April's Visit

Fun times at home

So last month, my seester came to visit us! It was her first time in Mpls and her first time visiting me in my own home in 10 years (I know!). She flew in on a Wednesday afternoon and didn't have to leave until the next Tuesday evening, so we got to fit in lots of fun and fancy things, like seeing a play at the Guthrie and going to a Twins game, and also slow and quotidian things like eating at home.

Seesters!

The day she got in was gorgeous, so we ate on the patio at Old Arizona and then had coffee on the patio at the Bad Waitress. We drove around town a little bit, met David at his office and walked down by the river, and had dinner at the French Meadow.

Birchwood biking brunch

April on David's bike over the Mississippi

Thursday, we rode downtown with David so we could have his car, and afterward we drove out to Nicollet Island and around St. Anthony Main before coming home to change and get the bikes for a long ride. We rode to the Birchwood and had breakfast there (this stunningly delicious tofu scramble with carrots, spinach, and a tomato coulis, plus a scone and an orange chocolate bread pudding!) before riding all over town: across the river, to Saint Paul, around Lake Calhoun, and along the Greenway. April was totally a trooper. David was able to come home early, so we picked him up and had dinner at home--sweet potato fries and black beans and rice with all the toppings. That evening was warm, so we drove down to St. Anthony Main, where we walked out to the falls and then had dessert at the Aster Cafe.

Friday was rainy, but we had David's car again, so I took April on an impromptu "Sketchy Minneapolis tour," which most out-of-towners' visits, alas, are too short to include. We started at Chicago Lake Liquors to pick up champagne for mimosas for the next day's brunch, and although Chicago Lake is far less sketchy at 10 a.m. on a Friday than it is at 10 p.m., we definitely go for the prices rather than the ambiance. After that was the St. Vincent de Paul*, where we found eight glass plates and a mini muffin tin for about $3! Then we got pedicures at a little strip mall place. Afterward, we popped home to change and then to yoga in uptown. We got David, had a quick dinner at home, and then went to Arsenic and Old Lace at the Guthrie, followed by fries at Town Hall.

Surrey with the fringe on top

St. Anthony Main

Saturday morning the brunch club met at our house for coconut macadamia nut waffles with homemade coconut syrup, lightly dressed greens, hashbrowns, fresh fruit, and pineapple mimosas. Afterward, the afternoon was sunny and shockingly warm, so April and David and I went to Minnehaha Falls, where we rented a surrey. It was the first time we'd ever done that, but it was such ridiculous fun that we'll doubtless do it again. We got home just in time to get dinner ready for another social occasion, this time with the downstairs neighbors. We did farfalle in a light cream sauce with cherry tomatoes, snow peas, and fresh basil; roasted asparagus; salad; and rosemary asiago bread (not homemade); with individual molten lava cakes with fresh strawberries for dessert.

Sweet potato fries at the Longellow

Sunday I introduced April to hot yoga, and she did splendidly! Afterward we had brunch at the Red Stag, where our table by the window provided a great view of a crashing Midwestern thunderstorm. In the evening we met one of my friends at the Fancy Theater for Water for Elephants, which I found pretty disappointing.

Lilacs at the arboretum

At Target Field for the Twins

Mill City

Monday, I made vegan waffles with fresh strawberries and Nutella and then we drove out to the arboretum in Chaska while listening to Abraham's new CD on repeat. (Have you heard this album yet? It's amazing. Seriously.) On the way back we stopped at Opitz Outlet, home of 70% Off Retail! We got David, had dinner at the Longfellow Grill, and then went to the Twins game. It was an ideal night for outdoor baseball: clear, warm, and perfect! They were even playing the Mariners, though David and I, at least, were rooting for the home team--who lost in the bottom of the 10th. Sigh.

Spoonbridge and Cherry

Tuesday was April's last day, and I made French toast that we ate with leftover macadamia nuts and coconut syrup. It was kind of gray and chilly, but we went downtown and poked around the shops and skyways. We stopped by the Walker sculpture garden on the way back, and drove around the Kenwood neighborhood and the lakes admiring the architecture. Then April had to pack and leave, but we eased the pain with homemade pico de gallo and episodes of Arrested Development before heading for the airport.

Whew! That was long. I guess I was just inspired by re-reading my account of Hathor's visit; I enjoyed the descriptions of all the things we'd eaten, in particular, even if you all didn't!

Some of the sites and activities doubtless sound familiar from descriptions of other visits, but there's always something new--often discovered for the first time with the visitor--so book your trip today!

*I love this place, but it really is sketchy. When we bought our table and David's desk, one of the workers offered us a discount deal, arranged a somewhat shady home delivery in his friend's truck, and then asked for (and received, because we're softies) a tip.

