Good Eats!

Dad has been in town since Friday for a conference. Chris and I were able to join him for dinner last night as well as Saturday night. Jack was also there on Saturday, but was working last night. Dad's associate Mike was also in attendance.

On Saturday we ate fantastic sushi at Nami. We thought it was comparable to Crave (that means it's good).

Last night we ate at Manny's steakhouse at the W (where dad and Mike were staying). I couldn't resist photographing Chris' gargantuan (24 ounce?) prime rib.

Prime rib can be hit-or-miss (I believe it needs to be cooked fresh and not just warmed up), but Manny's exceeded our expectations once again. We will have many meals from this cut! Dad also gave us his leftover porterhouse to take home, but Jack swiped it for his evening break before I even had a chance to taste it.

We enjoyed getting together with Dad and eating at a couple of fantastic downtown restaurants.

Movies and Cars

After a couple of harried weeks, this one has been a bit more relaxing. And hasn't the weather been perfect for it! On Wednesday, Jack, Chris, and I saw Monsters vs. Aliens in 3D. It's a fun film and some of the 3D effects (especially at the beginning) are fantastic.

Ginormica kicks butt and is now among my favorite movie characters of all time (unlike Carrie Bradshaw) and I don't think I'm giving anything away by saying that this movie ends quite differently than SATC. Ugh, that still bugs me when I think about it!

Here's Jack sporting the 3D glasses, which we definitely plan to keep on hand for upcoming 3D films (there are several).

In other exciting news this week... only 18 months after moving here, Chris got his driver's license and MN plates! He will give you many reasons why it took this long, but let's just say that it's good to have him as a legal resident.

You know you're getting old when...

you leave the bar on St. Patrick's Day at the same time the 24 year olds are going out.

In my defense, I did have to work today. Jack is probably still sleeping.

Still, having a much younger housemate can really make a person feel old sometimes.

Happy Birthday Jack!

Jack doesn't read my blog, but I would still like to wish him a...

We celebrated last night with roast chicken, mashed cauliflower and corn. Jack is such a picky eater, but seemed to enjoy his birthday meal!

Is anyone else having a hard time wrapping their mind around Jack being 24? I clearly remember getting called out of my sixth grade class to get the news from Dad that we had a new family member.

He has been a joy ever since and we are happy to have him as our roommate!

Fun

It seems like it's been months since I actively blogged. Either I don't have anything to discuss or I'm lazy. Maybe both. I'm trying to get better, so will start with a couple of fun things:

- Melissa and I saw Matt Nathanson at the Pantages last night. We had 'nose bleed' seats, but were still able to see and, obviously, hear very well. To say Melissa was obsessed with going to this concert would be an understatement. I have never seen anyone so excited about a musician - before, during and after the concert. And I saw New Kids on the Block at the SD State Fair circa 1989 so I know obsessed fans!

- Chris and I stayed at the W at the Foshay on Saturday night. Jack works there and got us a tremendous family and friends rate. Keep it in mind - I think he gets the rate at any of the Starwood hotels. Unfortunately, his discount didn't carry over to our dinner at Manny's Steakhouse. Our meal was delicious and left me with enough steak for three lunches at work, but considering that dinner for two cost three times as much as our hotel room it is definitely a restaurant for special occasions.

- We had a company come in to clean and inspect our fireplace and chimney. I really want to use that fireplace and it seemed necessary to get it checked out. Chris just emailed me to inform me that "they found a whole squirrel family...dead..tiny skulls were raining down...." I'm so appalled and can't get that image out of my head! Sorry if the same happens to you... That certainly doesn't fit under the title of 'fun,' but no doubt it is interesting. EDIT: It's also not true. Just found that out. Ha. Ha.

- Another not fun but worth mentioning item: Bonnie suffered first and second degree burns on her hand last Sunday. It apparently involved nearly-boiling water in a sterilizing sink and a heroic effort to grab a falling tray. Glad to hear you're doing well now, Bon, but oh my that sounds awful!

That's all the fun and not-so-fun news for today!

Jack's Graduation

Congrats to Jack, who graduated from Alexandria Technical College last Friday! Before the ceremony, Mom, Dad, Jack and I enjoyed an early dinner at Whiskey Creek.


