Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Working My @ss Off!!!

I have been extremely busy at work lately. I work at a local bank and with interest rates at an all time low, I am just swamped with refinances. Hopefully the market will start to get better and house prices will start to climb up again.

I have been looking at possibly purchasing another home myself. I already own a duplex and I am thinking another 2 unit might be a good investment in this market. Besides I wouldn't mind getting out of the area that I am currently living in. I am on a busy street, so it's very loud and I am looking for something a little more peaceful. I love the city but it will still only be a short drive away.

I recently made Angela's Basil Scalloped Tomatoes and Croutons, I did enjoy this dish, however the raw sugar I used didn't seem to go to well. I also used cherry tomatoes instead of grape. I do plan on making my own croutons for salads sometime soon as well. Because the Ezekial bread was so good toasted in the pan like that.


Pretty isnt it?

With fall right around the corner I am looking forward to getting in the kitchen more and making more "made from scratch" meals. I am talking soups, breads, desserts...... all of it.
I am sad to see summer go, we really had some great weather in Milwaukee this summer, nothing too humid, but after sitting in a cold office working all day, I have to admit the humidity is a nice change and I enjoy it, for a little while anyway.

I hope to keep the summer glow into the fall months for sure.


Nichole

Monday, August 30, 2010

Birthday Week, Celebrations & Sushi

Hope everyone is enjoying the last of the warm summer days, wherever you are! We have a nice warm week of 80+ degree weather in Wisconsin and I am looking forward to enjoying it!

It was my birthday last Monday and I had a great time celebrating with friends! I went out for sushi on my birthday to one of my favorite sushi restaurants, Wasabi. I love this place for 2 reasons, they have BROWN rice and they are the only sushi restaurant in Wisconsin (or so they claim) that has FRESH wasabi. I love the chopped up wasabi root instead of the paste, if you haven't tried it and it is offered you should definately go for it!

Brown rice (almost resembles chocolate)



See the fresh wasabi in the back of the salmon & avacado rolls?? YUM.



Green Tea ice cream and birthday candle? Fabulous!!
I have never tried Green Tea Ice Cream, but I did love it! It had a very unique flavor.

Looking at all these sushi pictures is making me want to eat more this week too! I think I just might have too :)

After dinner I went to Cafe Hollander in Wauwatosa, to enjoy some drinks. They have a gigantic beer menu full of Belgium beers. I enjoyed a beer sampler.

My favorite was on the far left (Gulden Draak)
Gulden Draak is a dark brown Triple Ale, which makes it an exception amonth the Belgain Triples. It balances a natural malt toffee-like sweetness with a mellow hoppiness.

I also enjoyed some more sushi on Friday night ( I am surprised I am not all sushi'ed out by now)!


Transformer Roll and some other cooked roll, first time getting "grilled rolls" & I have to say that I was NOT impressed. I guess I am a raw kinda brown rice roll girl!!!!
I definately like the roll on the left more, the one on the right I think it was called the Volcano Roll did not have any rice in it at all, and it was definately lacking.

All this sushi talk, I think I need to go eat more!!!!

Nichole

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Busy Summer of 10'

Hello!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's been so long since my last post, I miss blogging. I have a lot of pictures on my camera that I need to upload to show you some of the awesome eats I have made lately, such as Basil Scalloped Tomatos with Croutons, Raw Cookie Dough Balls (Vegan), Vegan "Lara Balls", Eggplant Parmesean and many more! :)

First off back in July (I can't believe it's almost the end of August), I celebrated a good friend of mine (my brother's girlfriend) Lindsay Carron's 21st birthday. We bar hopped around Milwaukee, starting at a favorite of mine, Blu at the Pfister Hotel. Blu has amazing views of Milwaukee, it is located on the top floor of the Pfister.


We enjoyed some very strong martini's, I thought the Blu Heat Martini was very unique so I gave it a try. We sipped these fun drinks...
Premium Tequila shaken with Blue Agave Nectar, Spanish Liquor 43,
 Fresh Lime & Jalepeno Pepper

I just love that little jalepeno floating in there, seems so odd but it actually was good!

We went to a couple other places as well, The Garage, & Suite.

I am so excited to celebrate my birthday coming up on August 23rd (Monday!) I am not sure what I want to do yet, I am thinking a booze cruise on Lake Michigan. Sounds fun hey?

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer, fall is right around the corner!

Nichole