Pumpkin

I carved a pumpkin, for the first time in recent memory!
It's not perfect, but I got tired of working on it. I hadn't tried anything like it before--except a miserably failed attempt at my own portrait, just prior--so I'm reasonably pleased.

David's parents were here this weekend, and we had a most excellent time, despite the fact that our record-setting 28-day stretch of dry weather ended with rain on Saturday and more today. Pictures to follow!

Mumsie & Dad's Visit

Guys, I am ridiculously behind. My parents were out here nearly a month ago and I still haven't posted about our adventures.

Here are a few highlights of the long weekend:

• The superfantastic salads Mom and I ate at the French Meadow after I picked her up from the airport on Friday and our subsequent drive around the Chain of Lakes
  
• The unbelievable storm Friday night that sent torrents of thigh-deep water rushing through the street along the south side of my block--which, naturally, David and I decided to go run through. There was totally an impromptu neighborhood block party, with people taking pictures, helping push out stalled cars, and dodging trashcans swept up by the current.
• Dad joining my running buddy and me on the first four miles of our nine-mile run (he did two more and met us back at home)
• Visiting Minnehaha Falls and exploring new hiking trails (some of them unfortunately a bit soggy from the previous day's storm)
  
• Watching the USA-Ghana game at Pancho Villa (where Dad insisted on cheering for Ghana! I was disappointed with the outcome, but admit that it was quite the entertaining match)
  
• Dinner at Loring Pasta Bar to celebrate Mom's birthday--with a balcony table that afforded fantastic views of the restaurant and kitchen
• Five-course Sunday brunch at the historic Nicollet Island Inn to celebrate Mom and Dad's birthdays
• Explorations of old Saint Anthony Main, the Stone Arch Bridge, Mill Ruins Park, and the Guthrie Theater
• Downtown St. Paul, their side of the river, and milkshakes and fries at Mickey's Diner
  
• Riding brand new Nice Ride bikes around the lakes and to the Walker Sculpture Garden
  
• Walking around Loring Park and downtown in absolutely stunning weather (and the urchin who befriended Mom as she walked around the gardens)
  
• Touring the Minneapolis Institute of Arts
  

Thankfully David snapped quite a few shots with his camera phone, as I only remembered to take the proper camera a few times. You can view the entire gallery, with captions, here.

Visitors!

So last week, Paul and Teri made their second pilgrimage out to Mpls for a visit!

I picked them up from the airport Wednesday afternoon and then we swung by the Warehouse District to pick up David and see his office before dinner at the French Meadow. Afterward, we took advantage of the amazingly gorgeous evening by popping over to Hidden Beach and the surrounding neighborhood.

Thursday, David had to work, but the three of us had breakfast at home, walked to the Ecopolitan in Uptown for a raw, vegan lunch, and then walked around downtown and the Thursday Farmers' Market. Paul had some work to do in the burbs that evening, but David and Teri and I had vegan waffles with market strawberries, whipped cream, and Nutella!

Friday morning while David was at work, the three of us biked to Lake Calhoun, ran around it, visited my office on the East Bank, had brunch at the Seward Cafe, and then took the scenic River Road to Minnehaha Falls and the Minnehaha Depot. We came home for Paul and Ter to pack up their things and to grab a light lunch, and then hit the Walker Sculpture Garden before getting David and heading across the river to meet Chris and Marty, with whom Paul and Ter stayed Friday and Saturday nights. We had a take-out Thai feast and then David and I went home.

Saturday morning we reunited in St. Paul before driving to the University arboretum in Chanhassen. It began to pour on the way there, but had tapered to a drizzle by the time we arrived, and was gloriously sunny by the time we had finished our exploration of the extensive grounds. We had a lovely lunch, did a lot of yakking, played a little badminton, and then headed to the Saint Paul Science Museum, where we had intended to play mini-golf but, upon discovering it hadn't yet opened for the season, watched the Arabia Imax before heading home for a guacamole feast.

Paul and Ter flew out early Sunday afternoon, but before they left we all piled to Costco and they stocked me up with groceries. I love it when they visit--not just because they leave me with nice things, obviously (though last time they bought me a BED!)--but because they are adventuresome and excited to explore the city, as well as just being a lot of fun to spend time with! Also, although I'd been planning to visit the Ecopolitan eventually, Ter's excitement about it bumped it way up my list. "Rawvioli" and Thai "noodles" made with zucchini were definitely worth the try.

Before they arrived, David and I started writing a list of attractions in the Twin Cities (with restaurants, somewhat to our chagrin, topping the list!), and since we only got to a fraction of them, we're looking forward to having more guests come visit our fair city!