If it's not obvious from the photos, Jack wasn't thrilled with having to pose. In fact, he was looking forward to Saturday's party more than the actual graduation ceremony.

He was a good sport, despite all the photos and my harassing texts during the ceremony threatening that Mom planned to holler 'Roundy' when they announced his name.

He should know us well enough to realize that we wouldn't actually yell anything...but it was fun to see him get agitated at the thought!

We're all extremely proud of Jack's efforts. Welcome to the real world!!

I'm sure the party on Saturday was great and I'm disappointed to have missed it. However, we had a fantastic time in New York and New Jersey. I'll be blogging about it all week!

Farewell Jack!

Jack drove away shortly before 8:30 this morning, following a tasty homemade breakfast of eggs, sausage and peaches. He intends to reach St. Louis by tonight, which will make for an awfully long day, but a much easier drive tomorrow.

We so enjoyed having him here for the past 11 weeks! He was a good house guest and even vacuumed his room before he left. I should've taken a picture of his room a week ago compared to today; it used to look like a tornado hit!

We're going to miss Jack, but I know he's eager to get back home and return to his active social life!

Jack will be your waiter today...

Since Jack is leaving this week, Chris and I decided it was finally time to see him in action at Chicago Pizza. We would've visited sooner, but this was Chris' first trip outside in three weeks and first time he's gone anywhere other than to doctors' appointments since June 13. (Don't ask me how he does it...)

Jack was a superb waiter, although I hope he doesn't steal food from the plates of all his customers! He also refused to let us photograph him in action. We tried to sneak some shots, but they didn't turn out well. He did allow Chris to snap the two of us. (Note my new haircut!)

It now appears that yesterday was his last day, so we made it just in time!

Friday at the Alligator Farm

Since Jack's days in Florida (and mine) are numbered, we finally took a much-anticipated trip to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and it was a real thrill! We endured oppressive heat and humidity to observe dozens of gators and crocodiles (and sit on some fake ones).

The pinnacle event was watching one of the thrice daily feedings. I'm so glad I got some video of this!!

View more photos on my Facebook page (no need to join).

The Scorpion King

If you thought the frog (actually, Chris has discovered it was a toad because toads "ribbit" and frogs don't) was interesting, meet the scorpion we found inside the house tonight.


The scorpion was both small and dead, but creepy nonetheless. According to the University of Florida Extension Entomologists, none of Florida's scorpion species produce a deadly sting. A sting would be painful, however, and it's just plain scary to come across something like this in your home.

So much about what we've seen in Florida astounds us! It's been a great learning experience but we are ready to move (and I'm ready to work).

UPDATE: I left the scorpion untouched so Jack could see it when he got home. He was merely mildly impressed, as usual. I took a paper towel to pick it up and discovered that it was ALIVE!!!!!

It must have been mildly sedated by the pest control poison periodically applied around the perimeter of the house, but it still had plenty of speed and fight left in it! As you would expect, I was really freaked out and Jack was nice enough to kill and dispose of the nasty scorpion.

The great kumla experiment and lessons learned.

Welcome to my blog! I didn't think I had anything interesting to write about, but I thought y'all (as they say here in the South) might like to see this one.

Kumla. Komla. Klub. However one spells/says it, these potato dumplings are a favorite of my family and many others of Norwegian descent. Although I've ingested hundreds of them over the years and have even assisted Grandma Dottie a time or two, I've questioned my ability to achieve the requisite balance of potatoes and flour.

After assisting Grandma last weekend and watching Bonnie grind the potatoes in her blender rather than the typical hand grinder, I decided it was time to give it a try!

Lesson One: The importance of this balance cannot be underestimated. Mine was heavy on the flour, which results in heavy, dense kumla.


I just learned today that Chris managed to date and marry me without ever having kumla! How did this happen?

Lesson Two: It is possible to marry into our family without eating kumla first. Chris liked it - whew - he can stay! I told him that this batch is nothing compared to Grandma Dottie's!


As Jack said, "good, for a first try." Mr. Finicky ate at least five.


Lesson Three: Anything edible on the first try (unlike my lefse attempt) is worth a second chance!

And yes, Grandma, I'll go easy on the flour this time!