Archive for tag Milwaukee lifestyle
January 31, 2012 at 04:07 PM · Posted under Entertainment, Nancy Neylon
With spring soon upon us, I know I'm starting to get the itch to do some repairs to my home. What better place to go to meet and interview many different vendors in one place?
If you have time, February 9th through 12th, consider going to the Milwaukee NARI Home Improvement Show...There apparently will be over 700 booths, an outdoor living area (which is one of my favorite areas to visit and get great ideas!), and many other fun activities to participate in and see.
Click here for additional information.
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Nancy Neylon
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January 20, 2012 at 05:53 PM · Posted under Nancy Neylon
There was a recent artile in the BizTimes which makes us individuals in real estate feel good about how the market faired in 2011. According to the article and the GMAR, home sales were up 21.6% in December in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington and Ozaukee County, 4.2% overall home sale increase in 2011 vs. 2010. I also noticed a noticeable increase in interest over our holiday season this year vs. past years. Obviously, there are deals to be found in our current real estate market and first time homebuyers and investors are taking advantage of those opportunities. Interest rates remain low and hopefully the trend will continue into 2012!
Also noted in the article is average sale prices continue to decrease. Foreclosed properties continue to come on the market and provide buyers the chance to purchase a property at a lower listed price.
Click here to read the complete article and search "Home sales rise in the Milwaukee region" January 11, 2012.
Posted by: Nancy Neylon
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January 17, 2012 at 05:17 PM · Posted under Entertainment, Nancy Neylon
Happy New Year to everyone!! Are you looking for something to do this upcoming weekend now that we have snow on the ground? Click here to check out some ideas.
Some of the fun events taking place:
- Community Art Project on Saturday, January 21st from 11a.m. to 4 p.m. (Free)
- Teen night-Indoor Ice Skating, Saturday, January 21st 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (There is a fee)
- Participate in trying to break a Wisconsin record by having the most number of dancers dancing at the same time (Free)
- Ice sculpting contest
- Pancake Breakfast
- A.C.T. Live Talent Show
- So much more!
Bundle up and enjoy the weekend in Waukesha!!
Posted by: Nancy Neylon
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December 08, 2011 at 05:27 PM · Posted under Entertainment, Nancy Neylon
There are so many things to do during the Christmas season and I just wanted to remind everyone not to forget about the great theatre and music we have in Milwaukee! Take a night out to see a favorite show, i.e.:A Christmas Carol and The Nutcracker or maybe something different/new.
Other websites to check out for their productions in performance now and in the future:
Enjoy the season and the show!!
Posted by: Nancy Neylon
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November 30, 2011 at 12:01 PM · Posted under Nancy Neylon
Are you looking for somewhere to take the children for "Breakfast with Santa?"
There are many local communities getting in the holiday season and this weekend Santa is going to be visiting!
- Breakfast with Santa at George Watts and Son-December 3, 10, 17 & 24th -they will also be having their First Annual Holiday Open House!!
- Breakfist with Santa at The Pfister -December 3, 10 & 17th
- Breakfast and Lunch with Santa at the Milwaukee Zoo-December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 & 18th-Breakfast on Saturdays only, Lunch Saturday and Sunday
- Breakfast with Santa at the Villa Terrace-December 4th only
These are just a few that are going on around Milwaukee. Check your local paper for other visits from Santa!
Posted by: Nancy Neylon
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November 21, 2011 at 04:42 PM · Posted under Nancy Neylon
No matter if you are staying at home and having family and/or friends over or going on the road to visit someone else, have a safe and fun Thanksgiving! This is the time of year that the festivities begin and so does the stress!
Make sure to take time for yourself and take care of your mental and physical health. Take a day off from work, find a good book to read and don't do any household chores or just turn on some Christmas music and sing to every song you know (this is for you, Kenna). OR, Book yourself a spa treatment (or two) at your favorite salon and take the time to close your eyes and breathe deeply. Send a friend a note, not only wishing them a great holiday season, but let them know they are thought of so many times throughout the year and thank them for just being them.
There are so many things I could sit here and suggest, and I'm sure you have some ideas of your own. This is my favorite time of year and it goes so darn fast, I try and make every minute count! Every day I wish there were more hours in the day, but this time of year I wish there were even more! Enjoy the food, the laughter and the companionship of those you love. It is definitely a special time of year!
