Few people know this about me, but I have a disdain for Christmas songs by the musical group (duo?) the Carpenters. I find Karen Carpenter's voice haunting and, to be honest, it creeps me out. In general, I love Christmas music. My favorite Christmas "albums" include The Temptations (Give Love at Christmas), Luther Vandross (This Is Christmas) and Boyz II Men (Christmas Interpretations). There are also a whole host of individual Christmas songs by various artists that I like. This year, I downloaded several Christmas compilation "albums" on my iTunes. One of the albums I downloaded has the song "Merry Christmas Darling" by the Carpenters on it. I hate it. I hate that song. Usually when it comes on, I fast forward to the next song. However, the other day I was in the midst of a baking project when the song came on so I couldn't get to the computer to skip over it. So, I had to suffer through it. I noticed ol' creepy Karen Carpenter sings this line repeatedly in the song: "I wish I were with you." Isn't that some really bad grammar? Shouldn't the line be: "I wish I was with you?"
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
The Carpenters and Paul McCartney
Few people know this about me, but I have a disdain for Christmas songs by the musical group (duo?) the Carpenters. I find Karen Carpenter's voice haunting and, to be honest, it creeps me out. In general, I love Christmas music. My favorite Christmas "albums" include The Temptations (Give Love at Christmas), Luther Vandross (This Is Christmas) and Boyz II Men (Christmas Interpretations). There are also a whole host of individual Christmas songs by various artists that I like. This year, I downloaded several Christmas compilation "albums" on my iTunes. One of the albums I downloaded has the song "Merry Christmas Darling" by the Carpenters on it. I hate it. I hate that song. Usually when it comes on, I fast forward to the next song. However, the other day I was in the midst of a baking project when the song came on so I couldn't get to the computer to skip over it. So, I had to suffer through it. I noticed ol' creepy Karen Carpenter sings this line repeatedly in the song: "I wish I were with you." Isn't that some really bad grammar? Shouldn't the line be: "I wish I was with you?"
Monday, December 20, 2010
Home for the Holidays......Maybe
We were hoping to leave tomorrow to head home to Columbus for the holiday. Doesn't look like that's going to happen. They are calling for up to 8 inches of snow here and freezing rain. It's already started snowing and it's coming down pretty good.
We've got our fingers crossed that it will do it's thing and clear out in the next 24 hours so we can go home on Wednesday instead.
We've got our fingers crossed that it will do it's thing and clear out in the next 24 hours so we can go home on Wednesday instead.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Happy Moment
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Lit Up- Parts 1 & 2
Lit Up- Part 1
Scott and I finished decorating for Christmas yesterday. We started last weekend with putting the trees up (see previous post) and yesterday put the finishing touches on the inside and out. One of the many, many things I love about my husband is that he is meticulous, attentive to details, and patient. For example, when he puts Christmas lights outside, he makes sure they are spaced evenly, hides electrical cords to the extent possible-- the kind of sh*t I would have absolutely no patience for but makes a huge difference in the overall appearance. Below is a picture of the outside of our house. I love it. I think it looks so pretty. And you can see my love muffin in the picture walking down the sloped and slippery driveway. (I captured him in the picture on purpose.)
The next one is a little closer up. It probably would have been a better picture had I shut the garage door. Oh well.
Our next door neighbor said to Scott yesterday that our house looks "marvelous". I agree. Scott did an outstanding job.
Moving on to the inside: Below is a picture of the entry way and then next is the mantle. Scott wants to put a wreath on the mantle where the artwork is currently. We also want to continue with the garland and lights up the banister to the second floor. Maybe we will get these things done at some point, but we'll need to go shopping for supplies. Can't do that today, though, since there is a state-wide no driving order due to blizzard conditions. No driving in the whole flippin' state. Welcome to winter in Wisconsin.
Last picture of the living room, a broad view.
Last year, the only Christmas decoration we put out was a ceramic tree. We put it out again this year on the buffet in the dining room.
Also in the dining room is a wooden Rudolph. Scott strung him up with lights this year.
A slightly broader view of the dining room:
Scott and I finished decorating for Christmas yesterday. We started last weekend with putting the trees up (see previous post) and yesterday put the finishing touches on the inside and out. One of the many, many things I love about my husband is that he is meticulous, attentive to details, and patient. For example, when he puts Christmas lights outside, he makes sure they are spaced evenly, hides electrical cords to the extent possible-- the kind of sh*t I would have absolutely no patience for but makes a huge difference in the overall appearance. Below is a picture of the outside of our house. I love it. I think it looks so pretty. And you can see my love muffin in the picture walking down the sloped and slippery driveway. (I captured him in the picture on purpose.)
The next one is a little closer up. It probably would have been a better picture had I shut the garage door. Oh well.
Our next door neighbor said to Scott yesterday that our house looks "marvelous". I agree. Scott did an outstanding job.
Moving on to the inside: Below is a picture of the entry way and then next is the mantle. Scott wants to put a wreath on the mantle where the artwork is currently. We also want to continue with the garland and lights up the banister to the second floor. Maybe we will get these things done at some point, but we'll need to go shopping for supplies. Can't do that today, though, since there is a state-wide no driving order due to blizzard conditions. No driving in the whole flippin' state. Welcome to winter in Wisconsin.
Next up is the coffee table in the living room and a lighted piece of garland Scott laid in front of the fireplace. I would never have thought to put it there, but it actually looks nice.
Last picture of the living room, a broad view.
Last year, the only Christmas decoration we put out was a ceramic tree. We put it out again this year on the buffet in the dining room.
Also in the dining room is a wooden Rudolph. Scott strung him up with lights this year.
A slightly broader view of the dining room:
There you have it. Christmas decorations at our "new" house. We think it looks beautiful and we are loving every minute of it. Mostly we are loving being together with our pets and working on decorating and other little projects together. Well, the pets aren't working on decorating and projects of course, but they are right up in the mix of everything we do. All 4 of them.
Lights outside. Lights on banister in foyer. Lighted garland in front of fireplace. Lighted Rudolph. That's Lit Up- Part 1.
Lit Up- Part 2
While Scott and I were decorating, we brewed a pot of coffee and indulged in a little "special sauce" with our coffee.
That's Lit Up- Part 2.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Christmas Tree! Two uv em!!
I love Christmas trees. I love the lights- all colors. I love all different styles of decorating trees- contemporary, traditional, personal. I love sitting in a dark room with no lights on other than the glow of the Christmas tree.
Last year was a first ever in my life. Scott and I didn't have a Christmas tree. At the time, I was in the process of packing for the move to Wisconsin. It just didn't make sense to drag the Christmas decorations out when we were trying to pack things up. My goodness, it was sooooooo depressing to not have a Christmas tree.
