A Minnesota Staycation – Day 6 August 14, 2009

Day 6 of our staycation included:

• A good sleep.  The bed was comfy (I rarely get a good night’s rest when I’m away, but I slept quite well here).
• Breakfast at the Inn: heavenly bananas (bananas and blueberries with granola and creme fraiche), Eggs Benedict and fried potatoes, raspberry peach cobbler with ice cream, OJ, tea/coffee and water.  I thought the eggs were a little bland, but Husband maintains that was just because I still had a slightly stuffy nose.
• A stroll, in the rain, through the downtown area of Stillwater.
• A little shopping. My favorite shops: Interior Motive, Rose Mille,The Chef’s Gallery, and St. Croix Antiquarian Booksellers.   Also, someday, I’d love to take Anja here.
• A late lunch at The Freight House.  We split the meal that Husband got last time he went there, the smoked brisket sandwich with a side of sweet potato fries.  Oh. My. The Deliciousness.  The meat was smoked perfectly, and the toppings complemented the meat so well.  Ours came without mayo, but we decided that was fine.  The fries are very crispy on the outside and sweet potato sweet and soft on the inside–great with just a dash of salt.  If it weren’t for the leaky roof (we had to walk around 6 or 7 bus tubs catching dripping water at the entry…haha!), I could have given this meal, if not the restaurant, five stars out of five.  The wait staff has always been friendly, the service prompt, the joint fairly clean.  I’ll have to be unbiased and give it a 4 out of 5.
• A trip home to share some “thank you” goodies from Tremblay’s (yes, we stopped there again) with Husband’s family and see our baby girl.
• Began watching Beverly Hills Chihuahua (oh, help me!) with Anja before bed.  She remembered the dogs’ names after only 20 minutes of watching (Delgado and Chloe, in case you care).

A Minnesota Staycation – Day 5 August 13, 2009

Day 5 of our staycation included:

• A workout.
• Salads from Target for lunch.
• Cleaning and laundry (I know, doesn’t seem like much of a vacation, but I figured if we stayed on top of it, we wouldn’t have to do it all the week after).
• Husband’s folks coming to babysit.
• A night in Stillwater, MN, just the two of us!  We stayed in the Aurora Staples Inn, in The Peacock Room. Hors d’oeuvres and wine/sparkling juice greeted us upon arrival.  Just a short drive from the Twin Cities, it is like you have entered another world.  Stillwater is small, yet enchanting, with its lift bridge, adorable shops, and idyllic setting on the St. Croix River.
• A stroll around the neighborhood–there are so many attractive homes in Stillwater.
• Supper at Savories—yum!  Husband had steak frites with homemade pommes frites and homemade ketchup.  I had chicken penne with sun-dried tomato pesto cream sauce and mushrooms. The complimentary sun-dried tomato focaccia bread and dipping sauce, a rosemary olive oil with balsamic-infused honey, were delicious.  The only downside to our meal was that Husband’s meal only came with about a tablespoon of ketchup for half a plate of fries.  He was told if he wanted more, he would have to pay for it.  When you’re already paying $22 for your steak bites and fries, is it really that hard to throw in another tablespoon of ketchup?  Four out of five stars.
• A soak in our jacuzzi tub–so relaxing!  And we had picked up a few chocolates from Tremblay’s in town and ate those for a late dessert.

A Minnesota Staycation – Day 4 August 12, 2009

Day 4 of our staycation included:

• A morning at the MN Children’s Museum.  Anja much preferred this to the Science Museum, and who can blame her?  It’s geared toward children ages 1-12.  Her favorite exhibit was Habitot, basically a glorified play area for those 4 and under.  If you have a card at a local library, and you have impeccable timing, you can often snag a pass that gets up to 6 people in for free.  We were unable to procure that pass, so we ended up paying $8.95 a person (anyone over the age of 1), which is a little steep for a few hours of exploration, but since we were on vacation and all, we figured the splurge was worth it.
• Café Latte for lunch.  There are a LOT of online reviews for Café Latte, ranging from “best desserts ever” to “way overrated.” Their overall rating is pretty high, though, so we decided to give them a chance. We went around 1:30, when we thought the crowds would have died away.  Not so.  It was nearly impossible to find a seat, much less one that would accommodate a high chair.  The three of us split a couple things, as usual. We got a turkey avocado sandwich on whole wheat bread (which, for $6.95, comes with a side salad or chips or pretzels and a pickle) and a bowl of roasted potato garlic soup. Both were very yummy—the soup had great texture and flavor, with chives and spinach to complement the garlic and potato. I got the sandwich with some provolone, sprouts, tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce, all which enhanced the avocado sauce well. We saved room for dessert. I had read nothing but good things about their Classic Vanilla Cheesecake, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. It is probably the best cheesecake I have ever tasted in my life. At $4.95 a slice, it’s a bit pricey, but no more than you’d pay for a slice of dessert at any sit-down place, and oodles better-tasting. I told Husband next time we’ll have to just get a whole cheesecake (“Thank you,” say Heidi’s thighs.). We also got a piece of their chocolate cake to go, since that was the other dessert everyone raved about.  It was good, but not better than my homemade.  The addition of a scoop of ice cream from our own freezer probably made it better than it would have been sans mode.  Four out of five stars.
• Cereal/salads for supper.
• A bike ride
• Watermelon
• A cost of $52.25.

