There Won't Be Snow In Africa This Christmastime

Favorite cheesy Christmas song, right here. I dare you not to sing along! It's hard to believe how young Sting, Bono and Paul McCartney look here.

Damn, George Michael was hot in his younger years!

Sister Mary Berit

Yup, I was a nun for Halloween. It's kind of sad that my request at Party City for a non-slutty costume that wasn't too expensive yielded this...Oh well, at least I was super warm and comfy!

Quite the trio, aren't we (goth girl, nun and baby)? :)

Tardy for the Party

Oh man...I am a bad, bad blogger. I even made myself a little editorial calendar of posts and then promptly forgot to do them.

Anyways, a very happy belated birthday to these ladies! Photo cakes are so fun...nothing like slicing into the guest of honor's face!

Ugh, Allergies!

My allergies have been sooo bad for the last couple of weeks. I expect this during the summer (I'm allergic to pretty much every type of grass out there), but in the fall? I thought my yearly sufferings were done. :( Maybe I'm allergic to the thought of winter coming...

Where I Want To Go: New Orleans

Talk about history! From the recent tragedy of Hurricane Katrina to its status as an early American trading post, New Orleans has seen it all. And maybe it's from reading too many V.C. Andrews books as a pre-teen, but it seems to be a dark and mysterious city with voodoo and jazz lurking around every corner. I love Frommer's three day trip suggested itinerary: perfect for a long weekend when the Minnesota weather gets bad: Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3.

By the way, I always feel bad that these Where I Want To Go posts aren't filled with things I want to do when I get to that place. But mostly, these are places I know I want to visit--it's kind of hard to get more specific until I have a plan to actually go!

Photo courtesy of Lonely Planet

Home Comforts

Has anyone read Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House by Cheryl Mendelsohn? I've owned it for a while, but I did a lot of cleaning today (and still feel like I didn't get even half of it done), so I was thinking about it. I think everyone should have copy in their home. It is a wonderful reference book, although I have to admit it gets a little overwhelming at times. Sometimes when I look at her list of what you should be doing daily, weekly, monthly and seasonally, I start wondering if it is possible to have a full-time job and keep a clean house! Plus, who really cleans their fridge once a week, as she insists it it necessary to do?

There are quite a few chapters on laundry, so if you ever wondered how to launder a particular item or how to get a stain out, this is a book you should be reading. She also gives a lot of personal background and housekeeping history to keep it from getting too dry. Read it and clean!

Photo courtesy of Apartment Therapy.

Pampering for the People Who Need It Most

I got this in my inbox the other day. What a great way for someone undergoing cancer treatment to feel a little bit better! Way to go Juut...I'll definitely be making another appointment there soon! If you know a cancer patient who needs to just feel good, make sure they go to the St. Paul or Wayzata Juuts on October 25 for some pampering. According to the e-mail, all gratuities received that day at those locations will be donated to Sanctuary for Cancer Survivors.

The Golden Suicides

I'm a regular Perez Hilton reader, and he wrote a post about how an article from the January 2008 issue of Vanity Fair is going to be made into a movie. I read the article on Vanity Fair's website, and holy crap is it fascinating stuff. Very dark and sad though.

Nancy Jo Sales wrote The Golden Suicides about Jeremy Blake and Theresa Duncan, a couple and art world luminaries who committed suicide within a week of each other. The whole thing is really bizarre, but like I said, fascinating. Two beautiful, talented people in love, who seemingly suddenly went insane. I'll be interested to see what the movie is like. I'm seeing Joaquin Phoenix and Naomi Watts in the roles...



Photo of Vanity Fair's January 2008 issue courtesy of Vanity Fair

Pasta!

Mmmmm...went to the Loring Pasta Bar last week courtesy of my uncle Hans who was in town for some continuing legal education. I just love that restaurant! It's so chicly disheveled. I always feel like I am dining in a Parisian artist's garret when I am there. And they have the best artichoke dip ever! Punky waiters, good pasta, live music and beautiful red booths...can't ask for much more than that!