Finding a house here in Wisconsin wasn't easy, as most of you already know. Throughout the daunting search, one thing never waivered. And that was my position that, no matter what it took, I wanted to establish a living arrangement where we could have a Christmas tree this year. I wasn't going another year without one.
Guess what? Last weekend we got a tree!!
Isn't it lovely? Not only did we get a tree for our living room, we got a second tree and put it up in the kitchen.
So not only did my wish come true to have a Christmas tree this year, it was doubled. It's fun to have 2 trees. It feels festive and a little bit fancy. It just downright feels good.
Last year was a first ever in my life. Scott and I didn't have a Christmas tree. At the time, I was in the process of packing for the move to Wisconsin. It just didn't make sense to drag the Christmas decorations out when we were trying to pack things up. My goodness, it was sooooooo depressing to not have a Christmas tree.
Finding a house here in Wisconsin wasn't easy, as most of you already know. Throughout the daunting search, one thing never waivered. And that was my position that, no matter what it took, I wanted to establish a living arrangement where we could have a Christmas tree this year. I wasn't going another year without one.
Guess what? Last weekend we got a tree!!
Isn't it lovely? Not only did we get a tree for our living room, we got a second tree and put it up in the kitchen.
So not only did my wish come true to have a Christmas tree this year, it was doubled. It's fun to have 2 trees. It feels festive and a little bit fancy. It just downright feels good.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
First Snow of the Season
We've had our first snow of the season here in Stoughton/Madison, Wisconsin. It was bound to happen. Tis that time of year. According to the news, about 4 inches of snow fell. Typical December snowfall in this area is 12.6 inches, second only to the month of January during which the average snowfall is 12.9 inches.
One of the things that's different here than what I was accustomed to in Columbus is that once the snow falls, it stays on the ground all winter long-- until the spring thaw. In Columbus, it usually gets warm enough that the snow melts between snowfalls. Not always, but usually. Now that we have snow on the ground here, I expect it will be white outside until next April.
Yesterday morning, the first thing I saw when I opened the window blind over the kitchen sink was birds eating at/around the bird feeders we have out back. Scott and I have always had bird feeders in our yard. The birds need to eat and we enjoy watching. Kind of a win-win.
Amongst the crowd at the bird feeder were a number of Cardinals. At first, I saw 6 of them: 3 males and 3 females. A little later in the morning, I saw 7 males and 3 females. The bright red male Cardinals looked so pretty against the snowy backdrop. In the picture below, Mr. Cardinal is at the feeder and Mrs. Cardinal is in the upper right of the photo, sitting on a tree branch.
In the next picture, there are a total of 7 male Cardinals: two on the ground under the bird feeder, one behind the bird feeder (can only see his tail) and 4 in the trees to the right of the feeder. I've never seen that many male Cardinals in one place at the same time. The pictures don't really do it justice. It was such a pretty morning with snow on the ground, a light snow still falling, and the bright red birds starring in the wintry show.
In addition to the Cardinals, a bunch of Sparrows were also having breakfast. It's definitely not unusual to see a bunch of Sparrows in the same place at the same time. At one point, there were about 30 of them out there-- all eating with my beloved St. Francis statue looking on.
Our house in Columbus was on a wooded lot. It was lovely because it was fully wooded in the back- no houses in view behind ours. Scott and I prefer to live on a lot with mature trees or, preferably, woods. It proved challenging for us to find a house (we could afford) on a wooded lot here. What you see is about the best we could do. It's more of a pseudo-wooded lot. Immediately behind our house is a thin row of trees. The bulkier section of the "woods" is on the back right side of our property. Even though during the winter when the leaves are off the trees we can see the houses behind ours, it's fortunate that both the houses in view are aesthetically pleasing. Scott and I actually looked last year at the green house you can see in the photo above. It's brand new and still vacant. Anyone want to buy it? I'd sure love to have a familiar neighbor here in this little town of Stoughton, Wisconsin.....
One of the things that's different here than what I was accustomed to in Columbus is that once the snow falls, it stays on the ground all winter long-- until the spring thaw. In Columbus, it usually gets warm enough that the snow melts between snowfalls. Not always, but usually. Now that we have snow on the ground here, I expect it will be white outside until next April.
Yesterday morning, the first thing I saw when I opened the window blind over the kitchen sink was birds eating at/around the bird feeders we have out back. Scott and I have always had bird feeders in our yard. The birds need to eat and we enjoy watching. Kind of a win-win.
Amongst the crowd at the bird feeder were a number of Cardinals. At first, I saw 6 of them: 3 males and 3 females. A little later in the morning, I saw 7 males and 3 females. The bright red male Cardinals looked so pretty against the snowy backdrop. In the picture below, Mr. Cardinal is at the feeder and Mrs. Cardinal is in the upper right of the photo, sitting on a tree branch.
In addition to the Cardinals, a bunch of Sparrows were also having breakfast. It's definitely not unusual to see a bunch of Sparrows in the same place at the same time. At one point, there were about 30 of them out there-- all eating with my beloved St. Francis statue looking on.
Our house in Columbus was on a wooded lot. It was lovely because it was fully wooded in the back- no houses in view behind ours. Scott and I prefer to live on a lot with mature trees or, preferably, woods. It proved challenging for us to find a house (we could afford) on a wooded lot here. What you see is about the best we could do. It's more of a pseudo-wooded lot. Immediately behind our house is a thin row of trees. The bulkier section of the "woods" is on the back right side of our property. Even though during the winter when the leaves are off the trees we can see the houses behind ours, it's fortunate that both the houses in view are aesthetically pleasing. Scott and I actually looked last year at the green house you can see in the photo above. It's brand new and still vacant. Anyone want to buy it? I'd sure love to have a familiar neighbor here in this little town of Stoughton, Wisconsin.....
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Who Would Want This?
My Mom and I did a little shopping while I was home this past holiday weekend. We browsed in one of those stores they set up in the mall just for the holiday season that sells calendars. This is one of the calendars for sale.
An entire page-a-day calendar about bacon. Seriously? I like bacon. I really do. But an entire calendar about it? Who would want this?
Perhaps this is a gift for the person who has everything.....
An entire page-a-day calendar about bacon. Seriously? I like bacon. I really do. But an entire calendar about it? Who would want this?
Perhaps this is a gift for the person who has everything.....
Monday, November 29, 2010
Cute Boy
My husband in his new Chicago Bears beanie.