For the entire album of Paul and Ter's pictures, click here.

SPARGELFEST!

Yesterday began inauspiciously. Although in the past I've successfully managed to balance my bowl of oatmeal and blueberries on top of my travel mug of tea as I head out the door, yesterday--in one of those slow-motion, almost-caught it, failed juggling acts--it toppled, splattering purplish globs of oatmeal, clinging to shards of ceramic, all over my downstairs neighbor's stoop. This slowed me down and cost me my deliciously high-fiber, antioxidant-rich breakfast, but thankfully didn't manage to ruin the day.

Actually, it was a great day. For one thing, I had completed a small gallery talk/presentation/seminar thing the night before and was thus terribly relieved. For another, it was gorgeous and sunny, not with the 95° temps and high humidity* we'd had earlier in the week, but barely into the 80s. And then, there was Spargelfest!

The Black Forest Inn is a cute little German place just down the block from the apartment, and although the atmosphere's quiet and cozy in the winter, in the summer they open up their really lovely patio and it's even better. Even though it faces a fairly busy street, its burbling fountain and shrouding greenery make the patio feel like a cool and quiet oasis. David and I got a table in the back to enjoy Spargelfest, their annual May celebration of asparagus. We split a crispy pizza topped with asparagus, artichoke, and leeks; and homemade pierogi "stuffed with fresh asparagus and cheese, on an asparagus mousse and drizzled with buttery hazelnut sauce"! They were both totally amazing, and I was stuffed afterward... but David really wanted the apple strudel (served with an impressive mound of thick whipped cream!), so I suffered through helping him eat it. It was pretty much the dietary opposite of last Thursday's fare at the Ecopolitan, where Paul and Ter and I enjoyed a raw, vegan lunch!

Ter just shared with me the photos from their visit last week, so I'll post about those adventures soon. In the meantime, it's back to work on my imaginary dissertation!

*I know! In May! We broke a 135-year old record.

Pictures

I took these pictures of my office (and out the window that consistently fascinates me) yesterday with my camera phone. They appear to be a little smeary, but do sort of capture the permeating feel of the light. As always, click for larger images.

My desk:

Window, with Pillsbury Hall:

More Pillsbury:

Bookshelf and radiator:

Sink(!):

Closet:

My open office door, from the hallway:

And here are a few more random shots from the phone...

Unnecessary quotation marks in a Lincoln City Doughnut Shop:

Unnecessary quotation marks in the downtown post office:

My favorite nuns on the TCM course:

Band on the TCM course (picture for Teri):

Rockstars:

Happenin's

Or, Things I've Been Doing to Avoid Writing My Dissertation

Internets, I've been remiss, about many things, but I apologize to you, in any case, for my lack of blogging. Exciting (or at least vaguely interesting) things have been happening here--I just haven't been posting about them! So, to hit a few highlights...

I ran that marathon. The next morning, I had my first chiropractic appointment--that expo deal--and totally got the royal treatment (electrical muscle stimulation with heat, massage, ultrasound, cool lasers, and a [cracking!] adjustment). I left feeling fantastic, and although I was feeling pretty sore and awful by the end of the day, I think it really improved my recovery time. By Thursday of that week, I wasn't sore at all. He also lasered and re-taped my blisters, and even though they had been huge, they didn't bother me at all and had completely healed within about 10 days. More of David's pictures are here, if you're interested.

I took my turn presenting at the weekly Fellows' Luncheon. Approximately one third of the group was out with the flu or traveling or whatever, so it was a small crowd but went pretty well. I'm glad it's over.

Abraham came to town! The rockstars arrived Saturday night, in time to join us for a smashing dinner party, and then got my patented Nerd Tour of Mpls (including the theater, library, and post office) Sunday before playing a small show that evening in my apartment. Thanks to various factors conspiring against us, the turnout was very small, but we had a fantastic time and made merry until way too late for a school night. The rockstars left the next morning (which was snowy: thanks, Mpls) to continue their tour eastward; check out their upcoming appearances at their website. Here are some of David's pictures; be sure to view the full album for a few videos:


I sort of started running again, and registered for another half marathon. David took this picture because he thought it was funny that I looked like I was flipping him off. The subsequent run, my first since the marathon, was blessed with Wintry Mix and an awesome attack of cold-induced hives. Oh, yes. But yesterday, I ran a sunny six around the lakes with the friend I'm running the half with, and it was balmy--nearly 50°! The race is on Halloween, so I'm thinking about running in costume. The current front-runner is 80s cheerleader.

