08.03.07
Happy Minnesota Memories
I am relieved that our family and friends in the Twin Cities are safe after the horrific bridge collapse in Minneapolis Wednesday evening. My thoughts are with the families of the victims and the entire community.
As my homage to Minnesota, I thought it was appropriate to post about my recent trip there. Two weeks ago, my mom and I spent a weekend in St. Paul to see my sister, Monica and her husband Jeff. We managed to cram in a lot of summer fun before having to leave Monday morning.
Upon arrival, our first stop was to the outdoor music and art festival going on in a park not too far from my sister’s place. We heard an alt country band while sitting on the grass and feasting on the Minnesota festival specialty: Fried Anything – almost as popular as the Anything On A Stick. Monica enlightened me about the vast array of foods served on sticks, including pork chops and spaghetti (how do they do it, you ask? ball up spaghetti, dip it in batter, and deep fry it, of course!) The deep fried cheese curds were divine. It sounds crazy, but my sister’s French Canadian sister-in-law recommended I order them with ketchup. Je suis d’accord.
After Sunday brunch and the Grandview Grill, an old-school diner and home of the original cajun breakfast, we spent the afternoon at the same festival. During the day, however, all the art stalls were open. One artist was making the coolest wind chimes out of antique silverware. He bent a single fork in such a way that it looked like a man and woman dancing. Amazing eye for finding the possibilities in such an ordinary object.
A major highlight was the kettle corn my sister had me try. I have the impression I’ve heard of this before, but wow, I have never tasted popcorn so airy and subtly sweet. Because of the giant kettle used to prepare it, the corn gets a crisp outer shell. Seasoned with salt and just a touch of sugar, it’s the best popcorn I’ve had. Seriously. It even beats that crazy Chicago mix of cheese, butter, and caramel I used to crave.
Say what you will about Minnesota, but St. Paul has a kind of free and accepting attitude that I find refreshing. Don’t want to weed your garden? No problem! Let it grow! Walking around and seeing all the century-old houses with beautiful, wild secret gardens made me want to sign right up. I suppose I should go back in January before jumping in…
Oh yes, and my favorite singer, Mason Jennings, is from Minnesota.