Monday, October 7, 2024

Ninety-second Birthday

Monday, September 23, 2024

I'm having an extended celebration that started on Thursday, September 19th, with the Ladies of Lee-sure at Erv's Mug.  Cindy, Wendy, Karen, Kay, Vicki and I enjoyed a very nice luncheon, followed by a complementary ice cream for me, with chocolate sauce and a cherry presented by the staff who sang "Happy Birthday".  

We had an exceptionally nice waitress who had a sense of humor and gave us excellent service.

Today,  Sue Cottrell, Charlotte Crysdale, and Eve Sylvester treated me to lunch at Café Hollander.  After yesterday's downpour, it's hard to believe we were able to have our lunch outdoors.  The yellow jackets were a little pesky, but we managed.  I had a very nice bacon, chicken avocado wrap.

Eve drove and took us through neighborhoods that I'd never been to before.

September 24

"Happy Birthday" at breakfast; "Happy Birthday" at Book Club, "Happy Birthday" in the elevator, plus many cards and best wishes.

Janice called me from Sussex, UK; Peter called and didn't realize that we were going to the Hob Nob tonight, but there was plenty of time to spare.

Driving was messy with a steady light rain, but we were on time for our 6:30 p.m. reservation.

We were amazed by the number of cars in the Hob Nob parking area, on a rainy Tuesday.  We were seated immediately at a small table by the window.  It was chilly with loud diners at a near-by table.  The hostess asked if we would like to move to a quieter area.  The new seating was a great improvement.

Peter had a gin and tonic, I had a pinot grigio; we each had cheezy French onion soup; Peter had a spinach salad, I had tomato juice; Peter had a stuffed pork chop, I had beer battered scallops.


The waitress overheard Peter wish me a Happy Birthday, so she offered a dessert; we shared a crème broulee.

Thursday, September 26
We celebrated September Birthdays at SRS with pizzas on the piazza.  The day was great for being outdoors.  

What a treat to have Brianna and her guitar accompanist perform for us.

Wednesday, October 2
Claude invited me to dinner and suggested something near SRS.  He said that he liked Chinese, so I suggested Emperor of China, which Chuck and Jane Boecher really like.  I can see why!  It is a very lovely restaurant, and the food selection was extensive.  I had shrimp with pea pods; Claude had a chicken dish.  Both were enough for more than one meal apiece.  My shrimp were very large and the meal was delicious.  Claude enjoyed his meal also.  We had little frozen desserts to finish the meal. 

Thursday, October 3
Jackie Haessly took me to breakfast this morning.  When we go to Coffee Makes You Black, it was deserted and out of business.  I was thrilled when Jackie suggested the Plaza that I heard very much about.  It is kind of art deco style and very lovely.  I've always seen Eggs Benedict made with Canadian bacon; my Classic Eggs Benedict came with a huge slice of ham on each English muffing topped with perfectly poached eggs.  We had very good coffee, with refills.  This was indeed a wonderful treat.

Friday, October 4  Birthday Finale
Jay and Laura took me to North Point Bistro.  With all the heavy eating I've been doing, I was grateful that they suggested ordering from the appetizer menu.  I ordered a flaked smoked salmon with toast and a cup of French onion soup.

I had a special warm brownie to celebrate my Birthday.





 

Monday, September 23, 2024

Octoberfest

 Friday September, 2024

The Osher movie today was "Captains Courageous". one of my favorites.  We'll be seeing four more featuring Spencer Tracy.  Roy Krueger gave an introduction about Spencer Tracy's life and career before showing the movie. 

I was home in plenty of time for Peter to pick me up at 4:00p.m. to go to Octoberfest. Admission was free with the Bavarian app.  There was a light crowd when we got there. but the grounds were nicely spread out later on.  We shared a half chicken dinner which was plenty. I wish that I hadn't left the plates and utensils in the car; I prefer a plate and real utensils instead of a paper tray and plastic.  But the chicken was delicious; I'd order it again.  

It was a perfect evening. with a slight breeze. I was comfortable with my light gray sweater.  I'm sorry that I didn't tell Claude that we were going, it would have been nice to have him join us.