Not only is he a cute boy, he is also a very sweet boy.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Thanksgiving 2010
Scott and I traveled "home" to Columbus for Thanksgiving. Overall it was a good trip. There were a couple of downers though. My Grandmother was in the hospital the duration of the time we were there. She isn't doing very well following her hip replacement surgery this past Tuesday. Also, I had my 6-month check-up at the dentist while I was home. I learned that I have 2 cavities and can no longer avoid getting a bite guard. I have known for a long time that I need a bite guard because I grind my teeth at night as a result of TMJ (and stress!) The dentist said I have significant wear on my teeth for my age and that if I completely wear the enamel off my teeth then I'll have to get crowns put on them. He said I have worn my back teeth almost flat on the surface and my front teeth are starting to show signs of wear also. That's just flippin' fabulous. *Sigh* So, I guess I'll finally get a bite guard. I'm not looking forward to sleeping with a mouth piece in, nor am I looking forward to paying for it (insurance company considers it "cosmetic" and won't cover it-- that's bullsh*t, isn't it?)
Other than worrying about my Grandmother and not-so-great news from the dentist, the trip was a good one. I felt a deep sense of reverence this Thanksgiving. I have a lot to be thankful for.
My cup runneth over.
Other than worrying about my Grandmother and not-so-great news from the dentist, the trip was a good one. I felt a deep sense of reverence this Thanksgiving. I have a lot to be thankful for.
- I'm thankful for the miracle that occurred with my Dad back in September. We are so grateful he is alive and was sitting at the dinner table on Thanksgiving day.
- I'm thankful for Scott, who is the best friend I have ever had. I love him and I love being married to him. I'm thankful our paths crossed.
- I'm thankful for my Mom. She is a rare gem and the best Mom on the planet.
- I'm thankful to have so many wonderful friends. Sometimes I wonder how I got so lucky to have such a wide network of loving, caring people in my life. I'm especially grateful for the outpouring of support I have received from my friends this year as I have struggled to adjust to life in Wisconsin.
- I'm thankful I've been healthy this year.
- I'm thankful I have a job.
- I'm thankful that the company I work for thought enough of me to give me an opportunity to advance in the organization. This company has been really good to me and I've been fortunate to work for this organization for nearly 10 years.
- I'm thankful to have a nice home and I'm thankful to my parents for giving us a large down-payment on it.
- I'm thankful we were able to sell our home in Columbus so we could buy a home in Madison and live together as a family. Homes aren't easy to sell right now given the real estate market is in shambles. I'm thankful we sold our home for a little more than we paid for it. I'm thankful the 8 months Scott and I lived apart are behind us.
- I'm thankful I have a dependable automobile.
- I'm thankful I have health insurance.
- I'm thankful that, especially in the midst of a bad economy, Scott and I are doing pretty well financially. I'm thankful that I'm able to pay my bills.
- I'm thankful all my body parts work. I can see, hear, smell, walk, write, etc.
- I'm thankful all my pets are with me: Rudy, Jada, Isaac and Simon.
- I'm thankful Cindy was able to cut my hair when I went home for Thanksgiving. She is simply the best at what she does.
- I'm thankful that Scott and I were able to visit with some friends while we were home: Pamela/John, Tim, Cathy and Kelly.
- I'm thankful I got to see Pamela's parents and sister while we were dining out at El Vaquero. I've known them since I was in third grade. They are the salt of the earth and they are family to me.
- I'm thankful we had good weather to travel to/from Ohio in and I'm thankful the trip was safe for us.
- I'm thankful to Sona for taking care of the cats for us while we were gone.
- I'm thankful for things that can be easy to take for granted: clean water, indoor plumbing, electricity.
- I'm thankful my brain works pretty well and that I have a reasonable amount of intelligence.
- I'm thankful I can read.
- I'm thankful for Emmy, my first Doberman Pinscher and the love of my life. Even though she is no longer with me, I'm grateful for the lessons she taught me.
- I'm thankful I had the opportunity to go to college and earn 2 degrees.
- I'm thankful to have some money in savings and some money in retirement accounts.
- I'm thankful for a few key people here in Madison who have extended support to me during my difficult adjustment period: Nancy, Kori, Mike, Chris.
My cup runneth over.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Birthday Dinner at Vin Santo
After the debacle at the DMV (see previous post), Scott and I decided it was too late to execute our original plan of driving over to Milwaukee to go to the Crate and Barrel and have dinner there. Well, not "there" as in have dinner at the Crate and Barrel, but "there" as in have dinner in Milwaukee. Whenever we are out, we have to be mindful of our timeframes because of the dogs. They can only go so long between potty breaks. A trip to and from Milwaukee at that point didn't fit our timeframe.
After some consideration, we decided to drive out to a town just west of Madison called Middleton. Middleton is a nice community. It often appears near the top of those "best places to live" lists. I think one year, not too long ago, it was actually ranked as the #1 place to live in the country. When Scott and I were looking at houses, we looked in Middleton. What happens, though, when an area is designated as a top place to live, homeowners pay for that through high property values and high property taxes. As a result, Scott and I just couldn't find a house in Middleton that we liked and could afford.
Downtown Middleton is quaint and charming, kind of like downtown Stoughton but more upscale. When we got there Friday evening, it was dark and you-know-who was rushing me, as he often does, when I was trying to take pictures, so I didn't get many good shots of the downtown. The picture below gives you the flavor, though, of what some of the shops look like. The place on the far left is a coffee shop. The place on the far right is a pizza joint. I'm not sure what that little shop in between is.
Next shot is a fountain in downtown Middleton. Kind of hard to see the statue on top, but the fountain is kind of pretty all lit up and I love the sound of moving water- whether it's the ocean, a stream, a fountain, etc. OK, to clarify, I probably wouldn't love the sound of moving water in a flood or tsunami or if my toilet was over-flowing, but you know what I mean. I love the sound of moving water in moving-water-appropriate places.
Recently, the National Mustard Museum moved to Middleton.
Yes, that's right. There is an entire museum devoted to mustard. Hey, I like mustard. Scott and I peeked inside (it was closed when we were there) and it actually looks like kind of a neat place. I think at some point we will check it out. There is also a brewery in Middleton, Capital Brewery, that does tours. Maybe one of these days we'll get wild and crazy and tour the brewery and go to the Mustard Museum.
I'm getting off track here. This post is supposed to be about my birthday dinner at Vin Santo. My friend at work, Kori, recommended this place to me. You may recall a number of previous posts highlighting places Scott and I have gone based on Kori's recommendation. She has given us lots of tips of places to go and things to do around Madison. All of her recommendations have been excellent, so we felt good about going to Vin Santo. It was something new to try and Kori, who has never steered us wrong, recommended it. So let's do it.
This shot is the view we had walking towards the restaurant. We had just passed the women's clothing boutique- the same one you can see in the picture above- and there is the blue neon sign for Louisianne's, which you can also see in the picture above.
Vin Santo is right next to Louisanne's on the right as you face it (the place with the green light in the window, as seen below in a shot taken from across the street.)
Close up of the green light.
