tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57757401812214904942024-03-13T06:15:59.488-05:00Aviva In DairylandThe Mad Hatter drinks beer, the Cheshire Cat lives in a barn, and the White Rabbit's watch is on Central Time. It may not be the East Coast, but it's my new stomping ground. This is my adventure and I'm grabbing life by the utters. Alice in Wonderland, meet your competition.Aviva M. Cantorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14346566197678626901noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775740181221490494.post-28149179685129041192015-08-21T19:14:00.000-05:002015-08-21T19:17:52.980-05:00Bonding with cows: an afternoon at Meadowood Farms.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As you may recall, last summer I <a href="http://avivaindairyland.blogspot.com/2014/06/resolution-complete-i-milked-cow.html">milked a cow</a> for the first time. This summer, I figured it was time to bottle-feed a bunch of calves.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At the beginning of July, Melissa and I spent an afternoon at Meadowood Farms in Lodi, Wisconsin, where Melissa conducted her Master's research in finding the best nutrition plan for calves using a robot feeder (more on that later). The family-owned farm belongs to Sandy, Tim, and Greg Enge. The farm is home to 450 cows, which is considered a medium-sized dairy. </div>
<br />
First of all, the view was great:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVym8n7_pw26d2oXX6a9-ueMyxwdY5jQKLhds1_5losm6B_gL-F9zB_-A5mHaDDBIvavNeAbcUZUaNQ7VhWj4Y9gdD_URlWaiNbsPJARsxuvr4BBaCu3MKxx8mvxXrNxhDrGUfhHu6GN4/s1600/IMG_6020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVym8n7_pw26d2oXX6a9-ueMyxwdY5jQKLhds1_5losm6B_gL-F9zB_-A5mHaDDBIvavNeAbcUZUaNQ7VhWj4Y9gdD_URlWaiNbsPJARsxuvr4BBaCu3MKxx8mvxXrNxhDrGUfhHu6GN4/s400/IMG_6020.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Okay, now for the cows. We were greeted by cow #2598, also known as Olive, who Melissa raised as a baby. She is now all grown up and works as a show cow at various fairs.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6lct0g6Scr77Rs7JSLo7vyXRg-rN2B5XJKn1bfj1xXlL1pMkxVz8ErtKxj3bNZGtCe0vjqtxvGAIwtTkthHv8AoJxVCUQ1igAC2uXP2hWfm3WxADuNVQf6PT3QBRhJQ3NtZTxSmNIjk/s1600/IMG_6023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6lct0g6Scr77Rs7JSLo7vyXRg-rN2B5XJKn1bfj1xXlL1pMkxVz8ErtKxj3bNZGtCe0vjqtxvGAIwtTkthHv8AoJxVCUQ1igAC2uXP2hWfm3WxADuNVQf6PT3QBRhJQ3NtZTxSmNIjk/s400/IMG_6023.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olive says hello.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBOZtFiCuwjYwgzAX3bvt83AMJiiVsWp9_hQZ0osJfFsTQ6wST6MC4A36gpwcHVS6ruC8QgKSVC1mM6ivYLdNx3lhK-nY_JH1jSqqkD_rl7EzVRtFRuu1YJdPizQJq6kDg97ApkBRGYg/s1600/IMG_0528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBOZtFiCuwjYwgzAX3bvt83AMJiiVsWp9_hQZ0osJfFsTQ6wST6MC4A36gpwcHVS6ruC8QgKSVC1mM6ivYLdNx3lhK-nY_JH1jSqqkD_rl7EzVRtFRuu1YJdPizQJq6kDg97ApkBRGYg/s400/IMG_0528.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to right: Holstein, Brown Swiss, and Jersey show cows.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-atyoxyKDT_C3t3GomUV_vV165wDFThJWNDtiucjqemGkxLxtpZngGO4FmPlvkPsNmXStYEGuT_zaRVrkxZIogRTi6tsb1so47kAUWOjh_RYz86q2BHw1zLbsIzkoVNknCL4PS1rs2o/s1600/IMG_6005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-atyoxyKDT_C3t3GomUV_vV165wDFThJWNDtiucjqemGkxLxtpZngGO4FmPlvkPsNmXStYEGuT_zaRVrkxZIogRTi6tsb1so47kAUWOjh_RYz86q2BHw1zLbsIzkoVNknCL4PS1rs2o/s400/IMG_6005.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olive is a friendly gal.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLRrWW_WYDNDL45cELC2x_UXbji1gDPSmc2qboE2DIVA2JlOeAmABw3lDxNUrtJPHmkjeLYCXTn8zFGJQq5gIbf-snzie9ayaEePwn9yxH5fXj5CYnAXoN1OMCwzspGdME5XpyUv7LuM/s1600/IMG_6004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLRrWW_WYDNDL45cELC2x_UXbji1gDPSmc2qboE2DIVA2JlOeAmABw3lDxNUrtJPHmkjeLYCXTn8zFGJQq5gIbf-snzie9ayaEePwn9yxH5fXj5CYnAXoN1OMCwzspGdME5XpyUv7LuM/s400/IMG_6004.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a selfie with a cow is challenging.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<div>
After hanging out with the show cows, I was pretty excited to meet some barn cats:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaYnMNxhKKqFIMmvO1E8IVcPsfJZ6KEs1v8nAA8to1_rxJElpKYppbFvQPGIX0y27CKBUt41_dx4vfrEObx264WD_wPTtV4UreAc78nSUytVwjzyX-3pA524YhDXMhG12MGndrCWgFXc/s1600/IMG_0522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaYnMNxhKKqFIMmvO1E8IVcPsfJZ6KEs1v8nAA8to1_rxJElpKYppbFvQPGIX0y27CKBUt41_dx4vfrEObx264WD_wPTtV4UreAc78nSUytVwjzyX-3pA524YhDXMhG12MGndrCWgFXc/s400/IMG_0522.JPG" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama was a leg climber.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH1YVRK6brz-pOUf9NnxwCm6Ks3DqDbXdwiEUcVdwJ8PMvjLbWIzXxro7NEc8rc33ZSrJXR82THK26TMfdSLwvxOoxpMEzMDunvOqpvUWlhyphenhyphen1IZz26jnK89T5QXuFoIfhh3JStC4blpQs/s1600/IMG_0534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH1YVRK6brz-pOUf9NnxwCm6Ks3DqDbXdwiEUcVdwJ8PMvjLbWIzXxro7NEc8rc33ZSrJXR82THK26TMfdSLwvxOoxpMEzMDunvOqpvUWlhyphenhyphen1IZz26jnK89T5QXuFoIfhh3JStC4blpQs/s400/IMG_0534.JPG" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And her baby was a snuggler.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We saw large groups of cows walking to and from their milking area. They are good at following each other in lines.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlXzIdW_0a47mb1aV2XbwmC9DGNMRLHJwuQfNlRdnwvS8J2QtnpP82ROw1m2vAi7r0KQJGbzG802magQkLqaE_8DHC4yVVsuuSBOdwiE85LIroNSZTheS2euWNWwSZYjnIsK3TGcV_Wk/s1600/IMG_0537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlXzIdW_0a47mb1aV2XbwmC9DGNMRLHJwuQfNlRdnwvS8J2QtnpP82ROw1m2vAi7r0KQJGbzG802magQkLqaE_8DHC4yVVsuuSBOdwiE85LIroNSZTheS2euWNWwSZYjnIsK3TGcV_Wk/s400/IMG_0537.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kOeP-aoMuFeKCxJeuRBve_05oUXljxpVLNQwoMRGVU4xOB4s1_Yl0n1Utr8xZ2HXUQnYA8mYAHPAGvw1jf3IN-vuVapGWxwwfcdEt0lqast7F30RRHOTbP-o0lTBp825hMJ9RNuwysk/s1600/IMG_6019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kOeP-aoMuFeKCxJeuRBve_05oUXljxpVLNQwoMRGVU4xOB4s1_Yl0n1Utr8xZ2HXUQnYA8mYAHPAGvw1jf3IN-vuVapGWxwwfcdEt0lqast7F30RRHOTbP-o0lTBp825hMJ9RNuwysk/s400/IMG_6019.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then, it was time to head to the calf barn. Calves ages 1-66 days old live in this barn. Calves under a day old have their own area where they get bottle-fed. Prepare for cuteness.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YOcNFYg-aP-JpSxgKnSpJ3ZI99OXmacgfHlcFybNbJAZkVv5rkuYijzM1sfiV6vUZhsgQ34Z9fKglYiHd_fq5rvvAIw9yGnXp8T-aYJmigrHxR2Q6-irjnm6zDWm5oOPfUJol5Vcyak/s1600/IMG_0544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YOcNFYg-aP-JpSxgKnSpJ3ZI99OXmacgfHlcFybNbJAZkVv5rkuYijzM1sfiV6vUZhsgQ34Z9fKglYiHd_fq5rvvAIw9yGnXp8T-aYJmigrHxR2Q6-irjnm6zDWm5oOPfUJol5Vcyak/s400/IMG_0544.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lounging calves.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIf_-FGTYGEe1wdJu2N4bqGE69rVPpBOrf_l1oWSWdU8GhMN3V7Z8IwtTFXayMU3pYoBp2J2MjdRcF2jfug9F2h9uOJQraJnUBjJmhy_JGSAe5d_ykD18ctv3GxmToW0UcR1mDvii_dWE/s1600/IMG_0557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIf_-FGTYGEe1wdJu2N4bqGE69rVPpBOrf_l1oWSWdU8GhMN3V7Z8IwtTFXayMU3pYoBp2J2MjdRcF2jfug9F2h9uOJQraJnUBjJmhy_JGSAe5d_ykD18ctv3GxmToW0UcR1mDvii_dWE/s400/IMG_0557.JPG" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up close and personal. This baby was excited to be fed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The calves drink from a <a href="http://www.delaval.com/">DeLaval</a> automated feeder, also known as a robot feeder. Calves are trained to use the feeder, then they can walk up to it for milk meals. Each calf wears a collar so that the feeder knows when he or she has had enough to eat, giving them just the right amount of milk. Calves drink anywhere from 1-3 gallons of milk a day.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyPkY1e20y31RF2xGq8_AnJN0pgiiIou-fHpt02dWiO6oXRJGy26iPQRDa9lfyQBF4izQCaas9LHrTG5o-aNQ9h9n-5k8akU_0tiWSFC6aYD7jkOkAQyKj5YoFy9TYbBBvd94siprLwo/s1600/IMG_0542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyPkY1e20y31RF2xGq8_AnJN0pgiiIou-fHpt02dWiO6oXRJGy26iPQRDa9lfyQBF4izQCaas9LHrTG5o-aNQ9h9n-5k8akU_0tiWSFC6aYD7jkOkAQyKj5YoFy9TYbBBvd94siprLwo/s400/IMG_0542.JPG" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The feeder!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJNl2XMLkNJwI8JdAWOLbk3gMUQTQd73kHn7z7YG2lMmpqd3KIEPKW4K9tGB7hEQL_h2rBQafk5Q4OTL6uJM493Owk7kTXkf6UQyqqvceRygYWujOFXE0PrOejR9wnkAijY-fJ4dAmro/s1600/IMG_0547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJNl2XMLkNJwI8JdAWOLbk3gMUQTQd73kHn7z7YG2lMmpqd3KIEPKW4K9tGB7hEQL_h2rBQafk5Q4OTL6uJM493Owk7kTXkf6UQyqqvceRygYWujOFXE0PrOejR9wnkAijY-fJ4dAmro/s400/IMG_0547.JPG" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supper time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Then, it was time to bottle feed the 4 calves who were less than 1 day old. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4GThCVmiKO6Rjxabuzx9Wv5MN3YXI4VV1pLPsbQ4RI4cEHIGXQzwOoI0i9KLtROJCGlH_O2bZHYSGxCl8N4V6FAHC-258Ikmh_QSPIRmUI9fDRllI4r8k3qiSK-ATUVpMZ4IqKsltjyY/s1600/IMG_0554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4GThCVmiKO6Rjxabuzx9Wv5MN3YXI4VV1pLPsbQ4RI4cEHIGXQzwOoI0i9KLtROJCGlH_O2bZHYSGxCl8N4V6FAHC-258Ikmh_QSPIRmUI9fDRllI4r8k3qiSK-ATUVpMZ4IqKsltjyY/s400/IMG_0554.JPG" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melissa (wearing her "Moo Expert" shirt) was very excited to mix up the formula.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<div>
We fed the babies! It's much harder than it looks. They were young, wild, and hungry, but didn't know much about using a bottle.</div>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlJuXOejD2LRaeP1d5tFRHeVwFrHNtS9B3UPUO5WbPofkB58g50Ht4UZuuSKaCxcC4fBnybf8gvbNUF3mfcWQBKBwUl2Dc2i1azyz9NGDpE6wtvwNCtANbPVW2iZZc_Sb2PjnwXNS4ak/s1600/IMG_0553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlJuXOejD2LRaeP1d5tFRHeVwFrHNtS9B3UPUO5WbPofkB58g50Ht4UZuuSKaCxcC4fBnybf8gvbNUF3mfcWQBKBwUl2Dc2i1azyz9NGDpE6wtvwNCtANbPVW2iZZc_Sb2PjnwXNS4ak/s400/IMG_0553.JPG" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did alright for a rookie, but I ended up seeking help from the expert.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCfAs9a_K7aYhp5vqHGefiYBu73ITQTmTof8X6uQASHCO2xLKuG7OU8KxFUxAqX2xuOfeqa-tqQyvuFevW1FLAYkgkAwoXwPKU0zpdWzTSwhI2MUkzV5kKZmfJxfPndkRi-7o4wGjBHE/s1600/IMG_6011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCfAs9a_K7aYhp5vqHGefiYBu73ITQTmTof8X6uQASHCO2xLKuG7OU8KxFUxAqX2xuOfeqa-tqQyvuFevW1FLAYkgkAwoXwPKU0zpdWzTSwhI2MUkzV5kKZmfJxfPndkRi-7o4wGjBHE/s400/IMG_6011.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PUMPED.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Then, it was time to head out, but not before I got a quick video of feeding time. The Meadowood cows live in "free stalls," so they can go wherever they want, whenever they want. They're living the good life.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwJapm1ET0uvuvJ2CJ-hV8H7UVjQ-SWb3KtqKQ2D6LVwHj_WyQ1Ti293l5PUmv3jQZ2dwvzXZn1IVk_Jf9Orw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was a great, moo-worthy day with the cows!</div>
</div>
</div>
Aviva M. Cantorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14346566197678626901noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775740181221490494.post-67833709878873564472015-06-22T17:11:00.000-05:002015-06-22T17:11:24.986-05:00I went biking. Kinda.As <a href="http://avivaindairyland.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-refuse-to-buy-bike.html">I've mentioned before</a>, I don't bike. However, I live in a city surrounded by bike enthusiasts. Two of those enthusiasts are my good friends, Scott and Elysha, who recently visited <a href="http://www.thecargobikeshop.com/">The Cargo Bike Shop</a> and invested in a highly coveted WorkCycle Kr8 like this:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4V_qAXT_DuruypJkrowY9onMEyR7YCpj89hL3WqkT6pLG-N6BU3eJecEEuiOG8kKRJ-0RWjoTuVmjrAXIQtU7CPf1dRcFV8Mj_JvIvrHHcYREoZihoQet_MsT33w481a6gBKvEuUQX8/s1600/12767908523_68a07638b9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4V_qAXT_DuruypJkrowY9onMEyR7YCpj89hL3WqkT6pLG-N6BU3eJecEEuiOG8kKRJ-0RWjoTuVmjrAXIQtU7CPf1dRcFV8Mj_JvIvrHHcYREoZihoQet_MsT33w481a6gBKvEuUQX8/s320/12767908523_68a07638b9_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why yes, this is a bike with a giant bucket.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Elysha has been biking around town sporting a bucket filled with two children, groceries, library books, and an assortment of other things that fit in its spacious compartment. And by "spacious compartment," I meant this: large enough to hold an adult.<br />
<br />
So, it happened: I went on a bike ride, but I was not pedaling the bike. Instead, I sat in a bucket and Elysha pedaled me around her Near East Side neighborhood.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjts0Vj8toCODJYTdS2tFXkEqDuAEb9vfj6CnVR54n6ucXXS5Ajov_3tDqfIUS11DzXiWKx7jhlqIPSMsEmpXPQEISjXPcfZk-SDd2nHPirzU_EwVnkFxlLwsIqSVgG4Kwu6kYXHTxksqY/s1600/IMG_5758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjts0Vj8toCODJYTdS2tFXkEqDuAEb9vfj6CnVR54n6ucXXS5Ajov_3tDqfIUS11DzXiWKx7jhlqIPSMsEmpXPQEISjXPcfZk-SDd2nHPirzU_EwVnkFxlLwsIqSVgG4Kwu6kYXHTxksqY/s320/IMG_5758.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always wear a helmet! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I got in the bucket and we were ready to go:<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzSCHT41VmZYfzHw29a3dwFbFwRWVFahz2pQExyZiJwBfCO0e77v7hDhBXsQnJ1xBWNjGYhwRSCNqBI8hzP8eviaKvyK8Md7JykJR1Eio58RbBl0V2UTVWXnIWLa6p5WUwCykAdO3DLw/s1600/IMG_5763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzSCHT41VmZYfzHw29a3dwFbFwRWVFahz2pQExyZiJwBfCO0e77v7hDhBXsQnJ1xBWNjGYhwRSCNqBI8hzP8eviaKvyK8Md7JykJR1Eio58RbBl0V2UTVWXnIWLa6p5WUwCykAdO3DLw/s320/IMG_5763.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side view of the contraption.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And we were off! Here are videos of the ride from two perspectives:<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxzVbC_g6by98LE0tOSlDyBwbm1AqNGP5VFbRdY7zRZmLr9wB58O11ITsO71-w-TZu9TqMsD8QPYfRrM9hyoA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx9nGcuAGIFoX5fN24PZjNLs788kUEEjWD1MVgKMpNwbQM_2OM4qd3P5ietIsiSXdKG7aDqLApxz0SzNYviKA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We made it back safely!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2yeIeMtGkD87a7_taZOKbebGnhaAlxJhDmQUnfRjrxxj8401gZ_sH4jka3ZvGvm0OlS7_EOLqRyLnRm5b7GD_NI_7qQHjHi6amFPIPjCyqh8fkpslfmWv9UjIeDzaqSeaTYIlum89lE/s1600/IMG_5762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2yeIeMtGkD87a7_taZOKbebGnhaAlxJhDmQUnfRjrxxj8401gZ_sH4jka3ZvGvm0OlS7_EOLqRyLnRm5b7GD_NI_7qQHjHi6amFPIPjCyqh8fkpslfmWv9UjIeDzaqSeaTYIlum89lE/s320/IMG_5762.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elysha's celebratory reaction to me riding in a bike.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Now that this has happened, it gives me a new answer to the common Madison question, "Do you bike?" Thanks to my biker friends, I can now say, "I don't bike, but I have been pedaled around in a bucket."</div>
Aviva M. Cantorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14346566197678626901noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775740181221490494.post-27245874584003543412015-05-06T20:56:00.001-05:002015-05-06T20:58:31.961-05:00My first trip to Door CountyWisconsinites love talking about <a href="http://doorcounty.com/?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PPC&utm_campaign=BrandExactMatch_FeederMarket">Door County</a>. It's a popular vacation spot known for beautiful scenery, an abundance of cherries, and an infamous <a href="http://aljohnsons.com/">Swedish restaurant</a> with goats on its roof.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In honor of my 28th birthday on April 13th, Melissa and I decided to have our first Door County experience. Being there in the off season meant that some businesses were closed and the goats weren't on the roof yet (bummer!), but it also meant no traffic and an amazing deal on a room at the <a href="http://www.edge-waterresort.com/">Edgewater Resort</a> in Ephraim, which had this amazing view (as always, please click the photos for a larger view):</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGGyjffHa_PxsORF9-vO_18QddVldWT9O3sjRq19ME884dkygtRpm9XnCv19b9QHNYkrUtqC8XkgT1Ec57fCldEP0Bx7JB96MJgmHqru66GIyUvfCF6uTb_GxYUTE-T6oSB-FbCmWSSo/s1600/IMG_5364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGGyjffHa_PxsORF9-vO_18QddVldWT9O3sjRq19ME884dkygtRpm9XnCv19b9QHNYkrUtqC8XkgT1Ec57fCldEP0Bx7JB96MJgmHqru66GIyUvfCF6uTb_GxYUTE-T6oSB-FbCmWSSo/s1600/IMG_5364.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We spent Saturday exploring <a href="http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/peninsula/">Peninsula State Park</a>, which offered up some great photo ops:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjgf-XEiuRL7KUTTVVPA6IH5KAi80hHPoG0D4uKYMyuVNI18ZAPTb9OBuKKaOJ2jklyqoTw1PeCH89CoerPf0mYNweTaLQG73HntQzk0syNnvEtWJMzVw0dSqzS8saNt_d9MpMnNJ6rd4/s1600/DSC04018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjgf-XEiuRL7KUTTVVPA6IH5KAi80hHPoG0D4uKYMyuVNI18ZAPTb9OBuKKaOJ2jklyqoTw1PeCH89CoerPf0mYNweTaLQG73HntQzk0syNnvEtWJMzVw0dSqzS8saNt_d9MpMnNJ6rd4/s1600/DSC04018.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwZqZwzvpYApVHJqGoOvfmZyU4kG20xYbZZsM7cwHzxGASomMHMNZMYvLAqougPO142kQQ77lbJnll8Bno5hqJAP7RTRe3dYEzsBwILnR43tYdF23jXUBbIkBlFD38JY61ObXCAnLFjo/s1600/DSC04019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwZqZwzvpYApVHJqGoOvfmZyU4kG20xYbZZsM7cwHzxGASomMHMNZMYvLAqougPO142kQQ77lbJnll8Bno5hqJAP7RTRe3dYEzsBwILnR43tYdF23jXUBbIkBlFD38JY61ObXCAnLFjo/s1600/DSC04019.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI17vOk3ARRKGzN9pOPcQto-Ybr1HQ6J7nEgSAjC9_xGg-LolzlouJvFCVA5_3Zb0LExwKjYKMKQ5LeWzpheJwMGrTwHceUBO5Gl7TE_BrU6h0laUCaiwrLVQB1WGl86iOJydjuhrdVgg/s1600/DSC04020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI17vOk3ARRKGzN9pOPcQto-Ybr1HQ6J7nEgSAjC9_xGg-LolzlouJvFCVA5_3Zb0LExwKjYKMKQ5LeWzpheJwMGrTwHceUBO5Gl7TE_BrU6h0laUCaiwrLVQB1WGl86iOJydjuhrdVgg/s1600/DSC04020.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvn_OMMr2nXuWANyldBqGHlmGm7EBtR2n1ZJ1ZrkmsEap4GNrupPP-rb9nZC_gPJFjJy3N_tN4Y_5t0Xx1NjEARs-IISNlFg5H9ZFHJ2gxNvmKmaaO48Cs5KtA1XZjCDFgnfEuAK9SMZo/s1600/DSC04021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvn_OMMr2nXuWANyldBqGHlmGm7EBtR2n1ZJ1ZrkmsEap4GNrupPP-rb9nZC_gPJFjJy3N_tN4Y_5t0Xx1NjEARs-IISNlFg5H9ZFHJ2gxNvmKmaaO48Cs5KtA1XZjCDFgnfEuAK9SMZo/s1600/DSC04021.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And after a day of exploration, Sunday was all about horses (avid blog readers will note that I love barnyard animals). </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We made an appointment for a trail ride with <a href="http://www.kurtzcorral.com/index.htm">Kurtz Corral</a>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqixIRCxYrxqbnQ7mIwsoNZm0T2zDnEyOrJbq-OwD6-mHjS09aGwxIPzJKIcu9KqM4QA25mkUzCacPzCIbrHsZBoYSh2rqJBTDPL9cVYcuFp8MqfnPf3KVxWRal_Rdn_2WQUeXyMNFts/s1600/DSC04028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqixIRCxYrxqbnQ7mIwsoNZm0T2zDnEyOrJbq-OwD6-mHjS09aGwxIPzJKIcu9KqM4QA25mkUzCacPzCIbrHsZBoYSh2rqJBTDPL9cVYcuFp8MqfnPf3KVxWRal_Rdn_2WQUeXyMNFts/s1600/DSC04028.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super cute barn!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Melissa is an experienced rider, while I'm a total rookie (unless the ponies at my 5th birthday party count). Because of our different experience levels, Melissa rode a vibrant young horse and I rode an apathetic, middle-aged horse.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFObTW1Bax1cnF8JKbDJ5tvM3_vCyJI0GymlYfZp1JrL17M3IYeIE2TZvSCjAYjdXl1u4VT9bhmtr8yTxboO0fPGO8OJhpdSHkRYd-0XHowUV449Y4OE9vmXbtq2dyFjON6EsbmNzBYF8/s1600/IMG_5400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFObTW1Bax1cnF8JKbDJ5tvM3_vCyJI0GymlYfZp1JrL17M3IYeIE2TZvSCjAYjdXl1u4VT9bhmtr8yTxboO0fPGO8OJhpdSHkRYd-0XHowUV449Y4OE9vmXbtq2dyFjON6EsbmNzBYF8/s1600/IMG_5400.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melissa's horse, Shadow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCs0zTdnhAJ2pSDOzOPNqltYadRxoXob7a6UzdtMdTMThjjTUT5SmdpkP9g-KsGl_H1J6fsDCmzj3FtmoRhkwMItmnJ0oF08NyjsPwAF0HMTsng1vUEQFXykKXSxgedLj_8I3f3U6vc_w/s1600/IMG_5380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCs0zTdnhAJ2pSDOzOPNqltYadRxoXob7a6UzdtMdTMThjjTUT5SmdpkP9g-KsGl_H1J6fsDCmzj3FtmoRhkwMItmnJ0oF08NyjsPwAF0HMTsng1vUEQFXykKXSxgedLj_8I3f3U6vc_w/s1600/IMG_5380.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My horse, Goldilocks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Climbing on top of Goldilocks was a challenge, but I made it!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-bp12LIyT3vWZEqMN6sq0gXPh5t1NBtylOgDq4EYzfypFZ8_dWxl9dO5zwk5I3t30VJitHZ1k5P3pfp05QbjKiDA93vGpnVud-ivJIgDLz3JBRrbNwqadxdsNyyusL0_fTWWCsJjyMc/s1600/IMG_5382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-bp12LIyT3vWZEqMN6sq0gXPh5t1NBtylOgDq4EYzfypFZ8_dWxl9dO5zwk5I3t30VJitHZ1k5P3pfp05QbjKiDA93vGpnVud-ivJIgDLz3JBRrbNwqadxdsNyyusL0_fTWWCsJjyMc/s1600/IMG_5382.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goldilocks was very patient.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGPsvb17Usbcc0YZEtPVHxN8wST2n82fWnwj7dGWTROwg8dwg45QB5S39b1J6DlBT2-pGALnwaEo2FyFMvrl_jkDJA4gQJkpcrWd3UYTyNxGj6Dg3JyOYI76q_GEaIHAvrDmfkvnDSBU/s1600/IMG_5388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGPsvb17Usbcc0YZEtPVHxN8wST2n82fWnwj7dGWTROwg8dwg45QB5S39b1J6DlBT2-pGALnwaEo2FyFMvrl_jkDJA4gQJkpcrWd3UYTyNxGj6Dg3JyOYI76q_GEaIHAvrDmfkvnDSBU/s1600/IMG_5388.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to go!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
We hit the trail with our guide, Kayla.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRMbNgPeAFWwFGIsHhMjMNBmNWxW0qxs14UxcHldqo90_gelbSzdujkYFbw46-SYVxFAiG0lqtF6XMZOVONLkrEUo7u63-BSQHSqbt7127ODzNEDpAxB70pds1PNJwm4ll_JnpL8Tw1A/s1600/DSC04024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRMbNgPeAFWwFGIsHhMjMNBmNWxW0qxs14UxcHldqo90_gelbSzdujkYFbw46-SYVxFAiG0lqtF6XMZOVONLkrEUo7u63-BSQHSqbt7127ODzNEDpAxB70pds1PNJwm4ll_JnpL8Tw1A/s1600/DSC04024.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;">Goldilocks preferred to stay at the back of the group.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
I really wanted video documentation of the event. We got a short video in before Goldilocks staged a small protest.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwOfDG8totpFkaVftqje6FT_eUQg1JQNGWx7SGAvP0KMaRGvWe6bEVUmvONO02wG5VHAHhnI10HTalMD-kDJQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We got back on track and had a great trail ride, despite getting whacked in the face with a few branches (ah, nature). We made it back to the barn and gave our horses lots of treats.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRfT_y9g00fBQNvIj5JmnjIfh8OLbihrxoNmZqZdSLhF88yOn9ydMxtQCh8LzsM2yghX1VD5ZufXLYY6AnTfjkITUi0ZGDLpzuaKnV5CzQHwO3-B4fxJiw_NhVuvRWyLO7w2L4gEMlL8/s1600/IMG_5393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRfT_y9g00fBQNvIj5JmnjIfh8OLbihrxoNmZqZdSLhF88yOn9ydMxtQCh8LzsM2yghX1VD5ZufXLYY6AnTfjkITUi0ZGDLpzuaKnV5CzQHwO3-B4fxJiw_NhVuvRWyLO7w2L4gEMlL8/s1600/IMG_5393.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goldilocks LOVED her treats.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
The horses were great, but my favorite part of Door County was the gorgeous sunset:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNEgBtuZFL8GPmoA4O0UulnAlC0ZFOnJ4aOAZ85Yqk_Xxiec2PHkOZDiYmqezPLkdP0z9-kAH_2tcGwY7Ob1k4esGOxQeQhlw9A_X850vU_bqBx38J1Kt6wsiM1wDT5J-2FRp7aVYPJI/s1600/DSC04023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNEgBtuZFL8GPmoA4O0UulnAlC0ZFOnJ4aOAZ85Yqk_Xxiec2PHkOZDiYmqezPLkdP0z9-kAH_2tcGwY7Ob1k4esGOxQeQhlw9A_X850vU_bqBx38J1Kt6wsiM1wDT5J-2FRp7aVYPJI/s1600/DSC04023.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfection!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
We will definitely return to see the goats, as well as all the businesses that don't open until May. Until next time, Door County!</div>
Aviva M. Cantorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14346566197678626901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775740181221490494.post-82480372901961254132015-02-17T17:36:00.002-06:002015-02-17T17:36:30.221-06:00Turkey traffic jam: a story in photos.I heard the stories and saw the photos, but we never crossed paths until today. That's right: I finally encountered the famed <a href="http://www.isthmus.com/isthmus/article.php?article=43420">urban turkeys</a> of Madison, WI. My fascination started when my friend Scott (he lives under a mile away) took a photo of them in his front yard. It was then that I knew I needed to meet the turkeys, take a turkey selfie, and write about these unique feathered friends.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEzBrKwVXMlYz4W26IOsoiwcl1zvcTUw2pcjQFgBL1EvyoribUPAk4GerzDFwC9XChUPUQNv94wITVRR2Y-o5UEfH3Zws2kR4pivmEfeoWsJd5EZDpGqmMOX795gXHw45NWCKsEMjB0k/s1600/IMG_5059_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEzBrKwVXMlYz4W26IOsoiwcl1zvcTUw2pcjQFgBL1EvyoribUPAk4GerzDFwC9XChUPUQNv94wITVRR2Y-o5UEfH3Zws2kR4pivmEfeoWsJd5EZDpGqmMOX795gXHw45NWCKsEMjB0k/s1600/IMG_5059_2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today's turkey selfie.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Madison's turkeys are city-dwelling birds who freely (and at times irreverently) roam streets and neighborhoods. My friend Elysha recently saw them chase her mailman. It's a feisty bunch.<br />
<br />
Through the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1466576853621915/">Turkeys of Madison, WI</a> Facebook group, I watched their travels and learned about their favorite local places. It was in this group where I learned that the turkeys are fond of the drive thru at the Schenk's Corners branch of <a href="https://www.mononabank.com/about-us/location-hours/">Monona State Bank</a>. When I passed the bank on my way home today, there they were: the fab 4 in all their glory.<br />
<br />
I wasn't the only person who stopped to photograph the birds. I may have been the only one to take 34 photos, though. I'll take you through some highlights (click photos to enlarge):<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaegSsTWTAoWCoyQMPhRugYEN93lQkAn_XLlu1xTTjsbH4IzIzANSz3Awxn6QF8vYpx1wEHXa33fYRlCdH7UKvuA8NT-oELRIf5SuOvaGPUl-FQhZYP1dtCiOzA1yOcuQ5pCtPY-RIlOE/s1600/IMG_5054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaegSsTWTAoWCoyQMPhRugYEN93lQkAn_XLlu1xTTjsbH4IzIzANSz3Awxn6QF8vYpx1wEHXa33fYRlCdH7UKvuA8NT-oELRIf5SuOvaGPUl-FQhZYP1dtCiOzA1yOcuQ5pCtPY-RIlOE/s1600/IMG_5054.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fab 4 took a leisurely walk to the bank drive thru.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNz7K72y7ekd3mNcpdjbUxuck0fypbiCkXSSwKerPDUlKGVMOS3p7nbyuJOxfJLk3Unj5Y6ctDhAndJmUhz2QY9T4-IU0MMvAEiUC-XZEgHxgN4J_uaj0vPOP25G8xciKqmhPQquNMyGk/s1600/IMG_5057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNz7K72y7ekd3mNcpdjbUxuck0fypbiCkXSSwKerPDUlKGVMOS3p7nbyuJOxfJLk3Unj5Y6ctDhAndJmUhz2QY9T4-IU0MMvAEiUC-XZEgHxgN4J_uaj0vPOP25G8xciKqmhPQquNMyGk/s1600/IMG_5057.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They did some preening, strutting, and fluffing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwSJ_MM5QLhF2C2094WAL2lSaPff_ROpygACRBBIxiCh0_BN0cFfywZu7BYG5vaU9T95UGFZwOuBdoS2xSBeDXh1g8A7Ds0Kl9z2QU0-AxXWEiSdCDdLRqJ4HDaxGgbq9W3zoiQt7Z50/s1600/IMG_5061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwSJ_MM5QLhF2C2094WAL2lSaPff_ROpygACRBBIxiCh0_BN0cFfywZu7BYG5vaU9T95UGFZwOuBdoS2xSBeDXh1g8A7Ds0Kl9z2QU0-AxXWEiSdCDdLRqJ4HDaxGgbq9W3zoiQt7Z50/s1600/IMG_5061.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There wasn't enough excitement at the bank, so they headed into the street. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4sA9z1TPSUIWBuKd33Hrsk8PFAzMWVpNzm546uCmUNeFtCBr0nCns7z6nuVVs9R46nk3uPlxQPTggopc9B-cefyL-vow3haa8t40nV9FP5JiU4ZgsR8voUpBbTTk5-u_pguknD-Zr8M/s1600/IMG_5063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4sA9z1TPSUIWBuKd33Hrsk8PFAzMWVpNzm546uCmUNeFtCBr0nCns7z6nuVVs9R46nk3uPlxQPTggopc9B-cefyL-vow3haa8t40nV9FP5JiU4ZgsR8voUpBbTTk5-u_pguknD-Zr8M/s1600/IMG_5063.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An ambulance came and they refused to move. Sirens and horns meant nothing to the turkeys. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFV76B4xL8wMjEI76r8tE5c-fKmO0eXSdZUKcU4vC4XhmTUHTtVgJ39j8eTdxc9f0-sI9e19l4LDAznjoVwDMgTA4yDEbts1oQ-nuC1PB020uJJWArlpZe1Wit0lRq_YbVG66yTTpcPk/s1600/IMG_5065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFV76B4xL8wMjEI76r8tE5c-fKmO0eXSdZUKcU4vC4XhmTUHTtVgJ39j8eTdxc9f0-sI9e19l4LDAznjoVwDMgTA4yDEbts1oQ-nuC1PB020uJJWArlpZe1Wit0lRq_YbVG66yTTpcPk/s1600/IMG_5065.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then, the traffic came. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyq3BHcyp-2nd7oYdIqiHL6IgCHu3fbSICZ1whRL7i-UU2B8iDzuI9267eTu5p4QbTuJYVo-sCqNUIgAvucBwn3D9gL3JE-6lSz_RaeaMDs13NU1ouIA0Mbbx4uP5S0p3KI_15-Z6x34/s1600/IMG_5066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyq3BHcyp-2nd7oYdIqiHL6IgCHu3fbSICZ1whRL7i-UU2B8iDzuI9267eTu5p4QbTuJYVo-sCqNUIgAvucBwn3D9gL3JE-6lSz_RaeaMDs13NU1ouIA0Mbbx4uP5S0p3KI_15-Z6x34/s1600/IMG_5066.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the traffic stopped.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutZ4vH5et4hp8EOK_YlDW-ultuuddMqjy2nLoXg90qXgJDRf4D1i7Hth3fQtKN7HH5zKbEzUdw73gz11bwzB5TQ2AwHpoD2jWJBMw2KAQRvfHGMdgwZ_x8CAxCQnV2i8O_daI0YM2a2U/s1600/IMG_5068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutZ4vH5et4hp8EOK_YlDW-ultuuddMqjy2nLoXg90qXgJDRf4D1i7Hth3fQtKN7HH5zKbEzUdw73gz11bwzB5TQ2AwHpoD2jWJBMw2KAQRvfHGMdgwZ_x8CAxCQnV2i8O_daI0YM2a2U/s1600/IMG_5068.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And a kind civilian shooed the turkeys out of the way. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyVI9P39iiw5hE9fLPJT9pVVLhyJRz5EIC-xKhpaEiWMTQ7kyTxqdkyS5LKL4DdVlgEmNIWeJixng8y4Tkw7n6H9E_rskcPbpwj7jdumEWNbuIqXezwmZQDadL1zMb13mTMpFjMYTehE/s1600/IMG_5069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyVI9P39iiw5hE9fLPJT9pVVLhyJRz5EIC-xKhpaEiWMTQ7kyTxqdkyS5LKL4DdVlgEmNIWeJixng8y4Tkw7n6H9E_rskcPbpwj7jdumEWNbuIqXezwmZQDadL1zMb13mTMpFjMYTehE/s1600/IMG_5069.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice guy. All the turkeys made it safely to the sidewalk.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As I walked back to my car, the turkeys returned to the street and blocked a bus. They refused to move, so the bus had to back up and go around them. Turkeys own the neighborhood!<br />
<br />
I really couldn't have asked for a better first turkey encounter. Hopefully I will see them more often, take more photos with them, and capture video footage of local gobbling. This city is weird.Aviva M. Cantorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14346566197678626901noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775740181221490494.post-4051334194001237532015-01-04T20:41:00.002-06:002015-01-04T20:42:13.720-06:00Madison's best kept secret is a bar.I must start by saying that is my 100th blog post! Hot damn.<br />
<br />
When I was little, two friends and I had a secret club. We held meetings in a shed, took notes, tracked our money, and didn't tell anyone about it.<br />
<br />
I think I've found adulthood's answer to the secret club: an under-the-radar bar in a quasi industrial wasteland in Madison. Meet the <a href="http://oldsugardistillery.com/">Old Sugar Distillery</a>: a nondescript bar a few blocks from downtown. Signage is small, hours are limited (Thursday-Saturday), and the surroundings are fellow nondescript buildings. Offices? Factories? Haven't figured it out yet, but that place where a lot of buses park is within sight. The bar itself can be tough to spot, but it's worth discovering.<br />
<br />
It's a small local business at its finest. All of the Old Sugar Distillery's liquors are made in-house and aged in Minnesota oak barrels, which line the bar like low-key wallpaper:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsDCkBt6TmWTQz92sX3-tRldwnnOW4P3ub-MN_Ajq0mXs0KRG2d5JhQVY0rVe2u7a5lWXnuyRmMygn3WbU9vFJJMh-rAFbfLV3jnUbPacjerOy6goT0q-HJl5YhSYObd7w7mgLxwugSA/s1600/image2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsDCkBt6TmWTQz92sX3-tRldwnnOW4P3ub-MN_Ajq0mXs0KRG2d5JhQVY0rVe2u7a5lWXnuyRmMygn3WbU9vFJJMh-rAFbfLV3jnUbPacjerOy6goT0q-HJl5YhSYObd7w7mgLxwugSA/s1600/image2.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Booze barrels!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The atmosphere is friendly and the drinks are top notch. My favorite is the Honey Cap: muddled lime, honey, lime juice, soda water, and the in-house honey liqueur.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBb8uIt4wJV_Jpss42rOyOoSWHSrprFTvIZY69brN4gPxuywJ6H38CCCLBvnV8VY9RDN6sK5XgHwzHRsVhH8zw3Ijaeug6CpQ2SniMSj9_9Hv8eH_3JaVZWTenvDxRWALRjUdTCrZjF0o/s1600/image3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBb8uIt4wJV_Jpss42rOyOoSWHSrprFTvIZY69brN4gPxuywJ6H38CCCLBvnV8VY9RDN6sK5XgHwzHRsVhH8zw3Ijaeug6CpQ2SniMSj9_9Hv8eH_3JaVZWTenvDxRWALRjUdTCrZjF0o/s1600/image3.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My honey cap: perfection!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's everything I want in a bar, really: a delicious drink menu, locally made snacks, and a mellow place to have a good conversation. The 3-day-a-week exclusivity just makes it more special. It's my secret club, and I like it that way.Aviva M. Cantorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14346566197678626901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775740181221490494.post-10421384633213829602014-11-19T21:16:00.000-06:002014-11-19T21:16:35.025-06:00Feeding the addiction: my first trip to The Crafty Fair.I have lived in Madison for 3.5 years, and it took me just that long to discover that there's an annual craft fair in my neighborhood. Seriously? Seriously.<br />
<br />
On Sunday, I made the first of what will likely be an annual November trip to the <a href="http://www.goodmancenter.org/">Goodman Community Center</a> to check out <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheCraftyFair/timeline">The Crafty Fair</a>. As a craft addict, it was pure heaven. Football game? Don't need it. Two rooms filled with crafts, crafts, and more crafts is my idea of a rocking weekend.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsul3-av-n9rpphiohFMgIitQbX9Nq26SB10990f9jAJUNQQXiT5nGLNKCRvrULLZS4D41ruqGa0laY0TQ3iBzTygBUkRyDMKNAuHDVlsZBYtOUgFvK2kw7Q9H5GTtzTsZwSg1WIqP-c/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsul3-av-n9rpphiohFMgIitQbX9Nq26SB10990f9jAJUNQQXiT5nGLNKCRvrULLZS4D41ruqGa0laY0TQ3iBzTygBUkRyDMKNAuHDVlsZBYtOUgFvK2kw7Q9H5GTtzTsZwSg1WIqP-c/s1600/image.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Earring display paired with hand-knit accessories.<br />
I love a good mannequin head.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIAq5_pOPrrXamO_uSkz4z0miePQalKzQjNSN5lrVtuS-yYX45m5AGF50QRU0NVGhsX1M6drQTeU8peVDMtO1f-lCBB5TV0fboLZ1wYLgDzr5DLvHILPArPjN4x_UYvpk65BzLYyZWvo/s1600/image-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIAq5_pOPrrXamO_uSkz4z0miePQalKzQjNSN5lrVtuS-yYX45m5AGF50QRU0NVGhsX1M6drQTeU8peVDMtO1f-lCBB5TV0fboLZ1wYLgDzr5DLvHILPArPjN4x_UYvpk65BzLYyZWvo/s1600/image-3.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you've been wanting to truly drop an F-bomb, now is your chance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was a great place to meet local crafters, including Milwaukee-based <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/plushzilla">Plushzilla</a> (makers of the clever F-bombs above). In a room surrounded by local, handmade goodies, it was really tough to nail down a purchase.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kcqfYFXphMSRTR6yddm5Bim2m200JT9Mv_kGcxb17TbbpjvuQIjUQmgHuoknslkUcd-BfVmeWiHH-CY5zKZtepW8vgY0idCCA40QD8pkV9BXaJWZHdwp_X2PcL7jemIVic5bZ1S3GNg/s1600/image-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kcqfYFXphMSRTR6yddm5Bim2m200JT9Mv_kGcxb17TbbpjvuQIjUQmgHuoknslkUcd-BfVmeWiHH-CY5zKZtepW8vgY0idCCA40QD8pkV9BXaJWZHdwp_X2PcL7jemIVic5bZ1S3GNg/s1600/image-4.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">My friend Elysha went for this Wisconsin-shaped cutting board. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJTQfjOaOrf-i4O8jCBn6CuUzSLXSv4aWXlafSwtvghyphenhyphennKrKK9TLQ4W4leCRqJHZQVGflQ3ADis7hVD9wTY9dEu45yilIQq85NwfUllfgqcH0iOiT4Dzio6_-tkaNJYHgq6fqRfr8B6k/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJTQfjOaOrf-i4O8jCBn6CuUzSLXSv4aWXlafSwtvghyphenhyphennKrKK9TLQ4W4leCRqJHZQVGflQ3ADis7hVD9wTY9dEu45yilIQq85NwfUllfgqcH0iOiT4Dzio6_-tkaNJYHgq6fqRfr8B6k/s1600/photo.JPG" height="243" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love at first sight: I took home this gorgeous print.<br />
I swoon when an impulse purchase matches my bedroom.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Browsing through handmade jewelry, toys, cosmetics, artwork, soaps, and home decor? Check. The Crafty Fair had it covered. And all less than a mile away from my home! I will never miss it again.</div>
</div>
Aviva M. Cantorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14346566197678626901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775740181221490494.post-11834834104605367252014-11-02T20:27:00.001-06:002014-11-02T20:27:54.299-06:00Madison, WI: home of the $1 mimosa.There: I've come up with a spot-on city slogan.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After living in Madison for 3.5 years, I can vouch that it's definitely a foodie city. And with food, there will always be drinks. I recently discovered <a href="http://www.capitaltaphaus.com/index.php">Capital Tap Haus</a>, and I must say I'm impressed. Not sure how I missed it, honestly. Located right at the top of State St., this pub offers an impressive variety of local brews and great food to go with it (I'm a sucker for any salad with gorgonzola). </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We were just going in for lunch, but I was immediately enthralled by the chalkboard noting the brunch drink specials: $6 bloody mary, $3 amber, $1 mimosa. Mimosa for a buck!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifnwDIUyZKtHiAKoLNzSUH9z0OnSW0mVI9h4OhyphenhyphenrWq-Cj9Vm67s9_JV93hKI1XgMAU725qM13xpaWd0GZAXKYm0lvCC33p1wwrua2cxdoiLA8IWx5DVOoY0zlylWs0uu4CSImrwAkYsE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-02+at+8.18.50+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifnwDIUyZKtHiAKoLNzSUH9z0OnSW0mVI9h4OhyphenhyphenrWq-Cj9Vm67s9_JV93hKI1XgMAU725qM13xpaWd0GZAXKYm0lvCC33p1wwrua2cxdoiLA8IWx5DVOoY0zlylWs0uu4CSImrwAkYsE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-02+at+8.18.50+PM.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing says Sunday bliss like a cheap drink.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Capital Tap Haus, you'll be seeing more of me on Sundays.Aviva M. Cantorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14346566197678626901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775740181221490494.post-9879360609939997182014-09-20T16:03:00.000-05:002014-09-20T16:03:17.066-05:00Eat your veggies: early Fall at the Dane County Farmers' Market.Hey Madison, it's been a while. I left the country for 2 weeks on an amazing multi-continental adventure (a week in Barcelona, then a week in Israel). The jet lag was rough, and getting back to reality has been harder than I expected. But what better way for me to get back in my groove than to eat some veggies? In Wisconsin, this time of year is all about veggies, veggies, veggies. For me, that means <a href="http://dcfm.org/">Dane Country Farmers' Market</a> trips and some pretty awesome boxes from my <a href="http://www.harmonyvalleyfarm.com/">Harmony Valley Farm</a> CSA.<br />
<br />
My haul from the market was pretty typical: green onions, napa cabbage, and some gouda from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/farmerjohncheese">Farmer John's Cheese</a> (Yup, that's the guy whose cow I milked. He told me that she's pregnant. Mazel tov, <a href="http://avivaindairyland.blogspot.com/2014/06/resolution-complete-i-milked-cow.html">Faith</a>!). After my shopping, what I discovered downtown that was a fun surprise: a local food fest, including an enormous, stilt-walking corn:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhQlLzSqrYDg2i-0REwNytZ66U6UuxrkHRkLOeTUMqEdGzSV7afSLlTLbekkLvqeEMLW5YAvOL12hj6iDfxAyou0ULhOJbiyGQEIdSJZn7pVchdK586nQ2Fk_st9ordaBS1WBSmK61Hk/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhQlLzSqrYDg2i-0REwNytZ66U6UuxrkHRkLOeTUMqEdGzSV7afSLlTLbekkLvqeEMLW5YAvOL12hj6iDfxAyou0ULhOJbiyGQEIdSJZn7pVchdK586nQ2Fk_st9ordaBS1WBSmK61Hk/s1600/image.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just hanging at the Wisconsin State Capitol with my new corn friend (and HER corn friend… look at the tiny one in her hand).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I also checked in with the <a href="http://www.willystreet.coop/">Willy Street Co-Op</a> booth, where I found myself in a bit of a pickle.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPllnfgju7VFSlj-MTlfIlXuWAJYjbgBeq_SLWAl57fDD7YrfzQkOIZ09mI7PgvDzL0MG-9x4_-RPViSCOXvvNC6LUGiE0bRL4L_ovvoMfj2etzbEIOZmvqBJA73921AvfD22mlqHueU/s1600/image-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPllnfgju7VFSlj-MTlfIlXuWAJYjbgBeq_SLWAl57fDD7YrfzQkOIZ09mI7PgvDzL0MG-9x4_-RPViSCOXvvNC6LUGiE0bRL4L_ovvoMfj2etzbEIOZmvqBJA73921AvfD22mlqHueU/s1600/image-2.jpeg" height="320" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I never thought I'd get to say THIS phrase on by blog twice in one year, but…<br />#pickleselfie.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Once I had my mandatory ridiculous photos taken care of, it was time to head home and pick up the CSA. The most surprising thing in the box was this hairy, curly, finger-like root vegetable:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrHk5-JLmyUc5QvouiH4N7mccqXIJMOFSH7_HzxElYkoktbFkd1Kin7Gr0I7ZsyOBwUipyYdf5F78_G3EEqqRag42xBhmN1F_XfQ7JxIQ4d0EfETk0OBrIgqSYeFtFGzkSX19rTBlTuQ/s1600/image-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrHk5-JLmyUc5QvouiH4N7mccqXIJMOFSH7_HzxElYkoktbFkd1Kin7Gr0I7ZsyOBwUipyYdf5F78_G3EEqqRag42xBhmN1F_XfQ7JxIQ4d0EfETk0OBrIgqSYeFtFGzkSX19rTBlTuQ/s1600/image-3.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the award for ugliest vegetable goes to… celeriac!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My to-do list for the week: figure out how the hell to cook it. I'm thinking soup.<br />
<br />
Eat your veggies, folks!Aviva M. Cantorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14346566197678626901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775740181221490494.post-71210172557962581802014-08-09T13:18:00.001-05:002014-08-09T13:21:41.585-05:00I can pickle that.<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/yYey8ntlK_E" width="480"></iframe><br /></div>
<br />
As I mentioned earlier on the blog, I have a CSA this summer with <a href="http://www.harmonyvalleyfarm.com/">Harmony Valley Farm</a>. Every week, the season's best veggies are mine to enjoy (straight from the Viroqua, WI farm to my Near East Side of Madison neighborhood).<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Occasionally my CSA box leaves me in a "WTF" moment. Items like collard greens, kale, broccoli rabe, and rainbow chard are things that would never make it into my grocery store cart. But when they arrive with my CSA share, it means I have to get creative. Another peculiar item for me this year was dill. My friend Caitlin recommended refrigerator pickles, so I opted to try my luck.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUBJOvsC-3KKAMM49kE6B6kuWorHJWLKuppGB2oRabAv7-bTwQaSufgKYomS1D2CGt_0h07vUUpyJBrvg5zvhlKqFUi91O9thNv9DdzrpWmVv-4lybuEkPptpkRzfVRDBMN61CzqwuEo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-09+at+1.07.57+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUBJOvsC-3KKAMM49kE6B6kuWorHJWLKuppGB2oRabAv7-bTwQaSufgKYomS1D2CGt_0h07vUUpyJBrvg5zvhlKqFUi91O9thNv9DdzrpWmVv-4lybuEkPptpkRzfVRDBMN61CzqwuEo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-09+at+1.07.57+PM.png" height="320" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Success! #pickleselfie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you would have asked me 4 years ago if I ever thought I'd be living in Wisconsin and pickling things for fun, my answer would have been no. But you know what? My life here is pretty great, and now my life is a little better because I know how to make pickles. And now you can too:<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Disclaimer: I don't <i>really</i> cook. I was pretty much winging it. That's why there are no quantities or measurements.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Aviva In Dairyland's Refrigerator Pickles: A Non Recipe</b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Use a large tupperware container and fill it up with a 2:1 ratio of water and white vinegar. Then, add in sliced cucumbers, a whole bunch of dill, sliced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Let them sit in the fridge for a few days.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
THAT'S IT. See, I told you I don't cook. Happy pickling!</div>
</div>
Aviva M. Cantorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14346566197678626901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775740181221490494.post-80592748386841981902014-06-30T21:57:00.000-05:002014-06-30T22:04:58.691-05:00Resolution complete: I milked a cow.A lot of people get really into New Year's resolutions. I don't. Yet for 2014, I made one that I 100% intended to follow through on: I wanted to milk a cow. Many people have asked me <i>why </i>I wanted to do this so badly. Here is my reasoning:<br />
<br />
1. I LOVE BARNYARD ANIMALS.<br />
2. It's good to try new things.<br />
3. It would be an awesome experience to blog about.<br />
<br />
I'm an urban girl. I was born in Boston, Massachusetts and grew up in the busy, typical, cookie-cutter suburbs of Charlotte, North Carolina. You know the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omPGf5_6dUA">opening sequence</a> to the show, Weeds? Yeah, that's my hometown: the traffic, the strip malls, the Land Rovers, the soccer moms… all are very familiar things to me. I'm a city dweller to my very core, and I think that's why farm life fascinates me: because it's different.<br />
<br />
Cue the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrbPAt1_vc4">Green Acres</a> theme song.<br />
<br />
I met Farmer John Dougherty of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/farmerjohncheese/info">Farmer Johns' Cheese</a> at the <a href="http://www.wil-mar.org/eastside-farmers-market/">East Side Farmers' Market</a> in May. I gathered that by his large variety of delicious cheese for sale, he likely had access to a great deal of cows. So I asked if I could milk one. He said yes! Two months later, I was off to the outskirts of <a href="http://www.vi.springgreen.wi.gov/">Spring Green, Wisconsin</a> to visit the official Farmer Johns' milking barn.<br />
<br />
Let's get one thing straight: there's more than one Farmer John (hence the apostrophe). It's currently operated by a father and son (both named John), and before that, it was operated by the generations that came first (yup, you got it, also named John). This is a true family farm business, right down to the name.<br />
<br />
My friends Cherie and Caitlin came along for the ride, which took us through some winding country roads to this <i>really </i>awesome waterfall:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWiTR_tTvmSsjUv6wRkP6THMLV1ahnFrWgmEG-rBf25mEtJVlQ1RKPq6AonE75P3wlfu06CplNw4SoCguZBJuIBU3UAGPB242fwL79ReJyS-LB7j6w4wySrnPmiAA7yjoGJ7BtcTH5GHc/s1600/DSC03541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWiTR_tTvmSsjUv6wRkP6THMLV1ahnFrWgmEG-rBf25mEtJVlQ1RKPq6AonE75P3wlfu06CplNw4SoCguZBJuIBU3UAGPB242fwL79ReJyS-LB7j6w4wySrnPmiAA7yjoGJ7BtcTH5GHc/s1600/DSC03541.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Then, we arrived at John's milking barn. He walked us through the cow-filled building and told us all about his family farm, the milking process, and all things cows!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBI3ElpLY1bLIrWkrWGj_XCmcfNJfu2mV87V2EM_o67G5gqi0UPfp4YNViS5ToQ-vS7-1C-Wnl5njpPEYIi-C_t34tQ3Buk5_24ubS7cWcrvppKh6UwsqpBedsYz_ZLRoMmNklcJRDVlI/s1600/DSC03546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBI3ElpLY1bLIrWkrWGj_XCmcfNJfu2mV87V2EM_o67G5gqi0UPfp4YNViS5ToQ-vS7-1C-Wnl5njpPEYIi-C_t34tQ3Buk5_24ubS7cWcrvppKh6UwsqpBedsYz_ZLRoMmNklcJRDVlI/s1600/DSC03546.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lineup: Farmer John gets the cows into the barn by leading them in with corn (they love it).<br />
See the pipes above the cows? That's where the milk goes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihN8wLMKLDSJWDPffac-bsv-kEa4ciFkF6dSMW6xmsukbPyR8tD8dF_WqsqneTbPBjiFk9S2WL3ig5bgY8nEuVi1HXdN58_XLg6wRsM0j_g68A1SLUwMNmdaSfKN74Ju1deP1K88hTEaY/s1600/DSC03547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihN8wLMKLDSJWDPffac-bsv-kEa4ciFkF6dSMW6xmsukbPyR8tD8dF_WqsqneTbPBjiFk9S2WL3ig5bgY8nEuVi1HXdN58_XLg6wRsM0j_g68A1SLUwMNmdaSfKN74Ju1deP1K88hTEaY/s1600/DSC03547.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After it goes through the pipes, it ends up in a huge tank.<br />
We all climbed up the ladder to peek in.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdLpPyxPykRXF9Q8W4tDZUzxC8-w6btJ2Pa2b5iDZ5HEdnoTae4iY1e03ZmA87CZtORjAr0qyyyG-NF8sXEJU9Lcdz3M6VHW59Gt54ewatrKWPzRajxP4czybQ_5tUJkbeKo1o8znuNc/s1600/DSC03549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdLpPyxPykRXF9Q8W4tDZUzxC8-w6btJ2Pa2b5iDZ5HEdnoTae4iY1e03ZmA87CZtORjAr0qyyyG-NF8sXEJU9Lcdz3M6VHW59Gt54ewatrKWPzRajxP4czybQ_5tUJkbeKo1o8znuNc/s1600/DSC03549.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It holds an <i>insane</i> amount of milk.<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After our barn tour, we got to meet two baby calves, Jenny and Ryan:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxffysRnuJQofrccJxazkjqKyXGmjU_81BXIWO7mM4CELLYAbTQfgjHFiQmj68PT_YBqV2aJY62iT89qWVS85lVvNO4hIAyRpwim0S0nxpEy2DeZToN73-dx2_Ii-8pP41DIzz2ehEZ0/s1600/DSC03556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxffysRnuJQofrccJxazkjqKyXGmjU_81BXIWO7mM4CELLYAbTQfgjHFiQmj68PT_YBqV2aJY62iT89qWVS85lVvNO4hIAyRpwim0S0nxpEy2DeZToN73-dx2_Ii-8pP41DIzz2ehEZ0/s1600/DSC03556.JPG" height="283" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beyond adorable.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then, it was milking time. The cows are milked by machine, but of course we had to start off old school. Farmer John chose Faith as the best cow for us to milk. He knew that her mellow temperament would work in our favor and that she was less likely to try and kick us (he has a lot of cows in this place, and many can get sassy at milking time). He noted that you always have to let the cow know when you're at her side and going to milk her. This way, she's less startled. Of course, I had to get the experience on tape:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwvs0oJTSpu5uKJpj9ENsuNtJk_oXmu4V-hY6SqztdVdibDVOWD1a2N7Be-u2JSGDtKPpNtFlMFQ4_EkFVs_A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrNi1Eoya0WlbB2cSj5aJ2wDnl6DbsSpB9mCw_2Zh81a-PGXuxUUeU0bM7RopvWIWjOuHGyaBVbQqB7A2uZvD1FLxYcH5UPEhzTASJJgpaq5z5yBmd2bswc6eJzQmlYqaa0a7sI0IOKg/s1600/DSC03567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrNi1Eoya0WlbB2cSj5aJ2wDnl6DbsSpB9mCw_2Zh81a-PGXuxUUeU0bM7RopvWIWjOuHGyaBVbQqB7A2uZvD1FLxYcH5UPEhzTASJJgpaq5z5yBmd2bswc6eJzQmlYqaa0a7sI0IOKg/s1600/DSC03567.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then Caitlin milked Faith!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQDHYoNWjU4zloAzdzcT8qXI8BDXnGuuS7Spb5UmNVeic9r_v4Aj3mA_6qrDHji71T9PUkYFwaQ06I8n6A3KQuCeMyBO43v1hTF7eabgn4-tVdvVFdZRUDGaHI2c146Pcdhp2mdiqGouk/s1600/DSC03571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQDHYoNWjU4zloAzdzcT8qXI8BDXnGuuS7Spb5UmNVeic9r_v4Aj3mA_6qrDHji71T9PUkYFwaQ06I8n6A3KQuCeMyBO43v1hTF7eabgn4-tVdvVFdZRUDGaHI2c146Pcdhp2mdiqGouk/s1600/DSC03571.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Cherie, too! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Old school milking: check. Then, Farmer John let me put the milking machine on Faith. It's made of 4 little suction tubes that go from the udders to the pipes in the barn.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5w9GDW6KZhaRaZVd8E8h7cXBiQa0wuE9i-Wv5ncNzuP6ZF26JKHMCu9yoqgAyttZNTjb9PGh1PYXA4iJ0TMxqyOz7lEpfebznvhpRpQ6d5bxL-lcudXA3ovI2gxM6QiWbn-YzXbEr80Q/s1600/DSC03576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5w9GDW6KZhaRaZVd8E8h7cXBiQa0wuE9i-Wv5ncNzuP6ZF26JKHMCu9yoqgAyttZNTjb9PGh1PYXA4iJ0TMxqyOz7lEpfebznvhpRpQ6d5bxL-lcudXA3ovI2gxM6QiWbn-YzXbEr80Q/s1600/DSC03576.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just making sure I had everything right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtlGmfNpEK87SszwOK-HiIEG7qKDb422c8Rh3L5NuLPEq-aKKYmXgq6kQ8tdFPJ07F0Htie0BYUvTrYkw1IoQMfWIvdjnENqxA-Duy1srfA3U1B7HqwcPgXDwYo1ezpCIMQv8u0b-M6k/s1600/DSC03578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtlGmfNpEK87SszwOK-HiIEG7qKDb422c8Rh3L5NuLPEq-aKKYmXgq6kQ8tdFPJ07F0Htie0BYUvTrYkw1IoQMfWIvdjnENqxA-Duy1srfA3U1B7HqwcPgXDwYo1ezpCIMQv8u0b-M6k/s1600/DSC03578.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Voila! I attached the milking machine and Faith was ready to go.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A lot of cows had to be milked, so we went to the front of the barn to check in on the tank. It was very loud in there, but I fit in a quick video of "THIS IS WHERE THE MILK IS GOING! HERE'S THE MILK!"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwxo7ZDQb29bD0JEmntMeYbbsPTTShbls-xFEbK08YlGMoliOztYXYAb_0NR7UQAlkL1wrGR1EBO8UKsQe3Og' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The entire milking process takes about 30 minutes from the first cow to the last. The cows get milked twice a day (6am and 6pm), and Farmer John noted that he tries to keep the cows in the same order each time so that their schedules are consistent. I could really tell that he loves what he does and cares about the well-being of his cows, which of course makes me want to keep buying more and more of his cheese.<br />
<br />
Speaking of the cheese, to purchase some amazing dairy goodness from Farmer John, he can be found at the <a href="http://dcfm.org/">Dane County Farmers' Market</a> (near West Washington Ave), as well as many other local markets.<br />
<br />
I'd like to send a huge thanks to Farmer John for letting us visit, Cherie and Caitlin for putting up with their quirky friend, and of course, this lovely lady:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTe8S9Rtdxe7BEwTncOw1VyF8SxfhrWW8Q6Nqc5YSH37tUL17LTwM0FhlpVSvXGRBpP6GUuEf_cW-MDuGNg6WH4Z_lQmyO2D1jSjoZnthLSw-1Q8LAsNOfl1F9obBKgcMtI5rgGO2w_7E/s1600/DSC03574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTe8S9Rtdxe7BEwTncOw1VyF8SxfhrWW8Q6Nqc5YSH37tUL17LTwM0FhlpVSvXGRBpP6GUuEf_cW-MDuGNg6WH4Z_lQmyO2D1jSjoZnthLSw-1Q8LAsNOfl1F9obBKgcMtI5rgGO2w_7E/s1600/DSC03574.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many thanks, Faith!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Aviva M. Cantorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14346566197678626901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775740181221490494.post-89704084833366597802014-06-26T21:39:00.003-05:002014-06-26T21:44:40.939-05:00Playing catch up: three Madison things I meant to blog about, but didn't.<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Alright, I'm trying something new.</div>
I always take pictures of the awesome things I do in Madison, but sometimes they don't make it to the blog. Here's my way of catching up: a collection of mini blog posts that cover brunch at Manna Cafe, Lake Monona rollerblading, and my Harmony Valley CSA. Here goes:<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Brunch at Manna Cafe</span></b><br />
I had heard many people rave about the brunch at <a href="http://mannacafe.com/">Manna Cafe</a>, and I finally made it there with the Jones crew (Scott, Elysha, Abby, and Clementine). It's located in an old school strip mall in Maple Bluff, and though it's only a 5 minute drive from my place, I feel like I never would have noticed it if it hadn't been so highly talked up.<br />
<br />
Manna Cafe lived up to the hype, and our brunch was fabulous:<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlWTQVm-4zD8rNR_PHFSaVDzM9VKWs7UnKe472jQDzfePqpgiiizNi_2lomuJYUKBJ8ouKcYOwwFcJZfuaJ87t1R1zINdyX9_TS_uqRn6DPOj5ufmTz9uviiaTX5Wm2hgf8GelCXdJ3w/s1600/image-5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlWTQVm-4zD8rNR_PHFSaVDzM9VKWs7UnKe472jQDzfePqpgiiizNi_2lomuJYUKBJ8ouKcYOwwFcJZfuaJ87t1R1zINdyX9_TS_uqRn6DPOj5ufmTz9uviiaTX5Wm2hgf8GelCXdJ3w/s1600/image-5.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome eggs!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1dWD-Si_Kr6nDmn-rnMeMrR6hQUw-bSxwEWqCgtna-R6HKfM2lhasukLKtH0ktB4jZpdE1B0jZcYNNp0mxjfmnQlbqP5_K-4bG-XxbowBgf6IDYvWhtuF6Tei6xEQBVr_LqNBA_N_Qeg/s1600/image-6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1dWD-Si_Kr6nDmn-rnMeMrR6hQUw-bSxwEWqCgtna-R6HKfM2lhasukLKtH0ktB4jZpdE1B0jZcYNNp0mxjfmnQlbqP5_K-4bG-XxbowBgf6IDYvWhtuF6Tei6xEQBVr_LqNBA_N_Qeg/s1600/image-6.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby modeled her scarf while she enjoyed "<a href="http://mannacafe.com/menus/brunch/#kid-stuff">The Weekend Nosher</a>" from the kids' menu.<br />
She also made it very clear that she was wearing a tunic, not a dress.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Lake Monona Rollerblading</span></b><br />
As I have mentioned before, Madison is an isthmus surrounded by two lakes: Mendota and Monona. When the weather got nice, Cherie and I took her dog Obie on a nice rollerblading trip by <a href="http://www.mononaterrace.com/">Monona Terrace</a>. We took to the <a href="http://www.cityofmadison.com/bikemadison/">bike path</a> and rolled past bikers, fishers, and walkers. It was windy that day, but totally worth it for the awesome lake view (bonus: I didn't fall!).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vuP2X5cObpQrPEp7rrjuaB7aqKhMJj96paY32TiMafwUMYYSqTUx0vvSuALKEDe2vLYC1Hqak9wVTy7SJOUvzwI7EhyphenhyphenOuqpuE5gG79Wn6e45LF5Hm8FCyqGTLQcW5Q28vILf10-xVqU/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vuP2X5cObpQrPEp7rrjuaB7aqKhMJj96paY32TiMafwUMYYSqTUx0vvSuALKEDe2vLYC1Hqak9wVTy7SJOUvzwI7EhyphenhyphenOuqpuE5gG79Wn6e45LF5Hm8FCyqGTLQcW5Q28vILf10-xVqU/s1600/image.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet Obie, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever (roughly 95 pounds). This is his Aviva in Dairyland debut.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSK23Q2TiG76VNvXYOBRk4rFITsgZphXjXOD_-I9FtoI2YCrW1eEg2t3hB3R4NCVZjwKIBkLwuh5l6eKTsAnw25Ht30_Z_86bkvc5pLrmH_j_7r81cazGBJn9hlmDdmYSPFwIpSMOmF6Q/s1600/image-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSK23Q2TiG76VNvXYOBRk4rFITsgZphXjXOD_-I9FtoI2YCrW1eEg2t3hB3R4NCVZjwKIBkLwuh5l6eKTsAnw25Ht30_Z_86bkvc5pLrmH_j_7r81cazGBJn9hlmDdmYSPFwIpSMOmF6Q/s1600/image-2.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obie pulled his mama along the bike path.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchZ418hX-V30-ii3lMwl7SCSxqvlmK7RWxIiROMCoBUGx2ntFPQ3n9yWRZhOIxjxDdQsXuRVcHxXkqE8-GI_37FEWa4KfPS1fXxxvWjKQa-BbVwegH9w5mgIwz2AAONakEacDZ6czh3E/s1600/image-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchZ418hX-V30-ii3lMwl7SCSxqvlmK7RWxIiROMCoBUGx2ntFPQ3n9yWRZhOIxjxDdQsXuRVcHxXkqE8-GI_37FEWa4KfPS1fXxxvWjKQa-BbVwegH9w5mgIwz2AAONakEacDZ6czh3E/s1600/image-3.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loving the view!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Harmony Valley CSA</span></b><br />
For the first time, I got a CSA. It stands for Community Supported Agriculture, and it means that I'm part of a direct relationship between the farm and the community. My friends Caitlin, Cherie, and I are sharing a CSA through <a href="http://www.harmonyvalleyfarm.com/">Harmony Valley Farm</a> in Viroqua, WI. We just had our first week, and it was pretty awesome. They drop off boxes at pickup sites around the city, and we choose where we'd like to pick ours up. Then, we divvy up the veggies and go nuts. It's good encouragement for me to try more veggies and cook more in general (I don't really <i>cook</i>… I'm more of a stir-things-around kinda girl). Here are my CSA creations thus far:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzIPXmwavRZpISwO_rdbnxBy8SYCjDjPsF6YY9Cwo2sXlDlD3NqASEhN3j5DF1QL2z8mdUn6cdax5DQ_A2bqilUFDoVpUqLaBQ7EBXXy4xKwq6lmN-X8GfBntbeqzKmjh6TpUXPSFOlE/s1600/image-7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzIPXmwavRZpISwO_rdbnxBy8SYCjDjPsF6YY9Cwo2sXlDlD3NqASEhN3j5DF1QL2z8mdUn6cdax5DQ_A2bqilUFDoVpUqLaBQ7EBXXy4xKwq6lmN-X8GfBntbeqzKmjh6TpUXPSFOlE/s1600/image-7.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stir fry!<br />
CSA ingredients: radishes, turnips, zucchini, asparagus, purple scallions<br />
Trader Joe's additions: tofu and peanut sauce</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTZISJnC49zhvw4vLQCoQNhPHw2XFk6WnK0hLWEx4SrtZka5jktLrTLQ85cHh8N8P-PR9O7iNE_TN0UwcSUatssoKnuK0z5aMEsaCcffEpU0tt8sNJuTggUWQXOfQw4aBqbwMYGg29yc/s1600/image-8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTZISJnC49zhvw4vLQCoQNhPHw2XFk6WnK0hLWEx4SrtZka5jktLrTLQ85cHh8N8P-PR9O7iNE_TN0UwcSUatssoKnuK0z5aMEsaCcffEpU0tt8sNJuTggUWQXOfQw4aBqbwMYGg29yc/s1600/image-8.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made pesto for the first time! But instead of basil, I used pea vines from the CSA.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Wrap it up</b></span><br />
<div>
There, we're all caught up. So, how have you been?</div>
Aviva M. Cantorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14346566197678626901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775740181221490494.post-20050108159221469362014-06-11T20:54:00.000-05:002014-11-19T21:25:46.464-06:00Beer tidbits from the girl who doesn't drink it.I drink like a pretty little girl. The fruitier, the better. Wine? Sounds good. Cocktails? Really good. Blended? Sure. Umbrella? Epic.<br />
<br />
Yup, I'll say it: I live in Wisconsin and I don't like beer. I've sampled many, and the only beer I really care for is <a href="http://www.yuengling.com/">Yuengling</a>, which unfortunately isn't sold west of Ohio. Sigh. I'll have a hard cider, please.<br />
<br />
But as I've mentioned before, Wisconsinites take beer very seriously. Here's what I learned while walking down Atwood Ave. today:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYrqV8LWKnMPvpuniuiErhudxxllkFdyOc9cGHwhVj8YnVmPJxatY9naux0mdDV4dI_buRWmwuYlQkNiNqqYYaxwtwySmhBc7FOYJuYuy6z2k-OT2Yi6u_yoFFrrxKiMrc5C64GZYOu4/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYrqV8LWKnMPvpuniuiErhudxxllkFdyOc9cGHwhVj8YnVmPJxatY9naux0mdDV4dI_buRWmwuYlQkNiNqqYYaxwtwySmhBc7FOYJuYuy6z2k-OT2Yi6u_yoFFrrxKiMrc5C64GZYOu4/s1600/image.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Words of wisdom outside <a href="http://www.onebarrelbrewing.com/">One Barrel Brewing Company</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
According to a <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/10-states-where-people-drink-the-most-beer-2013-08-15">seemingly legit article</a> that was written last year, Wisconsin ranks 5th in the USA for beer consumption, and Wisconsin has the highest percentage of binge drinkers in the country. I'm not surprised.<br />
<br />
There. That might the the most I've ever talked about beer.<br />
<br />
To read about one of my visits to One Barrel Brewing Company, <a href="http://avivaindairyland.blogspot.com/search/label/one%20barrel%20brewing%20company">click here</a>.<br />
To read about that time I drank beer out of a boot, <a href="http://avivaindairyland.blogspot.com/2012/05/in-wisconsin-we-drink-beer-from-das.html">click here</a>.Aviva M. Cantorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14346566197678626901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775740181221490494.post-50586313909337790952014-04-30T21:05:00.004-05:002014-04-30T21:07:01.799-05:00What is Wisconsin pride? An interview with someone who knows.She wasn't born and raised here, but Carrie Ouradnik oozes Wisconsin pride. And if she ever has any doubts, a glance at her right arm is a good reminder.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0RXlt6aMIjBbXkZFec3Y447EkzdK27NLI6tDyhZdt1z04pIfV5OEbkg3ywkWPA7RHnyKFiJ00pKG391-iHoGCGEXDk9sxoz3Ck9Vkjl2d2cTAQKQjyMJ0G4y8iF5ddbbIiuX2w7CfJg/s1600/tattoo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0RXlt6aMIjBbXkZFec3Y447EkzdK27NLI6tDyhZdt1z04pIfV5OEbkg3ywkWPA7RHnyKFiJ00pKG391-iHoGCGEXDk9sxoz3Ck9Vkjl2d2cTAQKQjyMJ0G4y8iF5ddbbIiuX2w7CfJg/s1600/tattoo1.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carrie's tattoo, by Danielle at <a href="http://www.tattoomadison.com/home.html">Blue Lotus Tattoo</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I met Carrie through a fellow knitter, and in addition to our shared hobby, we share a love of animals, and of course, Wisconsin. Tattoos usually come with a story, so I chatted with Carrie to get the juicy details.<br />
<br />
<b>Aviva in Dairyland: </b>Where are you from?<br />
<b>Carrie Ouradnik:</b> I was born in Minnesota but raised in North Dakota.<br />
<br />
<b>AID:</b> What brought you to Wisconsin?<br />
<b>CO:</b> My boyfriend at the time was getting his Master's at UW-Madison, so when I graduated from college, I moved here to be with him. That was back in January of 2006.<br />
<br />
<b>AID: </b>When and why did you get your tattoo? What does it mean to you?<br />
<b>CO:</b> I got my tattoo on March 30, 2013. Madison, and Wisconsin, mean a lot to me. It's my adult home, and even though I have moved away a few times (Seattle, Fargo, Indiana) I always end up longing for Madison and moving back here. It's a great size, low-crime, affordable city with beautiful, educated, inquisitive, fantastic, and kind people from all over the world. I have lost myself and found my true self here. Being a part of the Walker protests in 2011 really solidified my love for the people of Wisconsin, and I had been meaning to get some sort of tattoo to commemorate not only the great experience I have had in Wisconsin in general, but the overall solidarity and beauty of those few months. Also, it was my "happy divorce to me" tattoo!<br />
<br />
<b>AID: </b>How would you describe Wisconsin pride?<br />
<b>CO:</b> I'm not oblivious to the downfalls (ahem, 7 months of winter), but there's something here about family and community and generosity and celebration that just can't be ignored. A lot of people have pride in where they're from but I don't think people wear it as proud as us <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Sconnie">Sconnies</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>AID: </b>What's your favorite place/Madison landmark?<br />
<b>CO: </b>To be perfectly cliche, the <a href="http://tours.wisconsin.gov/">capitol building</a>. I love that the people who made this city possible also wrote into the rules that you can't cover up that view, no matter where in the city you are. It still leaves me breathless and full of immense pride, whether I'm inside or seeing it from <a href="http://www.ci.verona.wi.us/">Verona</a>.<br />
Runner ups: <a href="http://dcfm.org/">Dane County Farmers' Market</a>, <a href="https://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/parks/park.cfm?id=1317">Olin Park</a>, <a href="http://hlbmadison.com/">Ha Long Bay</a> (yes, the Thai restaurant).<br />
<br />
<b>AID:</b> Do you have a favorite cheese?<br />
<b>CO: </b>This is a trick question! I've got a soft spot for fresh squeaky curds, aged sharp cheddar, and smoked provolone. But I'm not going to turn ANY Wisconsin cheese down.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQIk7l0lxB-2zG-eXtLWLB42VaBldPDfNp6J1PVvqZtfcV_d7Y-DTQx35FrD-reyg1XkrF6NuDnVuDF6mb7mjjX1UgMLVY2wnpPbXh8BQ0I1kvOa1t-_HgBoY1pfUw3enHmQFMzUf3OI/s1600/Carrie+Riley-Edits-0059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQIk7l0lxB-2zG-eXtLWLB42VaBldPDfNp6J1PVvqZtfcV_d7Y-DTQx35FrD-reyg1XkrF6NuDnVuDF6mb7mjjX1UgMLVY2wnpPbXh8BQ0I1kvOa1t-_HgBoY1pfUw3enHmQFMzUf3OI/s1600/Carrie+Riley-Edits-0059.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carrie with her dog Riley, enjoying the view of downtown Madison<br />
Photo by <a href="http://www.amandaredweddings.com/">Amanda Red</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Huge thanks to Carrie for taking the time to be a part of Aviva in Dairyland!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Want to keep up with Carrie and her life? Follow her on <a href="http://instagram.com/craftypuppylover">Instagram</a> or friend her on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/craftypuppylover">Ravelry</a>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Aviva M. Cantorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14346566197678626901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775740181221490494.post-17400869840927389462014-03-16T10:34:00.001-05:002014-03-16T10:49:08.486-05:00Let's make 30 into 31: Wisconsin & Iowa yarn crawl.One of my goals in life is to go to all 50 states. As of last week, I had been to 30, which isn't too bad for a 26-year-old who has only been a resident of 4 (I was born in Massachusetts, grew up in North Carolina, went to college in Ohio, and got a grown-up job in Wisconsin). Looking at a map, the only Wisconsin neighbor that I was missing was Iowa, so I made it a goal to get to Iowa at some point this year. Why not turn this into a yarn crawl?<br />
<br />
As I've mentioned before, I'm a knitter. Drinkers do pub crawls, and knitters do yarn crawls. Last weekend, my knitter friend Kat and I did our own two-state yarn crawl so that we could get me to Iowa and of course, shop!<br />
<br />
First stop: <a href="http://www.knitandsip.com/">The Sow's Ear</a> in Verona, just outside of Madison. This is my favorite Madison-area yarn shop. Not only do they have a broad selection of yarn, but they have a full coffee shop and cafe as well. It was the perfect caffeine jolt that we needed for the Iowa trek.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtnWLNnIrk6hHVwt-UoOuTBdCIsT90V9nnjVcKsMlC6Vbm8RQD1NskTmKhCUV0RR6yrAtoh588-74tiuPFK37C9EAcBPdi-MDHlxJN7aspNqicwZI9oi5XA4r4iw9xECON3XP_PnNGZg/s1600/002a-589x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtnWLNnIrk6hHVwt-UoOuTBdCIsT90V9nnjVcKsMlC6Vbm8RQD1NskTmKhCUV0RR6yrAtoh588-74tiuPFK37C9EAcBPdi-MDHlxJN7aspNqicwZI9oi5XA4r4iw9xECON3XP_PnNGZg/s1600/002a-589x300.jpg" height="162" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sow's Ear was once a house, but now it's the best yarn shop in town. I love its warm, welcoming look.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then, the main event: a 1.5 hour drive to Dubuque, Iowa, which upped my state count from 30 to 31. We headed to the little downtown area to shop at <a href="http://www.yarn-soup.com/">Yarn Soup</a>: a great small-town yarn shop.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdNyagzlWae6zBnuNBC1ZvHsF_1J3hBs81Gmzpa2CH6kSHUNeJiPKhcaidjSmK4FV9OIL-k0jIg8BaGZkeSxrF4k_8jcMaCUg_cVE2dr-OPbw3xwzLWzNsY45saLbozL5dUy4WvPVkro/s1600/IMG_2430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdNyagzlWae6zBnuNBC1ZvHsF_1J3hBs81Gmzpa2CH6kSHUNeJiPKhcaidjSmK4FV9OIL-k0jIg8BaGZkeSxrF4k_8jcMaCUg_cVE2dr-OPbw3xwzLWzNsY45saLbozL5dUy4WvPVkro/s1600/IMG_2430.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">I really liked their yarn selection, and their salesperson Sarah was very friendly and helpful.</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHqbiMwDtXqZlRZdnonTE40N5tn6xbmTW6hUOfsTYJ76gBXOKCm5aq1Eng3sD3SFGOR0xrNDTQgqVbroY-G6pk4Z1PZp8YMsNQO7KngGa24aSTndd0ejcJMhZVT5K8lgzyMUt-WsIXQg/s1600/IMG_2432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHqbiMwDtXqZlRZdnonTE40N5tn6xbmTW6hUOfsTYJ76gBXOKCm5aq1Eng3sD3SFGOR0xrNDTQgqVbroY-G6pk4Z1PZp8YMsNQO7KngGa24aSTndd0ejcJMhZVT5K8lgzyMUt-WsIXQg/s1600/IMG_2432.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were greeted by a full-stocked wall of rainbow yarn. Win!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCapdP6klAMV9MThD_0Wd1mEs6Uz0pHwmqX_vX33ri4WzNhsXyqvxTFgIbPwMdaa24Te9VFYBe_8R4BJ6hfib7-l3D00lKKHjKdZh7PUacgloXSARj9I_pQKDsKAw1rVDrXBltGSdrR4k/s1600/IMG_2433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCapdP6klAMV9MThD_0Wd1mEs6Uz0pHwmqX_vX33ri4WzNhsXyqvxTFgIbPwMdaa24Te9VFYBe_8R4BJ6hfib7-l3D00lKKHjKdZh7PUacgloXSARj9I_pQKDsKAw1rVDrXBltGSdrR4k/s1600/IMG_2433.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They had a great selection of ultra-bulky yarn, complete with mega needles. Bulky yarn can get a bad reputation, but it's one of my personal favorites (the bulkier, the better!).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAuzV-nhv2QTcoqoK5OcYGZ2aoNNKr9PnjjSTI9Wfy2ZIOZuN2j7ayrc-0SH4A8Rw4wh4HzW53XpWPYlDSjiyN4hAyyM5R0XBzKS45JyM395Nt208V4nsA-7j-4jCPesF8Hi0woHV8CmY/s1600/IMG_2431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAuzV-nhv2QTcoqoK5OcYGZ2aoNNKr9PnjjSTI9Wfy2ZIOZuN2j7ayrc-0SH4A8Rw4wh4HzW53XpWPYlDSjiyN4hAyyM5R0XBzKS45JyM395Nt208V4nsA-7j-4jCPesF8Hi0woHV8CmY/s1600/IMG_2431.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And like any good yarn shop, there were sheep-shaped knickknacks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We browsed for a while and picked our prized new yarn. I was quite happy to find these wise words pasted on the cash register:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGtKhN4z1vhrqGseKwMa2bDAFMtfauKMoPi1aKIGKHxYtsDWm3hMwNgkZfLyIBEJvFjZAaG9p9XKkVB1H9Kj0KAserESp3QJ2tPERjoi8Iim-e7mt7rTks9c682EIv-okZlYE6QVlGYo/s1600/IMG_2435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGtKhN4z1vhrqGseKwMa2bDAFMtfauKMoPi1aKIGKHxYtsDWm3hMwNgkZfLyIBEJvFjZAaG9p9XKkVB1H9Kj0KAserESp3QJ2tPERjoi8Iim-e7mt7rTks9c682EIv-okZlYE6QVlGYo/s1600/IMG_2435.jpg" height="320" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So true.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQXhkkGVJlCOKbhwz6NmZz4qnAcXok9HjUj1tjaJDsi0MNtTUDa_8oZxdYhNtk-rhVmkfXsYmqzsogSFBX2C0WF-XCtic5REP5nSqC99XIojzwGy_nGTN2pLEE2FFFZ6eo38rZJ35I68/s1600/IMG_2450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQXhkkGVJlCOKbhwz6NmZz4qnAcXok9HjUj1tjaJDsi0MNtTUDa_8oZxdYhNtk-rhVmkfXsYmqzsogSFBX2C0WF-XCtic5REP5nSqC99XIojzwGy_nGTN2pLEE2FFFZ6eo38rZJ35I68/s1600/IMG_2450.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My yarn purchase: marled Cascade yarn. I'm a sucker for anything black and white.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We made it to Iowa and found the yarn, but then it was time for a bite. We wandered around downtown Dubuque, which is centered around the historic <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Town_Clock_(Dubuque)">Town Clock</a>:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3Wpx6bxDmkk1Uwyw7hZiMNIPrBBEZ60Wf_FJJ6UCzBc2YjpDe3r4yUxeHlabsE1IjAcZDpgtN3SJ6xrSx7PnCAqRcB8XDlALZAWE3Q6Lz66OfTcmOSbwxb0lPFZsGDX38OCNmD9I-tE/s1600/IMG_2439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3Wpx6bxDmkk1Uwyw7hZiMNIPrBBEZ60Wf_FJJ6UCzBc2YjpDe3r4yUxeHlabsE1IjAcZDpgtN3SJ6xrSx7PnCAqRcB8XDlALZAWE3Q6Lz66OfTcmOSbwxb0lPFZsGDX38OCNmD9I-tE/s1600/IMG_2439.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wikipedia says that this monument has been around for over 130 years. This is the second-generation Town Clock, as the first collapsed in the 1870s and killed three people. Eep!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Dubuque is a typical, tiny Midwestern town: little shops, antique-y places, and small local restaurants. We decided to grab some Italian food at <a href="http://www.crustdubuque.com/">Crust</a>, located right on Main Street.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9HdAxge_LVrs5Cn5ClIoF6xH1rPcOAPH0mTvJ41V7eGeqq5cWKuFqEmF5mQiZobGPaDxvWHbdoypsGZLXu1Q4YKhSajVtjo6qUw-j79WR11h7FrNE2FAJurd6GK3pmy7RKeSu_84G1s/s1600/IMG_2442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9HdAxge_LVrs5Cn5ClIoF6xH1rPcOAPH0mTvJ41V7eGeqq5cWKuFqEmF5mQiZobGPaDxvWHbdoypsGZLXu1Q4YKhSajVtjo6qUw-j79WR11h7FrNE2FAJurd6GK3pmy7RKeSu_84G1s/s1600/IMG_2442.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My soup & salad lunch: yum!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Iowa experience: check. It was time to head back to Wisconsin, and we decided to make a quick stop to check out <a href="http://www.delapear.com/">de la Pear</a>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmlTnLbTYLlKhYdaeuKeMRb8mMsxCGT_CUrptpVDzBPz3Hb3cMSXS7XWg-88KJIHlk_Fm5ufG-jtNp7U7YbeVqeHRO-japFcVAje1KQxGqO-dufVBSzwQOHHQ1EPXW0LvpQH_J47ZJtw/s1600/IMG_2444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmlTnLbTYLlKhYdaeuKeMRb8mMsxCGT_CUrptpVDzBPz3Hb3cMSXS7XWg-88KJIHlk_Fm5ufG-jtNp7U7YbeVqeHRO-japFcVAje1KQxGqO-dufVBSzwQOHHQ1EPXW0LvpQH_J47ZJtw/s1600/IMG_2444.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">de la Pear is a quaint yarn and gift shop in Mineral Point.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWMIwic94b65GLqslCKvh0O0lu9OCX2e3AjhtpVw6CNBTowNJ7tx-QT08c0lnDshWJSmCkZYLC-oj3C4__mzDi5BiBbRExpU0eQcHGtKalisqalSnZOcBbtlKEo3b-50X2l5hZFr1ezQ/s1600/IMG_2448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWMIwic94b65GLqslCKvh0O0lu9OCX2e3AjhtpVw6CNBTowNJ7tx-QT08c0lnDshWJSmCkZYLC-oj3C4__mzDi5BiBbRExpU0eQcHGtKalisqalSnZOcBbtlKEo3b-50X2l5hZFr1ezQ/s1600/IMG_2448.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainbow wall of yarn: check!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63Wio1plSJOFZIASZCaUR18EUAieUza_x9fYoet0qkvd5v9bKlwq8JM9egWbcZQv7fAdOiHEH1NFXSZubIzYTCUVsf0-vZIUKNlKQ9troXV_oaiR-3C_DjBclSw7DSVFVWL9Z1-MCLbE/s1600/IMG_2446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63Wio1plSJOFZIASZCaUR18EUAieUza_x9fYoet0qkvd5v9bKlwq8JM9egWbcZQv7fAdOiHEH1NFXSZubIzYTCUVsf0-vZIUKNlKQ9troXV_oaiR-3C_DjBclSw7DSVFVWL9Z1-MCLbE/s1600/IMG_2446.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olive oil soaps from around the world? Yup, they've got 'em.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My favorite part of de la Pear was seeing their enormous loom. I don't know much about loom crafting, but I know this was by far the biggest one I'd ever seen.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljVlU1zcW-CeczVI1VC2IfyKyBtYQ-ESHU1av3TWM_4WW9EkOHBza9st2sSKCfHr2bZONsOC9rqqVB9GEmPd1eoMbkMBa7bNLEmmUw5927M0kD_y4XQu0Q0-D5vV6q4GDLzBJu0h_3EY/s1600/IMG_2445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljVlU1zcW-CeczVI1VC2IfyKyBtYQ-ESHU1av3TWM_4WW9EkOHBza9st2sSKCfHr2bZONsOC9rqqVB9GEmPd1eoMbkMBa7bNLEmmUw5927M0kD_y4XQu0Q0-D5vV6q4GDLzBJu0h_3EY/s1600/IMG_2445.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous, vivid reds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
After three shop visits in two states, our yarn crawl was complete. A Weird Al marathon on the way back, including all 11 minutes of "Trapped in the Drive Thru," was an excellent end to the trip:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/SHnTocdD7sk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then, I got home and updated my map of states I've visited. Cheers to 31! And seriously, how did I manage to skip over Vermont?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamN8nSvXnaE8Ol3z2ypYvK4OpGtaEXHJXRQTN-JY5AI3DKwshyQ6M7eHUnjBFoq21_K9lPgyD_Be9it9PehYFUDr5GB3r1YgqFygw5zaRizntIDl6319JREJEY_zAp6yMxeim-jr1z2I/s1600/chart.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamN8nSvXnaE8Ol3z2ypYvK4OpGtaEXHJXRQTN-JY5AI3DKwshyQ6M7eHUnjBFoq21_K9lPgyD_Be9it9PehYFUDr5GB3r1YgqFygw5zaRizntIDl6319JREJEY_zAp6yMxeim-jr1z2I/s1600/chart.png" height="200" width="400" /></a></div>
Aviva M. Cantorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14346566197678626901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775740181221490494.post-37782037503134775232014-03-07T18:27:00.002-06:002014-03-07T18:27:50.398-06:00It snows in March. This is how I deal with it.In the other places where I've lived, snow in March was out of the question. But Dorothy, we're not in North Carolina anymore. This is Wisconsin, where March is fair game for frost and flurries.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thankfully, I'm equipped for these circumstances. My full-length parka (aka "mega coat") keeps me warm when I'm out and about, but at home, it's all about the fireplace. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwT4D_VpaDh2lAjiQ3OKM9EA4b515tNaKFn3nLLMYgcwNoKXZDppTc0gXSdo3zCQjqo-V3arimHG372fONqK1EFS14xbeHplGCRFTHB_FmEGEAcAWrDCv8BoRY9qTcZe9TlEMCfAp15BM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-07+at+6.21.36+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwT4D_VpaDh2lAjiQ3OKM9EA4b515tNaKFn3nLLMYgcwNoKXZDppTc0gXSdo3zCQjqo-V3arimHG372fONqK1EFS14xbeHplGCRFTHB_FmEGEAcAWrDCv8BoRY9qTcZe9TlEMCfAp15BM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-07+at+6.21.36+PM.png" height="318" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocco likes staying nice and warm, too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
No spring weather yet? No problem. </div>
Aviva M. Cantorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14346566197678626901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775740181221490494.post-26834663673835675212014-02-26T22:33:00.001-06:002014-02-27T07:53:53.335-06:00And the gold medal in blogging goes to… Aviva In Dairyland!As I've mentioned before, I'm a competitive figure skater. So as you can imagine, the Winter Olympics are extremely important to me. Close to a week after the event's conclusion, I feel that I'm still recovering from the excitement. And, well, here comes another gold medal…<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTz84uwjwhyTFouVOeZJFq8R_SvvKXvL8fFP839VSt0imXA9k8EgiTKbl5y3sm9kPmNpCPCqHnyHZUOf8jLnqKZLFYwFfKUPByAGvy7PNpUH3ODXvUzmDoFgzh633qrxKwBQ9TJ5z83k/s1600/Best_of_Madison_2014_TQ_Diamonds_Gold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTz84uwjwhyTFouVOeZJFq8R_SvvKXvL8fFP839VSt0imXA9k8EgiTKbl5y3sm9kPmNpCPCqHnyHZUOf8jLnqKZLFYwFfKUPByAGvy7PNpUH3ODXvUzmDoFgzh633qrxKwBQ9TJ5z83k/s1600/Best_of_Madison_2014_TQ_Diamonds_Gold.jpg" height="118" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aviva In Dairyland has officially been named Madison Magazine's 2014 Gold Winner for Best Local Blog!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Close to three years ago, I moved 900 miles to a state where I didn't know anyone, and this has been a great way of chronicling my ongoing adventures. I'll continue to do my best to try new things, take a lot of photos, and get the full Wisconsin experience.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What's next for Aviva In Dairyland? Well, I <i style="font-weight: bold;">really</i> want to milk a cow. If anyone has any connections, please hit me up in the comments section.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thanks so much for voting!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For a full list of winners, <a href="http://www.madisonmagazine.com/Madison-Magazine/March-2014/Best-of-Madison-2014/">click here</a>.</div>
Aviva M. Cantorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14346566197678626901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775740181221490494.post-68642037965247421182014-02-07T22:21:00.002-06:002014-02-08T18:53:53.925-06:00"And it was all yellow": my visit to the National Mustard Museum.Here are three words I never thought I'd say together: National Mustard Museum.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Jared is my best friend from summer camp, and when he made his first ever trip to the state of Wisconsin, I knew I had to show him a variety of my favorite Madison activities. And let's face it: the city is multifaceted. Delicious falafel from <a href="http://banzomadison.com/">Banzo</a>, skating on a frozen lake at <a href="http://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/facilities/iceRink.cfm?id=11">Tenney Park</a>, and dancing the night away at <a href="http://www.planbmadison.com/">Plan B</a> to Madonna's "Girl Gone Wild" were some of my favorite parts of his visit, but the weirdest part of his visit would certainly be the mustard.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In 2012, my parents visited Madison to help me move into my condo. During their time here, they went to the <a href="http://mustardmuseum.com/">National Mustard Museum</a>: a quirky, kitschy, lovable, <b>free</b> museum in Middleton (on the west side of Madison). Mom insisted that Jared and I experience the place together, and who wants to say no to mom? Not Jared and me. So the mustard excursion began.<br />
<br />
Boasting a "Learn, Taste, Shop, Laugh," mantra, this place is exactly what it sounds like (and it doesn't take itself too seriously, either). Home of the world's largest collection of mustards and mustard memorabilia, the National Mustard Museum pays homage to America's yellowest condiment. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EycTdYIj4dkDaSfibR7njO0bfjxrucnJ19KX09lXKBDaKJBi4FBkbiomPkowvPSYmCu9kUdlSlg7bRHe2jtOGzm3QAMRG7A4pwHjhDUrM4lk4IhYT0hU3UaDltbnyAvwnw8Q5Pd22Vc/s1600/IMG_2110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EycTdYIj4dkDaSfibR7njO0bfjxrucnJ19KX09lXKBDaKJBi4FBkbiomPkowvPSYmCu9kUdlSlg7bRHe2jtOGzm3QAMRG7A4pwHjhDUrM4lk4IhYT0hU3UaDltbnyAvwnw8Q5Pd22Vc/s1600/IMG_2110.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Why is there a National Mustard Museum?</i> The answer to this question, I still do not know, but what I can say is that the place was certainly unique, and I'd recommend that anyone who passes through Madison needs to see it for themselves at least once. But just in case you aren't passing through any time soon, here are some highlights:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Decked-out walls with mustard-themed art and comics:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk17JKgEHY96xVw3WrcfEFlXtPe9YyQcxDEYbe_A9jwE2K7SCB7rq1TjDSwG0NoD6djke9u_8pP1oYQDe4riPJFf-nVw60-q71eZYzE9yY-Tn9wRZjsBdfNRpSz4D1TYwTDaZ5Atiycwo/s1600/IMG_2101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk17JKgEHY96xVw3WrcfEFlXtPe9YyQcxDEYbe_A9jwE2K7SCB7rq1TjDSwG0NoD6djke9u_8pP1oYQDe4riPJFf-nVw60-q71eZYzE9yY-Tn9wRZjsBdfNRpSz4D1TYwTDaZ5Atiycwo/s1600/IMG_2101.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiek-Uw-GWKinkZLZHKHeN1SyCi81a6HTXwizW5tM8KtOu1Nw-bGAsAMB-qJ1cCubHdJn1zb4GpdT3OrC9WaEZH4G9MoX93Kn9BK3hGhnd1L3XALKHbPhAnteVqWEpaan_zLEV7z0Hzm_U/s1600/IMG_2113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiek-Uw-GWKinkZLZHKHeN1SyCi81a6HTXwizW5tM8KtOu1Nw-bGAsAMB-qJ1cCubHdJn1zb4GpdT3OrC9WaEZH4G9MoX93Kn9BK3hGhnd1L3XALKHbPhAnteVqWEpaan_zLEV7z0Hzm_U/s1600/IMG_2113.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Books of vintage mustard advertisements:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOC25gY1r1QpwkkAoMD8DARbBxuYAJD9VizBJZfUUKnOXJ7XukEjKl2R19H6mVVLCttqC7vOsCk4FJvjwwll4hP6AAk1TAfFPofW3W_DNUrCjePAPeeW3jGEW2eWGrY-MUsnmibCQvME/s1600/IMG_2111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOC25gY1r1QpwkkAoMD8DARbBxuYAJD9VizBJZfUUKnOXJ7XukEjKl2R19H6mVVLCttqC7vOsCk4FJvjwwll4hP6AAk1TAfFPofW3W_DNUrCjePAPeeW3jGEW2eWGrY-MUsnmibCQvME/s1600/IMG_2111.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Mustards from around the world:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmE70KRmwnM6FXpBAmZOz7U4D_kmT0yTNarT0eMsh-s3aB596ks4p1CrKOiJbRx5-TXjJKnaonx0xtSofu7Tvj6ucl39MfuEMn_IVHGX4ynAMMBOo7z1GRFx_vsUW3InNqEYXwJ5TiNc/s1600/IMG_2104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmE70KRmwnM6FXpBAmZOz7U4D_kmT0yTNarT0eMsh-s3aB596ks4p1CrKOiJbRx5-TXjJKnaonx0xtSofu7Tvj6ucl39MfuEMn_IVHGX4ynAMMBOo7z1GRFx_vsUW3InNqEYXwJ5TiNc/s1600/IMG_2104.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These shelves are alphabetized and labeled with mustard from all 50 states. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvBzv9FoqB6U5RfG9Q66BVS4cOT880VGmjX_XAC-Sj6I8bysGFcmoQh-sXZGY2QEItfwNW4yjMWuI-ulorIfLtlMr_PyZ8iW53LoaQkxWD_vlHZPLDBAMYWcNCRxahymSs3E9hj1MNf8/s1600/IMG_2105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvBzv9FoqB6U5RfG9Q66BVS4cOT880VGmjX_XAC-Sj6I8bysGFcmoQh-sXZGY2QEItfwNW4yjMWuI-ulorIfLtlMr_PyZ8iW53LoaQkxWD_vlHZPLDBAMYWcNCRxahymSs3E9hj1MNf8/s1600/IMG_2105.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close-up on my home state of North Carolina.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gN4Z0czaubDrAO546jPC4NUCQBvItjO_pWkrw7Cdtp64NgrMdfYjgNVt5Y7lSPZj5dayXW9nSlDEDcWcmB_HCInafggN9wQVXvcgXSos7XAL-n-GgYqu5R9ISmeCwV8lkBDnjxOW9Ls/s1600/IMG_2106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gN4Z0czaubDrAO546jPC4NUCQBvItjO_pWkrw7Cdtp64NgrMdfYjgNVt5Y7lSPZj5dayXW9nSlDEDcWcmB_HCInafggN9wQVXvcgXSos7XAL-n-GgYqu5R9ISmeCwV8lkBDnjxOW9Ls/s1600/IMG_2106.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A display devoted to the mustards of Canada. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
A vending machine for instant mustard gratification:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJZ8lL7AsJHZS4o7rt0W_aSPy05HhC8NIDQLdADDcbsK3ZXbdnXc-neTTUMOxqS5sX_lz8iyEoJ9ZPB_m5IiOjbSeRN2DEdQJtzqXc8p0FJgTk1E2887vrEX0J_hX2tJu8RX6Ee8rNA8/s1600/IMG_2102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJZ8lL7AsJHZS4o7rt0W_aSPy05HhC8NIDQLdADDcbsK3ZXbdnXc-neTTUMOxqS5sX_lz8iyEoJ9ZPB_m5IiOjbSeRN2DEdQJtzqXc8p0FJgTk1E2887vrEX0J_hX2tJu8RX6Ee8rNA8/s1600/IMG_2102.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Oh, and an empty mustard mascot costume.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuW8eL90ua5DNcJMp8fUak0O0hcs1OuBXcodLoln8fOekL9uALxjnEjbtSY_O2SwOgAVFDFM4yQ7SrLPpSmcFjeAKcfBIWNuBejcQ4VnMwrpuB3hQKEqb9nEJWRmJ9PpuqhZmF9gXp8uE/s1600/IMG_2103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuW8eL90ua5DNcJMp8fUak0O0hcs1OuBXcodLoln8fOekL9uALxjnEjbtSY_O2SwOgAVFDFM4yQ7SrLPpSmcFjeAKcfBIWNuBejcQ4VnMwrpuB3hQKEqb9nEJWRmJ9PpuqhZmF9gXp8uE/s1600/IMG_2103.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made a new friend.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
It was everything I'd expect a mustard museum to be, really. And after a plethora of free samples, I settled on a souvenir:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXjg5uVrlnfyOeU0bOmbDk92q5My1ufgTR4OqF3_HWy5iauCjFL0jJ7tlnZw5nKHx7zSMm10jp1b0DV_qkTXwjjI2wImITLJFZnWFKkhYPpg2NPigvWx1XMDXluJ9CxmQ8aICmz5LOAuY/s1600/IMG_2117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXjg5uVrlnfyOeU0bOmbDk92q5My1ufgTR4OqF3_HWy5iauCjFL0jJ7tlnZw5nKHx7zSMm10jp1b0DV_qkTXwjjI2wImITLJFZnWFKkhYPpg2NPigvWx1XMDXluJ9CxmQ8aICmz5LOAuY/s1600/IMG_2117.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maille (pronounced "my") dijon mustard, now at home in my kitchen. According to a museum employee, this is a highly celebrated mustard that won the Worldwide Mustard Competition. Yeah, not only is there a mustard museum, but there's competitive mustard making. For real.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Jared is one of my best friends, and he traveled over 1600 miles to visit me. That's what good friends do anywhere. Spending an afternoon learning about the history of mustard? Well, in Wisconsin, I guess that's what good friends do, too.Aviva M. Cantorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14346566197678626901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775740181221490494.post-41446319539115484822014-01-01T22:04:00.001-06:002014-11-19T21:27:34.711-06:00Jews on Christmas: nighttime skating on a frozen lake.Jared and I met at summer camp when we were 10 years old, and we've been friends ever since. A good friend comes to visit you even when it's freezing outside, and that's the kind of friend Jared is. As Jewish folks who obviously had no Christmas plans, we figured it was the perfect time for him to fly in from NYC for a visit.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I picked Jared up at the airport with a custom sign that I made in honor of our joint Madonna obsession.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBelQhZ2t3Y361wbtKAsBh0Dad0LoABkJTspMXciN6mhKfDc4oJO7NvrLgNQbfrm3SZOsWD18CFTKRUfZ5Vdw15NGemcX9G6eTIiBR6Q3iylPZwSidg0vsmRM9GuxLNBpNJ8mwBu9Dw5Q/s1600/IMG_2077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBelQhZ2t3Y361wbtKAsBh0Dad0LoABkJTspMXciN6mhKfDc4oJO7NvrLgNQbfrm3SZOsWD18CFTKRUfZ5Vdw15NGemcX9G6eTIiBR6Q3iylPZwSidg0vsmRM9GuxLNBpNJ8mwBu9Dw5Q/s320/IMG_2077.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I found him!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Then we had a delicious dinner at <a href="http://www.laan-xang.com/">Lao Laan-Xang</a>, which was quite crowded for Christmas Eve. The next day, after a matinee (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0359950/">The Secret Life of Walter Mitty</a>), it was time for Jared's true Madison experience: skating on a frozen lake at <a href="http://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/facilities/iceRink.cfm?id=11">Tenney Park</a>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm a competitive figure skater, but I rarely skate on lakes. I saved an old pair of skates for such occasions. The temperature was 30 degrees that night, which was downright humid for Wisconsin in December. There was a dusting of snow on the lake, and a few flakes were still falling.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6Sllm3IEPtFw2sO9vG4CwBVw0fCk-cwzQMo7sagfBbH89TXVRG_8vZ4lOywgddDWGB7nCxXrV2Y-DWPV55Dh3SB2hebqNdnZIVYnMrTMha71eUUtfhLuWH4X09n8tdFBG6YL92pnJeo/s1600/IMG_2080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6Sllm3IEPtFw2sO9vG4CwBVw0fCk-cwzQMo7sagfBbH89TXVRG_8vZ4lOywgddDWGB7nCxXrV2Y-DWPV55Dh3SB2hebqNdnZIVYnMrTMha71eUUtfhLuWH4X09n8tdFBG6YL92pnJeo/s320/IMG_2080.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The surface was different for me, but I got around just fine.<br />
Jared liked the traction from the snow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
My skating abilities were limited since I was wearing a coat and on a lake. But of course, I had to work in a few tricks:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxGJO_Fk5O732sHmTqxZ_NsbwAqETtlvLodj1tfTkM07oVtdqvJsAQYBPLKiRiSCoF_8KCIoTBgXFOMBctteg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Scratch spin.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwQVRRMazJ9MHQlno5OeqHZ66KSV2iP-BXgvvur-t9jPpMtz1THc--dcSdzC4GNQyeFfJyRYw862W3Ke8DQIQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Salchow.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Jared had great balance and a knack for speed:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx2XVKPpNKtPHHTNO7zyNqyYBoF1XQ6cCNoeWs0jEFGNvVQvwttTRglUkuqcl2rbtUec8evpEplqdSccluNeg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Taking in the Wisconsin winter!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Moving around kept us warm, and the night was picture perfect.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiGK_vnq9JNpAOi_1MY_wiSew46dDhLCit6VmsNQaS_vtVRbVN5GBf2qSp5Mwg7ciBF6A8yhtGz6Jl2AycOYoVZsmc2TJI0gALRsxFC6e2Xfkh1MRn3JD6i2Fw4VRo7eo4BWjbuMgUjI/s1600/IMG_2091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiGK_vnq9JNpAOi_1MY_wiSew46dDhLCit6VmsNQaS_vtVRbVN5GBf2qSp5Mwg7ciBF6A8yhtGz6Jl2AycOYoVZsmc2TJI0gALRsxFC6e2Xfkh1MRn3JD6i2Fw4VRo7eo4BWjbuMgUjI/s320/IMG_2091.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posing on the lake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
An awesome night, an great visit, and an out-of-the-ordinary way to enjoy my favorite sport.</div>
Aviva M. Cantorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14346566197678626901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775740181221490494.post-9660168847186533352013-11-29T16:50:00.001-06:002013-11-29T16:50:32.876-06:00Thanksgivukkah: Bringing Bucky to the CarolinasGreetings from my hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina! Don't worry Wisconsin, I'll be back Sunday.<br />
<br />
As I mentioned in my <a href="http://avivaindairyland.blogspot.com/2011/06/greetings-hello-moo.html">first ever post</a>, Aimee is my BFF. I've known her since the 4th grade, and now we have another cool 4th grader around: her daughter, Isis. I come home for Thanksgiving every year, and my "niece" and I have a tradition of going to a matinee in a nearly empty theater, watching the latest Disney epic, and putting our feet up on the seats. This year, it was <a href="http://movies.disney.com/frozen">Frozen</a>, and I recommend it! The music was great, and the Snow Queen is voiced by the fabulous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idina_Menzel">Idina Menzel</a>.<br />
<br />
