Between the Bars

Christmas Season is in Full Swing

This weekend ushers in many good excuses to acquire a new outfit and get dolled up – holiday parties and seasonal festivities abound.

Last night, we went to Eric’s office party at the Milwaukee County Zoo. We arrived just as the cocktail hour was winding up, and after a few introductions, took our seats for dinner. On the menu: salad, filet mignon, creamy garlic mashed potatoes, and green beans almandine. After our meal, the dance floor was cleared and the party was on.

My throbbing head is a clear indication of how much fun we had last night. But there’s no time to nurse my hangover, I'm engaging in a frenzy of Christmas-related kitchen activity today.

Since early this morning, I’ve been slaving away, baking dozens of Christmas cookies to deliver to family and friends this year. Because I’ve settled on making six-dozen cookies, I’ve chosen just three simple, yet traditional recipes. On the list to bake: Chocolate Crinkles, Peanut Butter Kiss cookies, and bourbon balls. Okay, I know the last one doesn’t really require cooking, but they still count.

Then once the cookies cool and I clean up the kitchen, I have another reason to don a pretty dress: Holiday Pops. I've talked Eric into going with me this year. Marvin Hamlisch and the Milwaukee Symphony will perform favorite carols and holiday music, complete with surprise visits and special performances that we're hoping will get us in the Yuletide spirit.

I'm definitely in the midst of an eventful weekend. And as for you, my loyal readers, may I suggest checking out Christmas in the Ward, Breakfast with Santa, the Holiday Artisan Market, or the Buy Local Fair?

Well, the timer just went off, so it’s time to pull my second batch of Crinkles from the oven. Just four dozen more to go...

Enjoy the festive parties and events this weekend – I'll check back soon!

Here Comes Santa Claus...

Under bright November skies, thousands of people jammed the city for the 83rd annual Milwaukee Holiday Parade as it weaved its way through downtown last Saturday morning.

With the morning's weather holding steady at about 50 degrees, parade-watchers shed their winter coats and, instead of huddling together to stay warm, they had a good time singing and dancing in the streets.

While the fall-like temperatures definitely made the hour-plus long experience more bearable, the unseasonable weather was still a little disappointing, in my opinion. Considering this was a Christmas parade, the temperate, snow-less weather didn't help to welcome the Yuletide festivities. Alas, I guess I shouldn't complaint too much; we all know that by the time Christmas actually arrives, the weather will become significantly colder – this is only the beginning.

Regardless, the Holiday Parade went on to delight an estimated 50 to 100 thousand people, according to the Journal Sentinel, with over two-dozen marching bands, a brigade of floats, Macy’s Parade-style helium balloons (though half the size) and, of course, Santa Claus himself.

The Holidays Are Here!

Here we are again, that time of year where we take pleasure in catching up with family and friends... and on our fair share of carbs.

After slipping into a food coma last night, I woke up to my stomach still stuffed beyond capacity. Oh the gluttony of the holiday season – It's here!

No more pie for me, though. At least not today. No shopping, either.

If you're one of those crazies who partake in the three ring circus that is Black Friday, good luck. Seriously, I couldn’t do it. But if you absolutely must venture out today, may I suggest hitting the Third Ward, Indie Fashion Market, Waukesha Expo Center, or downtown Cedarburg to avoid being trampled?

Not interested in the madness surrounding Black Friday? Yeah, me neither. Lucky for us, there are plenty of options to keep us out of the frenzied malls and stores this weekend.

What's the Future of Malls?

As Black Friday arrives, reports suggest that folks will be spending with less gusto at the mall than in past years, as they fret about tightening credit, massive layoffs and shrinking retirement funds. And with more and more people turning to online shopping for its convenience and selection, it prompts the question: Is the mall dead?

Last year was the first time in 50 years that a new indoor mall didn't open somewhere in the United States, according to Georgia Tech professor Ellen Dunham-Jones, co-author of the book "Retrofitting Suburbia," as cited in a recent Newsweek article.

Pigskin and Pumpkin Pie

I just wanted to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving!

