Twin Cities Daily Planet (https://www.tcdailyplanet.net/author/patrice/page/6/)
A recent visit to Burch ruined me for steak prepared anywhere else. At the Uptown steakhouse our happy crew shared an inexpensive grass-fed hanger and a Zabuton cut from the Wagyu menu. The hanger was amazing. Charred outside and beautiful pink medium rare interior, it was more tender and flavorful than a cheap cut should be allowed. Perfection! Continue Reading
Even before my mom discovered the pleasures of seating charts and name cards for holiday meals, we always had our places and knew where we belonged when dinner was served. Dad sat at the captain’s chair, Mom opposite of him, and we five sisters in our designated order in between. Continue Reading
In Minnesota we are socialized as children to engage in small talk, usually about the weather. Unlike religion, politics, and sports, the weather is a safe inoffensive topic that Mid-westerners are particularly keen on discussing. Continue Reading
There is something delicious and decadent when a good storm comes and forces us to slow down and stay home. Of course, we can only appreciate being homebound if no one is hurt or stranded, the electricity is working, and there are staples in the larder. Thankfully our most recent Ice and Snowmageddon caught us with a full pantry and enough flour to make bread all weekend. Continue Reading
“I love farming so much. Even though I’ve farmed all day long, when I go home and lay down my head I dream about farming,” a Hmong farmer told us her story about immigrating to Minnesota and why she continues to farm. She longs for her three grown sons to join her in the fields but they have chosen more financially rewarding careers. Her friends tell her maybe her sons will decide to farm when they get bigger. “I don’t think they are going to get any bigger,” she joked. Continue Reading
Spend enough time with your cat, and you start to see the world as a calm and beautiful place. As Martha used to say, that is a good thing. In our house, cat companions are expected to indulge in the occasional selfie. T is proud of all of our fur kids, none more than Orson, especially after hanging out at this weekend’s annual cat show. “He is a good looking boy,” T said. He then added (as usual), “There is no bigger cat in all of the Twin Cities.” I gently reminded him that obesity is not a badge of honor, and cat shows do not award ribbons for Largest Pet Ever. Continue Reading
During my Birthday Week, I welcome the coldest temperatures of the year (proof that God loves me and She wants me to be happy) and generally do whatever I want and eat whatever I wish. Continue Reading
With friends over happy hour the other night we talked about what we spend our money on. I don’t think twice about spending $7 for a bag of organic potatoes (although I balk when the 70 cent green onions look questionable and are stamped “Product of Mexico”). When I eat out, I want the best and occasionally that means plunking down a bit of cash. Even our cats eat well with their grain-free diet purchased from a fancy pet food shop. Continue Reading
January 13 is St. Knut’s Day as well as Julgranspludring (Christmas tree plundering). Across Sweden homes will be swept clean of Christmas goats and tomte. Kids will feast on the treats that decorated their trees and say goodbye to Jul. Continue Reading
We make lefse together each year, celebrating our long-standing friendships and sharing our love of potato flatbread. We hardly have time to reflect on each passing year as it creeps to a close, but nothing marks the passage of time more definitively than the entrance of a newborn and this year little Xo (Zoe) made her first appearance at our party. Continue Reading