Heat brings good things

So the heat continues, almost wave-like. We're in the 90 to almost 90's every day. I baked cookies for my Dad for Father's day and I sweat my ....face off. Luckily the rain we had earlier, followed by this heat has brought the local fruit out in full force. For the last three days I've slipped down to the backyard (with accomplices) and nibbled at whatever fruit was ripe. Yesterday, in addition to the cherries, we snapped up some red currents and a tiny few raspberries.

I also found a fantastic french cafe in S SP. I had a chicken pear sandwich yesterday and I think I "accidentally" forgot to bring lunch today, just so I could go back there today.

Seeds and Ice Cream

Last night, Cari and I went to a seed art class. Can't say I learned anything, but I got to root around through some new seeds. I planned my design for this year and heard about a new competition (Ramsey Co has a fair, too and just introduced a crop art catagory). It's soon, so I'd have to hurry if I wanted to enter that one. Cari was fun to hang with and we really enjoyed picking seeds for her designs (she's choosing between two).

After the class, we went to Conny's Cones for some soft serve. Cari used to work at a place just like it in FL (It's just a little roadside stand). Warm night and fresh peach ice cream. Sounds like heaven to me.

I've extended the Pantry Game (do you know what you get if you leave the 'r' out of Pantry...a whole new kind of game). I still allow myself to buy eggs, milk and butter and I've opened the field a bit more to singular ingredient adds (that must be used up in the making of the dish).

This week the single ingredient is a whole watermelon. It is really hot here (almost 90 on most days) and even the nights are still warm. One of these hot nights, I'm looking forward to cracking open that watermelon and just sucking down all that cold sweet wet fruit.

I also managed to finish my Chicken Sink mess. I made this a while back with what my CSA identified as "soup meat." It was more like ground chicken, but a really odd texture. I used it to make Chicken Sink (as in everything but the kitchen sink, but I mispronounced kitchen when I named it). It dates from a previous round of the Pantry Game (last fall) and includes lentils, corn, spinach and any other dribs and drabs that had been hanging around. It looked disgusting and tasted like a blank palate. It was really tasty once you dressed it up (with curry or herbs or spices) but you had to get past the way it looked.

This was the last batch that I had frozen and I finally figured out the best way to eat it. Lots of cumin and chili powder, salsa and cheese on top, serve with corn tortillas. Tear corn tortillas in to pieces, load with a bite of chicken mess, eat. Yummy. Not sure I'll make this again, but good to know where it wanted to go.

First fruits

I got out into the Big Backyard today to play a round of mini golf. The strawberries have just ripened (there were only about 3 ripe ones on the very small plant). The cherry tree is overflowing, though, with luscious sour fruit. I snuck a strawberry (sooo sweet) and a cherry (sooo sour). The were both sunwarmed and they kind of melted in my mouth. It's like you are eating pure flavor. Ahhhhh....

1000 photos

I've really been enjoying the digital camera...especially the freedom to take photos that I want to share, but necessarily save.

But over time, a bunch of those saveable photos have crept in to my collection. And I've started to worry about the fact that I did not have a hard copy of any of those shots. yeah, yeah...backup...blah, blah...save to CDs. Nothing makes me feel better than holding the photo in my hand. Kodak had a sale and I took the plunge and had about 1000 photos printed. No extra zeros there, that's about one thousand photos. The best part of the deal is that I did not even have to pay for shipping. They sent them to the CVS one block from my house and I picked them up there (to the astonishment of the girl behind the counter).

So now I know what 1000 photos looks like all packed together. Looks tall.

Exploring

I spent part of this weekend exploring St. Paul. I found Conny's Cones (fresh soft serve) and, armed with a yummy strawberry milkshake, I headed off to Como Park. There was something going on at the zoo and conservatory (not to mention a bunch of weddings) so I skipped those and instead lazed around on the dock at the lake. So nice. Felt like being on a boat (I was on the floaty bit of the dock). They rent paddleboats there but I wasn't sure if one person could go forward or would only go in circles.

On Sunday - after the home mani/pedi - I walked Ripley (Ethan's dog). I had also picked Ripley up at her house and brought her to the warehouse for Friday Happy Hour. Soooo nice. Hung out with friends for several hours and watched the sky change as the sunset. Took a bunch of photos for no reason.

All in all, a very relaxed weekend.

Chicago

I'm uploading my Chicago photos today. I took a bunch so I'm subdividing them to spare the carpal tunnel syndrome of clicking through them all.

The Backyard just opened and I've already got a putt putt game in. Monday - and I won! I think I've kicked last year's losing streak.

Of course, I probably just jinxed myself.

I'm alive!

I had a great time in Chicago. What a great city!

I'm working on posting my photos for the last few months (I know, I'm behind). Soon, I promise.

good news

Last night I found out the results of my Aunt's scan - Looks like the cancer is confined to her lungs. That's very good news. Plus she's been given a place in a trial treatment that should be good, as well.

Today, my dad underwent surgery for a heart catheterization. The found less blockage than expected and proclaim him to be in good health (all things considered).

So today is a day to celebrate.

Winding back up

So - Disney was great. I'll send a link for pictures soon. The best part was hanging out with my mom and sister. Of course, Tower of Terror rocked my world, too.

I've been getting back into the MN groove. We've had lovely sunny and warm weather (as opposed to the East Coast). That slushy stuff you guys had last week was crazy!