Friday, September 27.

Claude joined Peter and me at Octoberfest. It was quite breezy, but once we moved in front of the small pavilion we were shielded from the breeze. We had a very pleasant evening.

Pot Luck..

 Sunday, September15,2024

I made beans with ground turkey and baked it in the large Sunbeam bowl, since I didn't have a large casserole.  I transferred it to the small crock pot for serving.  My contribution was the largest in the buffet.  

 I don't think I want to continue providing food for so many people. who were lining up precisely at 4:30 p.m. We include Assisted Living residents, who do not bring food (understandably), and the Independent Living residents bring only small amounts to feed maybe six people, rarely main dishes. 




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Thursday, September 12, 2024

Bass Bay and Much More

 Wednesday, July 3, 2024

A young lady was standing on the corner across from Pick 'n Save juggling bursting bags of groceries, plus a package of diapers.  As she tried carrying them, some fell and she would start over, with no luck gathering them in her arms.  I stopped and asked where she was going.  She said that she was going home.  I told her that she'd never make it with that load of groceries.  I told her I'd take her to her home, which she said was on Marshall Street, not too far, but incredibly far with those groceries.  Her name was Jenny and was most grateful for my help.

Only three tables at sheepshead, with not much luck.  Poor cards and weak partners didn't help.  I left early for my 4:00 p.m. hair appointment for our trip to Door County on Friday.

I told Peter to meet me at Salon Marie about 4:30 p.m. where I'd leave my car and we'd drive to Bass Bay Brewhouse for dinner.  With the weather rainy and cold the past few days, I wasn't sure we'd be going, but today was absolutely perfect: sunny, warm and calm.  Peter called as I was waiting for him that he was at Culver's.  He sounded very upset, and would not move from Culver's.  He was too upset to give me the address, like I failed to give him the address of Salon Marie.  He described where he was, and I though he meant the Culvers close to Greenfield Ave.  I managed calling him back and he said that I drove by where he was, on Forest Home Ave.  He had already left and was on Bluemound Road, heading home.  I told him to turn around and we'd meet at the Park & Ride on Hwy 100. That was a perfect arrangement and worked out very well.  We met as though nothing happened.

We waited about 45 minutes with gin and tonics for our table.  Peter had a Friday fish fry, I had grilled salmon with vegetables.  Peter took some of his home; my plate was clean.  We both enjoyed an almost perfect evening.

Walmart Madness

I needed to bring something for the pot luck tomorrow.  I did not want to buy more than I'd need, since I'd be leaving for Door County the following day.  Rupeena's was closed; I went into Walmart in West Milwaukee.  The place was crowded.  I found the recipe for grape salad that I thought I could manage and bought what I needed.  I proceeded to check-out and could not believe the long lines with overflowing carts, about 20 people in line before me, winding around the aisles.  I left my cart and left; no way did I need anything that badly.

Door County 2024

Friday, July 5, 2024

Claude and I left SRS at about 1:15 p.m.  Laura said Aleksei and Anton called them to say they encountered torrential rain around Manitowoc; we had plenty of it most of the way.  It began to clear as we approached Door County.

It is breezy and quite cool. The place is gorgeous. 

https://www.airbnb.com.sg/rooms/826070200771282542?source_impression_id=p3_1720834807_P30xAAjYcFPmXUID&modal=PHOTO_TOUR_SCROLLABLE&modalItem=1587141645

As Jay entered he heard a buzzing sound that he traced to the septic system; my hearing did not pick that up. Then there was a leak under the sink next to the stove.  Jay and Brad tried tackling that problem, but it seemed beyond their ability without the right tools.  Jay called the emergency maintenance manager for the fourth time and now a plumber will come to fix it.  There was no water in the upstairs toilet when Janice tried flushing it; the water had been turned off.  Janice noticed there was no hot water as she was getting ready to retire; the hot water tank was shut off.  Jay fixed both problems.

We made our preferences for pizzas and the men went to get them.  We could not preorder because the place was too busy to answer the phone. 

