Here & Now

Crossing the Line

I have, after almost 25 years, crossed a new line - one that I doubt I will go back over.

Last week, I got my very first Macbook.  Dare I admit I am already falling in love?

Sightings

Last week, I was asked to provide an interesting fact about myself to include in a Jeopardy game.  I racked my brain for hours to come up with something - what was something good to say?  I ended up with "She likes fourwheeling" as my guess-who clue.

Tonight, though, something happened that I could add to my list of interesting things about Kelli Walsh.  Stepping off of the elevator of the Penisula Hotel in Chicago, a new experience for me --- casually passing Hugh Jackman - celebrity, hunk Hugh Jackman!!  He was stepping onto the elevator and while you first think "Look alike?" it was his voice and then a decent look at his face that made you realize that no, you were really passing by Hugh Jackman! 

I think I would only be happier tonight if it had been Oprah!  Cannot wait to watch "Someone Like You" this weekend!

Hello, Windy City

Or as my colleague puts it: Obama town.

Minneapolis-St. Paul Shops

I found this list of Minneaplis-St.Paul shops awhile ago somewhere on the internet (source unrecorded) -- as I am already thinking about Christmas, I wanted to share.

• Patina
  Various locations
  If you want to give something a little bit luxe in an off-beat sort of way, Patina may be your best bet.
• Bibelot
  Various locations
  Very simular to Patina. Great selection of Jewlery. Also carries clothes, handbags and scarves.
• Minnesota Textile Center
  Hand knit scarves and mittens, felted hats and ornaments, retro embroidered dishcloths, hip purses in Amy Butler fabrics -- A great place to find locally-made apparel, accessories, and homegoods.
• Go Home
  1408 W Lake St., Minneapolis
  In this tiny shop, you'll find clocks, flasks, vases, photo albums, bobbling bottle openers, and a whole host of funky home furnishings.
• Lunalux
  1618 Harmon Pl., Minneapolis
  Appropriately named Minnesota Monthly's "Favorite Store Most People Have Never Heard Of" in 2004, Lunalux is a gorgeous little stationery shop tucked away next to Cafe Lurcat off Loring Park. Go to Lunalux for surprising and delightful treats such as the stapleless stapler, which remains my favorite office product.
• Urban Outfitters
  Various locations
  An old stand-by for folks who are seriously into pop culture. Visit this chain store to find all sorts of nostalgic paraphernalia, like joysticks with Atari games programmed into them and giant coffee-table books about '80s TV shows.
• Re-Gifts
  1832 E. 42nd St.
  No, it's not about re-wrapping the fruit cake from Aunt Dorothy and giving it to your neighbor. Instead this store stocks various gifts made from recycled & reclaimed materials. Perfect for your eco-conscious friends & family.
• CorAzoN
  204 Washington Ave. N. & 4646 E. Lake St., Minneapolis
  Wonderful little gift shop in the North Loop. They carry many pieces of art, jewelry, clothing, etc from local artists, and a great selection of baby gifts, paper products and bath/body products. They are always changing their inventory, so check back often to not miss out on a fantastic gift idea.
• Deco Boutique
  3007 Lyndale Ave South
  A little feel from Paris, Egypt, NYC, Peru, China to our own Midwest. The Deco carries apparel for men and women, handbags, wallets, jewelry, home decòr to dog attire. Retro, hip, classy, funky, and elegant! Free parking in lot next to us.
• Electric Fetus
  2000 4th Ave S, Minneapolis
  Along with a wide selection of music, the Fetus has a large gift section, including novelty products (dashboard Buddha, anyone?) soaps, candles, posters, books, jewelry, incense, and toys.
• Evoke Gallery
  355 Wabasha St N, Ste 140, St. Paul
  Located in the Lowry Building in downtown St. Paul, Evoke Gallery carries fine art and offers framing, photo enlargement, design and print services. They have a unique selection of gifts such as glam business card holders, purses, greeting cards, jewelry, candles, vases, and quirky items like crazy cat lady action figures and a Virgin Mary toast stamp.
• Garden Of Eden
  867 Grand Ave., St. Paul
  The Garden Of Eden offers a veritable cornucopia of lotions, soaps, gels and perfumes to make anyone's day a little fresher (or at least cleaner!). They carry a wide range of ready made products including locally made "The Thymes" soaps, lotions and sprays but you can also personalize your gift with custom scents.
• Ax-Man Surplus
  1639 University Ave., St. Paul
  Even the person who "has everything" won't have this stuff. Electronic tidbits, foam shapes, strange calendars, and great signs to help you find out why you need these random objects. Wait, is that an iron lung???

Pumpkin Dump Cake

A couple of years ago, my friend Bridget shared a recipe in a cooking club we were both in that has since become one of my fall favorites.  It is the recipe for Pumpkin Dump Cake.  This cake isn't a pretty one, but it is an aboslutely delicious one, especially right out of the oven.  It tastes like fall (especially when paired with other home-cooked favorites, such as the meal we had last night of meatloaf, green beans and red wine).

Pumpkin Dump Cake
1    29oz can pure pumpkin
1    12oz can evaporated milk
3    eggs
1    cup sugar
1    tsp salt
3    tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp cloves
1    box yellow cake mix
1    cup chopped pecans
3/4 cup melted butter
Cool Whip (optional but recommended)

Preheat oven to 350. Mix first 9 ingrediants until well blended and pour batter into greased 9x13 pan.  Sprinkle cake mix on top and cover with pecans.  Pour melted butter over top.  Bake 50 minutes. Top with Cool Whip if desired.

Fall Flavor

Fall, my favorite of all season, has arrived.  The addition of pumpkins to my apartments is the official start from my perspective! I got them fresh from a pumpkin stand this weekend, during my annual "crafty weekend" in Apple Valley.  I love that a chill is back in the air and makes it "sweater weather."  I love that Honeycrisp apples are in season.  I love the firey color of the trees.  I love the smell.  I love this season.

 

Yesterday, my parents celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. 

I can honestly say that up until recently, I did not truly understand what a milestone this is.  25 years is a lot of years - certainly, everyone gets that (the thought of turning 25 years old, for example, is a bit shocking).  But when it is 25 years of marriage, there is something that makes me stop now and think "wow."  In reality, while the romance books make it look easy, this is no easy feat.  25 years of together; that's 25 years of laughter, 25 years of memories, 25 years of teasing, 25 years of compromise, 25 years of sharing.  That's a lot of history and a lot of working through things together - through thick and thin and all other promises made during a wedding ceremony.  It is through the lense of being in a relationship myself that I realize the work and the rewards of such partnership.  I am blessed with parents who have had the opportunity to make it 25 years and who have spent it together.  Mom, Dad, happy 25th anniversary. 

Presently

There are several challenges online in the scrapbooking blog stratoshere this week about documenting your everyday life and realizing and capturing your present. 

Here is my here & now:

 

Life is focused on the calendar and planning towards the end of the year. 12 weeks to ATL.

A little old (to do notebook) and a little new (Treo) on my desk.

A suitcase always packed.