Famous Food Fest Judge

Minnesotians are famous for finding things to do to  make winter go a little bit faster.  This past weekend it was the Gull Lake Frozen Fore.Stella asked us to help out and be judges at the Food Fest on Sunday.  She didn't have to twist my arm.  We sampled five soups and five entrees and picked one winner in each of the two groups.  I was stuffed!  There was some really good food!

The weather was out of this world.  We're out maybe about a quarter mile on Gull Lake and it's so bright and sunny you could hardly see.

This guy brought his red baron, beer drinking mutt.

Iditarod Starts this Upcoming Weekend

You can follow all the action at http://www.iditarod.com/

I can't find where or if there's going to be any television coverage yet, but I'll keep looking. 

And FYI: it's on the bucket list to be in Nome one day to see the first team finish.

Winter Camping in Thor

Winter camping at Thor was a blast.  Saturday we went up to Dave and Ellie's place in Thor.

During the afternoon Dave, Makita and I went out in the woods on snowshoes hunting for a "poke-a-pine".  We found sign but never found the dirty bastard himself.

Oops...somebody fell down!

Ellie stayed behind, sat by the fire and read her book.  She seemed very relaxed.

Nikki is a bad dog.  She thought my shoulder was her chair.  Kept her paws out of the snow.

Maggie is a good dog.  She took a little nap in Dave's bunk.

In celebration of Ellie's birthday we had a little toast.

Ellie and I enjoying the fire by night.

The fellas also enjoyed the fire (in the fire ring and in their bellies).

Wow...Another Week Gone By

Tomorrow we're going winter camping with Dave and Ellie.  Here's a couple of past winter adventures to Thor but never a stayover.  I'll bring my warm pj's.  I may borrow a dog for sleepy time.  Monday is Ellie's birthday so we'll have to sing to her at some point this weekend.

Aitkin Pheasants Forever Annual Banquet

This past Saturday night was the 5th Annual Aitkin Pheasants Forever Banquet.  Makita Emceed it and I hung out at the Pheasant Hole game to retrieve bean bags to help Dave Boeckermann out.  Ellie sold tickets for the cooler of meat (I really wanted that) and the cooler of booze (Dave Jr. won that. I bet there was one heck of a party at his place).  Dave Sr. won a gun from buying a balloon with a ticket in it that match the winning ticket.  Me and Makita came away with our annual PP hat (real nice one this year) and didn't win a single thing.  We didn't even sell a winning raffle ticket like we've always done in the past. 

There were lots of guns given away.  This is just a few from the general raffle.

There were some activities for the Ringnecks (kiddo's).  These are some of the prizes they could win.

Before the folks arrived. 

After the folks arrived.

Ellie made this awesome stained glass and donated it to the silent auction.

Another Busy Weekend

Another busy weekend is in store.  Tonight is Swedish Meatball dinner/Fellowship at the Brainerd VFW.  I'm sure that will be followed by a little time at Sheps.  Then tomorrow night is the Aitkin Pheasants Forever banquet.  I'm not sure what they'll have me doing this year but I'm sure they'll find something to help out with.  Makita will be the Emcee.  Sunday is the Fontana race.  Go Hendrick drivers!  Before you know it Monday will be here and I'll be wondering where the time went.

Don't I Wish....

Visited the RV Show at the Minneapolis Convention Center last weekend.  There was every shape and size camper there.  This is the one I picked out.  The price tag terrified me.  I see it in my face..... terror!  Looks like another year in Eddie.

Here's a Fun Idea: Raclette

Makita's Dad, Jim, bought us this Raclette grill and some raclette cheese for Christmas.  Here's what Wikipeda says about it:A modern way of serving raclette involves an electric table-top grill with small pans, known as coupelles, to heat slices of raclette cheese in. Generally the grill is surmounted by a hot plate or griddle. The cheese is brought to the table sliced, accompanied by platters of boiled or steamed potatoes, other vegetables, charcuterie, and perhaps seafood. Diners create their own small packages of food by cooking small amounts of meat, vegetables and seafood on the griddle. These are then mixed with potatoes and topped with cheese in the small, wedge-shaped coupelles that are placed under the grill to melt and brown the cheese. Alternatively, slices of cheese may be melted and simply poured over food on the plate. The accent in raclette dining is on relaxed and sociable eating and drinking, the meal often running to several hours. French and other European supermarkets generally stock both the grill apparatus and ready-sliced cheese and charcuterie selections, especially around Christmas. Restaurants also provide raclette evenings for parties of diners.