While the men were shopping, the plumber came and replaced a cracked  valve.  We needed a lot of paper towels to get rid of the water.  Jay also noticed mold in  the rear of the cabinet.  

Let's hope the rest of the week goes better.

Saturday, July 6

For breakfast Janice prepared baked pancakes with a lot of fruit.


    

Jay took Aleksei and Anton into Sister Bay and bought some wine glasses at Goodwill, they also picked up some groceries.

Laura and I spent most of the day reading on the deck, shifting our chairs in and out of the sun.  I found relief under the overhang, and also did some knitting.

Aleksei bravely took a dip into the lake.

Laura assembled a buffet of shrimp with cocktail sauce, barbecue meatballs, vegetables, liver pate and a baguette, cheese, crackers, sausage and fruit for our casual supper that we ate on the deck.

In the evening we had fun playing Just One Word.

Sunday, July 8

Janice, Claude and I went to Stella Maris Parish (Star of the Sea) in Baileys Harbor for the 8:00 a.m. mass.  After I climbed all the steps, the deacon said that I could have used the elevator. The church was packed.

Jay had a breakfast buffet ready for us when we got home that we enjoyed either indoors or out on the deck. I had a toasted bagel and cream cheese, fruit and yogurt with delicious coffee on the deck.

It was overcast, but glaringly bright.  I did some knitting while sitting under the overhang.

Colin arrived at about 1:00 p.m., after attending a bachelor party in Michigan.  It was great to have him join us.

Claude went on a hike around our area; Jay, Laura, Aleksei and Anton went hiking to Newport State Park.  Brad, Janice, Colin and I picked up Claude from his hike and drove to the Door County Brewery at Baileys Harbor.  We sat outdoors and enjoyed our beers; Janice had root beer and drove us home.


We finished the evening playing Just One Word.

Monday, July 8

Aleksei and Anton left after breakfast.  It was so very nice having them with us.  Colin decided to stay one more day.

It was a perfect day to visit The Ridges Sanctuary.  My walker was a big help walking on the boardwalk which was nice and level.  The day was overcast and comfortably cool.  We had a leisurely walk up to the lighthouse with a docent couple that live there for a week with no charge as a result of being docents. 

I bought two boxes of notecards.  It started to rain as we were leaving, perfect timing 

Claude filled the gas tank, and the rain subsided by the time we got home.

Janice brought out a 500-piece puzzle that she, Claude, Laura and I worked on.  I might have added about 10 pieces, they did the rest.  They had most of it finished before our dinner at Lure.


We were seated promptly for our 6:45 p.m. reservation. Walker provided excellent service and we had wonderful dinners.  My filet was done to perfection.  It was a marvelous dinner.  We just beat the rain coming home.

Janice, Claude and Laura finished the puzzle.

We finished the evening playing Say Anything.

Tuesday, July 9

Janice prepared baked oatmeal with an abundance of fruit; we also have a lot of bananas that we have to eat before they get too ripe.

Colin left for West Bend after having breakfast.

It's great having three cars.  Brad and Janice went golfing at Peninsula State Park, Jay and Claude went hiking at Newport Beach State Park and Laura and I hit the shops.  Laura knew just where to go for unique merchandise.  I bought some lavender and lemon essential oils, and a scented bulb to put in the shower.   Laura found some cats and dogs lounging pants to give to Aleksei, Anton and Annika for Birthday presents.  We bought some groceries before heading home.

Jay and Laura paid a visit to Barb Pederson.

We sat outdoors long before suppertime, just enjoying the beautiful day.

Laura put out fixings for do-it-yourself taco salad, with Janice's refried beans to have a very satisfying meal.

Wednesday, July 10

A promise of another beautiful day.

We read, relaxed and enjoyed the day.

Janice's friend Sue and her husband Paul paid a visit from Fish Creek.

Laura fixed spaghetti with garlic bread and salad.

In the evening we saw "The Angel Next Door" at the Peninsula Theater.  When I had arranged for tickets there were quite a few vacancies.  The theater was full tonight.  We enjoyed this play.