I'm spending the next two days at my parent's house in West Bend. I can smell the pumpkin pie cooking in the oven as I watch the Packers vs. the Lions with my brother and dad. I love Thanksgiving Day football and it’s even better since the Packers are playing today.

At the moment, the Packers are leading 13-7 at the start of the third quarter. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that they hold on for the win. At the rate this season is going, you never know.

Holiday Magic Illuminated

Folks love to see the sparkle of holiday lights. At the 11th annual Holiday Lights Festival Kick-Off Extravaganza, downtown Milwaukee was transformed into a magical spot where the sparkles multiplied into thousands.

As the advent of a week filled with holiday celebrations, last Thursday began with the city/county tree-lighting at Red Arrow Park, officially marking the Christmas season.

Unfortunately, the tree-lighting ceremony was long over by the time I finally made it to Water Street. But much to my surprise, the park was still teeming with people, young and old, lingering over free samples of Starbucks coffee and hot chocolate, and mulling over the illuminated 35-foot Colorado blue spruce.

By now, the festivities moved on to Pere Marquette Park, about a block away on Old World Third Street, but I still had to wait for Eric to meet me downtown. Luckily, we still had plenty of time; the big switch-flip, which lights all of the parks and streets downtown, wasn’t scheduled until just before 6:30 p.m. So, to kill time I had the brilliant idea of cozying up to a cup of coffee in the nearby Starbucks. And apparently, everyone else attending the tree-lighting had the exact same idea.

A Birthday at Roots Restaurant

Nestled atop the rapidly-evolving Brewers Hill area, Roots Restaurant and Cellar not only offers one of the most spectacular views of downtown Milwaukee, but it also serves up some of the most creative culinary fare in town.

With its blend of warm, caramel colored walls, clean, modern lines, and chic, eco-inspired style, Roots’ atmosphere exudes the kind of casual-elegance that manages to be both cool and intimate, a combination I find incredibly appealing.

Another thing I find highly appealing is the fact that all of Roots’ ingredients, including meats and seafood, are organic and purchased from local farmers whenever possible. Roots believes in supporting sustainable agriculture as well as aquaculture. That commitment to earthy authenticity contributes to the creation of a menu so playful and eclectic that their flavorful food has garnered attention both locally and beyond, earning acclaim from magazines like Gourmet and Bon Appétit. It’s one of those places you want to visit again and again, and that you want to recommend to every single person you know.

On the Verge of a Weekend

Not only are we on the verge of a much anticipated weekend, we’re also on the verge of the holiday season. With that being said, it’s no surprise that Milwaukee is chock-full of events and pre-holiday celebrations to keep us entertained and to get us in the spirit all weekend long.

Grab some hot chocolate and head Downtown for the 83rd annual Milwaukee Holiday Parade and also tote along a non-perishable food item for the Hunger Task Force’s Food for Families. Maybe I’ll see you there!

Can't make it Downtown? Catch lightings and parades in Waukesha and Delafield this weekend, too.

Of course, the Holiday International Folk Fair is back this year to get you in the Christmas mood. Peruse a world of culture and costumes through dozens of honored family recipes, a wealth of authentic artifacts, and a variety of traditional music and dance.

Milwaukee Kicks Off the Holidays TONIGHT!

With a string of 50 degree days, it hardly even feels like November in southeastern Wisconsin. And the lack of snow and frosty air makes it hard to even think about the onset of the holidays. But with some very merry events happening in Milwaukee today and throughout the weekend, you just might find yourself getting into the yuletide spirit sooner than you thought.

To signal the start of the season, tonight is the official City/County Christmas Tree lighting and the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival Kick-Off Extravaganza, which will illuminate all of Downtown Milwaukee. This is the city’s oldest holiday tradition – over 10 years – and once again it’s the advent of a week filled with holiday celebrations.

Andy Warhol at the Milwaukee Art Museum

After seeing signs around the Milwaukee Art Museum for the last few months, I wasn’t going to miss the chance to see Andy Warhol: The Last Decade exhibition, especially since it’s only showing until January 3.

The other day I finally visited the exhibition at the Art Museum, which includes approximately 55 works lent by private collections and institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art, Baltimore Museum of Art, and Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh.