Yellow Canoe

Work by Wisconsin artist Erin Lang Norris of Yellow Canoe
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I have a soft spot in my heart for all things handmade...I love processes in general, which is what handmade is all about. Okay, there's a lot more to it than that, but I think that's one of the reasons I'm so drawn to creating.

My favorite part of the process is coming up with new designs...and then seeing which colors make the patterns look their best. Lately I'm really drawn to hues that are bright and bold, but I've been slowly adding some more muted tones here and there. Rusty oranges, wintery greys and dusty blues have all been making appearances lately, but that could just be this cold and snowy season speaking to me.




Yellow Canoe
Etsy shop: http://yellowcanoe.etsy.com
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/erinscissorhands/
Blogs: http://www.operation-paper-cut.blogspot.com
http://www.yellowcanoeblog.blogspot.com

Cafe Soleil, Madison WI

Cafe Soleil is part of L'Etoile restaurant on the Capitol Square in Madison.  I have never eaten at L'Etoile myself, but I hear it is fantastic.  It is always getting rave reviews published.  The cafe is downstairs from the restaurant and is a breakfast/lunch spot.  Both restaurants feature local ingredients and creative menus.

You must try their star shaped shortbread cookies.

And any of the sandwiches come with freshly made waffle cut chips.  Sooo crispy and delicious.  The sandwich you see here is a provolone, apple and spinach on a fresh baguette.

Cafe Soleil and L'Etoile Restaurant

25 North Pinckney St.

Madison, WI

608-251-0500

www.letoile-restaurant.com

Sunday Morning

This is what a cozy weekend morning in Madison WI can look like. This bowl of yogurt with granola and blueberries made my day a little brighter.  There's just something about blueberries.



That unique ceramic mug is an old favorite. It was handmade by a sculptor in Athens Georgia. Or maybe she is a ceramicist? Is that a term?



And what Sunday morning would be complete without awesome pajama pants. I've been crazy for anything having ticking stripes so when I saw these at Anthropologie I couldn't resist. Thankfully they were on sale. But still cost more money than someone (namely me) should really be paying for clothes to sleep in.

The Whistling Swan, Fish Creek WI

Most of Fish Creek WI is quaint, that's true. But the Whistling Swan Inn and Restaurant is truly a gem.





Everything about it is warm, cozy and incredibly charming. Thanks to someone's cancellation, we were lucky enough to get a reservation for a New Year's Eve dinner on very short notice. The food was incredible. And I'm picky. Well I'm not picky like I have list of things I won't eat. But as in I like food to be good. Really really good. I tried to get a photo of my plate, but the warm ambiance of candlelight didn't make for very good pictures. What you're almost seeing is the short ribs with roasted root vegetables. Heavenly.





My only regret is that we were only eating dinner at the Whistling Swan, not staying at the inn. Rumor has it they have breakfast for guests. But now I know for next time!

The Whistling Swan Inn and Restaurant
www.whistlingswan.com

Ashley Goldberg

Work by St. Louis based artist Ashley Goldberg!
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I have loved arts, crafts, creatures, and nature my entire life. I enjoy focusing on portraiture and capturing a brief moment in time. My artwork tends to be simple, but with a sophisticated or stark color palette. I believe great emotion can be conveyed in a simple gesture or look. The characters I create, whether monsters or little girls, are simple, humorous, empathetic, and a little bit pathetic.

I strongly believe in what you're happiest doing at five is what you will be happiest doing your entire life. Growing up, I endlessly drew and embroidered onto washcloths that my grandma gave me little creatures and animals that I desperately wanted to live in the woods of my backyard. In my mind these creatures had tiny, magnificent, ornate lairs in the trunks of old trees (which I also drew, along with maps of how to get there). And although these creatures were elusive and shy, they always decided to befriend me. Over the years, my creatures have become decidedly more design-driven, put a part of me is still just drawing little friends to have.

ashleyg.etsy.com
www.kittygenius.com
ashley.goldberg@gmail.com

Milwaukee Art Museum

I believe it is almost impossible to take a bad photo of the Calatrava addition at the Milwaukee Art Museum.

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May 4, 2001, marked the initial unveiling of the Milwaukee Art Museum's new expansion and renovation which combines art, dramatic architecture and landscape design. Our new Quadracci Pavilion, the first Santiago Calatrava-designed building in the United States, features a 90-foot high glass-walled reception hall enclosed by the Burke Brise Soleil, a sunscreen that can be raised or lowered creating a unique moving sculpture.

The "wings" as seen from the inside.


The view of Lake Michigan is amazing.

A huge mobile in the lobby.

The Milwaukee Art Museum
700 N. Art Museum Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53202

Door County, Wisconsin

The festive and incredibly quaint Door County peninsula in northeastern Wisconsin.



A few towns collectively make up "Door County" and they each have their own unique feel. Overall, my favorite of the towns is Fish Creek but each town has something different to offer. A proud Scandinavian heritage is evident throughout the area.





Fish boils are a huge tradition around here, even in the winter. At first, I was wary of a meal of kettle boiled whitefish, potatoes and onions. But it was so simple and so delicious.

Some noteworthy spots: Fish Creek Market, White Gull Inn, Al Johnson's Swedish restaurant (mmmmm...real Swedish pancakes), Blue Horse coffeehouse, Door County Confectionary and the Whistling Swan restaurant. Stay tuned for more detailed posts about some of these places.