This year, I'm fortunate enough to be home for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgivukkah">Thanksgivukkah</a>:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQOMNPqn_Q3dULMjGOVsslON0XSaMlmmRcTejzNNEN4Wzz0H225aZbtJMaRKVfLvkskEM1gKOAZS2AXRwVFAzezogEgXDtT7cRypaovSBCxIMFmAxEGPW3RC2ULMFL55uVcZOA65rAdI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-29+at+4.42.36+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQOMNPqn_Q3dULMjGOVsslON0XSaMlmmRcTejzNNEN4Wzz0H225aZbtJMaRKVfLvkskEM1gKOAZS2AXRwVFAzezogEgXDtT7cRypaovSBCxIMFmAxEGPW3RC2ULMFL55uVcZOA65rAdI/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-11-29+at+4.42.36+PM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My family collects menorahs and dreidels.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Oh, and my parents got a new dog:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8lUmY-PdM7AVQsdhjewXULhESINm2fu9kLwxQbBEi7a8LEm09WvdpR4PQWaCh1mnIRA3LcMZi6kM677YREHIMbP64C07aTZqpGntLvzBWc0CN7Pxw7DWE2bibaGpf25tzcROGoFkklE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-29+at+4.42.52+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8lUmY-PdM7AVQsdhjewXULhESINm2fu9kLwxQbBEi7a8LEm09WvdpR4PQWaCh1mnIRA3LcMZi6kM677YREHIMbP64C07aTZqpGntLvzBWc0CN7Pxw7DWE2bibaGpf25tzcROGoFkklE/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-11-29+at+4.42.52+PM.png" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hi, I'm Max the Miniature Poodle!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And, for the first time in years, Aimee and I actually got to exchange presents on the first day of Hanukkah. In true Wisconsin fashion, I decided to get all Bucky-d out with gift giving.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUl9Og4zlMiiuCP0DxrHVps3Zi4JwQcK7Hq3CfprFr-qT986OPndX6gBVyfISJ3y_De7AuX8hZsm8L_QqSCpCwVjkjixYyay-Cuh6GuJUT-PPUJ97d3s144WwJQwsagJ3p7vI0ksjYxw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-29+at+4.33.14+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUl9Og4zlMiiuCP0DxrHVps3Zi4JwQcK7Hq3CfprFr-qT986OPndX6gBVyfISJ3y_De7AuX8hZsm8L_QqSCpCwVjkjixYyay-Cuh6GuJUT-PPUJ97d3s144WwJQwsagJ3p7vI0ksjYxw/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-11-29+at+4.33.14+PM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This pair is making their Aviva in Dairyland debut. Meet Aimee & Isis!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Aimee got a Wisconsin tank to wear for running, while Isis (a tie-dye enthusiast) got a "Grateful Red" UW volleyball shirt + cow socks. If you're a kid with a Wisconsin auntie, cow socks are a MUST.Aviva M. Cantorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14346566197678626901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775740181221490494.post-76093257936923803582013-10-15T21:15:00.002-05:002013-11-14T17:51:34.992-06:00Bucky Badger owns this town, part 2: a sea of red.As I've said before, Bucky Badger owns this town. He's everywhere: in stores, on cars, and gracing the packaging of locally made foods.<br />
<br />
When my mom and our friend Pat came to visit, they had the privilege of meeting cardboard Bucky at <a href="http://www.hilldale.com/">Hilldale Shopping Center</a>:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmR_lWXFqssm9dYtF4ELNweIFiuB-NaYqPcIrJuIM6-HZu2swmRWj8iirFFR2PmpSJwv5WalP0nH61gqXQCVIdvMj6_uurRvl7xKoQj2VzAMPkTFOTRl63W47g_ZUk1y-MiPGJWxcIr8/s1600/image-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmR_lWXFqssm9dYtF4ELNweIFiuB-NaYqPcIrJuIM6-HZu2swmRWj8iirFFR2PmpSJwv5WalP0nH61gqXQCVIdvMj6_uurRvl7xKoQj2VzAMPkTFOTRl63W47g_ZUk1y-MiPGJWxcIr8/s320/image-3.jpeg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvp5RdxXdnmkyl9PaMjn6Fl_7AdT9Y1UJcKzfXhqHVqnVu0XreYZgzWjrAMS82LJKwHuhGHy0_AzaXFirF7zaj5kn5IkNyo95aFVHrTL_6_rOYeCIIgtBzeDjjdgNNZ24BtRAoFR2waI/s1600/image-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvp5RdxXdnmkyl9PaMjn6Fl_7AdT9Y1UJcKzfXhqHVqnVu0XreYZgzWjrAMS82LJKwHuhGHy0_AzaXFirF7zaj5kn5IkNyo95aFVHrTL_6_rOYeCIIgtBzeDjjdgNNZ24BtRAoFR2waI/s320/image-4.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Wisconsinites love their Bucky, and the Hilldale skeleton greeter shares in the spirit:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-2iKXUsicEDwgP1lMMkD3av0GtbJSOalsnvx8hD9M4iaTdPPugztbuVX02TD9fBkF-lWFv9zou4dktYStDlr1jyHqN77VkMsX88BOQzshkOGyUGhTDPMppWFYM-HeBLPUSQQAvQBOwk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-10-15+at+8.54.09+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-2iKXUsicEDwgP1lMMkD3av0GtbJSOalsnvx8hD9M4iaTdPPugztbuVX02TD9fBkF-lWFv9zou4dktYStDlr1jyHqN77VkMsX88BOQzshkOGyUGhTDPMppWFYM-HeBLPUSQQAvQBOwk/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-10-15+at+8.54.09+PM.png" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even this ghoulish bag of bones is supporting Bucky with a UW hat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I live in the land of Bucky and I have gotten used to his constant presence (and hey, red is my favorite color). With that said, after 2.5 years of Madison residency, I should have known better than to drive to the West Side of Madison on the day of UW's homecoming.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><b>I just wanted to go to Trader Joe's. My intentions were honorable</b>.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But instead of a breezy 10-minute ride on a Saturday, I wound up in a 40-minute ride through a sea of red-clad Badger fans.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MMo-NqjJeTQ6bAtVCdf1nZrzEQkS5fh_51zDr4tovX7qBHWg0kOXXoWBlnWQSol3vPqAdGVFZMEBpnGtNE-EXHH8NyVkTRN9eqwwn_oyRqN1SI9hZY9A-XpPjSE32patLvHMisp7gWs/s1600/image-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MMo-NqjJeTQ6bAtVCdf1nZrzEQkS5fh_51zDr4tovX7qBHWg0kOXXoWBlnWQSol3vPqAdGVFZMEBpnGtNE-EXHH8NyVkTRN9eqwwn_oyRqN1SI9hZY9A-XpPjSE32patLvHMisp7gWs/s320/image-1.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Badger fans crossing the street and heading for the stadium.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-MTx52wExEp_2Rp0EQJ5w4i7Pj81NZOBhMw0m9V6G4fzzPGru7ZKX08AxegD1Myt6RX91Aurw0vVuI5Fti-N4eyL5km93ews9YGohQoXAzZNjUojP7pMW6-MAL0RlDPp6ShmmhDNUeQ/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-MTx52wExEp_2Rp0EQJ5w4i7Pj81NZOBhMw0m9V6G4fzzPGru7ZKX08AxegD1Myt6RX91Aurw0vVuI5Fti-N4eyL5km93ews9YGohQoXAzZNjUojP7pMW6-MAL0RlDPp6ShmmhDNUeQ/s320/image.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Badger fans tailgating in the parking lot of my doctor's office<br />
(I later found more in the parking lot of my veterinarian's office).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Some may wonder why I didn't just turn around and go home, but here's how I saw it: I'm a busy gal. My weekdays are packed with working full time, skating practice, and still managing to socialize with friends. Saturday afternoon is always errand time for me, and with the sunny 70-degree weather, I was perfectly happy sitting in traffic with the windows down and enjoying some Alt Nation. It was a nice breather, and I found the extreme fandom fascinating. Thankfully I drive a red car, otherwise I would have been very out of place in my black Madonna T-shirt.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just as I had planned, I made it to Trader Joe's and got my groceries. It just happened to be by way of a leisurely, interesting drive.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My friend Michal is a huge Bucky fan and she snapped a great shot from <a href="http://www.uwbadgers.com/facilities/camp-randall.html">Camp Randall Stadium</a>:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_WKtHglG0AJX4NZbLJ0Tu62MXrvgdzXVdVVhKdhVWeEXpr8U0q4sbBNWVZyE-m8hqUqFK5cyqnaLRVo4zjgWtIQewCjDUFl1r-bqxmat7bdVEhDlti-Wqu3PLbDt0tuVzCWieMevi9uw/s1600/1394115_10153357005330052_178620963_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_WKtHglG0AJX4NZbLJ0Tu62MXrvgdzXVdVVhKdhVWeEXpr8U0q4sbBNWVZyE-m8hqUqFK5cyqnaLRVo4zjgWtIQewCjDUFl1r-bqxmat7bdVEhDlti-Wqu3PLbDt0tuVzCWieMevi9uw/s320/1394115_10153357005330052_178620963_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">100 yards surrounded by red, red, red. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Although I don't follow football, I try to stay in the know on whether Bucky won or lost. Living a block away from <a href="http://onebarrelbrewing.com/">One Barrel Brewing Company</a> helps, as the style of screaming from the bar clearly indicates glory or despair. This week? Glory screams in celebration of a UW triumph.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's Bucky's territory (I just live in it).</div>
Aviva M. Cantorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14346566197678626901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775740181221490494.post-40348214392237883102013-10-13T20:23:00.001-05:002013-10-13T20:23:31.739-05:00Cheesin' it: vote for me!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPg57MRU5NhB8SwtTY-PenZgJUqpeYS34H7aLGjqM_hTc2BI1wDAWE6BiRTuMFeVNH0d4yUpEk8KIyXOlTnAtQqglStU5gaetst5K1Cmd6HW7hn7W4VAaNm-HrDEpK7C0ZWuNMdqU2hY/s1600/2014BOM-Open_600x250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPg57MRU5NhB8SwtTY-PenZgJUqpeYS34H7aLGjqM_hTc2BI1wDAWE6BiRTuMFeVNH0d4yUpEk8KIyXOlTnAtQqglStU5gaetst5K1Cmd6HW7hn7W4VAaNm-HrDEpK7C0ZWuNMdqU2hY/s320/2014BOM-Open_600x250.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Love Aviva in Dairyland? Vote for me in Madison Magazine's Best of Madison! Quick and easy to vote. Select "Arts & Entertainment," then "Local Blog (non-food)" and write in "Aviva In Dairyland."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Anyone can vote: you don't have to be a Wisconsin resident. Thanks, friends!</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><a href="http://madisonmagazine.secondstreetapp.com/Best-of-Madison/Ballot/ArtsandEntertainment" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://madisonmagazine.secondstreetapp.com/Best-of-Madison/Ballot/ArtsandEntertainment</a>Aviva M. Cantorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14346566197678626901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775740181221490494.post-4549357136768637852013-10-07T20:44:00.003-05:002013-10-07T20:44:56.788-05:00Diary of a chicken farmer: part 2.As stated previously, I spent 2 weeks as a backyard chicken farmer while Cory and Ryan were honeymooning. The major perk: eggs.<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyoPBvIVRmmVEiDqiyjDMzFqJtDeEum0qoJNWkYtV6Voe4gcxAyyDXoTYXbRNA0_3PTGZq2a-qxXvwBmk-K2U9HfO2DvvLBRvZvi9ZOFNA0k0r2t0b9f5UGy5nvhkwwNSNbYW42BiVUUY/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyoPBvIVRmmVEiDqiyjDMzFqJtDeEum0qoJNWkYtV6Voe4gcxAyyDXoTYXbRNA0_3PTGZq2a-qxXvwBmk-K2U9HfO2DvvLBRvZvi9ZOFNA0k0r2t0b9f5UGy5nvhkwwNSNbYW42BiVUUY/s320/photo.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sampling of eggs from the backyard chickens.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
And since they enjoyed the cucumber so much (see my <a href="http://avivaindairyland.blogspot.com/2013/10/diary-of-chicken-farmer-part-1.html">previous post</a>), I figured I'd feed them some garden tomatoes:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/rAarNaJnOrg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
Well, it was a fun gig, but now I'm off chicken duty. I'll be sure to visit them, though. Nugget and I bonded-- she likes a good neck scratching.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Aviva M. Cantorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14346566197678626901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775740181221490494.post-80611786695753990392013-10-05T09:35:00.001-05:002013-10-05T09:39:45.955-05:00Diary of a chicken farmer: part 1.First of all, big congrats to Cory and Ryan on their wedding!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYvOHwOaLZGX6ZVK0vbSCEMaJXsnU7pN1ue7RVYBPR0DHY-ncS44CvcWYFZk69foPA8jdXvEx4TCg9A9dBew0JUpXhgWvvgDTqG-aCqvGUT5WEZJwZ4cjUHH3LG6qPgOYW3cIzBSpPEw/s1600/1240531_10101289235598535_2019861450_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYvOHwOaLZGX6ZVK0vbSCEMaJXsnU7pN1ue7RVYBPR0DHY-ncS44CvcWYFZk69foPA8jdXvEx4TCg9A9dBew0JUpXhgWvvgDTqG-aCqvGUT5WEZJwZ4cjUHH3LG6qPgOYW3cIzBSpPEw/s320/1240531_10101289235598535_2019861450_n.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture perfect, eh?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While my friends are honeymooning in Indonesia, I'm taking care of their animals and plants. I assured them that their cat and chickens would be in great hands, but I made no guarantees about the plants (I've been watering them every few days, but this isn't my area of expertise).<br />
<br />
Caring for Cory and Ryan's pets goes as follows:<br />
<br />
Step 1, check on Leisha.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignnoxJ1tDMKz1oB5cHczDBTc4rbi3g83FKG2efBrKYTEscyla0ooZhExIGA5JMd5cvg5CGXBr1sZsylRWiZLBb9CQ38VshqgojyT9oQudwbKN12f8KzVXyvXggvv4EV8_q4KuPlLLQPk/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignnoxJ1tDMKz1oB5cHczDBTc4rbi3g83FKG2efBrKYTEscyla0ooZhExIGA5JMd5cvg5CGXBr1sZsylRWiZLBb9CQ38VshqgojyT9oQudwbKN12f8KzVXyvXggvv4EV8_q4KuPlLLQPk/s320/photo.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lovely Persian, indeed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Step 2, gather the eggs.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTcoxHwS4Ny671Tm99N8FHYzCCxR1dV4A5AbxfkYGDFnwMPxu2xkbGiRAXcjWwp7Zu2UKXJUQo3XSs1EUsqhBa3RA4-6zgrYysM0Vc4QDBTalRcdCY7zRqmaMrqnGZhyphenhyphenF1dj-paypdZ0/s1600/IMG_1682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTcoxHwS4Ny671Tm99N8FHYzCCxR1dV4A5AbxfkYGDFnwMPxu2xkbGiRAXcjWwp7Zu2UKXJUQo3XSs1EUsqhBa3RA4-6zgrYysM0Vc4QDBTalRcdCY7zRqmaMrqnGZhyphenhyphenF1dj-paypdZ0/s320/IMG_1682.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raki's present: a large brown egg.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Step 3, let the chickens out.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nH-MyFCV9tO1X6jAXAztjo_szzT6XIKFN00j1jPrMBTdaTaloNjUxdzU4iogmeB9uSJJRbeFPDNKQe6iqDWQFamfJ1C1kHVq9ihXCD_Y1zEZ-1kg_9iDq2JkANnZDp7bE-iwFtzOIO0/s1600/IMG_1681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nH-MyFCV9tO1X6jAXAztjo_szzT6XIKFN00j1jPrMBTdaTaloNjUxdzU4iogmeB9uSJJRbeFPDNKQe6iqDWQFamfJ1C1kHVq9ihXCD_Y1zEZ-1kg_9iDq2JkANnZDp7bE-iwFtzOIO0/s320/IMG_1681.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raki and Nugget are best buds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Step 4, tend to them. This means water, feed, and of course, treats:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/2zWG0TBfytY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
Step 5, get the chickens back into the coop. This involves shooing them with a broom and a rake.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzL12G3l_yWvl2wHmjCAFQI0tGOcqW7gLRwR9gSBDZZWrbzA9eKBKDWUHMnay51N5XwxsZPpVQTlnUnJxqqiKIDQ6H_Kfei0PeSlieOR-Yv364s5taOr-E5StbGeUeIoYGNSYANDawrM/s1600/photo+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzL12G3l_yWvl2wHmjCAFQI0tGOcqW7gLRwR9gSBDZZWrbzA9eKBKDWUHMnay51N5XwxsZPpVQTlnUnJxqqiKIDQ6H_Kfei0PeSlieOR-Yv364s5taOr-E5StbGeUeIoYGNSYANDawrM/s320/photo+copy.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doing my best farmer pose.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Overall, it's a pretty fun gig. The fresh eggs and garden veggies are a nice perk, too!<br />
<br />
<br />
For my first post on Cory and Ryan's chickens, <a href="http://avivaindairyland.blogspot.com/2013/08/my-friends-have-backyard-chickens-and.html">click here</a>.Aviva M. Cantorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14346566197678626901noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775740181221490494.post-85893175131593705082013-09-23T22:16:00.000-05:002013-09-23T22:18:13.779-05:00Fluffy things and pretty colors: Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival.My first year in Wisconsin, I had a blast at the 2011 <a href="http://www.wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com/">Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival</a>. Last year, I missed the event in favor of a Madonna concert in NYC with one of my best friends (let's face it, Madonna always trumps sheep). Given that it had been two years since my last Sheep & Wool, I was really craving some sheep time.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I went to this year's event with two goals:</div>
<div>
1. Hold an angora rabbit.</div>
<div>
2. Don't buy yarn.</div>
<div>
<i>I'm on a <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=yarn+diet">yarn diet</a> right now. Urban dictionary says this happens when crafters go broke, but in my case, what happened was a hiatus from knitting due to fractured <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trapezium_(bone)">trapezium</a>, thus causing my yarn stash to take up space and not get used.</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
Surprisingly enough, I accomplished both goals!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