Photo courtesy of the Loring Pasta Bar.

Can I Live Here?

Lately I've been dreaming a lot about buying real estate. Notice I said dreaming...I'm nowhere near to actually buying, or even being able to realistically think about it. But that doesn't stop me from doing some Internet research.

If I could buy tomorrow, I'd buy a condo or townhouse. Right now I just don't want all the maintenance that goes into a single family home. I know a condo isn't maintenance free, but it's a lot less...of course you do have the association fees to make up for it!

I also like a more traditional look. My current apartment has that now, but it also has an older kitchen (no dishwasher, which explains my current sink of dirty dishes) and a cramped bathroom. So when I found this place, I knew it was perfect. Gorgeous woodwork, hardwood floors, generous size, good location in an up-and-coming neighborhood, modern and updated kitchen and bathrooms and a FIREPLACE!!! Let's hope it is still on the market in 20 years or so when I am able to buy. :) I LOVE IT!!!! *Sniff*

Photo courtesy of Edina Realty.

Decorah Memories

My post about Homecoming made me think back to a wonderful trip this summer, when my mother and I went to Decorah, Iowa for a weekend visit. When I was in college, we often talked about things we wanted to do around town. But whenever she and my father were in Decorah, they were busy picking me up, dropping me off or or attending some Luther event that didn't leave time for exploring.

A couple Christmases ago, I got my parents a gift certificate for a night at Hotel Winneshiek in Decorah. They didn't get around to using it, so finally my mom suggested that she and I go down for the weekend, which we did in July.

It was pretty jam-packed! Let's see...we:

• Ate at Mabe's...best pizza in Iowa!


• Walked around the Luther campus and saw the new union


• Went to Dunning's Springs


• Drove around Decorah and up to Phelps Park


• Got coffee from the Oneota Co-op


• Shopped at Van Beria, where I got the first blue and white tea cup for my collection


• Had dinner at the always-fabulous Rubaiyat


• Drank a few drinks at Albert's


• Enjoyed the night in our beautiful room at Hotel Winn

On Sunday, we headed home with a few stops...first off we went to Seed Savers Exchange on the edge of Decorah. Really a cool place. They are devoted to biodiversity and collect seeds from all sorts of heirloom fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers. There were even a few rare chicken breeds. Mom bought some really cool tomatoes there...green, orange, yellow and red. I wanted to get the black tomatoes too...maybe next time!

We drove on to Burr Oak to see the Laura Ingalls Wilder museum there. I love the Little House books, so it was awesome to see a place where she lived...and I can't believe that many people crowded into beds at hotels of that era!

Lastly, we stopped in Lanesboro for lunch at this 50s-style diner before heading back to the Twin Cities. It was an amazing trip with my mom, and I am looking forward to doing it again next summer!

Homecoming

I have been AWFUL about taking pictures lately. But I had to post about Homecoming, even though I never took my camera out of my bag.

Five years since graduation from Luther...I can't believe it. I keep thinking that it is five years since I started college, and then I realize my mistake. Can't believe I'm this old!

The five year reunion was great. It was wonderful catching up with people, but kind of stressful. I'm one of the class agents for my class, so I co-chaired our reunion. So I felt kind of responsible for people having a good time...probably the reason I'm a bad hostess!

But I only lasted until about midnight at Roscoe's...it was too crowded, my feet hurt and that place is just DIRTY! Sometimes the slightly sad realization comes to you that you're not 20 anymore. On the other hand, there are good things about that, too. Let's hear it for 27! Can't wait for the 10 year!

Photo courtesy of Luther College.

Where I Want To Go: Dublin

Actually, I've been here before (and I promise that the next edition of Where I Want To Go will feature somewhere I haven't actually been. Which is, y'know, most of the world). But I was only in town for the day, which gave me just enough time to hit the Guinness Storehouse & St. James' Gate Brewery. Totally awesome and definitely something I would do again.

