First Avenue

Terry and I, along with Katie and Nikki went to First Avenue last night. Katie heard that She and Him were going to be there. Prior to last evening, my affection for Zooey Deschanel's singing talent was limited to the great job she did singing in one of the best movies of all time...Elf, of course. Just to refresh your memory, here she is.



Anywho, she, Zooey, is the "She" in the band "She and Him". They were at First Avenue.

For those of you who might care, First Avenue is on the corner of 7th Street and First Avenue in Minneapolis. It was the original Greyhound Bus Depot. Then, in the late 60's, the bus depot moved and it became a music club called The Depot. The Depot morphed into Uncle Sam's (remember the blue wall and the entry looking like a top hat?), Uncle Sam's morphed into First Avenue. Throughout the years, Prince showed up, so did U2, and last night She and Him were there singing. Great fun.

Last night was a big night for those closely following the music scene in Minneapolis because The Wiggles were just across the street at the Target Center.

Opening for She and Him was Becky Stark. I love kitsch. And, she is the personification if it. Terry, I'm sure loved the piercing soprano. I loved the polyester green vintage 70's formal, the thrift shop guitar, and the fake red roses in her hair. In honor of the venue, she started with her very own rendition of "Purple Rain". A cappella, mind you. Having never heard of her before, it took a minute to figure her out, but after that, I found her hysterical, in spite of her "Save the planet" banter. Really how can you be offended by comments like, "Ours is the best planet in the whole world."

All in all, it was an enjoyable night out with the girls and hubby. Downtown was hoppin' last night and we ended by having a little snack across the street at the Hard Rock, on the outdoor patio.

So, perhaps that concludes the summer tour of clubs that started with Terry, his sister Diane, and me heading over to Lee's Liquor Lounge on Glenwood to hear nephew Jeremy drummin' away with his band. And, let me tell you, Lee's is a classy place...oh, no wait, it's a kitschy place, that's what I meant to say.

The Roundabout Post

I knew eventually I would need to do a post about "The Roundabout".

Last summer, the girls and I decided on a day trip to the Medford Outlet Mall. As we exited off of I-35, in the tiny town of Medford, MN we encountered our first Minnesota roundabout. My immediate thought was, "Oh, man, everyone wants to be European. What a stupid waste of taxpayer $$$."

Then, as if that were not enough, they tore up 70th Street between France and York last year and put in three, count 'em, three roundabouts between the Galleria and the shops on the Target side.

We laughed (and cowered in fright) every time we entered one and watched confused Scandinavians try to negotiate these strange road circles.

Some would enter without yielding to the traffic already in the roundabout. Others, would go the wrong way (in the US, we go counterclockwise through roundabouts). What foolishness, I thought.

However, to demonstrate my openmindedness, I would now like to go on record as saying that the roundabout is one of the more ingenious traffic improvements ever.

I say this for a few reasons, not the least of which is the number of idiotic, insane drivers I have observed in the last month or so, who seem to think that a yellow light means "speed up." Almost every time I have driven lately, I have seen at least TWO cars SPEED through red lights. And, I mean red lights. I am not counting the enter on yellow as it turns red, I mean the speed up and enter on red cars.

Yesterday was an especially interesting day as I took Beth to the Oxboro Library for her 3:00 book club. We were sitting at the intersection of 90th and Penn in Bloomington headed east on 90th Street. We were stopped (not sure what color the light was actually) and I looked up to see a black SUV zipping, and I mean zipping, through the intersection headed south on Penn.

I said, "Oh, man, look at that guy Beth, he is obviously speeding."

As soon as those words got out of my mouth, I looked up and saw another speeding car head south through that intersection. This one, however, had red flashing lights, and the words POLICE on the side. This speeding car was followed by another one with the red lights, and another, and another. Over a dozen all told speeding through the intersection after said black SUV. Quite the spectacle, I must say.

When all the commotion was over, we cautiously continued our journey East, looking carefully at each intersection in case the black SUV doubled back.

I told Beth that I had never seen anything like that and that I was pretty sure it was all going to end with the guy flipping the car and getting out and running. (As I learned later, it did!)

In addition to speeding bad drivers and speeding criminals at intersections, the roundabout could have proven very effective if you had ever been sitting innocently at the intersection of France and 106th on a mid-April day in 2005 in your less than a year old Honda Accord and suddenly observed a car making a left turn on red being T-boned by an SUV headed south going through the intersection on red and found the T-boned car spinning in a circle hurling itself at your car as I did. There were 2 severely injured little boys in the T-boned car (they ended up okay), but looking back, it made a great case for the roundabout.

Basically the roundabout is designed to make intersections safer as the traffic flows better. What more could you want in an intersection? Reduce the occurrence and/or severity of accidents and injuries, stop or at least slow down criminals being chased by the FBI, and all the while keep traffic flowing.


So, I say, hip, hip, hooray for the roundabout.

Olympic Tribute

In honor of the summer Olympics, I offer you this masterpiece.

Sorry, I have to link this post since it seems to want to play non-stop if I put it directly here. So, here's the link.

