Author Archives: MaryGrace

White Dog Black Cat

Not long ago my friend and I visited White Dog Black Cat in Green Bay. This delightful restaurant in located on Broadway and sports funky painted walls and trendy art.  We enjoy the atmosphere, but it’s the food that keeps us coming back.20151211_184104357_iOS

The first picture shows the Drunken Pig, the sandwich that my friend ordered. It is a half pound burger topped with their famous pulled pork, beer cheese sauce, and fried onions. Homemade potato chips rounded out the meal.20151211_184118215_iOS

On the bottom is the entrée I chose. It was a Friday, so their fish selections were on the menu. I went with the hand beer-battered deep fried walleye served with café potatoes, cole slaw, and rye bread.

We agreed that our meals were delicious and we’re anxious to return. If you haven’t had a bite to eat at White Dog Black Cat, please give it a try. The décor makes us smile and the food is wonderful.

True Nosh or Truly Nauseous? – You Decide!

Coalition – Excelsior, MN

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A few weeks ago I visited my sister and her family in Minnesota.  Living in different states, we don’t have the opportunity to get together enough.  Jeanne and I were able to enjoy several days together and catch up. Along with shopping and watching movies, we both delight in the pleasures of the feast.  On this day, we chose to try Coalition, an upscale restaurant in the delightful village of Excelsior.

The top picture shows my order of Korean Tacos.  It included marinated beef, Kimchi, cream, cilantro, and lime.  Part of the reason I picked this for my lunch was to try Kimchi. It had a wonderful bite, just as I was hoping.  I was happy with my choice and would order it again.

The bottom photo shows Jeanne’s selection of a grilled chicken sandwich.  It was embellished with Brie cheese, balsamic fig jam, arugula, and served on focaccia. She was also quite pleased with her lunch. 

True Nosh or Truly Nauseous? You Decide.20151125_180249746_iOS

Brett Favre’s Steakhouse

When my friends and I were staying in Green Bay for a few days, another eating establishment we visited was Brett Favre’s Steakhouse.  The other two delighted in their steaks, but I, for once, was not that hungry. I chose an appetizer and salad for my meal. I picked the jumbo breaded shrimp with rich coconut, served with a lime chili remoulade and the apple-gorgonzola salad.  The salad was chopped lettuce tossed with apples, dried cranberries, spiced walnuts, Gorgonzola, and Italian dressing. It was filling enough to have been a meal at any other place.  I love coconut shrimp and these didn’t disappoint,  They had a good crunch and the remoulade gave them an extra20151023_000210817_iOS20151023_000228369_iOS tang.  The salad was delicious and huge.  The flavors mingled perfectly. It had been a while since I had been to that steakhouse, but I won’t wait so long for another meal there.

True nosh or truly nauseous?  You decide!

1919 Kitchen and Tap – Lambeau Field Atrium Restaurant

20151023_175955858_iOSTwo good friends and I met in Green Bay recently to spend a few days together.  We shopped, had drinks, and went out to eat all without thinking about the drive home.  When we went to the stadium we were able to do it all in one spot – 20151023_180001141_iOS20151023_180010133_iOS browse at the Pro Shop, and eat and drink at 1919 Kitchen and Tap,  All of our meals ( wild mushroom flatbread, apple salad, and Friday perch dinner) were excellent and the laughter never stopped! We are never too old to enjoy good times with wonderful friends.  When the three of us are together, it’s like we’ve never been apart.  We carry on as much as we did when we met over thirty-five years ago.

 

Lautenbach Winery’s Romance and Wine Event – Door County

I had a wonderful Friday at Lautenbach’s Winery near Fish Creek.  My fellow presenters, Val Clarizio, PJ Fiala, Virginia McCullough, Steve Mitchell, Barb Raffin, and I paired one of Lautenbach’s wines with a section of one of our books. We read the excerpt while the audience sampled wine and snacks.  I came home with a lighter load of books, but a heavier load of wine! Please check out these other fabulous authors’ books, too.  We’re all having so much fun that we’re planning on more Romance and Wine Events. I’ll keep you posted.20151002_203533178_iOS

Frenchy’s – Traverse City

A lot of us enjoy a good cup of coffee.  I was delighted this summer while visiting in Traverse City, Michigan, when I was served this coffee with its beautiful design.  That just made it extra special.  I must admit I got a kick out of the atmosphere at Frenchy’s, too.  My friends and I sat outside and observed the mismatched tables and chairs, old bins, and antique containers.  I hope you can see the interesting screen door.  We were all charmed by the homey décor.20150806_135822364_iOS20150806_142900020_iOS

Guest speaker – Karin Slaughter

20150823_013944953_iOS20150823_024551122_iOS20150830_203757159_iOSOne of the highlights of the Writers’ Police Academy was the banquet where the guest speaker was Karin Slaughter.  I’ve read many of Karin’s books which are gritty crime fiction.  Her speech was hilarious as she based it on her family and growing up in the South.  If I didn’t enjoy her books so much, I’d suggest she had a future as a comedian.  I’d go to see her again in a heartbeat.  I’ve included pictures of her speaking, signing books right after I had mine signed, and the books I purchased.  I couldn’t put  Cop Town down when I returned home and finished it in short order.

Writers’ Police Academy 2015

Last weekend I attended the Writers’ Police Academy in Appleton, Wisconsin.  Previously it had been held in North Carolina, but attendance has outgrown the facility there.  The new Police Academy in Appleton was perfect.  Participants stayed at the Paper Valley Hotel in downtown and were bussed across town to the facility.  Sessions went from late afternoon on Thursday through Sunday at noon.  We were busy all the time.  This was not a writers’ conference.  No tips were offered about the craft of writing like other gatherings I’ve attended in the past.  Real police officers, coroners, forensic experts, ATF and former FBI agents were sharing what really happens at a crime scene and beyond. Enlightening! I’m hoping to attend next year, too.

Here are a few pictures of some of the events.  I went on a tour of the jail, but we were not allowed to bring in our cameras or phones.20150822_132632884_iOS  We witnessed a car chase and shooting, a well-trained police dog, and a plane where students learned about the tactics for handling an unruly passenger.  I’m not sure that you can see it, but the name above the gas pumps by the plane is Spill and Rob. All the instructors had a great sense of humor.  Fantastic weekend!20150822_203012857_iOS20150822_131701231_iOS

Traverse City – 2015

Another wonderful trip to Traverse City, Michigan is on the books.  My friend, Kathy, and I motored over the Mackinac Bridge and beyond to visit our good friend, Barb.  The three of us had worked together in education for more years than I’ll mention here.  Our friendship remains strong even though we don’t see each other as much as in the old days.  Barb having moved back to her hometown has given us a reason to visit her beautiful city once a year.

We spent a couple of days enjoying her pool (and margaritas.)  One morning we caught a gorgeous rainbow from the other side of her house while eating breakfast.  She has the perfect spot to look out over the city and the water.  Serenity.20150806_125500189_iOS20150806_171411815_iOS20150803_233551739_iOS