Milwaukee

I hadn't been there since the summer of 1973. My good girlfriend Shelly was back from a student exchange program in Argentina. She asked me to help her make the move as she was attending Marquette that fall. Didn't see much of the town that day. And I was back home, via greyhound bus, that same evening. This July, Richard ordered tickets to see Bob Dylan at Summerfest over the the July 4th holiday. At the concert, Richard got a lap dance and I got Laura Bush's recipe for peach pie. Then we spent the next three days exploring the city on bicycles mostly. What great fun! Our base was the County Clare Guesthouse and Pub, a charming small hotel less than 3 blocks from the lake, tucked between churches, high rise buildings and residential. The hotel was bike friendly, and aside from my initial check-in response, friendly all together. Sumptuous bedding and a jacuzzi in every one of the 30 plus rooms made a comfortable landing at the end of the day. In the pub, I found a pint of Magner's cider to be a more refreshing finish than a Guiness. I also found that the savings of shipping from Milwaukee to Ontario vs Minneapolis to Ontario is negligible.

The graceful Quadracci Pavilion is a sculptural, postmodern addition
designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava.

Asphalt shingled houses with colorful trim and stair steps define a neighborhood south of the "Polish Moon".

Catulpa in full bloom on Prospect Avenue

Hmmm...glad we were at Summerfest with Willy and Bob instead of the State Fair with Mayor Tom Barrett.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett Hit With Pipe
Shared via AddThis

7 is a Good Number

I am getting razzed about the infrequency of my blogs.
The date of the last one was July 17.
Today is the 7th of August.

I like 7.
I was born on a Saturday, the seventh day of the week...January 17th.
To announce the word "seven", after droning through the one-syllable numbers, sounds interesting...sexy.
There are seven deadly sins, seven wonders of the ancient world, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and the now defunct Seven-Up candy bar(maple cream,caramel,jelly,brazil nut,coconut,fudge and cherry).
Don't forget # 7 Shades of Black is a song on the Smashing Pumpkins album Zeitgeist, which made its release in 2007....huh?

This one's for you, Richard.

Etsy Front Page

After six months of virtual shop-keeping, one of my items made it to the front page treasury.
Of course I was only able to enjoy the glory second-hand.
I noticed several hundred hits on the Love that Aqua stack of three cups, and after consulting etsy support, found the treasury listing.
A nice surprise and confirmation that I should keep on keeping shop.
Look for it in the farthest bottom right quadrant.

I've learned that in feng shui, it occupies the "helpful persons" energy quadrant. Thank you Joe at etsysupport!

Happy Birthday...

...to you, dear Ione.

Guidance.

Warmth.

Art.

Song.

Flair.

92 years strong.



Dust off your gaucho's hat for the Argentine Grille.
All my love and gratitude.
your daughter, Barbara Ann

Beep-bop-a-Rebop

Rhubarb Pie.
I was in an etsy LiveLab yesterday; a cooking class.
Can't tell you what the recipe was because I was too interested in throwing paper airplanes, but I did promise the famous Rhubarb Custard Pie on this blog so have at it!

1 and 1/2 cups sugar
3T flour
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1T melted butter
2 beaten eggs
3 cups cut up rhubarb

Blend first 4 ingredients. Add beaten egg and blend well. Place rhubarb in a 9" pastry lined pan. Pour over the sugar/egg mixture. Bake in hot oven 425 for 10 minutes, then reduce heat and continue baking at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes.

This is my favorite recipe from my Ione...it is tangy-sweet, gooey and custardy without using any dairy. You don't need creme fraiche or sauterne but it sure is fine served with a dollop of real whipped cream and a cup a coffee.

Summer Internship

By the by, Richard's son Joe is up for the summer with us.
And he has an internship at the fore-mentioned OneOnOne Bicycle Studio as bike mechanic, barista, and gopher.

His dad has been grooming him in bikeology for the last few visits...
here's a pic of them building up Joe's Surly Crosscheck last March in the bike studio/living room and the test drive. I love my Crosscheck.

Joe is also responsible for teaching me, repeatedly, how to anchor an html link for my blog. Go Joe!

Setting a Summer Table

The last Sunday of June.
I've invited Ione out for chops and grilled pineapple.

Richard and I set out on our bikes for the groceries this early afternoon. The birds needed to be fed, so a stop at Tractor Supply was in order. I figured with the bird seed, he had about 80 pounds on that back tire. With all that weight, he'll probably need to have a 36 spoke wheel built at the oneonone bicycle studio.

The pineapple is marinating.

In the meantime, here are some things from the shop that may inspire...

corn holders
avacado green pitcher
daisy chain table topper