Columbine

Spring is finally, really here. The weather has dried up (a bit) - and the sun even shines now and then. We are hoping for the 70's tomorrow! (No wind chill off the lake, please.) And next to the patio, our Columbine is in bloom!

Give Blood

Rugby is a tough game. It's an especially rough game when girls are playing. Our local "Brookfield Bruisers" are an up and coming high school club team and the girls give their all in each game, sometimes ending with the result of sustaining injuries... or giving blood (hence the sticker in the car window. As noted by the car, you'll want to steer clear of them!) They're very resilient and tough and always bounce back.
Best of luck in your next game, girls! Good luck to coaches Dan & Bill, too.

American Legion Hall

Just like almost every town has a VFW, we also have an American Legion hall. This sturdy brick building is on Wisconsin Avenue, near Pewaukee Lake. In the lower level, it houses a little club called Billy Ho's - managed by the son of a local family who also own a popular restaurant on the lake called the Butler Inn. Billy's is a favorite hang-out for locals, especially the kids who have grown up & come of age. :-)

Smart Cars

There is a "Smart Car" dealership that I pass on my way to work each day at the intersection of Hwy. 45 & Good Hope Road. It's a vertical building with a giant elevator that stops on 5 floors, each with it's own mini showroom car on the landing pad. Each floor also has a window that looks out over the highway.

Just recently I've actually seen a few of these itty bitty cars out on roads as well. They seem to have a lot of pep for such a little car.

I Only Have "Eyes" For You

This splendid peacock was strutting his stuff during our visit to the Milwaukee County Zoo last weekend. The jewel-like colors of his emerald and sapphire "eyes" were just spectacular - and the full display reminded me of the NBC mascot!

Foghorn Leghorn

While driving to work the other day, I happened to spot this rooster being followed by a gaggle (group? flock?) of hens. They didn't seem the least bit in a hurry to move out of the way of the van that was trying to back up off the yard. If they don't watch out, they may meet the same fate as the Wing Zone mascot! :-)

SkyWatch Friday: Jet Blue

Everytime I glance up into the sky and see a jet trail way up high, I always wonder: where did it come from and where is it going? Seattle to DC? Philadelphia to Minneapolis? And what about the people on board...what's their story? On their way to a funeral or a wedding? A business trip? Or just a vacation?

And then I think - what if they're looking down from on high and wondering: who lives in that little town down there?... where are those cars going on that slim ribbon highway? Imagination is a two way street.

See all SkyWatch Friday entries here.

Wing Zone!

This costumed character was walking the beat across from my daughter's apartment on Brady Street in Milwaukee. He was more than happy to pose for a photo. Later that afternoon he was reported missing, but was eventually found in a bucket next to a side of slaw. Delicious!

Pewaukee Picasso

This painting, created by a local artisan, is currently displayed in the window of the bike shop across from the lake. It provides window-shoppers a little extra piece of interest, and maybe a bit of enticement to enter the shop.

You've got my heart on a string...

This pretty branch of bleeding heart blooms is from a small bush in our back yard garden. This year was an exceptional year for them, and they bloomed early and long. A lovely, colorful sign of springtime!

The Coveted Morel

These little delights have a mild flavor with a meaty texture - not at all musky like some mushrooms can be. But there is a trick to finding them. Morels are only found for a short window of time during the year in the upper Midwest, usually in the cool, damp months of April and May. Production involves a delicate balance of weather and location. They prefer the soil and debris found under dead or dying elm and ash trees. That's why they say "look up" rather than down. When you see the bare, thin crowns of brown branches in a field of green budded out tree tops - you'll know where to head. THEN you can look down.. and look closely, as they can be quite camouflaged! Dried grass and shadows hide them perfectly.

While most morel hunters keep their special spots a top secret, I will say I came upon these quite by accident near one of my local hiking trails in the City of Pewaukee.

Morels are actually very lightweight and hollow inside! If you are ever lucky enough to find them, here's a good, simple recipe.

Lake Country Bench

There are a variety of painted wooden benches around the shops by the lake. This one, next to "Brewers Two" cafe, is a patriotic red, white and blue. A nice place to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee and people-watch!

Skywatch Friday: Soaring Eagle

Back in March while visiting La Crosse, WI, we stopped by Myrick Park. Myrick borders the marsh of the La Crosse River, which in turn joins the Mississippi a few miles west. There are several hiking trails back into the marshland, which if not flooded, allow access to an abundance of flora and fauna. A beautiful, peaceful and pristine area.

One of the renewing species is the bald eagle. There were few, if any, 40 years ago, and now they once again soar above the bluffs rising up from either side of the river. As I was walking down the path, I was surprised to look up and see this eagle approaching... Yikes! again, my camera-work was shaky, but I managed to get a few shots. Once he landed on the ice, way in the distance, you could see him do a little "fishing."