A Minnesota Staycation – Day 3 August 11, 2009

Day 3 of our staycation included:

• Morning at the MN Science Museum.
• Boca Chica for lunch.  We weren’t terribly impressed with Boca Chica. It hadn’t come recommended by anyone and didn’t have stellar reviews. The three of us split an order of chicken flautas and a pick-two lunch of a beef and bean tostada plus a chicken soft taco. Each plate comes with your choice of Spanish rice (which had peas and carrots in it…strange…) OR black beans OR refried beans. I think it’s the first Mexican place I’ve ever eaten at that didn’t give you both rice and beans. The service was poor. We had to ask for our beverages twice and also had to ask for the free chips and salsa. The flautas were decent—covered in Mexican crema, cilantro and guacamole. The tostada and taco were fine, but nothing above average. I’d give it probably two out of five stars.
• National Night Out for supper.  This is often the only time of year we get to talk to our neighbors, but unfortunately we couldn’t stay long…
• Perkins with out-of-town (as in California out-of-town) friends for dessert.
• A cost of $36.

A Minnesota Staycation – Day 2 August 10, 2009

Day 2 of our staycation included:

• A stroll around St. Anthony Main and Nicollet Island.
• A cruise down University Avenue.
• Lunch at Pizza Nea.  A few months ago we tried Punch’s Neapolitan pizza for the first time. Nea, which is just up the street, offers the same fare, but more of a sit-down experience (including the need to tip). We ordered essentially the same pizza we had at Punch’s, a Siciliana, and we both agreed Nea’s version was better. The crust was slightly firmer and had a little less oven char, the ingredients were both more plentiful (less plain edge crust) and more flavorful. That said, either is a great option if you’re looking for something different than Domino’s. Service was fine, not bad, but not exceptional. Four out of five stars.
• A workout.
• An evening at the beach, where Anja PLAYED WITH OTHER KIDS.  This is fairly monumental, in case you didn’t know.
• Root beer floats and books.
• A cost of $19.00.

An Ab-Fab Weekend July 6, 2009

Hi everyone!  How was your 4th of July?  Mine was fabulous.  In no particular order, here are some of the things my family partook in over the long weekend:

• Ate at 5 Guys, per BooMama’s suggestion, and my stars, was it ever yummy!  Husband declared it just as good as Red Robin, and that’s saying a lot!
• Walked through beautiful gardens of roses and fountains and trees.
• Read on a blanket under one of aforementioned trees.
• Sat in the breeze by a beach (not on it, however) in lawn chairs and ate snacks and read the Bible.
• Had a lovely pot-luck picnic with Husband’s extended family.
• Walked by Lake Como and went to part of one of the free concerts offered there.
• Went to a flea market (just me) and bought a custom-made harvest table, which should be ready this fall.
• Went for walks.
• Worked out.
• Introduced Husband to the magic that is Maggiano’s (his first time!).  We’re not big into Italian food (too bland, too the-samey, too Chef Boyardee), but even he was impressed with this place.
• Slept.
• Read some more.

It was so relaxing, the best weekend I’ve had in a long time!  How about you?

Where is God? June 23, 2009

I hope none of you clicked on that title expecting a very spiritual or philosophical post, because it’s not.  Just some more funnies I want to record…

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My mom is visiting this week.  She watched Anja on Monday while we were at work.  At one point, she heard Anja saying, “Where is God?  Where is God?” and wandering around the house looking.  Finally, spotting her Bible, she said happily, “There He is!”

We may have to have a talk about our Bible becoming an idol earlier than I thought…

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Mom took us all out to eat tonight at Wildfire Restaurant (Yummy food, great service…I had the Chopped Salad and part of a walleye sandwich, Husband had some really good braised short ribs, and Mom got a burger with a gluten-free bun; all were delicious!).  After the meal we were waiting for the bill and Anja started to get restless, so Husband took her outside.  As soon as they walked outside, Anja declared, “It’s nice out!”