1. I met an angora rabbit:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlDZCOc6IWPKI270Wtt2REGhyvPWTYcn5aEciYNeHuaRjdTxM469yhs_518zKTwL4Iaq9wcwEN0EjhXXkpOzKraQ0BhJisifujYadc1FEhE4opngN2W6CQBlcrP3OeYNWC762e-uupz0/s1600/DSC03468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlDZCOc6IWPKI270Wtt2REGhyvPWTYcn5aEciYNeHuaRjdTxM469yhs_518zKTwL4Iaq9wcwEN0EjhXXkpOzKraQ0BhJisifujYadc1FEhE4opngN2W6CQBlcrP3OeYNWC762e-uupz0/s320/DSC03468.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He didn't have a name. Let's go with the obvious... Fluffy it is!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
2. I didn't buy any yarn. I "showed good use of restraint," to quote one of my favorite college design professors. But... I did buy soap:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxsHhL6Pn5xjxTbcGwL9fpSlBfcJjeS_i2pqqhrq6Eu0BCpH_0YKd-RDNm8Hvz-xllwSRd6wILkmhsEg7ZmZothxk9aZHXjz8oLoqLwpddMpLl0Qodpv1nyzy-TjQVUBicY6ys1rRlKw/s1600/DSC03476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxsHhL6Pn5xjxTbcGwL9fpSlBfcJjeS_i2pqqhrq6Eu0BCpH_0YKd-RDNm8Hvz-xllwSRd6wILkmhsEg7ZmZothxk9aZHXjz8oLoqLwpddMpLl0Qodpv1nyzy-TjQVUBicY6ys1rRlKw/s320/DSC03476.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mint Medley from <a href="http://www.heavensenthomespun.com/">Heaven Sent Home Spun</a>, who came all the way from Gerald, Missouri for the big event.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Now, to the sheep! This year, I sat in the bleachers and watched a sheep show (think American Kennel Club for sheep), where judges were awarding ribbons for the best in show.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXFrB9KcpymVI0f7-2cYFfWU1qPP-aCOw3m4GZTmslr6bS63VNkx_KtHz92LPUiKX2OEZhIF6N-w2xL0aUgJGR_qlpS9vbUfIWliOugcnuuJoYeHYvUGk2aWI3kAcXhEaHXJkOm6t918/s1600/DSC03459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXFrB9KcpymVI0f7-2cYFfWU1qPP-aCOw3m4GZTmslr6bS63VNkx_KtHz92LPUiKX2OEZhIF6N-w2xL0aUgJGR_qlpS9vbUfIWliOugcnuuJoYeHYvUGk2aWI3kAcXhEaHXJkOm6t918/s320/DSC03459.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All lined up and ready for the judge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
I also wandered through the barn and made some adorable new friends, big and small:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1dLlpykNPpITp3r7uOBpqn6ln4xROLZZp7CGvAt7qQRmOjiES9FRHdUePE60BaCI0GDKwRM_aReuIn01jWz9zF1CKewLtCR_D1vyZ0l8Dxx0afFyOYvaOLeCwarUbFN6ejaEzrm_6Mc/s1600/DSC03450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1dLlpykNPpITp3r7uOBpqn6ln4xROLZZp7CGvAt7qQRmOjiES9FRHdUePE60BaCI0GDKwRM_aReuIn01jWz9zF1CKewLtCR_D1vyZ0l8Dxx0afFyOYvaOLeCwarUbFN6ejaEzrm_6Mc/s320/DSC03450.JPG" width="314" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtLWKnpGnWzmPUWbMzEyOkf2i-1PyxQG6GYyXF-zfeS1NgoRboTnT4ehSkB-M1h0dsl8r5cRN7yFdc0mHtG5h9HUHR2PAkQCeyti81cTgNtvZh4kDuVp8WqKq34thWgfml6ECJMvEfvw/s1600/DSC03452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtLWKnpGnWzmPUWbMzEyOkf2i-1PyxQG6GYyXF-zfeS1NgoRboTnT4ehSkB-M1h0dsl8r5cRN7yFdc0mHtG5h9HUHR2PAkQCeyti81cTgNtvZh4kDuVp8WqKq34thWgfml6ECJMvEfvw/s320/DSC03452.JPG" width="256" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWpF3LslEuZVsmOCe_J4FBvJw3S_XMOYhBcxhuYUSfhf2Cn6M3f5b2Cdy804ZOnaWEsL87V6-qEmu4gIoMb-T1blNkcHueXgqaGkE8NQHbRJwQfIyX85DBKgT2vVxxOlEtIjGeME4U30/s1600/DSC03453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWpF3LslEuZVsmOCe_J4FBvJw3S_XMOYhBcxhuYUSfhf2Cn6M3f5b2Cdy804ZOnaWEsL87V6-qEmu4gIoMb-T1blNkcHueXgqaGkE8NQHbRJwQfIyX85DBKgT2vVxxOlEtIjGeME4U30/s320/DSC03453.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUi8obDfx0NZa_MvUB3pWJZHmJKqKbfL1i6c_uCPYwOpIaBgPv3eK_Gpx2IyPweqh2sdmkTv6BXQz9j2ym_n9pfdogfSnRoUOU89H-ALqdzOLcudYvp2kBqvzjgmBTxtlTlaa7_XLE9o/s1600/DSC03454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUi8obDfx0NZa_MvUB3pWJZHmJKqKbfL1i6c_uCPYwOpIaBgPv3eK_Gpx2IyPweqh2sdmkTv6BXQz9j2ym_n9pfdogfSnRoUOU89H-ALqdzOLcudYvp2kBqvzjgmBTxtlTlaa7_XLE9o/s320/DSC03454.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pCF3P0vArwzPZ7i1wj7jc8evsXT4ihnkasAw99G06UitekMTw8BS6d1Y7lKUN01ivhgxbmpxZ1y4_T9wOZrurmz1Otg6jxSXXoc8n4L3Cuwl7o_9wuBIkIHmEoTQXCr4miiyewoj41g/s1600/DSC03457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pCF3P0vArwzPZ7i1wj7jc8evsXT4ihnkasAw99G06UitekMTw8BS6d1Y7lKUN01ivhgxbmpxZ1y4_T9wOZrurmz1Otg6jxSXXoc8n4L3Cuwl7o_9wuBIkIHmEoTQXCr4miiyewoj41g/s320/DSC03457.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But Sheep & Wool isn't all about the sheep...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLXxOAHBskTaESMXFpOCr6zI9YZ_AjEWsl3bO-fzTJQII-T80pWBr52ngfFZacL67I7Ra9BmKEJrCwh1pgwbJGuCcPHxgcx9jAA2mToDysKOUK6RbgkFx1kwvuTLhEsyuMid-JFs3q10/s1600/DSC03474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLXxOAHBskTaESMXFpOCr6zI9YZ_AjEWsl3bO-fzTJQII-T80pWBr52ngfFZacL67I7Ra9BmKEJrCwh1pgwbJGuCcPHxgcx9jAA2mToDysKOUK6RbgkFx1kwvuTLhEsyuMid-JFs3q10/s320/DSC03474.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's also about kitsch (like this fab sock monkey and ram duo).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
And of course, YARN! I opted to focus my photos on rainbow hues. Just so pretty:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqEcJO_JbQaUj69Xlmku-fQa5QCk7hPNqkghXbeVW83tYMrvX42KrqnHnMLKNR8GMLgcoEN1lIz6vlUe0Fu1QBItKCDxt8IhKl2KibMsUm1s1XQqM2K0OxzZSnN1h61IXTVoqSVMElsg/s1600/DSC03461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqEcJO_JbQaUj69Xlmku-fQa5QCk7hPNqkghXbeVW83tYMrvX42KrqnHnMLKNR8GMLgcoEN1lIz6vlUe0Fu1QBItKCDxt8IhKl2KibMsUm1s1XQqM2K0OxzZSnN1h61IXTVoqSVMElsg/s320/DSC03461.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj1aDLDE5Zy-0Ckt4nXGb0VcmxZrGx0SE9JPNSh-l2uz7jF513gUmEFvrsnqrj_YMGqZ_AfGtv24sLOohT1kj-2rA621JwHLgRDA0UjSD_AIIQOn2QgHc67ZMlbeBwNr8PV27k4RYbmJ0/s1600/DSC03462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj1aDLDE5Zy-0Ckt4nXGb0VcmxZrGx0SE9JPNSh-l2uz7jF513gUmEFvrsnqrj_YMGqZ_AfGtv24sLOohT1kj-2rA621JwHLgRDA0UjSD_AIIQOn2QgHc67ZMlbeBwNr8PV27k4RYbmJ0/s320/DSC03462.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Ouk06jOYMbprKq1nURQxVQYXI95TM4TYz31JU3Ur48cz0WElsk8x1ioDEOdJaGBEF6a5NNc1whlgu9apKhfLiGN1hJ4e_5DlkoGejZaAcCAnp2frfOnc2fHtCTXq2rAZfCtlRoXBdfc/s1600/DSC03463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Ouk06jOYMbprKq1nURQxVQYXI95TM4TYz31JU3Ur48cz0WElsk8x1ioDEOdJaGBEF6a5NNc1whlgu9apKhfLiGN1hJ4e_5DlkoGejZaAcCAnp2frfOnc2fHtCTXq2rAZfCtlRoXBdfc/s320/DSC03463.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSOiCkuhJ0bbAn7KNjh5EM2n4oYtj7APEXSANwJuBQpOYuu0C5ONO9b8l8qQLSNBRFs5rITxYIKMzZAxZnAN1f_6bd1I43LPSyP0KkCmh1tOTm2gJxyLXnmufS0eOGgO1z0lHJNJYcvo/s1600/DSC03469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSOiCkuhJ0bbAn7KNjh5EM2n4oYtj7APEXSANwJuBQpOYuu0C5ONO9b8l8qQLSNBRFs5rITxYIKMzZAxZnAN1f_6bd1I43LPSyP0KkCmh1tOTm2gJxyLXnmufS0eOGgO1z0lHJNJYcvo/s320/DSC03469.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MxMmPM1JMyOIJaXbfJSkiaTK6z9bMtOqmQgAcCdGz5QWFKQTpkhlyi_2B1PMRZXIiJS9-7C9r2WHnV2Bqg1FloNCQqSa71UMWz62qgEBm7_4W-dJqALE0feBMq0YpRUmKtPpDpxFr8A/s1600/DSC03470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MxMmPM1JMyOIJaXbfJSkiaTK6z9bMtOqmQgAcCdGz5QWFKQTpkhlyi_2B1PMRZXIiJS9-7C9r2WHnV2Bqg1FloNCQqSa71UMWz62qgEBm7_4W-dJqALE0feBMq0YpRUmKtPpDpxFr8A/s320/DSC03470.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPi1iIbOolo6hQCRpnLI37eRY9owDHFvG7orMNOO0b0sWQPSYiea_SJCZKF7cxyp5Wbq48PmKPD7f8vxyWk-owdnEKOelQr9eq05lpk_a7mCKSePzaYpV4FSiMPe2nz2A0gQw7bGBSq8/s1600/DSC03472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPi1iIbOolo6hQCRpnLI37eRY9owDHFvG7orMNOO0b0sWQPSYiea_SJCZKF7cxyp5Wbq48PmKPD7f8vxyWk-owdnEKOelQr9eq05lpk_a7mCKSePzaYpV4FSiMPe2nz2A0gQw7bGBSq8/s320/DSC03472.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And of course, there was a Wisconsin touch:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4h4QnVxocSV4H2zdnYvK4ONKlqIA4NwiYLWz4Lc3GOnRvSZPbiJRV1QV8RDfhAiq-cV2PL-GPLWmTs38DVu1W8hMGEY2DvS-GJSYZngiRTxo26DN-VU-dQs77TsyfET5uHetIX4Gcuc/s1600/DSC03473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4h4QnVxocSV4H2zdnYvK4ONKlqIA4NwiYLWz4Lc3GOnRvSZPbiJRV1QV8RDfhAiq-cV2PL-GPLWmTs38DVu1W8hMGEY2DvS-GJSYZngiRTxo26DN-VU-dQs77TsyfET5uHetIX4Gcuc/s320/DSC03473.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Bay Packers yarn, anyone?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Fluffy things and pretty colors: a perfect day for an animal-loving craft addict like myself.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For my report on the 2011 Sheep & Wool Festival, <a href="http://avivaindairyland.blogspot.com/2011/09/got-sheep-wisconsin-sheep-wool-festival.html">click here</a>.</div>
Aviva M. Cantorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14346566197678626901noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775740181221490494.post-22365047289664478882013-08-05T20:29:00.001-05:002013-08-05T20:35:33.418-05:00We don't fit in here: my day trip to the land of cheese heads.When I read that the <a href="http://web.icenetwork.com/events/detail.jsp?id=68638">US Collegiate Figure Skating Championships</a> were coming to De Pere, WI, I knew I had to go watch. A 2 hour drive to watch a day of great skating would be well worth it, and my friend (and fellow skater) Katie was happy to go along for the ride.<br />
<br />
When Amie (my supervisor and a De Pere native) heard that I'd be spending the day on her home turf, she recommended that we stop at <a href="http://www.packers.com/lambeau-field/index.html">Lambeau Field</a> to visit the Packers Pro Shop. We didn't have to be at the rink until 1:00, so we left Madison with time to visit the historic football field.<br />
<br />
<i>Wow. That's really all I have to say.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Okay, I'll say a little more. I had never seen Green Bay Packers fans in their native environment. Even though it was just "family day" during Packers training camp, the entire venue was an intense sea of green and yellow. Katie and I felt very out of place in grey. I didn't dare utter the phrase, "I don't care about football," because I feared I would be attacked.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1LvQd7T3TOpli7uqfL1zO0w1RTydXAwTeRLsKqL0JtJfaaTchWFn-ft-UekFFQY1S3gymf1E8vBbjFwKzGWHWfRVnE1vd3BUMTkGDbIhmtHhyRgf-twJ5sPxVosU9Y9EUKjqhXlfKAs/s1600/DSC03449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1LvQd7T3TOpli7uqfL1zO0w1RTydXAwTeRLsKqL0JtJfaaTchWFn-ft-UekFFQY1S3gymf1E8vBbjFwKzGWHWfRVnE1vd3BUMTkGDbIhmtHhyRgf-twJ5sPxVosU9Y9EUKjqhXlfKAs/s320/DSC03449.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the line for temporary team spirit tattoos.<br />
It wasn't even a game day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Let me just get this out in the open: I have never been to an NFL football game, nor do I ever plan to go to one (Close your mouths! I'd rather spend the cash on major figure skating events... sorry, football fans).<br />
<br />
The vibe was all Packers, all the time. Everyone wore green shirts had such a sense of pride in the team. Total strangers were sharing this common bond of Packers Pride, and it was unlike anything I had seen before. The city felt like one big family: one big spirited, beer-drinking, green and yellow family.<br />
<br />
Once I settled into my culture shock, Katie and I explored the venue.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkkjm-eqGe3lvXu7So036Avi7rI6sYXY_PL0tlKAA4fEuegGtBb-yXezxIQoqqY70qtfqo0eRToTv5DEAppj_3KZhF5azbsVHSfaKxZVGNUUNb8boNtepIuHytSAlS20Zh7NYQsPHan0/s1600/DSC03440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkkjm-eqGe3lvXu7So036Avi7rI6sYXY_PL0tlKAA4fEuegGtBb-yXezxIQoqqY70qtfqo0eRToTv5DEAppj_3KZhF5azbsVHSfaKxZVGNUUNb8boNtepIuHytSAlS20Zh7NYQsPHan0/s320/DSC03440.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lambeau Field logo at one of the gates.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4Pou95yn5m7Nc3MzzjhgMRV0jMPfGm9tzyk5SaPeFQ8TW8OX_vZvqxIf67kPrdg0V_wSz_9BchY3RRgwcQQVyhIs-YrNAjR-e-LQiGVWE5XcB0RrTvli8FeTZbayGEPGHVB9PTLJVqc/s1600/DSC03442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4Pou95yn5m7Nc3MzzjhgMRV0jMPfGm9tzyk5SaPeFQ8TW8OX_vZvqxIf67kPrdg0V_wSz_9BchY3RRgwcQQVyhIs-YrNAjR-e-LQiGVWE5XcB0RrTvli8FeTZbayGEPGHVB9PTLJVqc/s320/DSC03442.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lot of fans were posing with this statue, so I felt like it was the right thing to do.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnGoiPQBSh1Kfnvyy7RXjG0HK5a9v6TLpIbQqSNFxo2I_AZvMiQCMVyXYvW4cMphIO3qrBaG2pthIc51I7d-7TZSyV6u2H1O_XTx9UUJyuZC0ebSipAMvGhQ1B0oYrig9T-6_EpVnwT0/s1600/DSC03447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnGoiPQBSh1Kfnvyy7RXjG0HK5a9v6TLpIbQqSNFxo2I_AZvMiQCMVyXYvW4cMphIO3qrBaG2pthIc51I7d-7TZSyV6u2H1O_XTx9UUJyuZC0ebSipAMvGhQ1B0oYrig9T-6_EpVnwT0/s320/DSC03447.JPG" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't know why this buffalo was wearing a team jersey, but it seemed worthy of documentation.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji86MdukAPVf4jkFRTjWTrDWN3G6tkg-9wb7GnGkCmB3oSZL1aPvST-efZ-FuFkcPuU5cS_H9eiX0IVKmCiIkBfu55-oNqPHZ0MSPZq1Wj-7JLlmmZBSNCM28onOTkbmRsdsog90uSi7U/s1600/DSC03443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji86MdukAPVf4jkFRTjWTrDWN3G6tkg-9wb7GnGkCmB3oSZL1aPvST-efZ-FuFkcPuU5cS_H9eiX0IVKmCiIkBfu55-oNqPHZ0MSPZq1Wj-7JLlmmZBSNCM28onOTkbmRsdsog90uSi7U/s320/DSC03443.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Packers logo (saw a huge one on the side of a house, too).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvMrC6Fok0VYcQszq9muWjmnqBQfD-DFnzMpPNhY-JZ3MXxbJn35K6pALFWFo3eojEEk57cMKBg5CHn9y6N_gBaRCFPgyiQEbJD6vvHWPFSew6_zUXp3qtovE70EZ3lL2Te7Wxuk_JIc/s1600/DSC03444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvMrC6Fok0VYcQszq9muWjmnqBQfD-DFnzMpPNhY-JZ3MXxbJn35K6pALFWFo3eojEEk57cMKBg5CHn9y6N_gBaRCFPgyiQEbJD6vvHWPFSew6_zUXp3qtovE70EZ3lL2Te7Wxuk_JIc/s320/DSC03444.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the atrium.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And then, we arrived at the Packers Pro Shop. The fandom in here was overwhelming. If anyone needs to buy Packers clothing, toys, or home decor, this is clearly the place to go. The shop gets so busy that they have one door devoted to entrances, one door devoted to exits, and security guards directing the traffic.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYKpWgghAou7NoJPYYW7bHGbdmz0dNLM97VJaDrlwOxEeyv3KBdqCxkdx5YrPKYKGm8TEjBs_MQqIf2ukNVZiQvL40H5FBWJL5a8tYx-wujBbUQN4fYdDfGVxw0QrECSDJW37rALrE2I/s1600/DSC03446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYKpWgghAou7NoJPYYW7bHGbdmz0dNLM97VJaDrlwOxEeyv3KBdqCxkdx5YrPKYKGm8TEjBs_MQqIf2ukNVZiQvL40H5FBWJL5a8tYx-wujBbUQN4fYdDfGVxw0QrECSDJW37rALrE2I/s320/DSC03446.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the shop.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And, well, you knew it was coming:<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiKiN-j-7izP3H_FbLlz4KjQUZbODbRAdNsvZYMFgzSOxY3WmOI-2SdXepHiMKYKPhLrZU9A4e3h-S7_tQJ8lI6XBKHDkujvhNf-H4YnTc_oRECCGr0o1nNNuXs3RsbSYBYeSpL-N1b4/s1600/DSC03445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiKiN-j-7izP3H_FbLlz4KjQUZbODbRAdNsvZYMFgzSOxY3WmOI-2SdXepHiMKYKPhLrZU9A4e3h-S7_tQJ8lI6XBKHDkujvhNf-H4YnTc_oRECCGr0o1nNNuXs3RsbSYBYeSpL-N1b4/s400/DSC03445.JPG" width="330" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found some cheese hats to wear! Finally, we were fitting in.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now THAT was a true Wisconsin experience. It was definitely new for me to experience the Packers to this level of intensity, and I can only imagine how wild it gets on game day.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Daily <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=sconnie">sconnie</a> fix: check. Then, we were off to the <a href="http://nicoletrestaurant.com/">Nicolet Restaurant</a>, followed by the competition at <a href="http://cornerstoneicecenter.org/">Cornerstone Community Ice Arena</a>. Two skating competitions and a dog show were happening simultaneously at the venue (pretty hilarious that dogs and skaters competed in the same place). The event was great, and we saw a near-clean program from 2008 US Bronze Medalist, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Carriere">Stephen Carriere</a>. Awesome day!</div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Aviva M. Cantorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14346566197678626901noreply@blogger.com0