Today…

We went to Hallstrom’s Ice Cream Parlor for lunch

Gracie had the Brownie Cascade and I had the Mint Chocolate Avalanche

The best ice cream in town!

We sat by the fountain downtown

and admired the gorgeous flower baskets

and listened to the soothing sound of rushing water. It was so warm today we contemplated jumping in!

on the way home we walked past the Red Wing Train Depot and watched the trains for awhile

and said hello to a jester who was enjoying his afternoon tea while balancing on a rock

How did you spend this sunny summer day?

~Melissa

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Drove into Minneapolis and wandered around the Mill City Farmer’s Market for a bit.

We had ‘second breakfast’ at

The Chef Shack!

There was quite a line, but it was worth the wait.

I did a little happy dance when I saw that softshell crab was on the menu!

mmmmmm….softshell crab

Jeff had the tongue tacos, and he said they were pretty darn good. The three of us had Arnold Palmers (iced tea and lemonade) and they were infused with thyme. Totally yummy.

After the farmer’s market we took a tour of the Mill City Museum. A very cool place to learn a little Minnesota history.

The Flour Tower elevator tour was very cool.

More scenes from outside the museum

St. Anthony Falls

After a few hours of fun at Mill City we were hungry again. Decided on “The Wedge” for a slice of their awesome pizza, Gracie had a Boston cream cupcake, I had a date bar, Jeff had sesame candy, and we stocked up on tea for the pantry…gunpowder green, Genmaicha, Peach Assam, and Keemun.

How did you spend this sunny Saturday?

~Melissa

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Went to Bev’s Cafe for breakfast (The oldest restaurant in Red Wing!)

Played at the park

Went to Caribou for lunch and coffee and listened to trains go by while we read and wrote

and I downloaded this free Steampunk cookbook to my Kindle!

so many new, funky recipes to try! Can’t wait to make them and share them with you!

Fuel For the Boiler

Now we’re relaxing at home listening to

and waiting for the storm that is suppose to be coming.

Maybe we’ll sit on the porch while it rains and share a glass of wine.

What are you doing on this fine evening?

~Melissa

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The day started out quiet. I caught up on a little reading and writing while husband and daughter slept in. Husband got up first and I wished him a happy Father’s Day.  We sipped China Rosepetal tea while we made breakfast together. Fried potatoes, bacon and basted eggs…MAN FOOD! YUM!

I was so happy that I got to talk to my dad on the phone today and wish him a happy Father’s Day too. We had a great conversation about writing, art and our current, common peeves… hee hee. As always, it was fun to catch up.

Later in the day, Jeff, Gracie and I strolled downtown to the annual classic car show here in Red Wing. 50s tunes played over the loud speaker and the sun shined brightly overhead in the town square while we oohed and aahed over the gorgeous Chavelles, Cameros, Chargers…and many other makes and models.

We decided to go to Norton’s Downtown for a bite to eat. Great food, as usual.  Gracie had the Nueske’s Bacon BLT, and Jeff and I had the catfish po-boy and a couple cocktails…MMMMM…..

On the way home we stopped at the Farmer’s Market for some fresh strawberries and rhubarb (for pie!) and I got to flirt with my favorite farmer’s market guy.

How did you spend Father’s Day?

~Melissa

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After the movie we went home to change our clothes for an evening out at Vino in the Valley in Maiden Rock Wisconsin. Without getting into too much detail about the experience, I’ll just say it was much like our last visit.

We ended the evening at Dairy Queen for dipped cones and Peanut Buster Parfaits

How did you spend date night this week?

~Melissa

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We’re just wrapping up another five day staycation, and it was so incredibly relaxing. Lots of delectable meals out, hammock naps, and morning walks when the sun and mist are rising over the bluff…

It started on Saturday when we went to our friends’ wedding for date night. We returned home and watched Whip It, a fun new film directed by Drew Barrymore. It’s about roller derby girls, which I found fascinating. Great soundtrack, and lots of incredible actresses. Can’t wait to buy it on dvd and watch it again, and can’t wait to see what Drew is working on next.