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Lastly, a question. Why is it that pooping is a recreational sport for men?  Most women I know go into a bathroom, do their duty, wash up and are done.  Men, on the other hand, will go into a bathroom, 6 days’ worth of reading material in hand, and exit in a cloud of steam 45 minutes later looking very pleased with themself.  What is up with that?

My Funny Valentine February 14, 2009

Husband’s parents came to watch Anja yesterday.  Husband took the day off work to treat me to…………………a DATE!

Our dates are few and far between, so when they are kind enough to come spend time with our daughter, we sure as heck get out of the house for a while!  And what a day–we started with a 3D movie at the Imax theater called Under the Sea.  It was narrated by Jim Carrey and had some cute humor worked in, but it was very preachy.  Seriously, why does EVERY MOVIE OR SHOW about nature have to have jabs about global warming in it?  We think, Yay, fun movie about fish! They think, How many small children can I indoctrinate? Ugh.  Conservation is one thing, but this constant barrage of unproven “facts” about global warming really gets my goat.  End rant.

After that we had an early lunch and brought home some for his family.  Then off we went to the Science Museum.  We viewed two new exhibits, Water and Goose Bumps, and saw Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk (which wasn’t as preachy simply because its message was portrayed as conservation from the get-go).  I’ve never had the privilege of visiting the Grand Canyon, but I think this film finally put into perspective the sheer size of it.  Jeepers, it’s big!

Following the museum, we had dinner at the MOA version of Olive Garden, Tucci Benucch.  Husband’s tortellini with prosciutto, mushrooms and peas was quite delicious, but I was left wanting something more with my sad little Marguerita pizza.  No tomatoes, just sauce.  He happily shared with me, though.  Isn’t he swell?  And he didn’t think my pizza was that bad (did not share my expectations).  Guess who will get to eat the leftovers tomorrow?  :)

We stopped back by the house to change, and then we went and shot hoops at the gym.  What a sad pair we were, missing left and right (it has been several years since either of us have played).  But we had fun!  And I beat him at HORSE twice.  Heh heh.  Then we soaked in a giant hot tub.  The end.

What are you doing for Valentine’s Day?  Or not doing?

Unfortunately, the frosted version of these were eaten before I remembered to photograph them. You know me and cookies!

St. Paul Restaurants October 28, 2008

Hey!  I wrote this post last month and had to delete a bunch of obsolete stuff up here.  But here’s some good restaurants in St. Paul that I dined at in September…

Restaurant #1: Senor Wong’s

If you have never heard of Asian-Mexican fusion, this is IT!  From what I understand of fusion, it means Asian foods prepared in a Mexican fashion.  Check out their menu.  I went here for lunch with a friend some of you might recognize from the comments.

Restaurant #2: Mickey’s Diner

Husband and I went here on a date day (glorious freedom!  His parents came to babysit.).  It had a very local flavor, as in the guy with the long, gray scraggly beard next to us was harrassing the server and she was having none of it.  You are seated at a bar just inches from where they are taking orders, cooking food, etc.  Literally, there is so little elbow room that you just might get hot grease spilled on you by disgruntled employees as they move back and forth in tandem (not enough room for them to pass each other).  The food was great.  We had pancakes, bacon and, after watching them made (pour on the lard, my friends), a side of hashbrowns.  Husband declared they were the best he’d ever eaten.  And the cook told us that Tim Pawlenty is an arrogant jerk.  How ’bout that?

Restaurant #3: Great Waters Brewing Co.

We split some nachos and a London Broil.  Both were tasty, and they have their own beer.  Right on 7th Place, which has great culture (The Artists’ Quarter next door supplied us some fine music as we dined al fresco).

Pancakes and Fraternity October 25, 2008

Just over two weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting yet another friend I met via blog for brunch.  She was in town visiting family, but she was kind enough to spare a morning to meet me and Anja at The Original Pancake House.  Oh yum!  Anja and I split some pumpkin pancakes; have I mentioned that I love all things pumpkin this time of year?  If not, now I have.  And if you’ve never been to The OPH, and you like breakfast food…what are you WAITING for?  It’s super duper yummy.  And it’s set up like Grandma’s house–stained glass, oak woodwork, hand-carved chairs.

Anyway, Tara and I talked about accents (how mine is very notably Minnesotan and there’s a bit o’ the South creeping into hers), daddies (we have both lost ours recently), Jesus (we both love Him) and our families.

Tara, you’re every bit as sweet as your blog.  Thanks for having some pancakes with me!