Scott peeked in the window as we approached. After looking in, he said skeptically: "Honey, are you sure this is where you want to have your birthday dinner?" Based on the interior appearance of the place, we probably wouldn't have decided to have dinner there if it wasn't for the fact that Kori said it was good.
We decided to go ahead and give it a try. Here are a few shots of the inside. As you can see, it's pretty lackluster. This place will most assuredly NOT win any interior decorating awards. Seriously, can't people tell when pictures hung on the wall are totally out of scale?
The two pictures above depict the entire dining area of Vin Santo. It's tiny. BTW- that's me on the right of the picture above, imbibing.
So, the appearance of the dining area sucks and Scott said he wouldn't put marbles on the table at which we sat.
Not exactly level. Oh, and did I mention that none of the chairs at any of the tables in the place matched? I don't have anything inherently against non-matching chairs, but couldn't they at least have come up with a better one than this?
That chair looks like it belongs at a conference table in a cheesy, low-budget office somewhere.
Enough harping about the lackluster interior. I will now just briefly harp on one other thing before I get to the good stuff. Our server was one serious, stuffy m-f'er. He embodied the stereotype of a pretentious gay guy. The service was good, but not friendly. I prefer both to enhance my dining experience.
Alright. That's the not-so-good stuff. Poor decorating. Arrogant server.
In spite of those two things, Scott and I considered our experience at Vin Santo outstanding. It was all about the quality of the food. I would rate the food we had there as the second best food I have ever eaten at a restaurant. First on the list? Oscar-style filet and lobster mashed potatoes at Smith & Wollensky's. Second on the list? Vin Santo.
Scott and I both had a glass (I had 2) of wine. And, like many Italian restaurants, they served bread with dipping oil. I love bread and dipping oil with fresh ground pepper.
We thought about ordering calamari for an appetizer. At Vin Santo, they saute their calamari instead of frying it. I'm not going to lie. I like my calamari fried. So, instead, we ordered the mussels.
Shut up! They were so, so good.
Scott did polish off the final three.
We shared a Caesar salad. I didn't get a picture of it before we dove in, but below is evidence of how good it was-- clean plates.
The Caesar salad at Vin Santo had anchovies in it. Now that's a real Caesar salad. I do like anchovies, in Caesar salad and sometimes on pizzas. They are some salty little suckers but they push the taste of a Caesar salad over the top.
For my entree, I ordered the nightly special. It was a butternut squash ravioli with a light olive oil and brown sugar concoction. It was also chock-full of pine nuts. Fresh basil. Sun-dried tomatoes. Freshly grated Parmesan. A couple twists of the mill of freshly-ground black pepper.
When I took my first bite, I told Scott: "I think I just had an orgasm." I'm fairly certain I had several mini-orgasms while I indulged in this beyond-words, outstanding entree. Words are inadequate. This was a meal to be experienced.
Scott had some kind of shrimp, linguine something or other. I don't remember the name. OMG. It was so good too. When the entrees first came to the table, we tasted our own and then tasted each other's. As we finished eating, Scott saved the last shrimp from his entree for me. When you give the last shrimp from a delicious entree to someone else, that must be a sign of true love.......or maybe it was just because it was my birthday. Either way, yum.
After we indulged ourselves in the decadence of mussels, the Caesar salad, our entrees, wine, and 2 baskets of bread with dipping oil, we had no room for dessert. That didn't stop us from ordering one though. But we did get it to go. Chocolate tiramisu. Check out this bad boy.
It was so big they couldn't close the lid on the carry-out container so they had to tape it. By the time we drove back to Stoughton from Middleton (about 30 minutes), Scott and I decided we had enough room in our big, fat bellies to at least taste the tiramisu. I love tiramisu. It's my favorite dessert. I have to admit, though, I wasn't crazy about the tiramisu from Vin Santo. Maybe because it was chocolate instead of "regular". I don't know. I just didn't care for it. That's OK, though, because Vin Santo provided me a multi-orgasm in-house dining experience.
Good food, nice wine and multiple orgasms. Really, what more could a girl ask for? Happy Birthday to me.
After some consideration, we decided to drive out to a town just west of Madison called Middleton. Middleton is a nice community. It often appears near the top of those "best places to live" lists. I think one year, not too long ago, it was actually ranked as the #1 place to live in the country. When Scott and I were looking at houses, we looked in Middleton. What happens, though, when an area is designated as a top place to live, homeowners pay for that through high property values and high property taxes. As a result, Scott and I just couldn't find a house in Middleton that we liked and could afford.
Downtown Middleton is quaint and charming, kind of like downtown Stoughton but more upscale. When we got there Friday evening, it was dark and you-know-who was rushing me, as he often does, when I was trying to take pictures, so I didn't get many good shots of the downtown. The picture below gives you the flavor, though, of what some of the shops look like. The place on the far left is a coffee shop. The place on the far right is a pizza joint. I'm not sure what that little shop in between is.
Below is another picture taken in downtown Middleton. There is a women's clothing boutique on the left and the place on the right with the blue neon sign is a restaurant named Louisianne's. We haven't been to Louisianne's yet, but I've heard good things about it. The restaurant is actually downstairs. They serve cajun/creole food and most nights they have someone playing the piano for dinner music. Sounds lovely.
Next shot is a fountain in downtown Middleton. Kind of hard to see the statue on top, but the fountain is kind of pretty all lit up and I love the sound of moving water- whether it's the ocean, a stream, a fountain, etc. OK, to clarify, I probably wouldn't love the sound of moving water in a flood or tsunami or if my toilet was over-flowing, but you know what I mean. I love the sound of moving water in moving-water-appropriate places.
Recently, the National Mustard Museum moved to Middleton.
Yes, that's right. There is an entire museum devoted to mustard. Hey, I like mustard. Scott and I peeked inside (it was closed when we were there) and it actually looks like kind of a neat place. I think at some point we will check it out. There is also a brewery in Middleton, Capital Brewery, that does tours. Maybe one of these days we'll get wild and crazy and tour the brewery and go to the Mustard Museum.
I'm getting off track here. This post is supposed to be about my birthday dinner at Vin Santo. My friend at work, Kori, recommended this place to me. You may recall a number of previous posts highlighting places Scott and I have gone based on Kori's recommendation. She has given us lots of tips of places to go and things to do around Madison. All of her recommendations have been excellent, so we felt good about going to Vin Santo. It was something new to try and Kori, who has never steered us wrong, recommended it. So let's do it.
This shot is the view we had walking towards the restaurant. We had just passed the women's clothing boutique- the same one you can see in the picture above- and there is the blue neon sign for Louisianne's, which you can also see in the picture above.
Vin Santo is right next to Louisanne's on the right as you face it (the place with the green light in the window, as seen below in a shot taken from across the street.)
Close up of the green light.
