Living like a Tourist

Since Ellie and I moved into our apartment in May, we have hosted more friends and family than the entire previous year in a house seven times the size of our apartment. We had some traveling as far as Portland, Oregon and Santa Barbara, California and the rest from across the midwest. Due to the number of visitors, I've had a chance to play tourist in my own city! I still have a list the size of Texas, but I'll include some snapshots of summer in the Twin Cities:

JENA, MARY, ALI, TALIA, ALLIE, SARAH, & TAYLOR

 Talia and JJ got married this summer. Before we let her walk down the aisle, we had to take her out in style for a bachelorette weekend in the Cities. We hit a number of fun places including Blue Door Pub - Longfellow, bowling and laser tag at Brunswick Zone, Target Field, and the Shout House in downtown Minneapolis. Each event was a predetermined surprise for Talia, and was incredibly successful. The ladies arrived only 1-2 days after moving into our apartment and put up with the boxes and mess! Many thanks to all who helped plan and prepare for the great time that was had, especially to Allie and Taylor!! This group had travelers from Mankato, Minneapolis, and Saint Paul, MN, Milwaukee, WI, Chicago, IL, and Portland, OR.

COURTNEY, ANNA, & SARAH

Next up to visit were Anna and Courtney! Two friends from college who are teachers in Wisconsin. These two road tripped from Green Bay and Adams-Friendship. It had been far too long since we had gotten together.. literally years. We're not letting that happen again! They made it up during Pride weekend, which I was needed to perform with the Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra brass choir and I had them tag along. While I played, they surveyed Loring Park and the Walker Sculpture Garden. Before the left, I made sure to treat them to some of our good eats: Blue Door Pub - Longfellow (I'm addicted, what can I say?), Pat's Tap, and Pizza Luce. On Sunday afternoon we made it to Minnehaha Falls.

BEFORE: ERIN, STEVEN, SARAH, ERICA, EMILY, & MARIE

AFTER: EMILY, ERICA, SARAH, MARIE, STEVEN, & ERIN

Later in July was the next big event, the Twin Cities Color Run 5k! We began planning and recruiting for our team back in February and March; as time went on, the group got bigger and bigger! Erica, Erin, and Steven traveled together from Madison, WI, while Emily arrived from New Ulm, MN, and Marie drove from Duluth, MN. Everyone knew what they were getting into and it was a blast to have everyone participate! Since the running event was on Sunday, we made the most of Saturday by checking out Como Park Zoo and Conservatory and the Walker Sculpture Garden. When Sunday came we were ready with our clean white shirts and temporary 'Happy' tattoos. Despite getting separated during the run, we miraculously found one another during the after party! I've included a few before and after shots for all those who haven't seen the remarkable things a color run does to you!!  
 The additional picture below has a fun little side story, it was taken while Erin, Steven, and I were trying to find Emily, Erica, and Marie. Erica and Emily had their phones with them (read: cameras to catch post-run photos) and we didn't. We had been standing next to this sign when a family who just finished the run asked if we could take a picture for them. I kindly offered yes, but only if she would take a shot of the three of us and text it to me! I knew it was a lot to ask of a stranger on short notice, but I quickly explained that we had separated and weren't sure we would be able to find them. Thankfully, our kind stranger obliged and texted me the shots when she returned to her car! Yay for humanity!

SARAH, STEVEN, & ERIN: LOST

SARAH, SARAH, LIZZI, & ERIN

The last of my scheduled visitors this summer came in this past weekend. Erin came from Madison, WI  and stayed with us at the apartment, while Sarah arrived from Santa Barbara, CA and stayed with her sister in Northeast Minneapolis. The four of us have been besties since (what feels like forever ago) in high school. We had such a fun time catching up and spending the weekend together! Sarah's sister, Jessica, had us on a suggested itinerary which worked wonders for making the most of the cities! For starters, Jessica and Sarah made it to Friday night's Vikings Pre-Season football game. On Saturday, we met at Lake Calhoun for drinks and snacks before heading to the Herkimer for appetizers and HH. Sunday's adventures started at Psycho Suzies and led to the Walker Sculpture Garden, Sebastian Joes and eventually Pizza Luce came into play before the weekend ended. It's never been doubted that we have a fabulous time together when we have the time and opportunity to travel and visit.