Thursday, July 11

I was up to see the sunrise at 5:12 a.m.  I solved Connections in 4, Wordl in 2 with CAMEO, Strands with Loaded Lunch and got to Genius level in Spelling Bee.

We are using up and improvising the breakfast menu, but it's always delicious and wholesome.

Brad and Janice went biking.  Jay drove Laura, Claude and me to the north tip to see ferries load.

                          


And then to Charley's Smoke House for smoked whitefish; I also bought a deck of cards and some postage stamps before the rate increase. We stopped at Piggly Wiggly for some bread to make smoked fish sandwiches.  Very delicious.

Since I was up so early, I took a nice nap in bed.

Claude noticed that my car license sticker is expired, so we looked up how to renew it. The web site said that I owe a fee, so we'll renew it in Sheboygan on our way home.

Dinner tonight was at Harbor Fish Market and Grill. I started with six oysters on the half shell then seared scallops; delicious.  Again, there were not too many diners on a Thursday, which happens to be their slowest day; tomorrow they have reservations for 200.

We played a trivia game called I Should Have Known before calling it a day.   I'm starting to pack for our departure tomorrow.

Friday, July 12

We arranged the house just as we found it before leaving at about 9:40 a.m.

Claude and I stopped at Cave Park, but the lake was too calm to see the waves crash against the rocks.

We found the DMV in Sheboygan to renew my car license.  Because I had not renewed it in a timely manner, I had to pay $420; what a shock.  

We had something to eat at Culver's, filled up the gas tank and were on our way.

Claude helped carry in my bags.  He also put the sticker on my car.








Mother's Day in July

 Friday, July 19, 2024

Laura called to arrange their Mother's Day dinner at Buttermint.  I was shocked to read that Buttermint will be closing; Jay was, too, when I called him.

I was uncomfortably chilled at our table; thankfully, Laura let me wear her sweater.  I must remember to bring a cover-up no matter how hot is it outside.  Our meal was wonderful.  Jay and Laura shared appetizers; I had medallions of beef with rock shrimp in a delicious mound of something I could not identify.

It was still early, so Jay suggested we end the evening with a nightcap at Char'd.  Annika was happy to see us. 

Shorewood restaurant announces closure this month



Buttermint Finer Dining & Cocktails, at 4195 N. Oakland Ave. in Shorewood, will close permanently.

The last day of service for the restaurant and cocktail lounge will be Saturday, July 27.

'After much consideration, it was determined that closing Buttermint is the best decision for the entirety of Black Shoe Hospitality,' the press release reads.

Black Shoe Hospitality operates Maxie’s, Blue’s Egg and Story Hill BKC on Milwaukee’s west side. It’s owned by Joe Muench, Jason Kerstein, Amy Kerstein and Dan Sidner.

'We have been very proud to serve Shorewood and the North Shore community and this decision was not made lightly,' Jason Kerstein wrote in a press release. 'We appreciate all the support we have received from our neighbors and friends over the last two and a half years.'

Buttermint Finer Dining and Cocktails opened in December 2021. The restaurant opened after a year of renovations to the former Blue’s Egg in Shorewood.

Almost-New Computer

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

My desk top computer died and I could not revive it.  I emailed Brain about the problem on Sunday and did not expect to hear from him so quickly.  He called as we were driving to Carl Schurz Park for Frank Schmitz's Birthday.  Brian thought he'd be able to look at it on Tuesday.

As our breakfast group was having our breakfasts, Brian called and asked if he could come today (Monday, Labor Day).  Of course, he could.  He was here in about one-half hour and I directed him where to park.  He disassembled everything and took it away.

Brian called as I was watching TV last night, explaining my problems and said that I would need a new hard drive. Since I don't need my computer for fast-paced games, he considered it worth fixing instead of buying a new computer.  He would restore everything and put it in faster working condition.

Brian texted me to say that he would be over with my computer.  Everything is connected and working like a charm.  He had suggestions for making my files more easily accessible.

My files are all organized; my computer never worked so good, with my files where they should be.

Thank you, Brian.