I've got some bad news, too. My Aunt Em (my Dad's little sister) has been diagnosed with lung cancer. It's not good. She's an amazing person and a real fighter, so I'm trying to keep a positive frame of mind.

Work continues. Crazy clients, fun projects.

I miss you guys. I'll try to call soon.

On my way to Disney World

I'm leaving in less than an hour and I'll be gone for a week. I promise to post photos when I get back.

Missing bed

Man - I did not want to get up today. It's bright and sunny and all I wanted to do was burrow under the covers and sleep. I managed to drag myself into work in time for the morning conference call. Once I got here, I got perky again.

I did some blowout shopping at Trader Joe's on Tuesday. Love their prepared foods. I had a very tasty chicken sausage calzone with mushrooms that actually tasted like mushrooms. I picked up some haricort vert, too. I eat them all the time when I dine out. I want to start messing around with them at home.

Slight delay

The show last night was sold out. We've rescheduled for Saturday (which is now looking full).

But I did get to share a lovely dinner at Birchwood Cafe. I chose to eat backwards. I started with a pot of tea and the sublimely delicious chocolate carrot cake. Mmmmmm.

90th Birthday

I was in Tennessee last weekend for my Grandmother's 90th Birthday. It was great to see my family, including cousins, aunts, uncles, etc. Mom, MF, Dad and I went shoe shopping while we were there (there was a place my sister knew). I got some new sandals and spent less than anyone else.

My grandmother really enjoyed her birthday. She was wide-eyed, alert and coherent that afternoon. She really liked my present (which was a perfume she had requested I buy for her once over 10 years ago - I couldn't remember exactly which scent was correct, so I purchased a selection of three. It was the lilac. When she smelled it, she said that it brought back memories and she dabbed some on herself. Perfect.)

Now I'm home and beginning a buys week, chock full of theater. Yea!

I love a list.

I keep them at home and at work. I sometimes cross reference them. I love lists so much, I'll add things to them, just so I can cross something off.

I've gotten a bunch off my list this week, including a trip to the auto shop for maintenance (want to keep Twee running smoothly). But there is still more, as is the nature of lists.

And to square my list love (as if I'm not already square), grocery shopping - with a list - is on my list.

Course, I'm out of money until next week and I'm going to happy hour tonight (to scam some free beer).

But the lists still beckon.

Snowtubing

STILL ROCKS!

Went on Sunday. The day was warm and the sun was bright. The hills were full of tubers (and I don't mean potatoes). We spent some time drowsing in the sun at the bottom of the hill, but most of it was spent whizzing down the lanes in various formations. We even snuck in one 5-person chain. That was our first jaunt down the hill. After that, the Man made us limit it to groups of 2 or 3.

I just love that wind in your hair, snow in your face, screaming to let the joy out feeling.

Snow!!

We finally got some snow. Only about 2 inches worth, but it's finally feeling like winter. I hear that the ice storm that socked in the lower midwest, also hit the northeast. Hope everyone is okay.

I had a movie fest this weekend. Watched Prairie Home Companion with Kate, Howl's Moving Castle by myself (probably for the best since I prefer to use the original Japanese soundtrack with captions), and V for Vendetta with Rebecca. All good movies and different enough to keep the whole thing interesting. Now I'll turn the movies in for 3 more from my local Blockbuster and I'm done with their free offer.

Rebecca and I went to dinner before the last movie. Heartland was fantastic. The chef specializes in local ingredients. Very creative. Too bad Rebecca ate all the cheese.

Chowdown

Tonight, there is an impromptu chowdown at Midtown Global Market. Some will be people I've met before (at the dim sum chowdown). Some will be new. Food will be good, for certain.

Lake Street

I went to a new massage therapist last night. He offers 1/2 off prices if you fill an empty spot in his schedule, so the price was right. Nice massage. He used unscented oil that was all natural, non-staining and very moisturising.

On the way home, I stopped for tacos al pastor. That's right, I've got a local connection now. Yummy and I got horchata, too. A little sweet, but still tasty. I'll be back for more (probably after my next massage).

My plotted way home did not work the way I expected. I can see the highway...I can see the southbound entrance to the highway. Why can I not go north? Ah well - I drove home Lake Street instead, which is currently my favorite street since it contains so many of my favorite things (Bryant Lake Bowl, Town Talk Diner, Midtown Global Market and now...Taquiera La Hacienda).

Nano, nano

Susan got me an iPod Nano for my birthday. I'm enamored with it. I never though I could fill 2 GBs but now I have to delete before I add. Music is lovely (especially the Shuffle function), but my preciouses are podcasts. I've got about a dozen to which I subscribe. All that great NPR and PRI stuff I could never manage to catch on the radio. Mine now. Short bits on grammer, money and manners to keep me in line. Got 'em. And I haven't even dipped into old radio plays.

May podcasts whisper in my ear forever.

Happy New Year

It was wonderful to talk to everyone at New Years. I missed seeing my friends, but I wound up enjoying a quiet evening at home. Seems like lots of folks around here did the same, since it had been raining for a few days and then turned to snow midday on NYE. From inside my cozy home, it was all beautiful.

My hair has gotten really long. I'm kind of enjoying it. One of my new year's resolutions is to wear it down more often. Hence, today's photo, taken moments ago at my desk.