LIZZI, THOMAS, SARAH, SARAH, & ERIN: SARAH SANDWICH

We found out late on Friday that we would also have a surprise visit from Sarah (aka. Thomas) Saturday night when she needed a couch to crash on, wouldn't you know we operate our apartment like a couch surfing network!? Thomas was traveling back to Rochester from a Rugby tournament and contacted us. It had been years since most of us had seen Thomas and she happily tagged along on our Sunday outings!

*Disclaimer: From experience this summer, our apartment comfortably sleeps 8-10 depending on flexibility on couches and chairs in addition to air mattresses. Please note there is one bathroom.

This makes me a magician, right?

The ability to disappear for over a year and reemerge, doesn't that make me a magician? Probably not the most accurate of criteria, but I will consider listing it under my skills as a resume builder..

Where have I been? What did I do? Why did I blatantly stop blogging? There probably isn't enough time to share answers to each question know. The point is that I'd like to come back and do more with this; focus a little more creativity in this area of my life. Until I find a better routine, I'll probably go about sharing updates of events that have happened in the last 14 months.

It's been a wonderful year, I can't wait to share past adventures and what is coming next!
After a while, crocodile.

Salmon Salmon Salmon

I keep giving you recipes and then telling you how I didn't follow them 100%. Unfortuantely, this is no different.. The largest difference between the recipe and what I did: the recipe calls for baking in the oven, and when I set out to cook salmon, I had no bakeware in the house. My salmon went in the skillet.

Having tried this a few times now, I have found that the skillet does work well. I have tried both butter and oil in the pan. Also using a large pot cover to help keep the fish covered seems to do the trick. For the sauce, I add it on afterward and it is deeee-lish.

With the guidance of my great cooking buddy, Jenni, she seasoned the sauce a little on the hot side (for my taste) but it was great nonetheless. I had enough of the sauce to last me through the remainder of the salmon I bought! Talk about a change up from my mac and cheese, riceroni and hamburger helper boxed meals. Add on some mashed squash, sweet potatoes or a variety of greens. Man oh man, that is a fantastic meal!

Unfortunately there are no pictures for this meal, but the next time I put it together, you can count on savory photos!
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RUN RUN RUN!

When I went to Wisconsin last, I mentioned having gone for a run in 4º F weather. That was just over a month ago, and I hadn't been since. Until a couple weeks ago. I had a bit of a harder day at work than I was expecting, which lead me to want to plan an evening of anti-social activities. Luckily though, I have friends with better interests.

A couple weeks ago, Kate sent me a text and asked if I wanted to go for a run since the weather was so beautiful out. Of course I had to say yes, there was no doubting that my antisocial plans would include nothing remotely healthy of any kind. Running with Kate was the perfect option. Especially when you consider the amount of snow we were to get over the rest of the week. It was then or never (or at least a while).

I continue to look at runs in the area over the next few months, but have not yet registered for one. I have agreed to train with a friend who intends to run the Twin Cities Marathon in October. And I have officially decided (yet not registered for) that I want to run the 10K that happens the same weekend. One way or another, I will be participating in an event that weekend. Just you wait and see!!

In the meantime and despite my indecisiveness to sign up for a race, I am enjoying runs all over the city. Kate and I went again last week. Last weekend, I went for a run with Holly around Lake Harriet  That was a first for me. Loved it.. the weather was beautiful and it felt as though half the city was out!! Cannot wait to do it again!

Crock Pot 101

HONEY APPLE PORK LOIN... IN THE BEGINNING

Today I began my first crockpot experience: Honey Apple Pork Loin. Yummmmmm.

I found the recipe on Pinterest, where if I plan it right, I might not need a cook book for a long time. I geared up and purchased a pork tenderloin, apple crisp apples (instead of red apples), honey, and cinnamon. This crock pot I have had to be pulled out of the box, cardboard and foam pieces to be used! Talk about a large expectation for the first try..

I happened to find myself without work on the day I wanted to cook and eat this, how convenient! It became a snowy and blustery day, the perfect opportunity to stay indoors and cook up delicious eatings!

As far as following a recipe, I am sorry to say, I do not recall how large my pork tenderloin was, I never measured a bit of cinnamon, or honey. I also used Honey Crisp apples rather than red. Have to admit it though, now that I get to tell you about the encounters I had regarding my crock pot...

