Boy oh Boy!

You know its been a busy last few weeks at work when you look at your day-by-day peel off calendar and it says June 24....

Life's Simple Pleasure

I just bought these beautiful cherry's and they are delightful! Sometimes it is the littlest thing that can make your day great! Like eating a bowl full of these in the morning!

Milwaukee German Fest - Viel Vergnügen!

Joey and I decided to check out German Fest since we are both German in heritage. Joey, although his last name is French, he is three quarters German. I don't know what percentage I am, but I know I'm German and Irish.

So we braved the crowds of beer maids and guys in traditional lederhosen (funny looking shorts with suspenders) and decided to check out what this festival had to offer.

We didn't do much German food tasting because we couldn't see paying $5 for a bratwurst since we have a bunch in the fridge...so we went souvenir shopping.

My personal favorite item is the glass boot for beer (above). We looked at a bunch of these. I don't drink beer but if I did....I would totally want to drink it out of a glass boot.

We also tried on traditional German hats.

I look like Peter Pan.

Typical Joey...hiding from the camera.

In conclusion, we had a good time. And we both got cool beer steins.

Das müssen wir begiessen!

More of Baby Noah

This was about a week after Baby Noah was born at Sara and Matt's in Indy. We can't wait to see him this weekend!!!

"May your life be filled with beautiful sunsets, great waves and sand between your toes."

One Day...

Today, I would like to be here... in this cocoon hammock with a frozen drink and maybe a book. Unfortunately, I don't believe this place exists in WI. But someday I will have a hammock in my yard under a tree and will spend a lot of time there.

City Garden

So I have decided to pull out my green thumb and start an city herb garden this summer. A city herb garden is one that is not in the ground but rather in pots on our porch or balcony.

My city herb garden includes basil, cilantro and dill. Not too fancy but they are my favorite herbs and the ones I am most likely to use. I love love love basil. I made an awesome tomato and mozzarella salad over the weekend and added my freshly picked basil! Yum.

And even though my backyard is far from its natural habitat...my herbs are doing amazingly well. I have even had to give it away to my co-workers. Its just a shame that Joey doesn't like anything with "herbie" food.

So, since I have managed to keep my herbs alive, next summer I am going to plant tomato plants because Joey and I go through tomatoes like crazy. On an average week, we probably consume about ten tomatoes or more. I would have tried it this summer but construction on our garage is about to begin and our yard is going to be torn apart.

{freshly picked goodness}

Milk Anyone?

It is no secret that I love to bake. Since we had friends coming in this weekend, it was the perfect excuse to hang out in the kitchen and make a few delicious treats.

I have been obsessed with these banana oatmeal chocolate chip cookies since I got the recipe from my favorite NY Housewife, Bethenny. They don't take any time to bake and are best when served hot! Also, they aren't that sinful and and are perfect for breakfast, too. I would also recommend Bethenny's book, Naturally Thin because unlike typical "diet books" her focus is more on healthy and natural eating and she provides several great and easy recipes, as well.

Enjoy!

Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

You Need:

• 1 1/2 cups oat flour


• 3/4 cup rolled oats


• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder


• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda


• 1/2 teaspoon salt


• 1/2 cup raw sugar


• 1/3 cup chocolate chips


• 1 teaspoon canola oil


• 1/3 cup soy milk (or regular milk)


• 1/2 cup banana puree (1 medium-size banana)


• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Combine all the dry ingredients in a bowl.
Combine all the wet ingredients in a separate bowl. Mix the dry and wet ingredients together, until well combined.
Use a medium-size ice cream scoop or a large spoon to scoop batter onto a cookie sheet covered with wax paper.
Bake for 12 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through cooking, or bake until the edges of the cookies are light brown.

Cherry Lime Awesome

Sonic recently opened in Milwaukee and while I haven't tried their food...I am obsessed with their Cherry Limeade. This week, I made Joey ride with me and Rosie across town at 10:30 p.m. to get one. I had a bite of his cheese burger which was pretty good, too.

The other amazing thing is they come in a Styrofoam cup that stays cold forever (I miss my polar pops) . I ordered a large and I drank it for two days because I kept it in the refrigerator. Also, they come with 2 limes and a cherry!

Delightful!

Welcome Baby Noah!

Joey is an Uncle Joe! I think everyone has an Uncle Joe ( I do). His sister Sara had Baby Noah a few weeks early on June 22, the morning after fathers day. Baby Noah's actual due date, July 14th, just popped up on my calendar at work this week and I had to laugh because we have already been to IN to see him.

He is a handsome little guy and he is all set with Cubs gear. No need to worry, he has a bear, onesies and a hat....and he is only 3 weeks old.

Congrats Matt and Sara! He's a cutie!

This is Not a Joke. This is the News.

Like I have mentioned before, my job requires intensive media monitoring daily. From hard copy publications to online coverage...it is a news junkies haven in my office. On occasion...we stumble across peculiar stories or articles. Today is one of those days. I returned from lunch with a newspaper article on my chair from my colleague EK. Please see highlighted section below:

I'm Jealous of My Dog

Every morning, when I wake up to my annoying alarm clock, I sit up and look at my little pooch all sprawled out on her back and am jealous of her free time, carefree attitude and stress free routine. She is a lucky girl and sometimes...I want to be her.

