Mad City and the Oscars

Roger and I drove to Madison yesterday with Ned and his friend Liz. It was Roger's Birthday. What better way to spend a birthday than stand outside in 15 degree weather! :) Luckily we did not know that. We saw Peter of Peter, Paul and Mary perform. That was great and free (but cold). Also performers from West Wing and the Guiding Light spoke-the West Wing guy is from Madison. After we went to Joe's house for Turkey Chili and lots of wine-both helped us warm up.


Tonight we're going to Ned's to watch the Oscar's on his big screen TV. He's making mushroom lasagna and (in his words) "Really Old Fashioned Marinated Rib-eye~ (alla Venetziana)".  We saw the Illusionist this afternoon in preparation-using a Landmark Theater gift card, of course. :)

Can you see Roger and me? We're in front of the capitol. Think "Where's Waldo"!

French Films and Julia Child

This week UWM had a slew of French films-for free! I saw 3 of them, including "Little Nicholas", which was hilarious. The day I saw that, Roger saw the Fine Arts Quartet-free this year. Yesterday I saw another film-a documentary- and then went to our friend Carol's house for a "Julia & Julie" inspired feast. Everyone brought dishes from Julia Child's cookbook. Everything was great. Back to teaching today. I'll try to catch a free film at UWM today. I do spend $1.50 on popcorn-a weakness-but it's a bargain price compared to for-profit theaters. ;)

The Blizzard of 2011

Most of Wednesday was spent shoveling out. Restaurants were closed so we went to Metro Market (which was packed, but shelves were empty) and picked up some pork chops. We had dinner at home and watched DVR'd shows and drank wine. Thursday night Roger had a cooking class at the public market. I met up with him afterwards and used a Groupon for Palms bistro. Had calamari appetizer and pasta with shrimp and a bottle of wine. Friday night we went to a free Scotch tatsing at Waterford Wine, then to a free French film at UWM. Dinner after-leftovers from Thursday's cooking class at the Public Market. It was Chinese food, so had lots of that-and more wine, of course! Saturday we went to Thief Wine in Shorewood for a free wine tasting. Then I went to our friend Ned's house-he had a group over and made homemade lasagna-yum! Sunday is the Super Bowl. I'll have to find someplace that has free food! :) Roger's going to see the Fine Arts Quartet at UWM-free this year. I may go to another free French film first-he'll probably catch up after that.

January coming to a close

We went to Galley night with my friend Jeri and ended up getting our pics taken (drinking free wine, natch):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/artworksformilwaukee/5391145612/in/set-72157625912940952/
My niece was also working the event for Fuel Milwaukee.


Not a lot of other free things going on. Need to use up some groupons that are going to start expiring soon. UWM Spring session started so want to see some cheap, but good, flix at the union theatre. Haven't won any free tix lately, but not for lack of trying! ;)

Back from San Francisco

Going wine tasting tonight at Thief Wine using a Groupon! These are great-1/2 price off all kinds of things. I also just started using livingsocial. Similar concept. Our friend Joe brought over some leftover quiche, so Roger's making asparagus and, of course, we're having more wine! It's cheaper than going out, but of course, I would have used a groupon at a 1/2 price wine restaurant! :)

Happy Festivus!

Xmas eve was spent wine-tasting at Waterford wine and and also Thief Wine at the public market. Roger treated! :) Then we went to Simone's for a Brazilian birthday party.Xmas day, after airing our grievances  (see festivus) I spent a pleasant holiday with my family. First I met my son and his fiancée at the M&I Xmas display-free of course, and free parking! We went to my sister's for a wonderful prime rib dinner-free for us but $150 for them! Maybe that's why we never have that. :) I'm currently at the laundromat using their freeWI-FI, then going to the Chancery to meet up with my sister and neice to watch the Packer's game. Maybe she'll buy the beer! :)

The day after-Thanksgiving

I spent most of Thanksgiving day writing exams-almost harder than grading them! Went to Dan's for a few glasses of wine and talked to his son, daughter and ex-wife.I never get invited to anything with my ex! :) Then went to my sister's for traditional turkey dinner with pumpkin pie, naturally. Roger made drunken cranberries which fit in since we were on our 3rd bottle of wine by then! Today we're going to see Burlesque (Cher) at the bargain matinee, natch. Then to the 3rd ward for holiday specials and entering contests-then to a bar for cocktails (2-for-1) finally going to Ned's for yummy leftovers.