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Posted by: Nancy Neylon
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November 08, 2011 at 11:49 AM · Posted under Nancy Neylon
So, have you been one of the patient individuals who has endured the road construction in Elm Grove all summer and fall? Well, now is your opportunity to kick up your heels and say "Hallelujah," as this coming Friday and Saturday, Nov. 11-12th is the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the completed construction and downtown district reopening.
In the November, 2011 "M" magazine, it notes there will be fun for all including food and music, horse drawn wagon and Christmas craft and a bake sale at the Notre Dame Convent. Local merchants will also be having a holiday sidewalk sale. What a great way to spend your Friday while the kids are in school or your Saturday morning/afternoon with family!
Posted by: Nancy Neylon
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November 03, 2011 at 04:56 PM · Posted under Nancy Neylon
As everyone who has spent even one year here will know, Wisconsin winters get long, cold and let's be honest... depressing! Well, one way I have to spice up my week and bring a smile to my face is going to the Mitchell Park Conservatory.. a.k.a."The Domes." Getting out of the cold and into a tropical wonderland can lift up anyone's mood, but then add music to the mix!!
Tonight is the first event featuring "Streetlife with Warren Wiegratz" and what a fun event it is! There is food and refreshments available to purchase and tonight features a Great Lakes Distillary tasting and martini specials. To find it fast on the internet, google "music under glass," or click here.
My two favorites, which I can't wait to see, are the "U2 Zoo" on December 22nd and "5 Card Studs" on December 29th. March 22nd is the last Thursday night performance to set your calendars for a winter full of music and fun on Thursday nights at THE DOMES!!
Posted by: Nancy Neylon
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October 31, 2011 at 05:25 PM · Posted under Nancy Neylon
If your mouth doesn't drop open when you walk into the room, nothing much surprises you any longer!! All I could say was "wow" and I kept saying it throughout our dinner!
Let me set the stage for you... You walk into this beautiful dining room, you look down and a chef in his white cap is below you saying "hello," and a heavenly smell is filling the air. What is that smell you ask? It's the butter which is browning underneath the delicate, large white scallops he is sauteeing for the guests. You stand on the stairwell for a moment to try and take in everything you see. The gorgeous wood paneled walls, the elegant tables with their settings, baskets of flowers displayed on the tables above a vast amount of trays, all filled with different food items, each calling my name!
We stand at the top of the stairs for a couple minutes and we finally realize we are all just gazing down in admiration, but realize the need to move... the hostess is at the bottom of the stairs awaiting our descent and we provide our reservation information and are seated immediately. The waitress is not far behind her and she introduces herself and asks if we have ever dined at the Wisconsin room before. We (the three of us) all say "no." She explains the buffet, describes some of the mouth watering food available to us, takes a drink order and sends us on our way. She even offers a lobster bisque prior to going to the buffet, but each of us declines as we don't want to fill up on "just" soup (that will be for another visit). Each of us, I notice, heads to a different area of the buffet. Personally, I head right over to the desserts, I need to see what options I have prior to eating too much of the "nutritional" items on the menu so I know how much room I need to save. I then make my way over to where the salads are. There is an option of both a Caesar salad (lettuce was crisp as was the croutons, dressing was light, creamy and flavorful) and a mixed green salad (passed this up-nothing real "unique").
In the same area as the salads were the choices of fish. The Beer Battered Blue Gills were outstanding, one of the best examples of Blue Gill I have ever had (if you ask me what is my favorite, it was my grandpas recipe-he cooked them the best)! The beer batter was light and had a great taste, the fish themselves were fried to completion and not overdone. I also tried the Skate Wing which can also be, at times, overcooked easily but this was flaky, with a great texture to the outside. The Tempura Shrimp and BBQ Eel Maki Roll was excellent, as well with your choice of wasabi, pickled ginger and a soy sauce on the side. The Calamari and Clam Strips were "typical," but the Cilantro-Mango-Sweet Chili Sauce was delicious and different (would love the recipe). I acutually used this for my Maki Roll.