Below, please find a day in the life of Rosie.

• 6:45 am- Hear the alarm clock, but who cares...I'm not leaving the bed...roll over.


• 7:00 am- My mom is about to get out of bed...more room for me!!


• 7:15 am- I guess I can get up to go to potty...or I could sneak into the second bedroom if nobody is looking.....


• 7:20 am- I'm not sure who these people are walking around my house...I will bark at them cause they should have asked me first!


• 7:30 am- I'll grab a little snack and a drink and will pass out on the couch...


• 7:55 am- Yeah! Time to go to my house(kennel)...TREATS! I expect a yogurt drop!


• 8:00 am- 12ish ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz.........(bark at the mail man) .......zzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZ


• 12ish - Mom is home and if I look cute, she will feed me people food for lunch. Potty.


• 12:15 pm- Bored with my mom...going back to bed.


• 1:00 pm- My mom is leaving again...more TREATS!


• 1:00 - 5:00 pm ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz...........


• 5:05 pm- Potty, sleep on my mom, wait for food to fall on the floor, beg for food, bark a little bit, go on a walk, lick some people, get a drink, sleep, chew bones, get excited because Joey is home, howl at him for a bit, show him my bones, follow my mom around, pass out on Joey, get my hair did, go to "sweepies" with my mom, annoyed by how she says "sweepies", passed out.... REPEAT.

Ohh the life.

A Little Bird Told Me

A few weeks ago, Joey and I were in my dad's hometown for a wedding. Because I hadn't been in the area for a few years, I decided that I wanted to go to see my grandma at the cemetery.

Before we left, I was wishing to myself that I could see some kind of a sign that my grandma is happy or present...just something to let me know she is OK.

Her resting place is in a beautiful location on a hill and under a shady tree. We were looking at her flowers when we noticed a mother bird had made a nest in the flowers on top of my grandma's headstone and she was sitting on her nest of babies.

I was so touched because this bird had all the placed in the world to build a nest, but she picked a spot with my grandma, where she would be safe and taken care of.

It was just the sign I was looking for.

Housewives are for Lovers

I know Joey will be mad at me for posting but I am so excited for tonight’s “missing footage” edition of Real Housewives of NJ. I have to admit I am obsessed with the Real Housewives, but not just NJ. I love NYC, OC and ATL, too. The show is like a car accident….you try not to look but once you do, you can’t take your eyes off!

I can’t wait for Chicago and Washington DC. Keep them coming Bravo!!

Yum!

On Milwaukee's East side, when the weather is nice, the Paleta man walks his cart around the neighborhood and rings a little bell. As my office is comprised of mostly women, he makes a stop at our door to let us know when he is here.

What is a Paleta you ask? A Mexican frozen fruit bar that is truley to die for.

I am a big fan the coconut and cream bar....DELISH! It is one of those little things in life that can make your day better!

Thank you Paleta man!

End of an Era

When I was about 4 or 5, my dad took me to the music store not far from our house in Toronto, Canada. I picked out my first vinyl album; it was Michael Jackson's "Bad". I was so excited that I carried the album the entire subway ride home.

"In a world filled with hate, we must still dare to hope. In a world filled with anger, we must still dare to comfort. In a world filled with despair, we must still dare to dream. And in a world filled with distrust, we must still dare to believe.” -Michael Jackson

Momma and Poppa Owens Visit Milwaukee

My mom and dad were in Milwaukee over the 4th of July holiday. It is nice to have a holiday weekend when we aren’t driving to and from Indiana (even though we always love being home).


While they were in town, we went to Summerfest for the Guster concert, which was AMAZING!If you ever have the chance to see Guster in concert…I would highly recommend going. Definitely one of my favorite bands in the world!

On the 4th of July, we went to the Cubs vs. Brewers at Wrigley Field. It was the first time in the stadium for my parents. Even thought it was a rainy day and the Cubs lost miserably(sorry Joey), we had a blast. American patriotism was in full force and it was nice to be in the most American of places on our country's birthday - a baseball game.

Thank you Mom and Dad for a fun weekend!!

Not your average BBQ

Today is a beautiful day in Milwaukee. The sun is shining, the birds are singing and the entire city smells of burning meat.

Why??

Because a really big meat packing factory caught on fire late last night and has been uncontrollably burning all day long. Residents living within a mile radius of the factory have been evacuated. Hopefully their homes won’t smell like burning meat forever.

I am sorry for all the pregnant women in Milwaukee who are sensitive to smells. Today is not their day.

Strange.

Summerfun at Summerfest

It’s that time of year again…Summerfest in Milwaukee! For ten days, there are nonstop concerts. Tonight we are going to see Guster (for my 5th time).

To Milwaukee natives, Summerfest is the prized trophy in the display case. For those new to the area, Summerfest is …well, a lot of shirtless men, crazy women and sweaty teenagers packed into a giant theme park of music venues. Think Kings Island meets dive bar meets biker rally. You end up with Summerfest.

But… there are some really great bands that come through and if you are brave enough face the crowds; it is a really great time. My mom and Dad are in town for their second year of Summerfest fun!

Tonight, the lineup includes:
No Doubt, Shiny Toy Guns, Matisyahu, Judas Priest and Guster.