BEFORE SERVING.. I CAN STILL SMELL THE CINNAMON

There is some construction going on in my house, and the door/window man was going in and out all day. By the time he left for the day, he insisted that he would need to make himself an apple crisp when he got home to make up for the smells I was taunting him with. Good to know! :) I was checking the crock pot ever couple hours and enjoying the smells rolling out from under the top. The entire house smelled like sweet honey, apples and cinnamon.

When I was able to finally enjoy the food, I found it lacking something. I can't put my finger on it, but it was just missing something. Perhaps a good idea of measurements.. but with honey, apples and cinnamon, can you really go wrong? I'm not quite sure. But I will be happy to make this again and enjoy it with a few more people.

Change of Address

Last weekend I moved to a T. P. Healy house. This may not mean much to you, or even to me, but it does mean there is a great amount of history within these walls. Last summer, my Aunt and Uncle purchased this house because my Uncle's great-grandfather built it. The Historical Preservation Society had already been included with the house and is working towards the similar goal of restoring the house to it's initial beauty and elegance.

A co-worker of  mine connected me with a co-intern of hers. She said he had a few months between his internship and his next move in life and was looking to get out of his mom's house. Naturally we set up an opportunity for him to check out the Healy house. I've never lived in an apartment setting before, as I have always worked within Residential Living (and let me tell you, paying my first rent check last week? Surreal.).

Last weekend was when Daniel and I moved into the house. It's a little strange because we each have all these things, but are only keeping them in our specific rooms. We have hardly any furniture and the kitchen keeps filling up with various food and dining utensil type things. Overall, it's totally fun and I am exponentially enjoying this every day. :) If you want to visit, please feel welcome (you just might need to bring a chair)!! It is so much fun.

The house is my favorite at night. It is quiet and yet feels as though it is alive. Not ghostlike, merely warm and homely. Let me know if you're looking for my new address.

Pasta!

There are always a few things you should check when you are cooking. Be sure your measurements are accurate, that you do stir occassionally, etc. You should remember to also check on the things you're ad-libbing. Such as spices!

When I have a successful cooking experience, I consider it a pretty big deal. Though, I am very, very not surprised when something goes wrong either.

Leading into this one evening of cooking, I was planning on using almost all of the vegetables (carrots, broccoli, green pepper, and an unknown root vegetable {purchased as a sweet potato, but entirely NOT a sweet potato or any form of starchy root vegetable I've ever seen/cooked/eaten}), the remainder of my Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce, a can of beans, and an entire box of bow-tie pasta. After I pulled my vegetables out and started planning how I wanted to do this, my aunt who was baking pumpkin bread at the same time, suggested I use cinnamon and leave out both the broccoli and green pepper. She mentioned that she was using the cinnamon with her bread and that she would leave it out for me once she was finished.

When I finished with the pasta and then went to cook up some of the vegetables, I began adding the spice she indicated that she would be leaving out on the counter. I also did a quick once-over of the spice cabinet to see if I should add anything else. I did think a little something about seeing another cinnamon spice container in the cabinet, but did not think enough about it. When I drained the vegetables and added the pasta back in, I began stirring in the pasta sauce. Excited to be using a spice, I grab the cinnamon again and do a few shakes, mix it in, a few more shakes, mix it in, a few more shakes, etc. etc. etc.

It wasn't until I was dividing the pasta into multiple containers that I actually tasted some of this creation. Moving the serving utensil between the pot and the container, I dropped some on the counter. I picked up the accidental spill with my hands and tossed it in my mouth, expecting the most delicious pasta combination I have ever (personally) cooked. Only much to my dispair, I begin felling heat. Heat filled my mouth. Immediately I feel perspiration warming to my face. Although I swallowed, I knew I needed an entire bottle of water to cool the flavors in my mouth.

I double checked the spice container, still out on the counter: Cayenne.

Needless to say, I did end up eating the pasta as it was. It took me close to a week, with the assistance of many bottles of water, Wheat Thins & Hummus, and a few slices of french bread. Towards the end, it was alright; I'm just slowly building up my tolerance for spice food. Next to try? Srirachas Hot Chili Sauce. I'm totally kidding.

I think I should have my kitchen privileges revoked and my cooking skills put on probation.