Cheff Jeff

Hey all,

I had a great time at the Wisconsin Restaurant Association Expo at the Midwest Center in Milwaukee.

My friend Sandi and I worked with fondant, made bread baskets, plate torts and an awesome Cuban breakfast sandwich. For sure I'll be serving that tasty morsel at the Inn very soon.

I can hardly wait to try everything out on my Pampered Chef kitchenware. I still can't believe how my cooking ability has increased since I started using the cookware and stoneware!

Anyway, I got to meet the incredible Chef Jeff Hendersen from the Food Network Show "The Cheff Jeff Project." Talk about a great story, and an incredibly moving and motivating speaker. I was "touched." I'm not usually into autographs and pictures but I haven't been touched by someone like Chef Jeff in such a long time! I have tried a few of the recipes out of my "signed" copy of Chef Jeff Cooks, and they work in well with my type of cooking. Check him out at http://www.chefjeffcooked.com/. Sooooo worth the trip to his web site.

One of the other things I did was play "Hell's Kitchen" on the Wii. That I did not learn, in fact, even though I got a "prize," I should have been gonged, or at least boo'd off the stage to put myself out of my non-Wii-playing ability misery. That's me burning up the kitchen. good thing I don't do that in real life.

On other fronts...

Working on the "Spa" on the first level of the Inn. Coming along well. Used cement for the first time...thinking I could make a fire pit next!

Had great guests last weekend! Stayed up chit-chatting over wine 'til the cows were on their way home. I love being an innkeeper!

Heading to see Doc Feldman in Miami for a 6 month checkup. Can you believe it? I am doing awesome I have to tell you. VERY LUCKY! I have a new lease on life since the ankle replacement.

Speaking of...Scott and I are new puppy-parents. Here name is Lucky. We'll pick her up on our way home from Florida in a few weeks. Look for pictures and her story coming soon.

See ya! Tia

P.S. My creme filled plated dessert tart (seen in the picture) was made in one of the hand's on classes at the WRA Expo and it was super tasty.

Brrrrrrrrrrr...Titanium is COLD

Hello-
Long time, huh?

I'm doing GREAT!! Yesterday I had two hours that I almost forgot I had received a complete ankle replacement. I can't believe how good my ankle feels. OK, the real truth-I still have pain but am able to handle it quite well with Ultram. Cold, and today is what...-14?, is tough on it! Titanium gets pretty darn cold so I may have to invest in some battery-operated socks! I have a brace that I will have to wear for a full year at least, then in many activities for the rest of my life. I still walk with a strong limp but I get better every day, and I think I may not even have a limp sometime down the road! Isn't that exciting!!!!!! Next doctor's appointment isn't for 2 months.

We have had many guests at the Inn since my surgery. You should have seen me cook and serve my gourmet breakfasts. I had chairs with wheels strategically placed in several rooms. I could launch myself quite a distance across our beautifully restored hardwood floors. The kitchen tile was a bit different. It was like driving down Manitowoc road in Bellevue or riding a horse with one short leg. I haven't actually ridden a horse with one short leg but I think it would be quite similar to the repeated de-dunk, de-dunk, de-dunk on Manitowoc road. Anyway, I served some kick-butt breakfasts to guests from Maryland, La Crosse, Green Bay and Oshkosh and had a blast! I love being an Innkeeper!



There is an eagle in Algoma. I watched it for a while for the second time last week. How amazingly majestic! I took some great pictures of Mr. Eagle (I'm not familiar with eagles so it could have been a Mrs. and I apologize to those eagles that I may have offended)and the Algoma area blanketed in frigidness. Hope you enjoy them.

Remember my beautiful and serene (though not for long) Belle Isle Micro Spa?? Well it is so ironic...They are suing me for breaching the lease. My oh so humorous husband compares it with getting run over by your boss in the parking lot at work and then being fired for not being able to work. I think that's pretty funny though also pretty accurate. Remember all the crap that I had to deal with there? 'Nuff said!



I am getting back to another love...My cooking shows. I'd love to host a show for you at Belle Isle Inn or at your house. I'm also doing cooking overnighters for a great winter get-away for you and a few friends. How fun!! I am so excited at how Pampered Chef has helped me in the Inn's Kitchen. My newest creations use the deep covered baker for 30 minute Rouladen and the 10 inch cookware pan for my sauteed pears in toffee sauce. Yum Yum! Did you know that you can order cookware and get recipes?