Hiatus

So I've been on a hiatus lately, and I have a feeling it's going to continue. My life has grown extremely crazy lately, with many work events and family things. I don't think I've had a full weekend in the last 2 months to entirely catch my breath. I thought I prepared for October to be the most intense... but apparently not enough.

I miss typing on this blog, but I think I'm going to have to give it a little more time, before I get back into things.

Thanks for the patience. Will talk soon.
Beth

Kohl's Cares

So my life has been taken over by what's known as Kohl's Cares.... at work and beyond. Kohl's Cares is a campaign to give 20 schools across the country $500,000 each. The 20 schools that get the most votes on Facebook will win! Sounds easy right? NOT. We are in the top 40, and trying to move closer to that 20. We are getting tons of volunteers to events off site, hosting phone-a-thons, anything and everything to get votes. I'll update all after these shenanigans are over.

If you'd like to vote: go to facebook.com
Like Kohl's
Go to the Kohl's Cares application and search for Pius XI High School in Milwaukee
Vote for Pius XI Five Times

Thank you.... Bethers

2 Posts In 1 Day - Uh Oh

My sweet lil family!


Before I get too bogged down with other things for the weekend, I'll post some pics from a few weekends of fun!

Day at Harrington Beach and Kohler-Andrae State Parks
Since Ben and I now have an annual park pass (thanks sister!) we decided to check out some state parks along Lake Michigan a few weeks back. Couver definitely does not enjoy crashing waves.... :) But we enjoyed a great day with not-so-hot weather and took in the scenery!








Madyson's Baptism
Our little angel, Mady, had her Baptism last weekend, and our family came out to celebrate at church and after at Nate and Kelly's. We had a fun time, and then Ben and I headed to a friend's for a going away party.


Aly and her man!


Outside the church...


Ready for bed after that day!

Until then... Bethers

Wisconsin State Fair

So I went to the State Fair this week for the first time in about 5 years. I used my $14 groupon that included 2 adult tickets and a 3-pack of Cream Puffs (a $28.50 value). Anne and I met after work on Monday anticipating a smaller crowd and we were ready to look through every nook and cranny at the fair. It didn't disappoint - we saw llamas, alpacas, cows, pigs, horsies - visit the products building and dairy areas and the expo centers. We saw carnies, rides, big slides, pickles on a stick and most of all... A TON OF FOOD! My goal was to try between 3-4 foods I'd never had or at least enjoy some I've had before. I reached 3 foods I've never had although the first I'll describe I've had in theory, but just not this particular brand/style. So, I made it!!! We spent 3 1/2 hours enjoying the heat and stuff at the fair and I left, well, STUFFED!!!!

Fair Stop 1: Products Building
Pretzel Bites with Cheese. These were reasonably priced and I'd never had this kind before - they were made from the same dough as pretzel buns/rolls, so they were much lighter and airy than the normal soft pretzels I've had before.

**** out of 5 stars

Fair Stop 2: Robert's Stand
Deep Fried Pickles with Ranch Dressing. Tasty as usual, I've loved these lil guys for awhile now. The only issue I had was that the quantity you received looked small in the large container they served them in. Either use a smaller bowl or give us more!!!

*** out of 5 stars

Fair Stop 3: Saz's
Combo Platter. I started to get frustrated about not finding something unusual to eat... and I was not about to have chocolate covered bacon or a krispy kreme cheeseburger... so Anne and I split a combo platter at my old standby - Saz's. I absolutely love that they use egg roll wrappers around cheese for their mozz sticks and their cheese curds are usually spectacular with their garlic fries.

**** 1/2 out of 5 stars

Fair Stop 4: Dessert Stand
Frozen Banana Dipped in Chocolate on a Stick - or as my coworker calls it a "Monkey Tail". I only had a bite of this sweet treat - Anne fully enjoyed it though, and the small bit I had was tasty.

*** out of 5 stars

Fair Stop 5: Carnie Looking Stand
Deep Fried Oreos. Going into the fair, I had heard good things about these lil guys from my father-in-law. I was already full and ready to leave when I spotted this stand and had to get them. Only problem was, their one size was 7 of 'em! So for $6, I got all the deliciousness I could handle and left with a tummy ache. Anne had her sweet fix and would only eat half of one, so I "HAD" to eat 6 total. Completely delicious like a warm cakey-donut, but I thought I may have a heart-attack later that night. I already eat too many donuts, no need for more anytime soon!!!