So we gave it a try and it was nummy and a lot of fun.  Good luck finding Raclette cheese in Northern Minnesota though.  I think a good Swiss would work.

Solera Tapas Bar and Lounge

Friday night we whooped it up at Solera Tapas Bar and Lounge on Hennepin Ave Minneapolis. In my opinion you can't go to a tapas Restaurant with out having Sangria.  So we had an entire pitcher (you may be able to tell by my half closed eyes and stupid drunk grin).  Very tasty.  The tapas we tried were all excellent.  Filled with great flavors.  We had Braised Rabbit and Artichokes with Lemon and Egg, Scallops "a La Plancha" with Serrano Ham and Saffron, Veal Meatballs with Spicy Honey Glaze and two (had to get another one it was so good) Shrimp "a La Plancha" in Sherry Sauce with Serrano Ham.  It's a fabulous place. 

http://www.solera-restaurant.com/

Word from Bob

Bob wrote last night and sent a couple photos.  The photo above is of one is of his teams and himself "heading out on the town". Bob is the helmetless guy furtherest in the back on the right.  He assures me that his helmet is in his hand and he wears it. 

The picture below is of supper. "It's really not KFC and they didn't have any mashed potatoes to go with the chicken. Good stuff!!" 

If you look closely you can see, what Bob is calling, chicken cut up on that stump.  I guess those legs hanging up there are from those same chickens.  They look more like ostrich legs to me.

A Step Back in Time

Here Dave Boeckermann is modeling a 1977 helmet.  Problem is this photo wasn't taken in 1977.  It was taken last weekend.  I'm not sure if it's a snowmobile or motorcycle helmet but it's sure "purdy".  Maybe Mikey can customize it for him.

Dave Recently bought himself a snowmobile.  I sure do hope it's newer than his helmet.  I also hope he doesn't crack up.  I think his melon would be in jeopardy.

Kiehra is Baptised at the Lutheran Church

This past Sunday my Grandaughter Kiehra Kay was Baptised at the First Lutheran Church in Brainerd.  Kiehra is 9 years old.  As the saying goes, better late than never.  Following the church service we went to Kiehra's other grandparents, the Dallaire's, home for bunch and cake.

Ellie's Big Pizza

Ellie made us one of her famous Big Pizza's last Friday night.  I'm not sure what's all in there but it is big and it's super duper good.  Thanks Ellie.

Maggie and Nikki were very interested in what I was doing with the dessert.

Busy Weekend Ahead

Tonight it's off to Ellie and Dave's for Ellie's famous Big Pizza.  Super nummy!

Saturday is me painting that closet once and for all.  I started it the other night but the color was awful so I'm starting over with different paint I bought last night.

Saturday night is the Brainerd Fire Department Christmas Party. 

Sunday morning is Kiehra's baptism and brunch at Dallaires.

I'm pooped thinking about how pooped I'm going to be.  Maybe take in the Pro-bowl game Sunday.  If not that then the PBR (that's not Papst Blue Ribbon, it's Proffessional Bull Riding).

How's that Toyota working for you?  HA...sorry.  Had to say it.

Baby Marley and her daddy Nick have the same hair do...hmmmmmm

Mac Tends Bar at the Green Lantern

Mac (fellow fellowshipper) from the Powerloon was the celebrity bartender last night at the Green Lantern.  He was a great at shooting the bull, not so good at the bartending part.

Some of the fellowshipper's got some extra service from the Green Lantern's owner.

Saturday Fishing Extravaganza

Josh (aka: Woogie) and I took part in the Brainerd Jaycee's 20th annual Ice Fishing Extravaganza.  Over 11, 000 people showed up for the fun.  It poured rain and we got really wet but had a great time anyway.  We didn't catch any fish.  Maybe next year!

Heading out to the Brainerd Jaycee's Ice Fishing Extravaganza

Tomorrow Josh and I will head out to Gull lake with about 10,000 other people and fish the 20th annual Fishing Extravaganza.  Wish us luck!