On Sunday we took a little road trip to Stillwater to see my father in law and had a nice visit. We returned home and made an appetizing, healthy meal…

Veggie Lentil Rice with Sausage

Grill Italian sausage, Polish kielbasa, or bratwurst.

Cook basmati, jasmine, or brown rice according to package directions, using organic chicken stock in place of water. (To equal about 2 cups cooked rice.)

Cook a bag of brown or green lentils according to package directions, adding a cup of your favorite fresh, chopped veggies during the last 10 minutes of cooking time. Season with a little curry, cinnamon, parsley, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper (to taste.)

Toss lentil-veggie mixture with the rice and a couple Tablespoons real butter.

Top with the sausage of your choice and some chopped tomatoes.

Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top.

mmmmmmm……

On Monday we had our friend TJ down and grilled Mona Lisa Burgers (again.) So good! We can’t get enough of The Cheese & Burger Society So many yummy new cheeseburger recipes to try!

On Tuesday morning I got up before everyone else in the house and did some reading and writing. Made a big jar or mango sun tea, sat out on the deck and watched the sun rise over Sorin’s Bluff. We recently found out a really cool fact about the bluff we live by, and the street we live on. Ever since we became Red Wing residents we’ve known we’re surrounded by some awesome history. We’ve also known for quite a few years that Red Wing is the birthplace of ski jumping in the United States. What we didn’t know is that Sorin’s Bluff is the bluff where it all started, and the street where we live, McSorley, is the site of the very first ski jump in the nation! Holla!

McSorley Hill

This is McSorley Hill in the late 1800′s! It’s hard to say exactly where our house would be in this picture (once it was built, back in 1901) but I would guess it would be right about where the row of three people (on the right hand side of the picture) are standing.

Anyhoo… the hubby and I went to breakfast at the divine St. James Hotel’s Veranda restaurant. We sat at a little umbrella table on their outdoor patio and had a nice view of the Mississippi river. The food was exquisite, as usual!

On Wednesday we went for an early morning walk. The weather was perfect! We went on a grocery shopping date, came home and shared Ploughman’s lunch on the front porch while it rained. A light breeze blew through the trees and our nearby rose bush, scenting the air with roses and rain while we ate. So romantic

We spent Wednesday evening on the front porch. We relaxed and enjoyed the wonderful weather. I wrapped up the evening with a candlelit bubble bath, and a glass of vino.

How do you spend your staycations?

~Melissa

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When Jeff and I started dating, one of our favorite restaurants to frequent, for special celebration meals, was the Dock Cafe in Stillwater. Jeff actually asked me to marry him in one of the romantic booth tables by the window overlooking the St. Croix River. We have so many great memories of this place.

We’ve eaten at the Dock several times over the last 15 years, and have never been disappointed by the food or service. The wait staff is impeccable and the food is unique and consistently delicious. Some of my favorite dishes on the menu: calamari, blackened yellowfin tuna salad, curried chicken salad, duck confit,  wild rice soup (and fantastic baguette!)

We’re thinking it’s time to visit our favorite restaurant again. Hmmm….maybe next date night? It’s a great place to go in the warmer months. We love to sit on their deck at one of the umbrella tables and sip martinis. The little trees on the deck shrouded with fairy lights, and the boats passing lazily by on the river. Bliss…

~Melissa

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Give me the spiciest marinara, piles of fresh basil, oregano and marjoram. Give me a whole lotta’ homemade Italian sausage studded with fennel. Give me mountains of homemade pasta. The kind that’s so fresh it cooks in about a minute, and melts in your mouth. The kind my great grandma use to knead, cut, and hang around the kitchen. You haven’t lived until you’ve tasted this fresh, fresh, delicacy. Call it what it is. Italian food snobbery. It’s not a crime, it’s a birthright.

There are quite a few amazing restaurants that serve authentic Italian in the Twin cities. These do not include strip mall, commercialized “Italian” restaurants.

Here is a list of Italian restaurants in the Twin Cities that are worth visiting.