***** out of 5 stars

Fair Stop 6: NEAR EXIT
3 Cream Puffs To-Go. I shared these with Anne and my family, so I only tried a sliver the next day - but as usual, the State Fair did not dissapoint. If you are from WI, you grow up enjoying cream puffs, and I'm happy to say it was as good as I remembered.

**** out of 5 stars

Time for a fooooooood coma...
Until Then... Bethers

A year of firsts

So far this year has been quite the year of firsts... let me rephrase... the last 12 months -
... 1st niece - now she's one!
... 1st year of marriage - going on 8 months
... 1st move back to Milwaukee - hopefully never again!
... 1st time living with the in-laws - surprisingly not bad!
... 1st time camping in WI - other than backyard tenting

The last six months have LITERALLY flown by, and even the past two have gone quickly with Ben here. It seems like yesterday I was having a little party at my crazy house in the boonies in Phoenix to say goodbye to all, working a MBB game at Wells Fargo Arena or just hanging in my office with my sweet iMac computer. As much as I miss those memories I'll cherish forEVER I can't wait to see what the next 6 months of this 1st year back in Milwaukee will bring.

Life Recap:
- July 16-18: Madyson's 1st Birthday party!!! Yeah, she's getting SO BIG (arms up)




- July 24-26: Camping at Blue Mound State Park with Stacy and Marty. Had a great time soaking up the sun and relaxing during my one (and only) mini vacation this summer.




- July 30-August 1: Ben and I used our annual State Park pass to visit Harrington Beach and Kohler Andre State Parks (thanks sis) along the Lake Michigan coast. Although it was a yucky day out we enjoyed the hikes and the lake. We ended the night at our newly crowned "fav" bars of Milwaukee: Cafe Centraal and Sugar Maple. Cafe Centraal has great imported beers and Sugar Maple boasts 60 American Craft ales. Sadly, Kelly Pertzsch, no Rogue was to be found :(. Sunday was spent at my parent's lake house enjoying a fun boat ride and my favorite meal prepared by my mom: cheeseburgers!

GROUPON UPDATE - Ben and I visited Transfer Pizzeria ($20 for a $40 gift card) on Saturday night. All I can say is either the pizza was delicious, or my beer made it that way. We enjoyed a caprese salad with balsamic vinegar... for some reason I've seen some menus around here listing caprese with olive oil no vinegar. SAY WHAT?!? Needless to say, this was authentic and great! We also shared a 'za with tomato sauce, pesto sauce, spicy sausage, fresh tomatoes and asiago cheese. Good crust, great 'za!!! Highly recommended.

On Deck:
Family things next weeked per usual! Hopefully hitting up the State Fair with my groupon. My goal is to try between 3-4 things I've never had before - whether or not they are on a stick. If I end up trying fried pickles and cheese curds (which I definitely HAVE had) I will still accept that as success.

Adios!
Bethers

Groupon Love

Happy 88th Birthday Grandma Betty!

Well it's about time I post again - I bet all my readers were just chomping at the bit for a new blog item. Yeah yeah yeah. Today I want to discuss the interest I've recently gained in the website Groupon. I originally signed up for the one-deal a day email deal in Phoenix, but frankly was too busy moving to care. About two months ago I changed my location on the site to Milwaukee, and have been checking out the daily deals each morning when I wake up.

- In case you do not use Groupon or know what it is, once you sign up with only an email address you'll receive daily deal emails for restaurants, massage places, car fixer places, etc. The discount for these deals are at least 50% off the regular price. For example, you could have the chance to buy a $40 gift card someplace for only $20. Sounds too good to be true? It's not. The only catch is that enough people have to buy the deal to "tip" it for all. If there needs to be a minimum of say 200 purchasers and only 150 buy, then no deal.

Here is a recap of my recent experiences with Groupon:
~ Crisp Pizza
Deal: $10 for a $20 gift certificate - used on a large pizza with up to two toppings.
This restaurant is a new, hip place on the East Side of Milwaukee - specifically on Brady Street. I'd heard really good things about the pizza, so Ben and I ventured to check out this trendy location. Unfortunately for Crisp, we enjoyed a few small plates and martini's at Bosley before walking over to then carb-load ourselves with pizza... not a smart choice. The pizza was alright, but would have been much more well received on an empty stomach. I've heard really great things about the "Create Your Own Salad" part of the menu - or just go to Bosley which I'd highly recommend for Happy Hour.

