Deborah Benavides
March 30, 2010 at 09:32 AM · Posted under Deborah Benavides
When you hear the first robin in Wisconsin, even if you are still wearing gloves and a scarf along with your heavy coat, you know its coming. The golfers come out, Harley’s start roaring, and then - finally - the first crocus emerge from their winter slumber. I get so excited - it’s like the equivalent of kids seeing the first snow fall every year.
This weekend, I did my outdoor “spring cleaning.” The hostas and day lilies are popping through the leaves that never got raked last fall. My forsythia buds are waiting their turn as they bloom after the tulips and daffodils. (Although, you can wait until a few weeks before Easter to trim the bushes and bathe them in a warm-water soak to imitate a spring rain. They will bud in about a week so you can time a fresh yellow Easter arrangement!)
Pachysandra babies are everywhere and ornamental grasses are a mix of tan and green. Ahhh…spring. Life is pushing its way into the stems and buds. Soon, the berries (wild raspberries, serviceberries, and mulberry tree) will produce our one or two jars of wildberry jam (which my husband adds a pinch of ground black pepper to bring out the sweetness and flavor). The jam is gone in a week - as word spread and it gets spread on everything good.
I really enjoy Wisconsin for its seasons - but spring is my favorite of all, especially now that I have a home with sunny spots to grow all my favorite fruits, vegetables, and flowers. The smells, colors, and transition into our warm summers gets me so excited for things to come!
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Deborah Benavides
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March 29, 2010 at 06:23 PM · Posted under Deborah Benavides
If you are visiting Milwaukee for a meeting, and instead of donuts or bagels, someone brings in Kringle - you are lucky to experience one of our areas Danish delights! Kringle, an oval shaped ring of filled pastry, topped with a white icing, is a Sunday morning favorite in our house! 
My father-in-law drove through Racine, WI (home of the Kringle) and stopped at the Bendtsen Bakery- oh how yummy! I thought I tried all the local favorites including O&H Bakery and Racine Kringle (you can the full size and find smaller pieces of them sold in gas stations and grocery stores around town). There are nut filled Kringles, like almond, fruit filled like cherry, and gourmet flavors like cranberry nut.
My kids just brought home a Racine Kringle fundraiser flyer - just in time for Mother’s Day (how clever - what Wisconsin Mom doesn’t just love the cheese Kringle - and supporting her kids school).
For those of you who only take a half donut when its your turn - the great thing about Kringles is you can cut as big or little of a piece as you want (just don’t let them see you going for seconds…).
Posted by:Deborah Benavides
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March 19, 2010 at 05:43 PM · Posted under Deborah Benavides
While my favorite urban place to ride has always been along Lake Michigan’s downtown lakefront stretch, there is a new series of trails nestled in Brookfield what need to be ridden! According to Lisa Mellone, District 7 Alderperson for the City of Brookfield, The Greenway Trail Corridor is constantly being expanded. “Each year we add multiple lane miles on both the Greenway Trail Corridor and paths along arterial roads.” For those new to the area who want that “walking neighborhood” feel, and are considering Brookfield, these recreational improvements may be exactly the ticket home!
Favorite rural mountain bike trails are west in the Kettle Moraine State Park - both the John Muir and Emma Carlin trails are an adventure. (Best to pack up and go during the week - they are not so well kept secrets!)
Posted by:Deborah Benavides
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