But there's so much more to do. It seems like there are a lot of historic attractions and great people-watching. And Guinness. Lots and lots of Guinness. :) Actually, there's a lot of Ireland, I'd like to see. If I had a couple weeks, it would be fun to do some serious exploration.

Photo courtesy of Lonely Planet.

Racing for Myeloma Research

We had another successful Multiple Myeloma Race for Research today! Thanks to everyone who came to support Team Lisa! Last year the Twin Cities race raised over $150,000...I hope they raised even more this year. It all goes to researching treatments to help multiple myeloma patients like my mom. It was a gorgeous day and Lake Phalen was beautiful...I really should go over there to walk more often.

Team Lisa is coming back bigger and better next year, so please mark your calendars for the last Sunday in September!

For more information about the race, visit http://www.mmrfrace.org/. To learn more about myeloma, visit the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.

Guess Who's 60?

My father is sixty tomorrow! Happy birthday Dad! I love you.

Here are some pictures of the birthday boy from the past...

Sunday, September 20, 2009

For A Good Cause!

The Multiple Myeloma Race for Research is this Sunday (September 27) at Lake Phalen in St. Paul. Please consider being a part of Team Lisa! We are walking (or running, if you want) in honor of my mother, a multiple myeloma patient.

The Twin Cities race raised over $150,000 last year for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation! Please sign up to be a part of this. For just a few hours on a Sunday morning, you can help myeloma patients have the chance to lead longer lives.

Plus, you might have the chance to win a medal like these Team Lisa people did last year.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me!!

DWTS

Yay, Dancing with the Stars starts tomorrow! I know it is totally cheesy brain candy, but I love that show! As a matter of fact, I may do some semi-regular recaps...we'll see.

DWTS is the perfect show to watch when you just want to relax and be entertained. I admire the skills of the pros and the skills of the celebrities, too. As someone with two left feet, I'm not sure I could go and dance in front of America. The costumes are always a hoot and this season we have Tom DeLay dancing. What the heck!? How random is that? Maybe he needs the money or something.

I know what I'll be watching tomorrow night!

Photo courtesy of ABC.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

RIP Patrick Swayze

Patrick Swayze lost his battle yesterday with pancreatic cancer. Now, I am a celebrity gossip junky (you may be hearing quite a bit of celebrity news on here!), so when a favorite dies, I often feel a little sad.

Patrick was the star of one of my all time favorite movies, Dirty Dancing. I always end up with a smile on my face while watching that film. Even though I'm not a Swayze filmography buff (I think the only other movies of his that I've seen are Road House, Ghost and To Wong Foo), his Johnny Castle still makes my heart beat a little faster. Plus, he sang and he danced in addition to acting. He was a triple threat, people!

So rest in peace Mr. Swayze...no one ever put you in a corner!

Photo courtesy of pinkpoodle79 on Flickr.

Now That It's Fall...

I'd like one in every color, please! I just love J. Crew and their cashmere sweaters.

Photo courtesy of J. Crew.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Spoonriver

I got to catch up with a good friend on Saturday at an awesome restaurant! It's kind of a funny story, but we'd planned to meet at Cafe Brenda since neither of us eats meat, and we knew there would be some good veggie options there. Unfortunately, we hadn't realized it would be closed for lunch on Saturday. No tempeh Reuben sandwich for me...Seriously, doesn't Saturday seem like a weird day to be closed for lunch?

Luckily, Brenda's other restaurant, Spoonriver, was open, so Joyce and I trekked from the Warehouse District over to the river. I've been to Spoonriver before and it's really good, but a little more expensive than Cafe Brenda.

Joyce's spoon dip duo:

My mock duck udon noodle salad:

Our chocolate mousse dessert:

J hadn't seen the new Guthrie yet, so we went there after lunch to look at the Endless Bridge. I love this picture! It looks like someone spliced two backgrounds together, but it's really just the sky reflecting from the metal on the rail.