As you can see by the picture provided, there is also an additional table with a great selection of cheeses, sausages and crackers... What Wisconsin buffet would be the same without a Wisconsin tradition? The Prosciutto and Pear Crostini was the only sample I tried, which left me disappointed. "Bland" is how I would describe it.
Okay, so before I move onto the desserts which everyone knows is my favorite part of any meal, I have saved the best entree for last... Remember what I described in the beginning of this blog.. What was the cook doing? He was sauteeing, what I had perceived by my eyes and nose, to be a mouth watering delicacy.. AND I WAS RIGHT! The Scallops were sauteed to perfection and had a small drizzle of Wasabi Hollandaise Sauce on a small corner of the scallop. I could have truely just dined on scallops for the entire evening! Kudos to the chef, they were the highlight of the buffet!!
And now, I come to the dessert table. What a great selection for the finishing course! Each of us at the table had a nibble of the desserts and I think we all agree on the two outstanding winners... First was the Roasted Butternut Squash Bread Pudding with a Brandy, Caramel Sauce. Wow, that's all I could keep saying... "Wow." So many bread puddings which I have tried are so dense, dry and difficult to finish, this one was none of the aforementioned. It was moist, flavorful and "airy..." Yep-airy!! The other clear winner was the Lemon Lime Tart. The crust was buttery and flaky, with no difficulty in using one's fork to break into, but not so flaky you couldn't pick it up with that same fork. The Lemon Lime filling was creamy and the perfect tartness. It was a delicious and light dessert, with no "sugar" factor (you know those desserts with a crunchy-too much sugar issue). We also tried the Flambeed Apples with a Rum-Eggnog sauce, with a small scoop of fresh whipped creme on top. The apples were delicious and crispy, and the rum eggnog sauce had a hint of flavor but was not overpowering and the whipped creme just added the right extra touch. There was also Raspberry Linzer Torte and Dark Chocolate Cappuccino Mousee Torte. The Mousse Torte was excellent with our coffee, a great combination always. I did not try the Linzer Torte, I figured I would try it the next time (oh yes, there will be a next time!). So, come hungry and plan on trying many of the offerings!!
Make sure to make reservations as the dining room did fill up quite quickly and they take large groups as there was a birthday party of approximately 25 individuals which came in right before we left. What a great way to spend a birthday!
Click here for pricing (it's not "$" it's "$$$" and well worth it), to view a menu, directions, and to make reservations.
Bon Appetit!!
Posted by: Nancy Neylon
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October 24, 2011 at 07:05 PM · Posted under Nancy Neylon
I met a couple of my college friends, Meg and Tracey, for dinner on Friday night. We love getting together to touch base and we always try to go someplace different each time. This time we decided on Zak's Cafe, located at 231 S. 2nd Street and it is literally a "hidden gem." If I didn't know where I was going, I would have driven right past it and had no idea it was even a restaurant. That is the unfortunate for passerbys who are looking for someplace to eat, but don't know what they are looking for. And so, I felt it necessary to write and let all of you readers know about this fantastic restaurant. Zak's is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We were there at 5 p.m. and didn't leave until after 9 p.m. I couldn't believe this quaint, well decorated place was not "filled to the gill's." It was perfect as my friend Meg stated, as we had all the time in the world to talk. There are two levels of seating and they allowed us to choose our spot.
The menu looks fantastic and has a great selection of appetizers, entrees, etc.. We started with an appetizer of Tomato and Goat Cheese Bruschetta and it was delicious. The tomato mixture was fresh and the goat cheese was the perfect amount. The balsamic drizzle was just that, a "drizzle," it did not drench the plate or the bruschetta. The bread itself was soft and easy to bite into. Two other appetizers I would like to try in the future are the chicken spring rolls and the walleye bites. Both descriptions sound "to die for."
AND, of course, with it being Friday and being in Wisconsin, all three of us gravitated to the Fish Fry, which alone takes up a page on the menu. From the usual Cod Fry, Perch Fry and Shrimp, to choices of Scallops, Trout and Surf and Turf. Tracey and I both went for the Combo Fry which consisted of cod, perch and shrimp, and Meg had the broiled cod. We all agreed the portions were typical (two pieces cod, two perch, and two shrimp), the beer batter was light, fried to perfection and not overpowering and the cole slaw was not over "mayonnaised," it had great consistancy. Price was comparable to other restaurants in the Milwaukee area and is very reasonable. The chef even assisted in carrying out the entrees!