I made a lampshade. I don't actually remember why I was first inspired to do this, although this beautiful lamp in the window of the Uptown DWR didn't help. I think I'll write a little tutorial at some point, because we took a bunch of pictures, but for the moment here it is on David's head.

We got out. Last night, David and I saw Rodrigo y Gabriela at the Pantages Theater. It was the most amazing guitar playing I've ever seen live, and I have seen some impressive playing. Really an amazing show; if you ever have the opportunity to see them, DO! Tonight we saw The Importance of Being Earnest: Bros Before Hos Remix at the Bryant Lake Bowl Theater. Friday I took David to the French Meadow for the first time, and Saturday morning we discovered Isles Bun & Coffee together (despite passing the out-the-door line multiple times on my weekend lakes runs, I had never actually been in!). It's nice to live in the city.

Pallottole

• Last night Hathor and I went to see The Taming of the Shrew at the Fort Walla Walla amphitheater.
  
• It was set in a trailer park, and although that might sound gimmicky, I thought it worked pretty amazingly; they threw in a few "beer me"s and "ka caw!"s, but you'd be impressed at how well the script fit without any modification.
• Earlier in the day, I had gelato with the Englishman before he flew to San Francisco--coincidentally, on the same flight as my aunt and uncle.
• I had coconut and mango lassi, and he had Japanese plum and strawberry.
  
• I almost always have coconut gelato when it's available; my favorite pairing with it is Nutella or something chocolatey, but I'm not consistently impressed with the patisserie's chocolate (though I am with almost everything else).
  
• Tonight I joined a local Italian conversation group at the Starbucks.
  
• I'd been invited by my friend Lidia, whom I ran into at the patisserie several weeks ago, and have since visited to meet her new puppy.
  
• Lidia is the woman responsible for the quote in this entry.
• Ironically, I'd just had my hair cut short again the day before I ran into her.
• It felt good to speak Italian again, and funny to hear Italian words held awkwardly in so many American mouths (including mine; I'm very rusty).
• Maybe I can find an Italian speaking group in Mpls.
• Tonight is rainy and cool in Walla Walla, and it feels pretty fantastic to have the windows open.
  

Seattle, Walla Walla

At the moment, I don't have any pictures of the weekend, and although I'm sure David will share them with me eventually, many of my favorite moments weren't even photographed:

• My delicious Hermiston taco wagon veggie burrito and the preteen at the counter who seems endlessly fascinated (in the most charming way) with our personal lives
• The beautifully banked curves of Snoqualmie pass and the muted layers of hills
• Sleeping on my sister's floor in Port Orchard, where the crisp, evergreen-scented air from the open windows made it feel like camping
• Giggling with my mom and sister upstairs while we sorted through and tried on clothes she was getting rid of
• My amazing Bay Street mocha with homemade vanilla whipped cream, accidentally iced but all the better for it, enjoyed amongst Bremerton's new fountains and educational plaques
  
• Analyzing the gigantic crowd waiting to board the ferry to Seattle and determining, from the preponderance of skirts with cowboy boots, dudes in cowboy hats, and at least one "Chesney" jersey (bright orange), that there was a Kenny Chesney concert across the water (in addition to SeaFair)
• Making the best Thai peanut vegetable curry of my life, to which I attribute my mom's inimitable skills as sous chef and my sister's cayenne and spicy curry powders
• Playing Aerobie with David and the Rockstar at Illahee State Park
• My mom's nachos with David's spectacular guacamole
• Sharing childhood memories over Swedish pancakes Sunday morning

We did take photos of some of the other fun stuff, which I'll also try to post.

I do have a few pictures of Monday, taken on a camera kindly loaned to me by M&C after the lunch invitation they extended turned into an all-day outing of the not-to-be-unphotographed kind, playing tourist with the Englishman David and I picked up in Seattle and brought back across the mountains with us. Sadly, the vast majority of the photographs I took were shot from the moving car, and although they are a tribute to my fascination with the wine country scenery and the fortitude of the camera, they do little to capture the essence of the afternoon, which I suppose was a sort of social experiment gone excellently.










































































































































We ended up at the Thai restaurant in College Place, which serves some of the best food in the area, but at which I've only eaten once, given their rather unpredictable hours. Most of Walla Walla was closed for Monday, but Bangkok 103 was open and we enjoyed excellent spring rolls (a once-in-16-years rarity, our waiter told us) and a fantastic squash curry, among other things.

I don't know if you can tell in this picture, which M snapped, that I am attempting to recover from an incapacitating laugh that left me all flushed and weeping (as I believe it did all of us, though no photo could ever do that baffling scene justice). As I recall, it was M's story of the bearsharks, and in particular his use of the word "enraged" that set me off, but really, it was just that kind of an evening. The best kind.