Thanksgiving 2016 - Thanksgiving Eve

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Martini time.

From Dale's blog:

"Joe’s burritos in the oven, my stir fried Brussels sprouts and a cheap bottle of French wine. Thanksgiving has begun!"

So glad to have today off and do some pre-Thanksgiving relaxing with Dale.

Thanksgiving 2016 - Happy Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Thanksgiving 2016 - Oh, You Turkey

Thursday, November 24, 2016

I went with a rainbow theme this year for the Strib's annual coloring contest. 

Thanksgiving 2016 - Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Wow. This is the 90th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade which I've been hit or miss about watching for the last 50. Tony Bennett and Miss Piggy were on just before Santa's float arrived. Tony Bennett is just as old as the parade. They're both institutions.

Thanksgiving 2016 - A Toast

Thursday, November 24, 2016

A toast to Thanksgiving and all that I'm thankful for (you're at the top of the list Dale).

Thanksgiving 2016 - With Dale

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Dale had every intention of cooking for Thanksgiving this year but we caved a couple days ahead and decided to make reservations. Last year we went with Jax Cafe, which was awesome, but this year I decided to try the Normandy Kitchen at the Normandy Inn in downtown Minneapolis. Mom took the above photo of Dale and me.

Thanksgiving 2016 - Mom and Dale

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Dale with Mom at the Normandy Kitchen in downtown Minneapolis on Thanksgiving Day.

Thanksgiving 2016 - With Mom

Thursday, November 24, 2016

With Mom at the Normandy Kitchen in downtown Minneapolis. They put together a great Thanksgiving dinner. Served family style, it included their signature popovers,  caramelized Brussels sprouts with lardons, apple chestnut stuffing, maple sweet potato puree, gravy, cranberry compote, and of course turkey.  We all went for the pumpkin pie for dessert although apple and pecan were options. The pie was top shelf.

Thanksgiving 2016 - When All Is Said and Done

The following is from Dale's blog:

"Up until Tuesday morning, I had planned to cook Thanksgiving dinner at our house for Joe, his mom and me. By Tuesday afternoon, Joe had snagged a reservation downtown at the Normandy Kitchen after I texted him changing my mind.

A brilliant move if I may say so myself. The food was better than anything I could have cooked, the conversation was great and there were absolutely no dishes to wash afterwards. We may have spent a few dollars more by going out, but I have no regrets.

And in what appears to be a developing holiday tradition, we came back to our house and watched several episodes of “The IT Crowd”, a British comedy we introduced Joe’s mom to a few Thanksgivings ago and that she asks to watch each year. I love the show but I am more tickled by her obvious delight as she watches it.

An A+ Thanksgiving all the way around!"

I couldn't agree more.

Red Stag Supper Club

Recently Dale's cousin Dianne visited us for the weekend and we took her to the Red Stag Supper Club. I had a couple Old Fashioneds which they automatically make with Brandy - the Wisconsin way. For dinner I ordered the schweinshaxe which was a new discovery for me. It was delicious. It came with spaetzle, Brussels sprouts, and pickled apple. Divine. It melted right off the bone. 

Above photo from the Red Stag's Instagram page. 

Strawberry Shortcake

I think I'll have a little strawberry shortcake with my whipped cream. Okay, I know that technically this is not strawberry shortcake but I call it that anyway. We used baking powder biscuits from Kowalski's, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream. Heavenly.

Mother's Day 2016

We had mom over for a Mother's Day brunch today. I made a quiche using our usual recipe but this time used salmon instead of tuna. The result was most awesome. While it was all cooking we had mimosas in the backyard. Dale grilled asparagus and we had strawberry short cake for dessert. When finished we watched some pretty hysterical episodes of The IT Crowd. Mom loved it.

Brats

Dale and I made brats on the grill recently for the first time this season. Potato salad and kraut both from Kowalski's.  So glad grilling season has begun.

Crooner's Lounge and Supper Club Part 1

Saturday, March 12, 2016

Crooner's Lounge and Supper Club Part 2

Saturday, March 12, 2016

From Dale's blog:

"So yesterday I posted about being exhausted from work, but having to rally and drive allllll the way across town to meet some friends for dinner when what I really wanted to do was sit on the couch and veg all evening.

Well.  It turned out to be one of the most delightful evenings we have spent in some time.  We really do like these friends a lot, so I knew it would be a good evening.  But this was a GOOD evening.  We sat around telling stories on ourselves for 3.5 hours, complete with gales of laughter to the point of crying.  We ended up serenading each other with songs from movies – everything from “Summer Lovin’” from Grease to “Otto Titsling” from Beaches.  I’m not sure how much the other diners there enjoyed us, but we really enjoyed us!"