It was a fun Saturday afternoon. I love downtown Minneapolis, and never get down there enough despite living close!

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Fair Fun

The end of summer is the time for the Great Minnesota Get Together! Growing up near the Fairgrounds, the State Fair has always been easy for me to get to...good thing, since I don't last too long.

Unlike a lot of people, I avoid the Mighty Midway...I don't have the stomach for the rides! Seriously, how is getting swung around and flipped upside down fun? No, what I go there for is the food, the people watching and the animals.

This year I decided to be organized about my food consumption. I went to the Fair's website to figure out exactly what I wanted: cheese curds (A MUST!!!), corn on the cob, chocolate-covered watermelon on a stick and a Fudge Puppy. I missed the watermelon, which was OK, since I was quite full. And Sweet Martha's had about a hundred people in line, so we skipped that, too.

My mother, sister and I spent a lot of time just watching the crowds go by and looking at various barnyard animals, like these cute little piglets.

Here's Minnesota's largest boar. Looks similar to me after I finished those cheese curds! :)

Except for a cow deciding to explosively poop on Mom's shorts, a good time was had by all.

Sushi: All I Can Eat

Some co-workers and I tried out an all you can eat sushi place, and I have to say that I was very impressed. It wasn't a buffet; they made everything fresh and you could have as much as you wanted. What a great place! There was a lot of variety, and I loved the sweet potato rolls and avocado rolls.

The restaurant is called Kyoto and it is in Eagan off of Yankee Doodle Road. Try it out!

I ate about 15 maki rolls, but I didn't feel very full at the end. I think all the seaweed fooled me into thinking I was eating healthfully. Plus, I had a massive amount of edamame and those are super nutritious, right?

I think the best part of the lunch was our guest of honor...too cute!!!!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Where I Want To Go: London Calling

One of my top wishes in life is to travel. I haven't taken a real trip since college, and I miss it so much! Unfortunately, due to a lack of time and money, I just have to use my imagination. But since there's a whole big world out there, I thought it would be fun to chronicle places I'd like to go. Hopefully someday I will be writing blog posts about how great my trips were to all these places.

So first off: London. I have been here twice before and I think I could go back every year of my life and never get bored. Just an amazing city. Secretly, I've always wanted to spend a year or two living there. I'd say one of my favorite things to do is visit the British Museum. I've always thought that heaven must look a little bit like the reading room. But I love almost anything about London. It is a great combination of history and history being made.

Until I get there again, cheerio!

Big Ben photo courtesy of Philipp Klinger on Flickr.

British Museum photo courtesy of nunavut on Flickr.

My Favorite Heirlooms

So, tomatoes. I don't know why, but I have just been craving them lately. And I don't mean the tomatoes you get at the supermarket that are hard yet somehow watery: I mean real summer heirloom tomatoes. Not watery, but juicy, with a real tomato flavor. Yum.

In July I had the chance to visit Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, where my mother bought yellow, orange, green and, of course, red tomatoes. I wanted her to get black tomatoes as well...maybe next time! Anyways, I am so excited for next summer when I can go pick all the wonderful fresh heirloom tomatoes that I want!! I found a recipe in my Moosewood cookbook for a tomato salad with a basil-pineapple dressing. Sounds weird, but the authors swear it tastes divine!

Until Mom's tomato plants grow, there's always Lucia's and their summer veggies (including tomatoes!).

Photo courtesy of expatkitchen on Flickr.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Sugar, Sass and Narcissism?

So I've started a blog. Sugar and Sass sounds kickky, doesn't it? I'll mostly be talking about stuff I like, things I want to do...see what I mean about the narcissism? But I suppose we secretly all long for a place to shout our opinions to the world. Hopefully someone will actually read this blog so I'm not shouting into a void!

OK, prepare yourself for future postings...with sugar and sass! By the way, the URL for this is SassAndSugar, since SugarAndSass was already taken. I was going to do SugarSass, until I realized that if you looked at it wrong it spelled Sugars Ass...not exactly what I was going after!!

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