Candyland

Today my family and I had a lovely Minnesota autumn day. We busted out the fall sweaters and made the trek down south to an apple orchard. We enjoyed a hearty country breakfast, sampled all of the apple varieties, made our way through the fall/Halloween décor at the General Store and even saw a camel. That’s right, Minnesota apple orchards have camel rides. Totally normal. It was a lovely morning and we left armed with more apples than any one family needs. Ever. (Expect to see some apple recipes coming up!)

On the way home we spotted this:

{image borrowed from here}

If you know us at all, then you know that OF COURSE we stopped! It’s Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store. I don’t even know what it’s really called other than that as that’s what the huge sign off the highway said…maybe that’s its name? I just did a quick Google search for it and nothing really came up. It’s off of hwy 169 about halfway between Jordan and Belle Plaine, MN. Or maybe it exists only in my dreams?

As you enter, you are greeted by a giant indicator light letting you know whether or not fresh pies are baking (they were). Inside is a haven of pies, strudels, nut rolls, jams, cookies, cookie cutters, apples (who even needs to go to the orchard), salsas, hundreds of kinds of root beer and other pop in real glass bottle etc, etc, etc, etc. Oh yes, and CANDY. Serious candy. Hard candy, gummy candy, gross candy, vintage candy, new candy, candy that you probably couldn’t even dream up. Chocolate that guarantees no weight gain? Yep, they have that. Candy cigarettes? Yep, multiple varieties actually. Bacon flavored bubble gum? Gross, but yep. Bubble gum flavored Mike and Ikes? Yep. Also gross sounding but indeed a real thing.

I now have a kitchen full of apples and candy and a serious test of willpower ahead! If you are up for a little Minnesota adventure, check it out!

{pies are baking}

{papa Tewks scoping out the root beer}

{candy cigarettes}

{candy}

Friday Flowers

My deepest apologies for the long absence. Between new projects, a new(ish) job and a new home, my summer has been quite busy and has completely gotten away from me. Nevertheless, I am back! :)

Though it’s been a chaotic summer, I still try to stop and smell (well, see) the roses.

Check out the flowers of my summer (thus far)…

{rinoculous centerpiece close up}

{whole foods tulip cart}

{"window" boxes at the pool}

{colorful sunflowers}

{birthday gladiolus from my friend, emily}

{gerbera dasies in lemonade jars}

Chicken Salsa Chili

Located in the heart of St Paul, MN on beautiful Grand Ave is one of my favorite Minnesota treasures. Café Latte started out as a little coffee bar that made a name for themselves with their out of this world desserts. They offer unbelievably beautiful (and delicious) cakes, tarts and truffles that are quite possibly the best in the city.

{Cafe Latte desserts}

Desserts aside, CL also features fantastic salads, sandwich, soups and spreads. My favorite is their Chicken Salsa Chili. I used to crave it for months on end when I lived in Chicago knowing that I wouldn't be getting it anytime soon! While killing time the other day, I wandered over to the Café Latte website and realized that they share their chili recipe online! So I made it.

I cheated a little and used a rotisserie chicken. I also omitted the cilantro simply because I do not care for it. CL serves theirs with tortilla chips and tops it with cheese, onions and sour cream. I went with a big piece of crusty bread.

Now nothing compares to the original, but it was a close, close second! :)

{my chili}

Show me your city!

Lately I have been loving being a tourist in my own city. Doing all the things I over look for whatever reason, oh I can do it another time, it's not like it's going anywhere. Finding new neighborhood hot spots, going to the Walker, or taking it to the extremes like my friend Rachel and doing a segway tour in our very own Mpls. Love it. I do however love being a true tourist especially in one of my favorite cities NYC. I have had the pleasure of discovering and rediscovering NYC many times every trip I always find something new to love. That's whats so great about New York. My co-blogger Liz was in the city last night, and asked for advice on things to doing while there. I always love to grab a pink berry (something Mpls is in serious need of, or my first choice JP licks, but that's totally different topic) and stroll through the city people watching, and of course shopping! No doubt I love to hit up a Barneys warehouse sale, I found the best deal on my favorite tuxedo jacket, it's a must. Some restaurants I love; the Boat Basin with its great views of the Hudson river, the Heights Bar&Grill has a fantastic happy hour on their adorable rooftop, the rooftop at the Hotel Gansevoort in the meatpacking district is oh so sex and the city, and to round it out with a frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity! It's always a blast to discover new places, and meet new people, especially when you are allowing yourself to do it in your very own city!