Scott peeked in the window as we approached. After looking in, he said skeptically: "Honey, are you sure this is where you want to have your birthday dinner?" Based on the interior appearance of the place, we probably wouldn't have decided to have dinner there if it wasn't for the fact that Kori said it was good.
We decided to go ahead and give it a try. Here are a few shots of the inside. As you can see, it's pretty lackluster. This place will most assuredly NOT win any interior decorating awards. Seriously, can't people tell when pictures hung on the wall are totally out of scale?
The two pictures above depict the entire dining area of Vin Santo. It's tiny. BTW- that's me on the right of the picture above, imbibing.
So, the appearance of the dining area sucks and Scott said he wouldn't put marbles on the table at which we sat.
Not exactly level. Oh, and did I mention that none of the chairs at any of the tables in the place matched? I don't have anything inherently against non-matching chairs, but couldn't they at least have come up with a better one than this?
That chair looks like it belongs at a conference table in a cheesy, low-budget office somewhere.
Enough harping about the lackluster interior. I will now just briefly harp on one other thing before I get to the good stuff. Our server was one serious, stuffy m-f'er. He embodied the stereotype of a pretentious gay guy. The service was good, but not friendly. I prefer both to enhance my dining experience.
Alright. That's the not-so-good stuff. Poor decorating. Arrogant server.
In spite of those two things, Scott and I considered our experience at Vin Santo outstanding. It was all about the quality of the food. I would rate the food we had there as the second best food I have ever eaten at a restaurant. First on the list? Oscar-style filet and lobster mashed potatoes at Smith & Wollensky's. Second on the list? Vin Santo.
Scott and I both had a glass (I had 2) of wine. And, like many Italian restaurants, they served bread with dipping oil. I love bread and dipping oil with fresh ground pepper.
We thought about ordering calamari for an appetizer. At Vin Santo, they saute their calamari instead of frying it. I'm not going to lie. I like my calamari fried. So, instead, we ordered the mussels.
Shut up! They were so, so good.
Scott did polish off the final three.
We shared a Caesar salad. I didn't get a picture of it before we dove in, but below is evidence of how good it was-- clean plates.
The Caesar salad at Vin Santo had anchovies in it. Now that's a real Caesar salad. I do like anchovies, in Caesar salad and sometimes on pizzas. They are some salty little suckers but they push the taste of a Caesar salad over the top.
For my entree, I ordered the nightly special. It was a butternut squash ravioli with a light olive oil and brown sugar concoction. It was also chock-full of pine nuts. Fresh basil. Sun-dried tomatoes. Freshly grated Parmesan. A couple twists of the mill of freshly-ground black pepper.
When I took my first bite, I told Scott: "I think I just had an orgasm." I'm fairly certain I had several mini-orgasms while I indulged in this beyond-words, outstanding entree. Words are inadequate. This was a meal to be experienced.
Scott had some kind of shrimp, linguine something or other. I don't remember the name. OMG. It was so good too. When the entrees first came to the table, we tasted our own and then tasted each other's. As we finished eating, Scott saved the last shrimp from his entree for me. When you give the last shrimp from a delicious entree to someone else, that must be a sign of true love.......or maybe it was just because it was my birthday. Either way, yum.
After we indulged ourselves in the decadence of mussels, the Caesar salad, our entrees, wine, and 2 baskets of bread with dipping oil, we had no room for dessert. That didn't stop us from ordering one though. But we did get it to go. Chocolate tiramisu. Check out this bad boy.
It was so big they couldn't close the lid on the carry-out container so they had to tape it. By the time we drove back to Stoughton from Middleton (about 30 minutes), Scott and I decided we had enough room in our big, fat bellies to at least taste the tiramisu. I love tiramisu. It's my favorite dessert. I have to admit, though, I wasn't crazy about the tiramisu from Vin Santo. Maybe because it was chocolate instead of "regular". I don't know. I just didn't care for it. That's OK, though, because Vin Santo provided me a multi-orgasm in-house dining experience.
Good food, nice wine and multiple orgasms. Really, what more could a girl ask for? Happy Birthday to me.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Great Place to Spend a Birthday: The DMV
During the past 11 months in Wisconsin, I have maintained my Ohio driver's license and Ohio license plates on my car. I held off switching them over until I had a permanent Wisconsin address. Granted, I have had a permanent Wisconsin address for 2 1/2 months now, but I've been just a little busy since our move to the house here in Stoughton. I was in Ohio for a couple weeks because of my Dad's health crisis. Had company for a few days. Have been busy at work. Scott was working out of town for a month so I was alone on pet and house duty. etc. etc. etc.
I actually tried to get Wisconsin plates and a Wisconsin driver's license a couple weeks ago. Apparently the fact that I have a valid driver's license from another state and a social security card wasn't proof enough that I exist as a person. They insisted I produce a birth certificate or passport. OK. Whatever.
Technically the Ohio license plates on my car expired on my birthday yesterday. Scott and I decided he would drop me off at work in the morning, pick me up in the early afternoon so we could go to the DMV to get my Wisconsin plates and driver's license, and then we would head over to Milwaukee to go to the Crate & Barrel and have dinner. While I was at work, several people asked me what I had planned for my birthday, to which I replied with mock excitement: "I'm going to get myself a Wisconsin driver's license!"
Scott picked me up at my office around 1 PM and off to the DMV we went. Party! The DMV was fairly busy but we decided to wait it out. Scott and I have been apart so much this year, I'm just grateful to be with him no matter where we are, even if it is the DMV.
On a side note: why is it that all DMV's seem dirty and full of riff-raff?
Anyhow.....
When I was called to the counter I produced a copy of my birth certificate, my Ohio driver's license, a utility bill with my current address, my Ohio registration for my car, my completed applications for Wisconsin plates and a Wisconsin license, and my social security card.
Was that enough to get a Wisconsin driver's license?
No it was not.
They wouldn't give me a Wisconsin driver's license because I had a copy of my birth certificate and not the original. Now they did give me Wisconsin license plates and let me register my car here, but no driver's license. Grrrrr.
Scott and I decided we just wanted to get this handled. (Anytime I write or say the word "handle" I'm reminded of that Miller High Life commercial when the 2 dudes are at Madison Square Garden during the dog show. They decide such an event is not worthy of the High Life so the one dude says to the other, "You want me to handle it?" And the other dude replies, "Handle it." I can see that commercial back-to-back, over-and-over and I still giggle at it. "You want me to handle it?" "Handle it.")
In our effort to "handle it", Scott and I drove from the DMV in Madison to Stoughton so I could get my original birth certificate and then back to the DMV in Madison. The DMV was open yesterday until 4:30 PM. We arrived back there the second time at about 3:40 PM. I made a smart-a** comment to Scott as we were driving back to the DMV that they would probably find some other reason to not give me a driver's license this time-- like I arrived too close to closing time or something. Scott said he had an easier time getting into the military than I have had trying to get a Wisconsin driver's license.
