Tag Archives: cheeseheads

On It or In It

Posted on August 18, 2023 | 1 comment

Never been a fan of “reality” TV shows, save two. Whenever I was able to get Bravo on my cable line-up, I watched Top Chef, and I’ve seen enough Iron Chef episodes to know who I like to watch best (Morimoto making anything).

So it looks like I’ll be on upcoming Season 21 of Top Chef. As a contestant? No way. A guest judge? Heaven help us. A food maven imparting words of wisdom? Not a chance.

I just happened to be in the produce department of my local Whole Foods Market when a phalanx of black-clad crew showed up with cameras. Away from them by the lettuces, I was approached by a woman with a clipboard asking for my signature on a release form. Before signing it, I asked if they got a shot of my butt. In my 20’s I met my family in Zurich to tour Germany, Austria and Switzerland and in my excitement to see everything, I was always at the head of the pack so all their photos included my backside. That was well before cell phones and selfies.

She said, no, the back of your head. I signed. because I’m really glad they’re showcasing the food bounty that is the State of Wisconsin, my temporary adopted state that is rich in dairy and apples and more. Home to Cheeseheads and die-hard Packers fans. So yes, I’m on it, ever so peripherally, but not in it as a participant.

I still enjoy cooking and the knowledge gained from professional cooking school nearly 35 years ago, but my motto is KISS, keep it simple. This year I’m growing tomatoes and herbs in containers on the balcony near the kitchen, and only yellow and white pansies and impatiens, and orange manzanilla off my husband’s office. Summer is time for marinades though not for grilling this year, as there are no more grills allowed on balconies and the shared terrace with mega-grills is under construction all summer, having been inundated by floods this year. C’est la vie.

This summer’s speciality is rosemary focaccia, excellent with a cold dinner, dipped in seasoned olive oil or even my quick black bean dip. I’m trying to keep it healthy with lots of fruits and veggies.

Back to school and work will pick up again after Labor Day, so enjoy your summer! Look forward to the new season of Top Chef and pay no attention to the behind you see in the produce section of Whole Foods. No, I didn’t wave to the camera, didn’t even know it was there! Keep cooking! Dee

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Hip? Or Suburbs?

Posted on March 12, 2012 | 4 comments

My dear husband had me look at a place today, a four-bedroom a block off the lake that is way too big and, well, “adult” for us. Right now we’re in a “hip” tower in the cool part of town, a block from the lake about a mile south of the 4br home. But we’re paying $110 per month each for two parking spaces in a garage designed by an idiot.

But there’s something in this 50-something brain that says “that’s our guest room,” where [Jim’s mom] will be at home. Here’s Jim’s office. Here’s my office, the sun room downstairs. There’s room to even store the boxes we haven’t seen in three years that we don’t even want to open. Yes, we’d have to get a guest bed/beds and fill in. But there are original wood floors. Window seats. Leaded glass and a butler’s pantry.

That’s so much more than we can get in a hipster tower with bad parking. Now if I looked further, I may find another single-family home (not a duplex like this with a shared basement).

While I’d like to have a true “Aha” moment, I tend to believe that fate steers my way and I fall into things for a reason. Yes, I’m actively looking and don’t “fall into” things but I believe most things happen for a reason, as I’d find out in a year when I meet so-and-so and it leads to a great collaboration in work or life or both.

I guess the message is not to mess with what works, even if my husband doesn’t understand it. He doesn’t need to, only to live there and pick up a few boxes. And walk the dog at night. Maybe take out the garbage from time to time? Oh, I’m asking too much to ask for toilet paper to actually be put up for use.

Yes, Genie, those were my three wishes, forget about the tp because it’s been over 10 years and this math genius cannot learn that new trick. Cheers, Dee

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