The waitress was cute, courteous and attentive. She was patient with our delay in ordering(remember we were catching up), she checked back with us several times, and she personally talked to us after the meal was finished for several minutes.
They have a chalkboard by their espresso machine with a list of hot drinks available and this caught my eye when I went to the restroom. Unfortunately, you could not see it from where we sat so my friends were not privy to the opportunity for such delicious drink options. To "quench" my sweet tooth, I had a hot caramel apple cider for dessert. A gentleman, who did not identify himself (I assume it's Zak?), came over to find out how our meal was and served my drink request. To be honest, I wish Zak's was closer to my work because I think I would be in there almost every day trying a new hot drink. It was smooth, sweet, but not overly done. The drink itself consisted of apple cider, caramel, cinnamon and whipped cream. The perfect fall drink!!
Click here to check out the restaurant, it's menu, hours, and directions.
I'm hoping the quietness of Friday was a fluke, as this is indeed a "hidden gem" and look forward to visiting it in the future for breakfast, lunch and dinner again!
Posted by: Nancy Neylon
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October 20, 2011 at 05:26 PM · Posted under Nancy Neylon
Well, I don't like to admit it, but it's that time of year again... Windows are shutting, doors are staying closed, we are in our coats, turtlenecks, sweaters, boots and preparing for the inevitable here in Wisconsin. Yep... Winter...(Yuck!)
My local paper had an article to remind us all on how to prepare your house for winter and also how to keep the cold out and the heat in!
Have you had your furnace checked already? I have. If not, call an HVAC professional to check your furnace and change your filter if need be. Don't forget to get out to the local hardware store and stock up on filters for the winter as well, the professionals suggest changing it once a month.
If you have attic stairs, make sure to insulate it from the air coming into the rest of the house. The experts state the best way to know if you are losing heat is by turning your attic light on at night, shutting the attic door and seeing if there is any light coming through. If you see light, you are losing heat (and cold air in the summer from your air conditioner). Quick fix? Go to your local hardware store and purchase an insulated attic stair cover.
Have a fireplace? Try to get this ready for use as soon as possible. Inspect the damper for proper movement and have a Chimney Sweeper come out if you haven't had it cleaned in awhile.
Your fans are going clockwise in the summer to bring cold air to you. Stop the movement and change it to counterclockwise for the winter!
Is the room where your clothes dryer in the coldest room in the house? Have you ever wondered why? The exhaust duct is open to the outside and this is connected to your dryer. Add a dryer vent seal, it helps with keeping the cold out, as it is only open when the dryer is on, and it will also keep critters from crawling into the vent and visiting inside your home.
Clean your gutters! Keep them clear of leaves, branches and other debris. While you are up there, check your roof for missing shingles and check the flashing around the chimney. Add additional insulation to your attic can help prevent ice dams (remember the horror stories a couple years ago?)
Check your foundation for cracks, seal them as soon as possible.
Insulate any exposed plumbing pipes to prevent freezing. Also, remember when it is really cold outside to run a small amount of water so it does not freeze.
**And, I believe this is so IMPORTANT** MAKE SURE YOU HAVE WORKING SMOKE DETECTORS AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS IN YOUR HOME, CABINS AND ANY OTHER LIVING AREA!!! I hear horror stories every year of horrible fires in the middle of winter, no working smoke detectors found in the home. I have also seen the loss and how devastating it is to family members of individuals who pass of carbon monoxide poisoning. It is preventable! It is also a great idea for family members who do not have one. Give them as an early Christmas present, and tell them it's because you love them. I did this one year for Christmas after taking one of my college courses in death investigation.
Have a fun, safe fall and winter season, I can't wait for spring!!
Posted by: Nancy Neylon
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October 10, 2011 at 04:56 PM · Posted under Nancy Neylon
If you are as into Wisconsin history as I am, here is a great site to check out!
Make sure to have your kids handy for the fun questions, which they have on their home page.
Examples:
- "How was Wisconsin originally spelled?"
- "Did Railroad Hobos really create their own language?"
- "What century long war ended in 1967 in Wisconsin?"
Do you know the answers? Do your children?