By the way, they say that up on the Hixon Forest bluff trails, there have been black bear sightings as well. We're doing some hiking there this summer, but I do NOT want to run into Yogi!

See other Skywatch entries here.

The Blues

Piano Blu is a piano bar/night club located on Wisconsin Avenue across from Pewaukee Lake. The main floor is a piano bar area with a nightclub atmosphere. The upstairs is a regular restaurant. The food is good, albeit a little pricey. But as usual, ambiance comes at a cost.

Ole!

I think it supposed to be a play on words with a Mexican accent... "Seester's" (as in sisters) is a cute little Mexican restaurant on Wisconsin Avenue across from Pewaukee Lake. The bright stools out in front are a great place to spend a summer afternoon or a warm evening with friends and a margarita! People watching is also fun during the summer when the lakefront comes alive with residents and visitors alike.

Blowin' in the Wind

This railroad engine wind catcher had it's little wheels chugging like mad in the breeze the other day. It's hanging off the porch of the house just west of lake side park (see yesterday's post) - right across the railroad tracks. Notice the house address is posted on the windmill train? Clever.In the photo below you can see the rim of the tracks just below the lake.

Pewaukee Station

Next to Pewaukee Lake, right by the railroad crossing, is this replica of an old-fashioned train station. It's currently houses restroom facilities and a concession stand with a little outdoor cafe area that's open from Memorial Day until Labor Day.

They're Baaaaack!

The Baltimore Orioles, that is. Unfortunately the only shots I could get were through our kitchen window, so these are a bit on the cloudy side. Still, you can get a general idea of their bright orange color. The Orioles are only around here (upper Midwest) for a few short months to breed before migrating back to greener pastures. They love the oranges we set out for them -- notice him steadying the orange with his little foot below? And some lucky birds also get grape jelly from the neighbors.

Wishing You Well for Mother's Day

This old vine covered silo is set way back from the road, so I can't get a very close photo - but there is a little red "Wishing Well" set right next to it. I've seen an older woman out there tending to her garden and also in the winter she sets out a "creche" with an actual baby doll with a spotlight on the manger.... (kind of creepy really.)

In any event hope all you Moms out there have a wonderful Mother's Day weekend!

Skywatch Friday: Storm Blowin' Through

These are the "Two Towers" - the glass bank towers I showed in a previous post that are located over by where I work. This angle, looking east, shows the dark thunderstorm clouds that had just passed by while the glass reflects the sunset sky in the west.

See other Skywatch Friday entries here.

Spring Moon

Finally, a little green is budding out on the Ryan Road Trails! This view shows an early evening moonrise through the trees during a recent hike. Spring has sprung!

Bubba's

Milwaukee is a town famed for it's frozen custard stands (think back to "Arnold's" on Happy Days.) Frozen custard is a denser, silkier version of ice cream - and is usually offered up with mix-ins or special flavors each day. There are aficionados of Kopp's, Gilles, Le Ducs, & Oscar's, to name just a few of the local favorites. Even visiting presidents are not allowed to leave town without a taste of the stuff!

Pewaukee's version of the local shake and burger joint is called Bubba's, with its purple and white awning. I must say they have mighty fine custard, not to mention the best Chicago Dog in town! Check out all the stands & daily flavor lists here.

Water Hazard?

It's taken at a slightly different angle, but this is the same view of the creek running through Wanaki golf course from my April 25th post. View them side-by-side (or just look below, since I've posted it again) for a good comparison. Several days of downpours created something akin to what Noah must have faced. The good news? April showers bring May flowers.... or so we hope!

Butterfly!

I rode my bicycle briefly this weekend. The weather was finally warm enough to do so for the first time this year - sunny and in the 60s. Afterwards, when I went to shut the garage door, I saw this little guy on my handle bars. A "Red Admiral" - first of the season!

Drydocked

Back in March during a visit to our family in La Crosse, we drove down by the Mississippi River. Over on Pettibone Island is the Boat Club, where these pontoons and houseboats (above) were dry-docked for the winter alongside the road on trailers. The photos below show the frozen boat slips where they will be "released" in a few short weeks! ...Summer is a-comin'!

Sculpture Shadows

In keeping with the May theme of shadows, I've posted this image of a pair of modernistic figure sculptures on display at the Holistic Wellness Clinic across from Pewaukee Lake.

Sun and Shadows: May Theme Day & Skywatch Friday

The setting sun in the distance makes silhouettes of patrons during a dinner at McCormick & Schmick's near Fisherman's Wharf. This photo was taken during a recent trip to San Francisco and seemed to be the perfect blend for both May Theme Day (shadows) and Skywatch Friday.

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