So we get back to the DMV. I wait in line again and approach the counter with all my documentation. At this point, my third attempt to get a Wisconsin driver's license, I have:
my original birth certificate
my valid Ohio driver's license
an original social security card
a utility bill with my name and current address on it
an original marriage license (to substantiate my last name change)
the completed application for a Wisconsin driver's license
Can I please now get a Wisconsin driver's license?
No I cannot. The camera to take pictures for driver's licenses wasn't working.
The initial reaction in my head was, "Are you sh*tting me?"
So I still don't have a Wisconsin driver's license. After spending nearly the entire afternoon of my 41st birthday in the DMV, still no Wisconsin license. I'll have to go back again yet another time. It will be my FOURTH attempt to get a driver's license here. I believe it probably was easier for Scott to get in the military.
I actually tried to get Wisconsin plates and a Wisconsin driver's license a couple weeks ago. Apparently the fact that I have a valid driver's license from another state and a social security card wasn't proof enough that I exist as a person. They insisted I produce a birth certificate or passport. OK. Whatever.
Technically the Ohio license plates on my car expired on my birthday yesterday. Scott and I decided he would drop me off at work in the morning, pick me up in the early afternoon so we could go to the DMV to get my Wisconsin plates and driver's license, and then we would head over to Milwaukee to go to the Crate & Barrel and have dinner. While I was at work, several people asked me what I had planned for my birthday, to which I replied with mock excitement: "I'm going to get myself a Wisconsin driver's license!"
Scott picked me up at my office around 1 PM and off to the DMV we went. Party! The DMV was fairly busy but we decided to wait it out. Scott and I have been apart so much this year, I'm just grateful to be with him no matter where we are, even if it is the DMV.
On a side note: why is it that all DMV's seem dirty and full of riff-raff?
Anyhow.....
When I was called to the counter I produced a copy of my birth certificate, my Ohio driver's license, a utility bill with my current address, my Ohio registration for my car, my completed applications for Wisconsin plates and a Wisconsin license, and my social security card.
Was that enough to get a Wisconsin driver's license?
No it was not.
They wouldn't give me a Wisconsin driver's license because I had a copy of my birth certificate and not the original. Now they did give me Wisconsin license plates and let me register my car here, but no driver's license. Grrrrr.
Scott and I decided we just wanted to get this handled. (Anytime I write or say the word "handle" I'm reminded of that Miller High Life commercial when the 2 dudes are at Madison Square Garden during the dog show. They decide such an event is not worthy of the High Life so the one dude says to the other, "You want me to handle it?" And the other dude replies, "Handle it." I can see that commercial back-to-back, over-and-over and I still giggle at it. "You want me to handle it?" "Handle it.")
In our effort to "handle it", Scott and I drove from the DMV in Madison to Stoughton so I could get my original birth certificate and then back to the DMV in Madison. The DMV was open yesterday until 4:30 PM. We arrived back there the second time at about 3:40 PM. I made a smart-a** comment to Scott as we were driving back to the DMV that they would probably find some other reason to not give me a driver's license this time-- like I arrived too close to closing time or something. Scott said he had an easier time getting into the military than I have had trying to get a Wisconsin driver's license.
So we get back to the DMV. I wait in line again and approach the counter with all my documentation. At this point, my third attempt to get a Wisconsin driver's license, I have:
my original birth certificate
my valid Ohio driver's license
an original social security card
a utility bill with my name and current address on it
an original marriage license (to substantiate my last name change)
the completed application for a Wisconsin driver's license
Can I please now get a Wisconsin driver's license?
No I cannot. The camera to take pictures for driver's licenses wasn't working.
The initial reaction in my head was, "Are you sh*tting me?"
So I still don't have a Wisconsin driver's license. After spending nearly the entire afternoon of my 41st birthday in the DMV, still no Wisconsin license. I'll have to go back again yet another time. It will be my FOURTH attempt to get a driver's license here. I believe it probably was easier for Scott to get in the military.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Birthday Glimpse
Seems like I have written quite a few blog posts about the statewide office manager at the company where I work. She is so wonderful and she has truly been a saving grace to me. Even if she didn't know she was doing it, she has held a light up for me which has helped me find my way over these past 11 months that have been so incredibly difficult.
First thing this morning, on my birthday, she came into my office with a gift.
A cute gift bag from a shop called Therese's in a town named Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.
Go ahead. Get all the jokes about Beaver Dam out of your head before you continue.
Are you done yet?
I don't believe it. I know you have one more Beaver Dam joke in you. Get it out.....
OK. Now we can move on.
In this Theresa's gift bag was a beautiful, delicate, unique necklace. I'll be posting a picture of that later. In addition to the the lovely necklace, also in the gift bag was conversation blocks. This is what they look like stacked up.
The sayings on these blocks had me really giggling this morning. This one is my favorite.
And a few more that made me laugh....
So I started my birthday today with a laugh. I have many more thoughts to share about my birthday. More to come later....
First thing this morning, on my birthday, she came into my office with a gift.
A cute gift bag from a shop called Therese's in a town named Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.
Go ahead. Get all the jokes about Beaver Dam out of your head before you continue.
Are you done yet?
I don't believe it. I know you have one more Beaver Dam joke in you. Get it out.....
OK. Now we can move on.
In this Theresa's gift bag was a beautiful, delicate, unique necklace. I'll be posting a picture of that later. In addition to the the lovely necklace, also in the gift bag was conversation blocks. This is what they look like stacked up.
Here's another good one.
And a few more that made me laugh....
Monday, November 15, 2010
Germophobe Survival Kit
Those who know me well know that I'm a germophobe. I hate germs. They freak me out and I go to great lengths to avoid them. I wash my hands frequently (obsessively?); I wipe off silverware in restaurants; I even sanitize my hands after touching menus; I don't touch door handles in public (use my shirt if needed). You get the idea. Imagine my distress at now being a source of germs. I've been sick for 10 days. This is unusual for me. I rarely get sick. I'm on my 8th day of antibiotics and was hoping by this time I would be back to 100%. Not so. I'm much better than I was, but I'm still pretty congested.
I felt so horrendous last week, I kept recalling a couple sayings that the father of a Nun I used to work with would say about being sick:
"At first I was afraid I was going to die, and then I was afraid I wasn't."
"I had one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel."
The "Sunshine Committee" at the office where I work has acknowledged flu season is upon us. They put baggies in everyones mailbox with a note about each person doing their part to stay healthy. In the baggie was hand sanitizer, a travel size pack of tissues, and lip balm. I told my friend at work, Kori- who is on the Sunshine Committee, that I kind of took the "gift" personally! I made the same comment to Nancy (mentioned in a previous post.)
