to share and we play rounds and rounds and rounds of games while munching, drinking, hysterically laughing and sharing plenty of holiday cheer. We even do a white elephant exchange and some gifts from year one made a return to be re-gifted for years to come.

Last year I made everyone cork xmas trees as a take-home gift and my close ladies cork boards with wine corks. This year, I continued the tradition and made cork Rudolph's for everyone.  (not white elephant if you were confused!)

Ok - onto the munchies.

Not the complete table but the camera was misplaced shortly after here.

chocolate chip boots and santas and fudgy brownies

Oreo cake

Goat Cheese Tartlets

Bruschetta on costini

onion dip & Tuscan dip with crackers

S'mores on a stick

Bagel Dip - Must get the recipe soon!

The table also included apple cider sangria, pickle rolls, taco dip, pizza rolls, beer, apple pizza, wine and I'm sure something else I'm forgetting.

And here is what the table included that I brought.

Creamy Bruschetta Bites

About two days before the party, I got my daily email from Hungry Girl (LOVE HER) that included some slimmed-down versions of favorite holiday treats and this bruschetta really hit a chord with me. I changed it just a bit to include ingredients I had around the house. Original recipe found here.

My version:
2 small loaves french bread (bought from Dollar Tree)
2 wedges of Laughing Cow Swiss Cheese (I used Aldi's version)
1 medium tomato (de-seeded)
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1/2 Tbsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. minced garlic (I used the squeeze container kind)

Bake the loaves as directed (8 min. at 375 or until browned). I then sliced the bread into 1 inch slices and laid them on a cookie sheet and toasted them for 5 min. per side (just enough to crust up a bit so the bruschetta didn't make it mushy!)

In a bowl, stir the cheese wedges until smooth. Add tomato, onions, basil and garlic into the cheese. Let sit for a 1/2 hour. Evenly distribute the topping amongst the slices of bead and place on a platter to serve.

Hungry-Girls' Creamy Bruschetta Bites

These were pretty good - the toasting of the bread helped them not get soggy, and the bread was just the right amount of crusty!

Veggie Crescent Wreath

I found that the recipe really over estimated the amount of veggies and dip needed, so my improvisation includes adding a veggie platter in the middle of the wreath to use up the veggies bought and extra dip.

2 tubes refrigerated crescent rolls (8 oz each - I used reduced fat)
8 oz. reduced fat cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup light sour cream
1 tsp. dill weed
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1 cup chopped broccoli flourets
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup finely chopped red pepper
celery leaves

Remove crescent dough from tubes but do not unroll. Cut each tube into 8 slices and arrange in an 11 inch circle on an ungreased cookie sheet. (I left mine barely touching, knowing they would expand.) Bake at 375 for 15-20 mins. or until golden brown. Cool for 5 mins. and transfer to the serving platter.

In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, dill weed and garlic powder until smooth. Spread over the top of the crescent wreath. Top with the broccoli, celery and red pepper. Arrange the celery leaves to look like a bow.

Fill the center of the wreath with broccoli flourets, celery slices, carrots (had around the house) and red pepper. Serve the extra dip in a dish on the side in a small container for guests to scoop out of.

These were amazing - the crescent rolls and dill dip was soooo yummy. 

Adult Caramel Apple Cider

I made this exactly as the recipe stated, just made a lot of mugs at one time :)  The cinnamon never really dissolved and I'm wondering if cinnamon sticks would work better? Regardless of the cinnamon, this was delicious and completely gone by the end of the night!

Southwest Egg Rolls

 
I followed this recipe to a T. My only changes are that I added half of a red pepper chopped up into the mix. And for the size of the egg rolls that I made, I got almost 30 out of the recipe and not just 20.

These were so good that my mom and I made them as an appetizer for her family party last weekend. We didn't have as many egg roll wrappers, so we bought wonton wrappers and used the extra filling for Christmas Eve as mini egg rolls! Serve with salsa and sour cream!