Moments 09 26 :: Week 04

Last Friday, Brian and I finally made it out to Pizza on the Farm. It's end of season, and was threatening some rain, but it was the perfect time to visit. From what I hear, it's usually really crowded. 

There was music. 

And cows.

The setting is absolutely gorgeous. 

It only runs until the end of September, but we'll be back next year for sure. It was a really fun night. 

We had some friends over for dinner. We've been meaning to have them over for so long, and it was really great. This is the only photo I got! Brian made pitas in the pizza oven. We also had hummus, baba ganoush, chicken kebabs, beef kebabs and vegetable kebabs. It was delicious -- and so much fun. 

On Monday I took this cutie out. Cadeau is another new favorite. I have no idea what mix he is, but it was super interesting. He is such a good boy and was a breeze to hang out with. 

We also had a huge house project completed this week. Bye bye boiler from 1957! This beast was still going, but it was time for an upgrade before it gave out on us. Almost 70 years old. Pretty impressive.  

Love this photo of Cole from the game the other night. They won 7-0! It was so much fun, and Cole scored a goal! Pretty awesome. 

This guy always needs to have his paws wrapped around you.

We finally got to try a newer restaurant in Milwaukee, Cassis. 

I had the ravioli -- yum. Brian and Leif had steak frites. Mel had the scallops. All were ridiculously delicious. 

The best part was, we got to celebrate Mel's birthday! Yay!

Afterwards, the boys went to the PIL concert, and some of Mel's friends from her building took her out for a cocktail and I tagged along. We got dropped off at their building after, and I got a glimpse of the Commission House mural in progress. It looks fantastic!

Moments 09 26 :: Week 03

Last Friday Brian and I had a belated anniversary celebration at Nakama. 

Since it was a Friday, and we usually are dead to the world nowadays, we opted for the low key Listening Room. Since it was our anniversary, they even let Brian select one of the albums to play. It was a cool environment, but I am looking forward to trying to Omakasa bar at some point. The cocktails and food were absolutely delicious. Not pictured, their incredible roasted cabbage, nori butter clams and satsumaino (Japanese sweet potato) creme brulee. 

 

The Bravissimo -- toasted sesame fat-washed Roku Japanese gin, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, sumac infused Mazzura Apertivo, orange bitters

Japanese Breakfast -- Henry McKenna 10yr 100 proof bourbon, Lazzaroni amaretto, ceremonial grade match, peach kuromitsu, fresh squeezed kiwi, fresh squeezed lemon, aquafaba, marigold and ginger and allspice bitters

 

Hamachi Temaki - ikura, crispy garlic, negi

Hotate Temaki -- clam miso nori butter, ikura, yuzu salt

On Saturday, the Auggies played in Madison. Several of the team families came which was fun, and Cole had his own little cheering section! 

They ended up with their first win of the season. It was a good night. 

The fans with our guy!

On Monday I took Cinnamon out on a field trip. She's labeled as fearful, but the minute we hit the park, she happily walked along wagging her tail. She's seriously almost perfect. I cannot believe she's still at the shelter. 

Van and his Urban Adventure buddies. It's so adorable, and he's really feeling comfortable with his little pack which is nice. 

On the days Van get picked up for his walk, Gretel and I go out for a walk together. She's a little slower and can't go as far as she used to, but she loves it. She can still do a couple miles. Of course, naps are always part of it too. 

Moments 09 26 :: Week 02

We had a little hitchhiker on our car mirror last weekend when we drove to MN. Somehow it survived a couple hours of driving with us -- in the rain. Was glad to find it a nice spot at a rest stop. 

A dusty, spicy little workout. 

Gretel is such a great kitchen helper. 

Brian and I celebrated our 27th wedding anniversary! We are lucky to have lived so much life during this time. I'm pretty proud of us! Brian had to teach, so we are going out tonight to celebrate. (Photo December 1995). 

Minneapolis :: Days 03 + 04

Our last full day in Minneapolis was another great one — and it was my birthday!

Brian and I walked to Brit’s Pub to watch the Manchester United match and meet up with Mel, Leif, and Finn. Later, we went to Dumpling Eatery, which Cole recommended, for a little lunch before heading over to Augsburg to watch the first home soccer game of the season. Honestly, this whole thing is so bittersweet. I get so excited to watch, but I’m also nervous at the same time. I love seeing Cole play, but also beyond sad that this is his last college season. Such a whirlwind of emotions. Anyhow, the team played well and ended with another tie against a strong team. We loved seeing our Auggie parents from last season and having Leif, Mel, Finn, and Rosie in the stands with us, cheering the team on. It was Finn’s first time not being on the pitch himself, filming it all, so that had to be strange for him too — although probably pretty refreshing after doing it for so many years. (We sure do miss his incredible videos, though!)

After a little rest, Cole met us at our hotel, and then we went to Diane’s Place to celebrate BOTH of our birthdays. What a special place -- it was absolutely delicious. I had the sticky rice Old Fashioned, and then we split the rest of the meal. Everything was fantastic, but honestly, I could have made a meal out of just the appetizers. The beef laab carpaccio was out of this world. So were the scallion croissants. It was all just so good. We ordered the Castella Cake with coconut sorbet, oven-roasted pineapple, and basil seeds, and we were each surprised with a scoop of red bean birthday ice cream. It was such a special night.

 
The next morning, we picked Cole up for coffee and breakfast before heading back to Wisconsin. Sad to leave our boy, but so thankful for such a great weekend.

Minneapolis :: Day 02

 
 

Buckle up for a crazy fun day! 

 Last week, Cole moved into his new house that he’s sharing with 8–9 other guys, depending on the day. Most of them are on the soccer team, too. After living on his own for a year—and loving it—this is going to be quite the change. But I have a feeling he’s going to have a blast. The team had soccer practice in the morning, so we dropped Cole off at training and walked around campus while we waited for him before continuing on with our day. 

After practice, we dropped our car off at the hotel and took a Lyft to the Minnesota State Fair, where we met Mel + Leif, who were in town visiting Finn for the weekend! Rosie joined us later, too. I don’t know anyone who enjoys a fair quite like they do, and they were the best guides, which was very much appreciated. This fair is like no other I’ve ever been to. It’s MASSIVE! There were so many little things I probably would have passed right by if it weren’t for them. Like the Space Tower, where we got to see just how huge the fair really is. And the Butterfly House. And Ye Ole Tunnel—the original Tunnel of Love and the oldest attraction at the fair—which they insisted we do before we left. It ended up being quite hilarious. “Take a relaxing boat ride in a dark tunnel—and see some kitschy vignettes while you do.” 

We also got to watch the parade, which included the University of Minnesota Marching Band, and ate some really yummy food. We started with a pork chop on a stick -- a smart protein choice and absolutely delicious. The best bite for me, though, was the Hmong corndog! But we really only had one dud. The rest of our fair food choices were really good.

And, of course, there are the animals! We didn’t make it into every barn, but the goats are some of my favorites. We also saw the Miracle of Birth Center, which was something I’d never experienced before. Baby animals are too adorable. The fair was SO much fun. I really hope we make our way back there someday! 

 That night, we all surprised ourselves by rallying and heading out for a pre-birthday celebration! We went to Tullibee for some delicious cocktails and aquavit—a first for me. Seriously, the day couldn't have been any better.