Sandy Orifices

Reading at the beach

This summer, I've discovered the beach at Governor Nelson State Park. I think we've been three times. I love it because even if it's busy, it doesn't seem crowded. The beach area is quite large. Others, like the beach at Vilas, get overcrowded quickly. I even bought us floaties at Target, so we could form the world's smallest flotilla and soak up the rays while still being in the water.

Look at my crazy peg leg!

I've also gone for two whole bike rides this summer, which is two more times that I've ridden since I got my new bike about two years ago. I have a bit of a biking phobia, so this is a major accomplishment.

La Fete de Marquette

In early July, a bunch of us hit La Fete de Marquette to celebrate French culture and music. Held at the corner of South Dickinson and East Washington, the free festival benefited the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center. Despite the oppressive heat, I donned my stripey green halter dress, drank beer, and even burned up the dance floor a bit. I was very sweaty and a bit dehydrated by the time we left. (As most of you know, I imbibe so much that bottled water could easily bankrupt my retirement fund. Because I go through so much plastic, I also feel like I'm personally responsible for heightening our petroleum dependence. Next year, I vote for a drinking fountain somewhere where I can at least refill a purchased bottle.) The music was impressively good, and we were surprised that the stage was so large. I had fun and met some new people.

Nuptials

Cheddar zucchini biscuits

Biscuits in the works

I'm waiting for the zucchini to defrost, so I can make zucchini cheddar drop biscuits, and the sweet corn is cooking. Dinner will be corn and a grilled pork chop that J. was nice enough to share with this formerly grill-less grrrl. (I say formerly because I recently purchased a small gas grill from Target, but I haven't gotten a propane tank for it yet. Alas, a gas grill without the propane tank is rather like not having a grill. :))

Last weekend, Jason and I attended Naomi and Bill's wedding in Minneapolis. On the way there, my Recall Walker bumper sticker sparked two interesting encounters. The first occurred when a Taurus pulled up beside us and held up a handwritten sign reading, "Scott Walker for President." The next one happened at a gas station. I'd run in to pee, and a fifty-ish woman asked Jason where he'd gotten the bumper sticker. He said he'd bought it in Madison, but he was a little worried that she was going to give him a piece of her mind. Instead, she said she'd only seen differently colored ones and would like a black one. Banter ensued about the recent recalls and the fact that Walker seems a bit shaken.

The ceremony and reception were held at the Polish National Alliance (PNA) Hall in northeast. The PNA Home Association in Minneapolis was set up by Polish immigrants more than a century ago. The alliance was formed in 1880 as a national fraternal organization to provide financial assistance (e.g., life insurance and annuities) to its members. It also sought to foster an understanding of Polish heritage.

The hall was sweetly decorated, and the ceremony was creatively tailored to the couple. Bill's band(s) provided music, and friends and family read poetry. Dinner consisted of a taco bar, corn on the cob, and Dilly Bars for dessert. After dinner, a DJ friend played music, and people danced. There was also white and red sangria and beer served by two women in retro 1950s fashion--with the contemporary addition of funky arm tattoos. (They told J. that I'm "so nice." Clearly, they are smart women.;))

Dilly Bars for dessert

We stayed an additional day, so we could explore Minneapolis a bit. We had brunch (sausage hash for him and turkey bacon burger for me) at Key's Cafe in Foshay Tower. The hash was ok, although the sausage could've had more kick. The Foshay Tower is a landmark in its own right. Built in 1929, months before the market collapsed in October of that year, it represents an example of Art Decor architecture. Modeled on the Washington Monument, the building's sides slope inward slightly, making each floor slightly smaller than the one below it. It is now the W Minneapolis--The Foshay, a swanky boutique hotel.

The Foshay

Dandelion fountain in Loring Park

The Local's fish bites

After walking around Loring Park and the sculpture garden next to the Walker Art Center, we had fish bites at The Local, a nearby Irish pub. I was very hungry, so at first they seemed wonderful, but after a bit, I realized that they were pretty greasy and heavy on the batter. The curry aioli was magnificent, though. And it was lovely to sit on their outdoor patio and people watch. (The interior was quite impressive, as well.)

We also took full advantage of the whirlpools at the hotel. A Comfort Suites, it was pretty basic, but the pool area was fun and had two whirlpools and a sauna. The decor was a crazy blend of '80s and Art Deco, which cracked me up to no end, and of course, it's always grand to sleep in spacious hotel beds with quality linens. Unfortunately, the thread count of my sheets at home would probably sicken Martha Stewart.

Caramelized Onion and Savoy Cabbage Chowder with Thyme

Turkey bacon is cooking, and the green sun tea is brewing.

This past week, I made a wonderful soup. It's a bastardized, healthier version of the old-school French onion soup. Caramelizing the onions lends depth without using beef broth, the apple cider vinegar and soy sauce give it an underlying pungent kick, and the thyme infuses it with a tinge of earthiness. Plus, you get a flavorful soup without loading it with Gruyere and bread. Instead, I topped it with some Parmesan shards and a few croutons. (I cheated on the croutons by using storebought salt and pepper ones.) I also used regular old green cabbage instead of savoy cabbage, and I didn't have apple cider, so I omitted it and added more soy sauce and apple cider vinegar. I am a rebel.

