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Sunday, June 27, 2010

Sex (I knew I got your attention) and the City II

I rarely watch television! Five hours a week is excessive for me! (And I take some pride in that, as it is amazing how you can fill your time otherwise!) Nieilsen probably hates me and we have filled out their stupid forms twice now! I have never seen Lost, ER, CSI, Grey's Anatomy, etc. I have even told my husband that we don't need cable, but he can't miss the"Cubs" in real time! But my daughter got me into watching Sex and the City with her (definitely not a dad/daughter activity!), so of course I couldn't wait to see the movie!
So we gathered up some other moms and daughters and headed out for our night on the town and got "Carried" away by dressing for the occasion and going out afterward for cosmos--of course!

1 1/2 oz vodka
1 oz cranberry juice
splash of fresh lime juice
Garnish: Lime wedge

Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lime.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Cobb Salad



This is one of my all time favorite summer salads (even though I make this year round!). It is truly a classic salad with a great flavor combination. Plus, you can make the ingredients ahead of time and assembly them right before serving so you can spend more time with your guests!

Ingredients

  • 1 package bacon
  • 6 eggs
  • 1 head iceberg lettuce, shredded
  • 1 lb. of chicken breast cut into same size cubes
  • 2 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped
  • 1 cup blue cheese, crumbled
  • 2 avocado - peeled, pitted and diced
  • 3 green onions, chopped
  • homemade vinaigrette

Directions

  1. Place eggs in a saucepan and cover completely with cold water. Bring water to a boil. Cover, remove from heat, and let eggs stand in hot water for 20 minutes. Remove from hot water, put in ice cold water to cool, peel and chop.
  2. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
  3. Cook chicken in bacon grease until the inside of the chicken is no longer pink. Remove from pan.
  4. Evenly divide and arrange chicken, chopped eggs, diced tomatoes, blue cheese, crumbled bacon, chopped avocado and diced green onions in a row on top of the lettuce.
  5. Serve with vinaigrette dressing.
MY TIP: This salad can also be served with ranch or blue cheese dressing. Although I prefer to make my own dressings, bottle dressing can be substituted if in a hurry!



Monday, June 21, 2010

Asian Salad or Appetizer



This Asian salad or appetizer could not be prettier!!! It sits on a won ton bed, which is easily made by putting won ton wrappers in a mini muffin pan that has been spritzed with Pam cooking spray and then baked for 8 minutes until lightly brown. Then topped with a chiffonade of butter leaf lettuce, diced cucumber (with the skin on for color), diced carrots and diced jimaca marinated in a light ginger dressing. Then garnished with a green onion.

MY TIP: If you want you can chiffonade some leaf lettuce and set the wonton with the vegetables on top for a more substantial salad and add a slight drizzle of ginger dressing.

MY OTHER TIP: If just serving as an appetizer, serve on the chiffonade of leaf lettuce for a pretty presentation but omit the dressing on the lettuce, so the won tons do not become soggy.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Go Black Hawks!


Chicago was bursting with excitement over the Black Hawks winning the Stanley Cup! A sea of red and black was seen everywhere as over 2 million fans swarmed the downtown! Even the lions guarding the Art Institute decide to take a day off and join the celebration! The crowds were so thick, it reminded me of Saint Patrick's day in Chicago! The excitement and confetti was everywhere! It even spilled over into the Chicago Blues festival that was held in Grant Park.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Air and Water Show





Mornings in Milwaukee always start with a walk along the beautiful lakefront. The Air and Water show was getting underway and we stopped by some of the booths that were set up. Instead of joining the large crowds on the beach and waterfront, we watched the Air and Water show from the rooftop deck of my daughters' condo, which overlooks the lake and turned out to be the ideal spot. The highlight was watching the Navy's Blue Angels zoom around and on top of the buildings (our included!) which proved to be exciting and exhilarating!

Monday, June 7, 2010

Chicago's Chinatown





The Nine Dragon Wall





Chinatown Square Zodiacs


Cheerful...YES!!







The City of Chicago has over 22 different and diverse neighborhoods. Each unique and worth exploring. Chinatown, is an easy destination if you are staying in the downtown. All you need to do is hop on the Red Line and get off at the Chinatown stop-it couldn't be simpler! After you exit from the El you can see the gateway to Chinatown, so no need to worry about getting lost!

Once there sample authentic Chinese food, enjoy traditional Chinese moon cookies, inexpensive smoothies, and don't forget to visit the Chinatown Square. There are 12 statues, one for every animal in the Chinese Zodiac calendar. Read the descriptions on the statue and see if it describes you!

MY TIP: You can also take the water taxi which will drop you off in Chinatown, another fun way to travel in the City!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Wisconsin Cheese Mart






The Wisconsin Cheese Mart is located on the historic Old World Third Street in downtown Milwaukee. They recently opened a "Cheese Bar"--where they serve beer flights or wine flights with cheese. Only in Milwaukee do you have a place that pairs more "beer with cheese" than "wine with cheese"! Definitely a place to stop and enjoy a drink!

MY TIP: If stopping during the day, pick up some cheese at the Mart and stop next store to Usingers and buy some of their famous sausage or meats and then stroll over to the river walk and find a bench and enjoy the beautiful views of the river!