1) Pazzaluna

2) Prima

3) D’Amico & Sons

4) Biella

5) Ciao Bella

6) Cossetta’s

7) Zelo

8  Al Vento

9) i Nonni

10) Acqua

Stia Bene!

~Melissa

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We’ve eaten at Hell’s Kitchen, located in the heart of Minneapolis, several times and been impressed on every occasion. The food and the service are nothing short of outstanding, and we LOVE the atmosphere. The first time we were there for what was called the “Gospel Brunch,” which was fantastic. The lemon ricotta hotcakes, maple glazed bison sausage, and huevos rancheros are the dishes I’ve tried, and I would order them all again. Jeff, and my friend Jana loved the bloody marys. I’m not a bloody mary fan, but I will say I was thoroughly impressed by their wine list. Lots of good selections, with a price list that won’t break the bank. The “Gospel Brunch” was recently renamed, “Sin and Soul Brunch,” and with the change in name came the added bonus of being able to see live music at Hell’s Kitchen on Saturday and Sunday. Be sure to make a reservation, or you could end up waiting a couple hours to be seated.

We’ve also been to the Hell’s Kitchen, located in Duluth Minnesota’s Canal Park, a couple times. On these occasions we weren’t there for brunch, just for lunch, but were equally impressed with the food and service. The blue cheese bison burger, walleye BLT, and sweet potato french fries were delicious. Hell’s Kitchen also makes their own ketchup (which didn’t seem like such a big deal to me when I heard about it…but when I tried it, OH MY! Very very good!)

I was just reading that the Duluth location is still under the same ownership but recently changed their name to Hellburgers. Looking at the site I would guess that it’s the same great quality food, just a slightly more casual atmosphere and menu. I will get the scoop and write a full review the next time we visit Duluth. Until then, give the Minneapolis location a try and let me know what you think.

~Melissa

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On Friday, Nancy and I had plans to make mud pies in her back yard (commonly known as gardening to most adults…) but since it was about 40 degrees and raining we decided to stay in and watch a double feature while we ate yummy sandwiches instead. 500 Days of Summer (which I’ve now seen 5 times…can’t seem to get enough of it! Zooey Deschanel is so absolutely gorgeous in this film! And her outfits…I could go on and on…) and What Happens in Vegas which makes me laugh so hard my sides hurt.

On Friday night we drove to the Apple Valley Ruby Tuesday’s (I had the little appetizer fish tacos which were wonderful…) to celebrate my best friend Jana’s graduation from college (this was for her Master’s Degree! I’m so proud of her!) Her husband orchestrated a surprise party which is always fun, except I almost told her 200 times before the actual event because we talk on the phone almost every day. I shouldn’t be allowed to talk on the phone before such an event

On Saturday we drove to White Bear Lake to see our dear friends Heather and Tom and their boys. The hours flew by! Great conversation and a lovely dinner at Jake’s City Grille in Maplewood. I had the crispy coconut chicken salad….mmmmmm…. Thanks guys!

Sunday-Mother’s Day- I believe the ingredients for a beautiful Mother’s Day are:

Receiving a dozen of my favorite roses…

Waking up to breakfast in bed~ raspberry French toast, scrambled eggs and English Breakfast tea in a real tea cup. I spent a leisurely morning writing, reading my favorite blogs, finishing a vintage romance novel

by Rumer Godden called The Peacock Spring. It was full of beautiful imagery, and I loved that I could tell it was written in 1975. Reading it felt a bit like time travel.

and listening to Good Charlotte

We went to see Iron Man 2 which was every bit as good as the first one. Robert Downy Jr. was amazing and funny, and the scenes with Scarlett Johansson were smokin’ hot! The movie also had a pretty awesome soundtrack, ACDC fans will approve.

How to spend the rest of the evening? I think we’ll sit on the deck and soak in some of the gorgeous sunshine, grill steaks, and sip a crisp, cool galss of

Man Vintners Sauvignon Blanc

Description: Blast of fruit and bit of zing. This is a take-me-along-to-the-picnic wine. Serve chilled.

How did you spend your Mother’s Day weekend?

~Melissa

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