AWE = Art, Wellbeing and Edibles.
The final leg of our North Woods journey was unexpected but really fun. We headed deep into Yooper and Husky Territory of Michigan Tech University to ski the final marathon of the season: The Great Bear Chase. We drove for hours into the Upper Peninsula …
It was a stunningly beautiful day on Saturday, the hoar frost lining every branch and twig and the sun shining brightly as thousands of people skied from Cable to Hayward, Wisconsin during the 44th American Birkebeiner Ski Marathon. For me it was a good …
Skis without skiers and skis with skiers at the North End Classic. It’s a small but sweet classic-only race organized by the North End Ski club, complete with the Cookie Classic for shorter people. And while we’re on the subject of ski racing… I’m …
The Upper Peninsula sunsets have been spectacular here in the sub-zero air. This is the view from just outside our cabin, right next to the outhouse that I did not include in the photo—you’ve already seen numerous scenic outhouse photos over the years. These …
Happy New Year and Happy Birthday John O’Donohue! Years ago my friend Britney introduced me to the writings of Irish poet and philosopher John O’Donohue and he’s an easy one to go to for inspiration. He would have been 62 years old yesterday, …
Another Christmas favorite for (and from) all the Scandihoovians around me. I just finished catering a December wedding with a very Norwegian flair and Meatballs were the main attraction. Actually I think the gravy was the main attraction…but isn’t it always? It’s all about …
. Beginning in Sälen and ending in Mora, Sweden, the 90 kilometer Swedish Vasaloppet is one of the largest ski races in the world. Tens of thousands of skiers pilgrimage to Sälen in mid-March to ski, enjoy the spectacle, and some to winter camp along …
. . . . It was a good day for a walk in the woods. This was how the world looked last week before I left for a trip to California: bright leaves, crisp smells, sun on the water. I came back this week …
More fun with Annuals. These are Pinwheel Zinnias–small and ranking high on the adorable scale. Zinnias are part of the daisy/aster family and are native to Mexico and Central America. They withstand heat, drought, and can be directly seeded so are considered an awesome low-maintenance flower for any kind …
When creating a catering menu that highlights locally grown ingredients there is a certain amount of ambiguity that is necessary, especially if the menu must be decided upon months in advance. No one can possibly know what will be available at an exact date so I cannot promise any …
I did say I would try this, did I not? Spice combinations on popcorn—there is a world of tasty additive ideas out there. From Za’atar to Parmesan-Rosemary, Caraway-Mustard to Lemon-Curry, or Chipotle-Bacon-Drippings to Dill-Cumin, there are endless flavor variations to amend your puffed maize. Not that there is …
Need a bacon substitute for a BLT? Oh my, the bacon lover in me says there is no substitute for the Fruit of the Pig…but these tamari drenched roasted eggplant pack a load of flavor that gives satisfaction to the Umami Itch. I made …
More Willow! Here are a few photos from two other sessions of the Willow Gathering that I catered, a “bird’s nest” technique giving some sculptural freedoms, and a traditional Danish rectangular basket technique. I’m spending the week at …
Horchata The horchata we had in Mexico was made from rice, sugar, and cinnamon, and maybe rice milk added in. Many a Mexican restaurant will have the churning white liquid in a countertop fountain dispenser, mesmerizing to watch as you wait for your tacos de …
I really didn’t intend to make a Chicken Salad, it just happened. It started because I wanted to make a chili-lime slaw as a trial run for something I might do for a catering event this summer. I then saw the toasted sesame oil in the cupboard so I …
Pearl Street in Boulder, Colorado—-of course this is where one would find a store packed with intricately designed and cut wooden puzzles. I had an hour to wander the ped mall before my meeting a few weeks ago and puzzle-gravity pulled me into the Liberty Puzzles store …
Cute tiny grains. Bright orange carrots. Summer days. Good. Quinoa is a relatively forgiving grain to cook. I loosely measure 2 parts liquid to 1 part quinoa, but if you rinse it well and pour a random large amount of water into the pot you …
In northern Mexico tortillas are commonly made with white flour instead of corn masa like most of Latin America. In the state of Sonora the tortillas have taken on a life of their own and are made way, way, way bigger than your head, called tortillas sobaqueras. …
A quick jaunt to Colorado on Amtrak helped me remember that trains are an awesome way to travel. Everyone is relaxed, friendly, unparanoid, and relatively diverse. The leg room in coach is luxurious and the small stations have free long term parking. Perhaps it’s time you consider an Amtrak adventure? …
I used to make a similar tofu at the deli, crusted with ground pumpkin seeds, cornmeal and 5-spice. I simplified it in this version but it still has that hint of exotic with the Big Five to add to your sandwich or stir fry. …