~ One Way Cafe in Wauwatosa
Deal: $7 for $15 gift certificate
I took my mom to this cafe for lunch one weekday. It's a small unassuming restaurant in the Tosa Village. I didn't try their coffee or specialty drink, but my mom and I ordered a lunch of egg salad sandwiches, quiche and fruit. It was nice and homemade, but nothing to call home about.


My lil 1-year old niece Madyson!

~ Bikram Yoga
Deal: 5 Sessions for $15 - a $90 value
I tried Bikram Yoga while living in Phoenix last summer - it's 26 yoga poses in 105 degree heat. Although not entirely fun, you get a wonderful stretch, mental stability and you detoxify yourself through sweating. I had just mentioned to Aly that it would be awesome if there was a Bikram Groupon. And whallah, the Bikram Groupon deal was emailed to me the very next day! no joke.. Since you needed to use your first of 5 sessions within 2 months, I decided to also purchase a month unlimited pass for $50 to use before my 5 passes. I have a wedding to attend in August, and I wanted to push myself for just over a month with yoga and regular sweat sessions to see if I see any results. This is the only Bikram studio in the MKE, and I really like it's location downtown. There is also easy street free parking, and it's a good atmosphere before, during and after class. I'll report back with my month-o-yoga results!

~ Wisconsin State Fair Tickets and Cream Puffs
Deal: $14 for 2 tickets and 3 cream puffs - $28.50 value
I won't be able to use this until August - during the last week of my yoga challenge... hopefully I don't eat too many strange deep fried items! I'm not sure how I'll get the cream puffs just by showing my Groupon certificate at the gate of the fair... I'm just excited to "leave the State Fair sick!" a.k.a. try many new foods!


Annie B!

~ Transfer Pizza
Deal: $20 for $40 worth of pizza
I'm excited for this one. I've been interested in checking this pizza place out, and now is the perfect discounted opportunity!

`til then!
Bethers


Yo... Roger!

Nice boots Ben

Ahhh - Summer of Love

I have officially turned old. I'm now 27. Arrrgghhh! To me the age 27 always sounded like someone who was old - and now that's what I am... old. Oh well - let the old party begin!

The past few weeks have really gone fast - and let me just say it's quite hard to document life when you are borrowing your mother's camera, can't find her usb cord, borrowing your sister-in-law's camera, and she doesn't have a usb cord! Well let me rephrase that - it's easy to document, difficult to upload. Last week (June 18-19) Ben and I went with his high school baseball team to Minneapolis for a 3-game tournament in the Metrodome. Oh to be in high school again - the little pip-squeaks were so cute, but man I forgot what it was like to be 15. Or maybe all the high schoolers have changed from when I was young. The city was awesome as usual, and even though we were there for about 24 hours we got a tour of Target Field (pics to come) a trip to the Mall of America, and I snuck out from the Metrodome on Saturday to walk around downtown. Loved it!



Birthday week was next - not that I was crazy or anything, just had a FULL week planned - went out to Cafe Centraal with my parents for my birthday and drank my favorites: triple karmeliet for me, frambouise for mom and I only missed my Chimay cuz it was $10 a glass. Our waiter was from IL so I affectionately told him to change his license plates if he didn't want to get harassed by others and also to back away from the table - after that he didn't talk much to us.

Was at the Brewer's game Wednesday with a Krey Clan tailgate - so much fun. Beer, brats and bags - what more could anyone want!?!

Thursday was Summerfest with my bestie Annie B to see the Lady Antebellum and Tim McGraw concert. Loved it! Ate some Saz's - soooooo good. I really love fried cheese. Got a lil chilly at the concert, but fun day overall!



On Friday I had the day off, so I relaxed for most of it and then Ben and I went to Bosley on Brady and Crisp pizza. Bosley has THE BEST happy hour - it's an upscale seafood restaurant, and their happy hour is 1/2 priced apps and ALL drinks including their fabulous martinis. We have tried most of their apps before including seafood tacos, quesadillas, crab/artichoke dip, fried green beans. YUM.



Saturday was the wedding day for our good friends Rachel and Matt who Ben and I have known since high school. It was a beautiful day out with great weather, the perfect scene for a summer wedding. Rachel was one of the best looking brides I've seen. The wedding day was a blast including:
- Old St Mary's church - so pretty
- the Wicked Hop for a beer - delicious
- USA soccer game with friends - bummer about the loss - but Five Guys burger was great
- Wedding reception complete with great drinks, members of the WI Badger Marching Band, crazy photo booth and crazier dancing. Fun night to remember!



On deck... Fourth of July with the fam for a few days and maybe a DOUBLE DATE!
Bethers