An Oldie, But a Goodie

About 2 1/2 years ago, I drank a lot of bertas with Gundie. We would regularly drink cocktails and dance all night long to Amerie, Beyonce, and Rush, etc. Aaron snapped this photograph of Gundie and I after a good dance session, and my broham, MarkMartin, doctored it.

It's an oldie, but it's a goodie.



Gundie's shirt is pink. It says "Tough Guys Wear Pink"










[where: 54901]

Deck, Deck Baby

Earlier this summer we installed a sliding patio door off the kitchen and into the backyard.

The patio door rules, and we are totally loving it.

We are nearing completion on our deck! Kegger and Trombone party is getting closer!! I can hear it!! It sounds like progged out John Phillips Sousa marches with double bass drum pedals.

Also, I have deck-building notes!!!!!!! HOORAY!!!





























Note: I finally found the love of a lifetime. Yes, he WAS a member of the Krispy Kreme foosball team.





























Note: Trex decking looks great and Trex is a good "green" choice.

However, it can't be used for framing. If you use it for framing, you will call customer service and they will tell you to rip it all down and start over. *ahem*


















Note: Building a deck requires a lot of screws. Composite decking requires special composite screws. We didn't learn that the hard way either *ahem*.




























Note: Battery powered drills are essential. We used three. Each of these hanging brackets requires 8 screws (4 on each side). I spent most of my weekend crawling around on the ground drilling 400+ screws into brackets.


















Note: It's hip to be square. Square everything. Every single joint.


















Note: Even though your betrothed's dog makes you feel insane sometimes, sometimes he can be pretty cute.





























Note: Dirty knees done dirt cheap.


















Note (from gerg):
"Hey, baby, if you're feelin' down,
I know whats good for you all day!
Are you worried what your friends see?
Will it ruin your reputation lovin' me?

Cuz I'm a dirty white boy!
Yeah a dirty white boy!
A dirty white boy!"

[where: 55406]

the pants makes the shoes

Earlier this week, I ran across the pants' blog by way of Hedy De Vine's blog.

Turns out the pants can make the shoes I've been after.....

A pair of Vans with this Kozyndan print painted on them!



[where: 55406]

I Chewed the Meat and Swallowed it

After 13 years of imbibing various non-meats and fish, I ate both bird and beast on Monday night at the People Serving People event in Minneapolis. Yes, I did it. 11 of 13 polled people agreed that I'd be crazy not to. PLUS, I wanted to give it a whirl.



The mammal I ate was a cow. The cut was a ribeye. At first when it was served to me, I wasn't sure if I would try it. Fortunately, my friends at the table were far too tempted by their own delicious plates to worry about me, so it was a low pressure situation.

With no one looking, I cut a tiny bit off the very edge and nibbled it. I didn't get sick. The flavor reminded me of a steak that I ate at the Old Courthouse Inn in West Bend, WI when I was 15. The texture was slightly overwhelming, since I hadn't experienced it in quite some time, so I gave the rest of my portion to gerg.

I've been waiting to receive clarification regarding the producer of the beef, and am in the midst of phone calls with La Belle Vie's beef distributor. When I get the info, I'll post it here.

--------------------------

The fowl was a duck. The cut was breast. I had never eaten duck before, and therefore could not compare it to previous experiences. I cut a tiny bit off the very edge and nibbled it. It was crispy and flavorful.

La Belle Vie's duck producer is located in Southern Minnesota. Although Sous Chef Mike Camp prepared our dinner, Chef-Owner Tim McKee gave me the information about the duck, and explained that he was "proud of the supplier". And I told him I'd mention that.

When we got home after eating on Monday night, I was more ticklish than usual. Other than that, I felt foine.

Just like that, I'm no longer a pescetarian (good thing too because I LOATHE that term). I know my fowl and mammal intake will be limited as I make the leap back to land. It's cool though, cuz, you know, I got it like that.

PS - kisses to shortcake

[where: 55406]

The Honor is all Mine!

I'm honored, TRULY honored, to be able to attend this amazing event.

The opportunity for a private cooking demonstration featuring Sous Chef Mike Camp from La Belle Vie isn't something that passes by my table any day of the week. The dinner includes: cooking demonstration, five-course dinner and wine pairing.

The menu:

* Smoked Salmon Carpaccio with Citrus Vinaigrette and Candied Lemon
* Sauteed Skate Wing with Jerusalem Artichoke, Trout Roe and Cipollini Onion
* Roasted Duck Breast with Duck Confit, Porcini and Sweet Corn
* Grilled Ribeye with Lyonaisse Potato Cake, Baby Turnips and Carrot
* Gianduja Rice-Crispy with Hazelnut Nougatine and Avocado

Now, as some of you may have read, I am currently a pescetarian who is considering eating land animals again....so I'm wondering if this is the time and place.I've vowed that my land animal consumption will reflect my belief in the sustainable production of meat. What say you?




[where: 55406]

Adventure Commences



Gathering addresses. Reviewing our budget. Thinking about a wedding near water. Smiling at one another...

The wedding will be fun. The marriage will be a BLAST.

[where: 55406]

When the Pack Attacks, I'll Chow a Brat

Anybody who reads or listens in Minneapolis knows that the Vikings are having SCADS of trouble selling their tix for this weekend's game.

Coming from Wisconsin, and being a generalized Packer supporter (albeit, not as die hard as some of my friends/family/fellow Wisconsinites), I found the situation shocking at first. This would never happen in Green Bay.

Evidence of my Packer Backing. This photo was taken at the Herkimer during the Packers vs. Vikings game last season.




















Because I've been a fair weather Packer Backer in the past, and because I have never subscribed to the belief that I can't change, I vow that WHEN the Packers make it to the playoffs this year, I will eat a bratwurst with brat mustard and sauerkraut. During Brett Favre's entire career with the Packers, I have not consumed a brat. This is possibly sacrilegious. But it's about to become sacrilicious! I'm not promising where or when, but I will consume one...with a frosty mug of beer.

I figure if I'm gonna wade out of the delicious waters of fish and seafood, finding my way back to eating land animals again, I might as well start with what my ancestors ate. BRATS.


gerg feels good about the Packers and brats.













[where: 55406]

I Saw a Picket Line, but I Didn't Cross it

There is a strike taking place on the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus today.
Read all about it here.

In regards to what I've seen so far, there hasn't been a ton of action on the campus today in regards to the strike. Then again, I might have missed something.

I did drive past the picket line on my drive to my office. I was following a private company's electrical service truck. All the picketers were waving at him and whooping. I wondered if he was a scab electrician coming to cover for someone striking.

Out of nowhere, last week, one of my colleagues said to me, "My grandmother was a communist. My mother was a socialist. I don't know what I am, but I know you don't cross a picket line."

And I almost said, but I checked myself "Your grandmother was a COMMUNIST?!"

Anywho, I'm glad I didn't have to cross a picket line today.


















photo lifted from WorkDay Minnesota
[where: 55108]

An Unscheduled Engagement

Some engagements aren't scheduled...not penciled in on your refrigerator calendar...not set to send you email reminders.

A particular engagement this past Friday sent my head spinning.

I've been smiling for 3 days!

Even though I had no idea it was coming, I'm STOKED that this engagement happened on Friday.

I'm so grateful and so happy that gerg proposed; I love him so much, and I love this sparkle-y ring.

















[where: 55406]