Later that day, an envelope appeared in my mailbox. In it was an OSHA mask that had big old red lips drawn on it. There was also a pair of latex gloves. I immediately put the mask and gloves on, which made everyone in the office who saw me laugh. Hey, I'm a good sport and I can definitely laugh at myself. I even posed for a picture in my office.
A mask, latex gloves, hand sanitizer: necessities in a survival kit for a germophobe who gets sick.
I felt so horrendous last week, I kept recalling a couple sayings that the father of a Nun I used to work with would say about being sick:
"At first I was afraid I was going to die, and then I was afraid I wasn't."
"I had one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel."
The "Sunshine Committee" at the office where I work has acknowledged flu season is upon us. They put baggies in everyones mailbox with a note about each person doing their part to stay healthy. In the baggie was hand sanitizer, a travel size pack of tissues, and lip balm. I told my friend at work, Kori- who is on the Sunshine Committee, that I kind of took the "gift" personally! I made the same comment to Nancy (mentioned in a previous post.)
Later that day, an envelope appeared in my mailbox. In it was an OSHA mask that had big old red lips drawn on it. There was also a pair of latex gloves. I immediately put the mask and gloves on, which made everyone in the office who saw me laugh. Hey, I'm a good sport and I can definitely laugh at myself. I even posed for a picture in my office.
A mask, latex gloves, hand sanitizer: necessities in a survival kit for a germophobe who gets sick.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Title Change
It occurs to me that I need a new title for my blog. When I came up with "Musings from the West Side", I was living on the west side of Columbus. When I initially moved to Madison, both apartments I lived in were on the west side of town, so the title still worked Now, I live in Stoughton. It's not the west side. Well, I suppose it's west of something....cornfields from what I can tell (did I mention Stoughton is a small town in the country??)
Changing the title of my blog is just one of the many changes I am in the process of making to reflect the current status of my life. Sometimes I find all the change unsettling. Sure, the physical move from the house in Columbus to the house in Stoughton was the biggest thing and we've got that done. Now, it's all the little, subsequent things that have to change as a result of the official move that are starting to affect me. I probably should have taken care of a lot of these changes already. I've been procrastinating. I'm kind of an expert at it. As far as the changes go.....
I had the same home phone number in Columbus for 10 years.
Now I have a new home phone number.
My mailing address in Columbus was the same for many years.
Now I have a new mailing address, so I need to remember all the people and vendors I need to inform. You don't realize how much sh*t gets sent to you until you sit down and start calling people to update your address.
I have to give up the Ohio license plate on my car. I have had the same license plate for 10 years.
Now I need to get a new one.
I also need to get a WI driver's license; but I don't want to! I have the number on my Ohio license memorized-- and it's a pretty decent picture, for a driver's license.
I need to get new identification tags for my dogs. My dogs have had the same tags with the same contact information for years. Now, that's got to change too. They need new tags with new contact information.
I used to get Chico's ads sent to my house. I don't get Chico's ads anymore. I suppose the people who bought my house in Columbus get them as "or current resident".
I had to turn off utilities at one place and turn them on at another. In Columbus, I knew the players. AEP, Columbia Gas, Time Warner, City of Columbus (for water). Here in Stoughton-- who is the gas company? the electric company? water? OK, granted, those things have already been figured out thanks to Scott. It feels weird to me though. I'm used to paying the gas bill to Columbia Gas, not Alliant Energy. I'm used to paying the electric bill to AEP, not Stoughton Utilities.
When I lived in Columbus, I always used to say this about my life: "I can't tell if I'm really stable or really boring." I had so much predictability and consistency-- just the way I like it. I sure threw all that to the wind in 2010. Big time. I created a lot of upheaval in my life, that's for sure. Knowing how much I like routine and consistency, what was I thinking when I decided to move to Wisconsin? All these changes, the big ones and the small ones, are hard for me. It feels never-ending. I feel like I'm never again going to be able to achieve the stability, routine, and consistency that I crave.
The sheer volume of change has me saturated. That's why any one little thing, like needing to change the title of my blog, can come close to pushing me over the edge. I realize changing the title of my blog isn't a big deal. It's that change.... on top of other change.... on top of other change.... on top of other change that has me feeling off-balance and more highly anxious than usual.
But, it is what it is. I'm fully immersed in Wisconsin now. As much as it pains me, my house in Columbus is owned and occupied by somebody else now. It's not my home anymore and I can't go back there. I have a house in Stoughton, a job here, my husband and pets are here. My life is here, although it doesn't feel like much of a life being so far away from family and friends. Even though all the change makes me want to buckle, how does that phrase go? Time to put on my big girl panties and deal with it.
So, have any suggestions for a new title for my blog?
Changing the title of my blog is just one of the many changes I am in the process of making to reflect the current status of my life. Sometimes I find all the change unsettling. Sure, the physical move from the house in Columbus to the house in Stoughton was the biggest thing and we've got that done. Now, it's all the little, subsequent things that have to change as a result of the official move that are starting to affect me. I probably should have taken care of a lot of these changes already. I've been procrastinating. I'm kind of an expert at it. As far as the changes go.....
I had the same home phone number in Columbus for 10 years.
Now I have a new home phone number.
My mailing address in Columbus was the same for many years.
Now I have a new mailing address, so I need to remember all the people and vendors I need to inform. You don't realize how much sh*t gets sent to you until you sit down and start calling people to update your address.
I have to give up the Ohio license plate on my car. I have had the same license plate for 10 years.
Now I need to get a new one.
I also need to get a WI driver's license; but I don't want to! I have the number on my Ohio license memorized-- and it's a pretty decent picture, for a driver's license.
I need to get new identification tags for my dogs. My dogs have had the same tags with the same contact information for years. Now, that's got to change too. They need new tags with new contact information.
I used to get Chico's ads sent to my house. I don't get Chico's ads anymore. I suppose the people who bought my house in Columbus get them as "or current resident".
I had to turn off utilities at one place and turn them on at another. In Columbus, I knew the players. AEP, Columbia Gas, Time Warner, City of Columbus (for water). Here in Stoughton-- who is the gas company? the electric company? water? OK, granted, those things have already been figured out thanks to Scott. It feels weird to me though. I'm used to paying the gas bill to Columbia Gas, not Alliant Energy. I'm used to paying the electric bill to AEP, not Stoughton Utilities.
When I lived in Columbus, I always used to say this about my life: "I can't tell if I'm really stable or really boring." I had so much predictability and consistency-- just the way I like it. I sure threw all that to the wind in 2010. Big time. I created a lot of upheaval in my life, that's for sure. Knowing how much I like routine and consistency, what was I thinking when I decided to move to Wisconsin? All these changes, the big ones and the small ones, are hard for me. It feels never-ending. I feel like I'm never again going to be able to achieve the stability, routine, and consistency that I crave.