Cate, Katie, or Dorothy

I went to Amy's Hair Haven, armed with my Diana photos. Amy looked at them, then looked at my longer than normal hair, and said, "I have an entirely different idea." I love it when Amy has an idea because it means that I don't have to have an idea. Plus, she has great ideas.

If I dyed it black and cut the bangs shorter I could look like Cate Blanchette in Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Lost Mayan Space Alien.

Or, if I put on the big sunglasses and stood next to Tom Cruise, I could look like an aging Katie Holmes.

If I put on ice skates (which is something that causes me to tremble), I could look like Dorothy Hamill.

But, right now, I just look like me with a short, bouncy, easy to care for "do".

Thanks, Amy!

Diana or Diana?

I have needed a haircut for weeks. Just can't seem to find the time to get it done. It will happen on Tuesday, so now, the big question. What do I do with it? It has grown quite long, so I could go for a new long look. But, then, I don't have time to fuss with my hair. So, what to do. I have it down to two ideas. I have always loved Diana, Princess of Wales, or whatever she became after the divorce. The layered look is nice. Very 90's, I know, but I like it and I'm kind of a 90's kind of person. And, besides, being a decade behind isn't all that bad, I still have some clothes from the 80's.

So, here's one Diana look I've chosen. 90's, layered, regal.

Then, again, there is Diana Pierce. Local anchor. About my age. It's shorter, cute, and not too matronly.

Let me know if you have a strong opinion either way...before Tuesday, please.

I'm Going to This

Mindy singing her heart out.
Jeremy on drums.
Chris on electric guitar.
Can't wait.

I wonder...

...where Barb gets all her good quotes?

My definition of an expert in any field is a person who knows enough about what's really going on to be scared.
- PJ Plauger

New Blogger

I just realized that Patricia and Neval have a blog. I added the link, but thought some of you might want to know about it and see the adorable video of Julia.

Poetry Monday

Katie sang this with all the MACHE graduates two years ago.
We sang this at church yesterday.
It's an oldie, but a goodie.

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
by Robert Robertson

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.

Sorrowing I shall be in spirit,
Till released from flesh and sin,
Yet from what I do inherit,
Here Thy praises I’ll begin;
Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Here by Thy great help I’ve come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood;
How His kindness yet pursues me
Mortal tongue can never tell,
Clothed in flesh, till death shall loose me
I cannot proclaim it well.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

O that day when freed from sinning,
I shall see Thy lovely face;
Clothed then in blood washed linen
How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace;
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransomed soul away;
Send thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless day.

This One's For Mr. D

Mr. D is one of those Americans who doesn't understand the concept of "The Musical". You know, how life is proceeding as usual and suddenly, without warning, a bunch of people in the normal course of events suddenly break into song.

Here is what it would look like if it happened in real life.
"He's the most singingest janitor I've ever seen!"

Disturbing or Funny, You Decide

Yet another stolen quote

This one's from Barb who does the most amazing things...like head up with her mom and a couple daughters for some wilderness camping in the Boundary Waters. Me, I like the wilderness camping that happens in my own house when we light a fire in the fireplace and sleep in sleeping bags in the air conditioned living room.
Here's the quote:

Where all think alike, no one thinks very much.
- Walter Lippmann

We're Free!

That's correct. Today is "Cost of Government Day". This means that thus far this year most Americans have worked for the government. Every penny earned has gone to taxes. But not after today. After today, until December 31st, you get to keep your money and spend it on luxuries like gas and food. So, happy COG Day to you and yours.
And, since I learned this fact on George Grant's blog, I thought I would also steal his quotes.

"It is a good thing that we do not get as much government as we pay for."
-Will Rogers

"The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin."
-Mark Twain

Poetry Monday.

Last week, I forgot.

This week, I offer you this poem in song.

I'm Stealing Again

I have stolen another quote.

This time I stole it from the Dragonfrye blog.

Here it is.

"The humblest and the most unseen activity in the world can be the true worship of God. Work and worship literally become one. Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever; and man carries out that function when he does what God sent him into the world to do. Work well done rises like a hymn of praise to God. This means that the doctor on his rounds, the scientist in his laboratory, the teacher in his classroom, the musician at his music, the artist at his canvas, the shop assistant at his counter, the typist at her typewriter, the housewife in her kitchen -- all who are doing the work of the world as it should be done are joining in a great act of worship." William Barclay

Why I Will Not Vote for Barack Obama

This is why.

One Fish, Two fish...or Cod Save the Queen

Last night we went downtown to Brit's Pub for dinner. Mr. D and I had only been there once before (during the 2006 Desiring God Conference at the Minneapolis Convention Center) and we hadn't gotten the memo about the self seating outdoor dining overlooking the Lawn Bowling Green. Lovely.

Kate, Tim, and Beth had the cod. It was one fish for Beth.

Two fishies for Katie.

And three fish for Tim.

Mr. D started out with the Cock-a-leekie soup...

...and moved on to the Cornish Pastie.

I had the Chicken Pot Pie.

See, I told you it was a beautiful night for outdoor dining.

We then walked up and down the Nicollet Mall with our final stop at WCCO where we stood by the window and watched the beginning of the 10:00 news. Did you see us?