I have obviously written about a couple of the places to visit, but there are many others I have (yet). I will be visiting them in the next year or so as well!
It's a great excuse to go out and see the fall colors, take a scenic drive and spend some time with family and/or friends!
Posted by: Nancy Neylon
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October 03, 2011 at 12:44 PM · Posted under Entertainment, Nancy Neylon
Okay, you have just spent your past weekend raking leaves and trimming your sidewalk and driveway...AND, you don't want to stay home this coming weekend. You want to be able to get out and enjoy the fall colors and weather!
Well, I have a great suggestion for everyone! I have done this for several years now, and I have found great Christmas and birthday presents, along with meeting new people and yes, enjoying the fall season!
You are able to actually visit many of the artist in their studios, watch them as they work on new material and talk to them about any questions you may have! You can purchase their pieces as you browse the merchandise.
There is also an artists reception and auction on Saturday night. Check out the Covered Bridge Studio Tour, which is going on October 7th to 9th.
Make sure to fill your gas tank, have your walking shoes on, and bring some cash to purchase from the artists. Remember to save your appetite so you can stop at one of the fantastic restaurants along the way, such as: Morton's Wiscons Inn (Cedarburg), Farmstead (Cedarburg), Harvey's (Mequon), Water Street Brewery (Grafton), etc.
Also, don't forget about the great carmel apples with different chocolates and toppings which both Sweet Trio (Grafton) and Amy's (Cedarburg)-it is almost always a necessary staple for every Fall Adventure! There are also many pumpkin patches, farmer's markets and apple orchards along the way to stop and get your favorite take home treats!
Have fun, if you see me make sure to say "hi!"
Posted by: Nancy Neylon
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September 27, 2011 at 05:44 PM · Posted under Entertainment, Nancy Neylon
I know I have written about the Gallery Night and Day activities in the Third Ward, but I don't believe I have mentioned the MIAD Student Alumni Art Sale, which takes place the same weekend. I became aware of it last year, and I'm not sure if that was the first year or not. It was exciting to see MIAD student's exhibit their talents and have the opportunity to purchase their art. Click here for information, and here for Gallery Night and Day in the Third Ward information. They will provide you with information on who is all participating, a map to help you search out the artists you want to see and the dates and times.
While in the Third Ward, don't forget to bring your appetite with you. There are so many great restaurants to choose from, including the newest on the block: Cafe Benelux. We had brunch there about a month ago on a beautiful, sunny Sunday morning. It had a large crowd of hungry patrons, the service was excellent and the food was good (not great). Milwaukee Sail Loft is another new restaurant and a great view if it's nice out. Four of us had lunch there and it was warm enough that day to sit outside. The menu isn't huge, but enough to choose from. I had the Herb Crusted Cobia and it was excellent. Everyone who was with me enjoyed their meal and we all agreed we come back again. The service was "ok," hoping it was slow because it was busy...
There are oldies, but goodies as well: Coquette Cafe (love their whole menu-try to choose something different every time), The Wicked Hop (BEST Bloody Mary around, great atmosphere!), Water Buffalo (love their black bean burger!!), Tulip(anything on their appetizers), Palms(awesome menu, fun atmosphere!), etc.
Hoping it's a nice warm Fall weekend to enjoy the outdoors and some great art!!
Posted by: Nancy Neylon
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September 27, 2011 at 05:36 PM · Posted under Entertainment, Nancy Neylon
Haven't gotten to the Harley Davidsom Museum? Here is a great excuse to go and see two exciting exhibits in one. After looking at all of the Harley Davidson artifacts in their museum building, why not stay and check out the 6th Annual Milwaukee Fine Furnishings and Fine Craft Show, which will be taking place this coming Friday through Sunday. Click here for information about the museum, dates and times to view the displays, or click here for information about the Craft show. Click on "Milwaukee" and the days, times and price information will be displayed.
There is a restaurant there: Motor, so plan on stopping in for lunch or dinner. Cafe Racer is also open during the day on Saturday or Sunday, so that is an option as well.
Make sure to bring your car or truck and not your motorcycle, so if you do find something to buy, you have a place to take it along home with you!! Don't forget, Christmas is less than three months from now...Start your Christmas shopping early!!
Posted by: Nancy Neylon
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