NYC!

Minneapolis!

Twisted Sister

Lately I have been really into the Twisted Sister pasta salad from the Byerly’s deli. It’s very good though I always feel that it’s swimming in a little too much oil and there is a little too much cheese. Not to mention that it’s not overly easy on the wallet. So tonight I decided to take a stab at my own (healthier and cheaper) version of Twisted Sister and was very happy with the result.

Twisted Sister Pasta Salad*

1.5 oz Sun dried tomatoes (not packed in oil)
1 c Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced (I mixed in some green olives as well)
2 c Short pasta (I used Cavatappi…it would also be good with whole wheat pasta)
¼ c Parmesan or Pecorino cheese, shredded
¼ c Green onions, chopped
2 cloves Garlic
Olive Oil
Fresh basil
Red wine vinegar
Balsamic vinegar
Lemon juice
Water

*I didn’t actually measure anything so all measurements are approx. My advice is to add ingredients to your own taste. I tried to go light on the olive oil and cheese.

Add salt to pot of water and bring to a boil. Add pasta and cook to desired tenderness (I don’t like mushy pasta, so I usually cook it just past al dente). Drain pasta and set aside to cool.

In separate bowl, mix olives, tomatoes, water, red wine vinegar, and salt…adjust amounts to taste. Add mixture and onions to pasta and toss.

In a small bowl make a “dressing”. Combine olive oil, balsamic, lemon juice garlic, basil and salt (I added a little water as well and used less olive oil). Add dressing to pasta. Shred cheese over pasta. Chill for 30 mins and serve. Makes 2-3 servings.

I made it as a cold pasta salad but I think that it would be good to toss in some chicken and served warm as a main dish as well.

Byerly’s serves theirs with toasted pumpkins seeds which adds a nice crunch. I opted to leave those out and save myself a few calories.

Enjoy!

{snapshots of DIY Twisted Sister}

You Know How I Wish That I Was British?...

…Well I am Olive Juicing the CRAP out of this London staple’s collaboration on our side of the pond. Liberty of London and Target have teamed up for one hell of a spring treat with a fashion and home line available now.

For those of you who don’t worship British culture like I do, Liberty of London is a luxury accessories brand located in London’s West End shopping district.

{Liberty of London Boutique London, England}

Holding true to Liberty’s classic vintage style and small scale florals in soft colors, Target’s line does not disappoint. It’s all very “English Garden” chic just in time for Spring!

{snapshots of fashion/accessories lines}

{snapshots of home line}

Check out the entire Liberty of London for Target line here.

Answer my Calls.....

Three hundred count Egyptian cotton sheet, bliss products in the bathroom, a hot pink mini bar, and these are just a few of the amazing amenities I enjoyed during my Saturday night stay at the W. While all these accoutrement's are pretty fantastic they are not what make a girls stay complete. What might you ask makes for a well rounded stay? Well, ladies and gents it's the way the concierge answers my calls, perhaps you should take note. "Whatever, Whenever!" Yes, it's Christmas, the first day of spring, and a few other things I can't mention wrapped into one delicious greeting. Whatever you can think of whenever you would like it. You want oreo's and milk at 4 am, done. Forgot your tooth brush, need more hairspray, lime's for your beverage, whatever you like...kinda like the TI and Rihanna song "You can have whatever you like..." well at least when staying at the W. I am however wondering how far I could push the limits...is a pony, or flying trapeze act too much to ask for? Or my dream of a Barney's right here in Mpls. I guess I will have to wait until my next stay to let you know how far we could take these requests.

The beautiful opening to your visit...

The luscious neon pink lobby...

A cozy robe (a must have of mine for any stay away from home) pink mini bar filled with exotic treats, and for those of you who forgot your over night companion, don't get your hopes up too high I am referring to the pink teddy bear! But maybe during my next visit I should call down to my trusty concierge and ask for Jake Gyllenhaal!

www.whotel.com