4th of July Memories

It worked!
Doesn't it look pretty on the new platter I purchased at Crate & Barrel?
I hope you noticed that I got out my piping bag and filled it with freshly whipped cream to make the white lines.
The clerk at C & B said she has a Jell-O™ mold of the USA. That sounds to me like a nightmare. Can you imagine trying to get that out of the mold. I'll bet Florida is a problem every time. Come to think of it Florida always seems to be a problem!?

A lovely day. Perfect for eating fajitas outside.

Every year we have the discussion about buying the electric motor for the White Mountain ice cream maker that Mr. D bought me for my birthday about 10 years ago. And, as you can see, every year we decide against it. This year, every time I looked Scott was cranking, but everyone took a turn, I think. I did (for about 2 minutes!)

The unveiling of the ice cream.

Red strawberries, White ice cream, and Blue blueberries. Get it?

We played "Pass the Baby". Everyone who played was a winner. Here's Mom taking her turn. (Note: Although she is a very glamorous mother, the sunglasses are due to recent cataract surgery.)

Carol got a turn.

Mr. D took his turn as Mark ate some ice cream.

An adoring crowd gathered and watched as...

...the Dahlens took on the Dugans in volleyball. I'm not saying who won, but it might have been the Dugans. Note: next year move the net to the middle of the yard.

Will figured out how to spin the dealie on the bottom of the car to make the sounds happen. What a brilliant boy.

Swimming in Lake Minnetonka. Not all of us did that, but that's Katie on Tim's shoulders. Beth is near them and Mindy is on the right. Terry, Chris, and Jeremy were parking the cars.

Red licorice, kettle corn, and Pit. It's an annual event while waiting for the fireworks to begin.

Here's what we look like while glowing.

Here's what we look like while glowing and saying the word "prunes".

The fireworks were lovely as they were shot off a barge in the middle of the bay and reflected on the lake, but we all ran out of batteries for photos. So I will describe them. They were multi-colored. Some fizzled as they came down. Some filled the sky. Some were colorful circles linked together. Others were very sparkly and looked almost like a dandelion gone to seed in the sky. A couple looked like sheaves of wheat. Others looked like a smiley face. One even seemed to have the letter "D" inside it. Then, at the end, there was a magnificent, lengthy, burst of color and sound for about 2 minutes. Amazing.

Happy Birthday, America!

Red, White, and Blue

The fourth is two days away and we have a little family tradition.
Fajitas on the grill, homemade vanilla ice cream cranked by all who want to partake, and "flag" Jell-O™.

Ahhh, the nightmare that has turned out to be.

Here was my try from 2006.

2007 was worse. We tried to fix it with Cool Whip™ and blueberries. No workie.

So, this year, I Googled® and found a recipe. Older and wiser from my past failed Jell-O™ experiences, I decided I needed to first make a prototype Jell-O™ flag. This recipe and method resulted in a much better product. I followed the recipe exactly. Sprayed that mold like crazy and dipped it in warm water for 7 seconds (by the 1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, 3 Mississippi method of counting seconds). Had I gone 8, perhaps that little corner wouldn't have needed repair. Or, then again, had I gone 8 perhaps the whole thing would have melted. The agony of creating the proper Jell-O™ Flag. Oh, and by the way, it was delicious. Loved the middle layer.

Here's the recipe followed by the photo of the prototype. I must find a lovely red platter to put it on for our meal on the 4th rather than the old baking sheet I used last night.

And, if you need a Jell-O™ flag mold, go here although I got mine free at Cub Foods during a promo event.

Red, White, and Blue Jello™ Flag

1 quart boiling water, divided
2 (3 ounce) packages Jell-O™ brand berry blue gelatin mix
2 (3 ounces) packages Jell-O™ brand gelatin powder, any red flavor (I chose cherry)
3 cups ice cold water, divided
1 (3 ounce) package lemon Jell-O™ gelatin
1 (8 ounce) container Cool Whip Topping™, thawed (remember to put it in the fridge part the night before)

1.ADD 1-1/2 cups boiling water to dry berry blue gelatin mix in medium bowl; stir at least 2 minutes until gelatin is dissolved. Dissolve dry red gelatin mix in 1-1/2 cups boiling water in separate bowl. Stir 1-1/2 cups ice cold water into dissolved gelatin in each bowl.

2.SPRAY 10-cup flag mold with cooking spray; place on baking sheet. Pour red gelatin into mold. Refrigerate 45 minutes until set but not firm (gelatin should stick to finger when touched and should mound). Meanwhile, refrigerate berry blue gelatin in bowl for 45 minutes.

3.MEANWHILE, stir remaining 1 cup boiling water into dry lemon gelatin mix in bowl at least 2 minutes until dissolved. Refrigerate 25 minutes or until slightly thickened (consistency of unbeaten egg whites), stirring occasionally. Stir in whipped topping with wire whisk. Gently spread over red gelatin in mold. Refrigerate 10 minutes or until set but not firm. Gently spoon thickened berry blue gelatin over lemon gelatin mixture in mold.

4.REFRIGERATE 4 hours or overnight until firm. Unmold.