The sheer volume of change has me saturated. That's why any one little thing, like needing to change the title of my blog, can come close to pushing me over the edge. I realize changing the title of my blog isn't a big deal. It's that change.... on top of other change.... on top of other change.... on top of other change that has me feeling off-balance and more highly anxious than usual.
But, it is what it is. I'm fully immersed in Wisconsin now. As much as it pains me, my house in Columbus is owned and occupied by somebody else now. It's not my home anymore and I can't go back there. I have a house in Stoughton, a job here, my husband and pets are here. My life is here, although it doesn't feel like much of a life being so far away from family and friends. Even though all the change makes me want to buckle, how does that phrase go? Time to put on my big girl panties and deal with it.
So, have any suggestions for a new title for my blog?
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Great Wolf Lodge
Remember this post? The Dells
The Wisconsin Dells is a major Midwestern tourist spot. It's a fascinating place. It's unreal to me that this place is plopped down right in the middle of Wisconsin. Bizarre to me, but immensely popular to thousands and thousands of others who flock to this place in the summer from across the globe. Seriously. I've heard The Dells is a vacation destination for many Europeans. I don't really get it, but it's not up to me to get.
I was up in The Dells today for work. I was with one of my staff assisting with conducting interviews for direct care positions. The staff person I was with had reserved meeting space at The Great Wolf Lodge for the interviews as it is located close to the area from which we are recruiting staff and we don't have an office in that area. My staff who reserved the space loves The Great Wolf. He and his family have a big family reunion every year in The Dells and they always stay at The Great Wolf.
While I was there, I just had to take pictures. I just had to. Let the bizarro begin....
Here is the entry way to The Great Wolf lodge.
Like many things in The Dells, there is an obvious Native American theme--- as evidenced by the Totem Poles out front of The Great Wolf. Here is a close up of the entry way.
This is what you see when you enter into the main lobby.
Those are a bunch of antlers to the right. Are you feelin' me yet on the bizarro tip?
This is another shot in the main lobby. It's the customer service desk where guests check in. The picture following is a very large moose over a fireplace in the lobby.
The Great Wolf, and most of the big resorts in The Dells, have indoor water parks. It's off season, so the water park at The Great Wolf was empty, but I did get a few shots of the area.
All the decor in The Great Wolf was true to the theme.
Even the carpet fit the theme. I assume this carpet is a special order??
I didn't get to go into any of the rooms, but I took this shot off a poster that shows what the condos for rent in The Great Wolf look like.
Oh my. This ain't the Waldorf Astoria. Well, actually, that's a good thing since the Waldorf Astoria has bed bugs.
Even the signage in the hotel fit right in with the theme.
The Great Wolf is a massive place. Here are a few shots of the outside. The first one is the section of the resort with the condominiums. The second is the section of the regular rooms.
I tried to get a picture of the outside of the water park, but it didn't turn out very good. I took it from my car while stopped at a traffic light that didn't stay red very long.
See that big round thing? What the hell?? What the hell happens in there??? Whatever it is, I'm certain I'm too old and too fat to find out. Really, I'm fine with that. I don't want to know. I feel queasy just looking at it.
The Great Wolf, like many resorts, is set up so that pretty much anything a tourist wants to do is right there on grounds. There is a boutique, several restaurants, a bar, an arcade, and........the most redeeming thing about The Great Wolf...........
...a spa. And not just a spa, an Aveda spa. Ahhhhhh. I could smell the aroma before I even saw it.
So, there you have it. The Great Wolf Lodge. Save the Aveda spa, it lived up to every bizarro expectation I had. It seems like the kind of place that should be featured in a Chevy Chase vacation movie.
The Wisconsin Dells is a major Midwestern tourist spot. It's a fascinating place. It's unreal to me that this place is plopped down right in the middle of Wisconsin. Bizarre to me, but immensely popular to thousands and thousands of others who flock to this place in the summer from across the globe. Seriously. I've heard The Dells is a vacation destination for many Europeans. I don't really get it, but it's not up to me to get.
I was up in The Dells today for work. I was with one of my staff assisting with conducting interviews for direct care positions. The staff person I was with had reserved meeting space at The Great Wolf Lodge for the interviews as it is located close to the area from which we are recruiting staff and we don't have an office in that area. My staff who reserved the space loves The Great Wolf. He and his family have a big family reunion every year in The Dells and they always stay at The Great Wolf.
While I was there, I just had to take pictures. I just had to. Let the bizarro begin....
Here is the entry way to The Great Wolf lodge.
Like many things in The Dells, there is an obvious Native American theme--- as evidenced by the Totem Poles out front of The Great Wolf. Here is a close up of the entry way.
This is what you see when you enter into the main lobby.
Those are a bunch of antlers to the right. Are you feelin' me yet on the bizarro tip?
This is another shot in the main lobby. It's the customer service desk where guests check in. The picture following is a very large moose over a fireplace in the lobby.
Yep. A very large moose.
List of creepy things:
1. Really long finger nails that curl.
2. People who can flip their eye lids inside out.
3. Taxidermy.
The Great Wolf, and most of the big resorts in The Dells, have indoor water parks. It's off season, so the water park at The Great Wolf was empty, but I did get a few shots of the area.
All the decor in The Great Wolf was true to the theme.
Even the carpet fit the theme. I assume this carpet is a special order??
I didn't get to go into any of the rooms, but I took this shot off a poster that shows what the condos for rent in The Great Wolf look like.
Oh my. This ain't the Waldorf Astoria. Well, actually, that's a good thing since the Waldorf Astoria has bed bugs.
Even the signage in the hotel fit right in with the theme.
The Great Wolf is a massive place. Here are a few shots of the outside. The first one is the section of the resort with the condominiums. The second is the section of the regular rooms.
I tried to get a picture of the outside of the water park, but it didn't turn out very good. I took it from my car while stopped at a traffic light that didn't stay red very long.
See that big round thing? What the hell?? What the hell happens in there??? Whatever it is, I'm certain I'm too old and too fat to find out. Really, I'm fine with that. I don't want to know. I feel queasy just looking at it.
The Great Wolf, like many resorts, is set up so that pretty much anything a tourist wants to do is right there on grounds. There is a boutique, several restaurants, a bar, an arcade, and........the most redeeming thing about The Great Wolf...........
...a spa. And not just a spa, an Aveda spa. Ahhhhhh. I could smell the aroma before I even saw it.
So, there you have it. The Great Wolf Lodge. Save the Aveda spa, it lived up to every bizarro expectation I had. It seems like the kind of place that should be featured in a Chevy Chase vacation movie.
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