Caramelized Onion and Savoy Cabbage Chowder with Thyme
1/2 c. apple cider
1 tsp. low-sodium soy sauce
2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
2 Tbsp. olive oil
12 oz. savoy cabbage (6-7 c.)
3 large onions, cut into large dice (1 1/2 lbs.)
3 cloves garlic, minced (1 Tbsp.)
2 Tbsp. fresh thyme

1. Combine apple cider, soy sauce, and vinegar.
2. Heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil and 1 Tbsp. butter in skillet over medium-high heat. Add cabbage, and season with salt, if desired. Cook 5-7 mins., stirring occasionally. Transfer to shallow bowl.
3. Heat remaining 1 Tbsp. oil and 1 Tbsp. butter in large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onions, and season with salt, if desired. Cover, and cook 8-10 mins., or until onions are softened, stirring occasionally. Uncover, and cook 16-18 mins., or until onions are golden brown. Add garlic, 1 1/2 Tbsp. thyme, and apple cider mixture, stirring to scrape up brown bits on pan bottom. Bring to a simmer, and cook 1 min. Add cabbage and 5 c. water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, partially cover, and cook 15 mins. Serve topped with croutons and remaining 1 1/2 tsp. thyme.

For the Love of Tuna

Ah. I just finished a very refreshing shower, and now I'm drinking ginger ale and walking around in my Wonder Woman underoos.

Tonight for dinner, I grilled tuna steaks and topped them with leftover pesto butter.

On the side, I had a few crostini topped with olive tapenade (well, in a previous incarnation, it was an olive and basil vinaigrette for an arugula and cannellini salad, but it was close enough to a tapenade to work).

For the picnic preceding Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit at APT last week (7/23), I prepared this:

Arugula and Cannellini Salad with Olive Vinaigrette  
(from Whole Living)

vinaigrette

• 1/2 cup pitted oil-cured olives, such as Nicoise (about 36)
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/2 cup packed fresh basil leaves
• 2 teaspoons sherry vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

salad

• One 15 1/2-ounce can white beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 1/2 cups pear, grape, or cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 bunch arugula (about 6 ounces), trimmed and washed

Make vinaigrette: Combine olives and the water in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade. Process until olives are finely chopped. Add garlic, basil, vinegar, and cumin; process until mixture is smooth and combined, stopping to scrape sides of bowl with a rubber spatula as needed.

In a medium bowl, combine beans, tomatoes, and red onion, and gently toss. Pour vinaigrette over bean mixture, and toss to coat. To serve, divide arugula leaves among four plates, and mound bean mixture on top.

World's tiniest pic--hooray for iPhone cameras--of us at APT for Blithe Spirit

On July 9, J. and I went to The Taming of the Shrew at APT. I must admit that the female obedience theme was rather tiring by the end. While it's not one of Shakey's full-on problem plays, it was controversial, according to some critics, for its celebration of female subjugation and misogyny even when first published. The Wikipedia article about it has all kinds of interesting info., so I won't regurgitate it.

At APT for The Taming of the Shrew

Fat Ladies in Viking Hats

Okay, so there were no fat ladies in Viking hats at Opera in the Park this year. (Here's an intriguing article about the myth that opera singers need to be large to perform.) It was a bit warm at first from lugging our provisions across the park, but once we settled in and the sun went down, it was better. Here's a snapshot of our evening:

Mr. Daley posing in the foreground

Jim's sandal dwarfed my foot

Mike displaying his signature cheerfulness

Feet were definitely a theme

The spread

Recent Greatest Hits from the Kitchen

Sesame-encrusted salmon

Chicken schwarma with stuffed mushrooms and grilled asparagus

Springing into Summer

It was still a bit chilly when we hit the Terrace for the first time this summer (thus, the sweater), but I was still ready and willing to bask in the outdoors.

One of the summer's first trips to the Terrace

Early in the spring, we stumbled on Gallery Night. We saw a glassblowing demonstration at Studio Paran, took in some cool art, grazed on appetizers, ran into John Nichols, and stopped into the Ohio Tavern for a drink. (I probably won't return. It was a bit sketchy for my taste.) 

The classy dispenser in the Ohio Tavern's potty

Glassblowing at Studio Paran

Glassblowing at Studio Paran

In May, we walked up to Monona Terrace and went to the Great Dane for brunch.

In Great Dane's beer garden

A few other shots from the spring:

A spontaneous Happy Hour at the Orpheum with colleagues

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Mara and Owen visited from the Cities

Sweet Gracie underneath my drying 'brellie

When it was finally warm enough, we had a simple picnic by the lake with BLTs, wine, and salad with homemade balsamic vinaigrette