Molly's Route to Merlin's Rest
Mike's route to Merlin's.
An incremental difference yet still blog worthy. Mike wins.
Showing posts with label Minneapolis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Minneapolis. Show all posts
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Saturday, May 28, 2011
A last goodbye to winter (officially!)
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Evening at Midori's
On a cold Friday evening, Mike and I headed out for some noodle soup at Midori's Floating World on Lake. Our mutual craving for a big bowl of the steaming soup must have been rather immense since we typically refrain from choosing Midori's due to the slow service and lack of seating. Yet, the bitter cold of this particular February evening certainly called for Midori's noodle soup and we obliged.
To our surprise, our server was adorable and filled with recommendations (though these were for a local Malaysian restaurant as opposed to Midori's sushi bar...but nevertheless). She also instructed us to re-toast our sake in traditional Japanese fashion after catching us foolishly clinking our little glasses to "cheers." I also spotted her picking up after Midori (Yes! She exists!) as she threw order tickets and pieces of tuna on the floor in an angry huff. The server said, "We are so busy. I feel sooo bad for Midori! She is doing everything!" (Later, a man with funky glasses and a cool hat came out from the kitchen with a half sandwich wrapped in paper towel begging Midori to eat. She barely lifted her eyes from her rolls and made no indication of gratefulness.) All said, Midori's focus certainly paid off. Every sushi roll that came from her bar was not only delicious, it was art.
The noodle soups were everything we hoped for. Mike ordered his all-time favorite udon noodles in fish broth with tempura vegetables. I ordered my all-time favorite soba noodles with Wakame (Buckwheat! Seaweed! Love!) and shiitake broth. I could seriously eat noodle soup at least three times a week. I feel so healthy afterward; satisfied but not bloated the way American food hits ya in the gut. I think I am going to have to try out some recipes at home. I am guessing the soup isn't too hard to make and the ingredients cheap thanks to United Noodle!
Post soup, Mike and I returned home. Turned on the latest episode of Mad Men. Cringed over Don Draper's moodiness and Betty's awful parenting. Ate a piece of pumpkin chocolate chip cake that I made for last week's book club. Thought about roof raking and long runs as we fell fast asleep....
To our surprise, our server was adorable and filled with recommendations (though these were for a local Malaysian restaurant as opposed to Midori's sushi bar...but nevertheless). She also instructed us to re-toast our sake in traditional Japanese fashion after catching us foolishly clinking our little glasses to "cheers." I also spotted her picking up after Midori (Yes! She exists!) as she threw order tickets and pieces of tuna on the floor in an angry huff. The server said, "We are so busy. I feel sooo bad for Midori! She is doing everything!" (Later, a man with funky glasses and a cool hat came out from the kitchen with a half sandwich wrapped in paper towel begging Midori to eat. She barely lifted her eyes from her rolls and made no indication of gratefulness.) All said, Midori's focus certainly paid off. Every sushi roll that came from her bar was not only delicious, it was art.
The noodle soups were everything we hoped for. Mike ordered his all-time favorite udon noodles in fish broth with tempura vegetables. I ordered my all-time favorite soba noodles with Wakame (Buckwheat! Seaweed! Love!) and shiitake broth. I could seriously eat noodle soup at least three times a week. I feel so healthy afterward; satisfied but not bloated the way American food hits ya in the gut. I think I am going to have to try out some recipes at home. I am guessing the soup isn't too hard to make and the ingredients cheap thanks to United Noodle!
Post soup, Mike and I returned home. Turned on the latest episode of Mad Men. Cringed over Don Draper's moodiness and Betty's awful parenting. Ate a piece of pumpkin chocolate chip cake that I made for last week's book club. Thought about roof raking and long runs as we fell fast asleep....
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Well, we have some big news...
No, not a baby! Yes, a house!
We had the inspection completed yesterday and no surprises, so I think we can officially announce that we are buying a home right here in Minneapolis! Of course, I had to bring small wonder along on our inspection.
Believe it or not (and you probably won't believe it if you know the McCarthy parents at all as their ability to dwell on any decision is remarkably predictable), Mike and I only needed to tour the Craftsman Style Bungalow once before putting down an offer. Actually, Mike was ready to put down an offer with or without viewing the house first. He was just set on continuing to live in our Longfellow neighborhood, close to many dear friends and the Mississippi River. To be honest, I couldn't agree more with his taste. The bungalow was on the market just for a day and we jumped on it. In this economy, I know the sellers must have been rather pleased!
Here are some photos and videos (with written commentary) taken during yesterday's inspection:
Soon to be carried over the threshold...Notice our inspector and his rad ladder in the background. Next up, a quick video of the backyard (backyard includes: patio, little mud room and backdoor, rain barrel, compost, one car garage with room for the canoe, basketball hoop, and a couple of parking spots...and a fence for the ray ray!):
Now a couple glances inside the house:
"My house...it's never going to be this clean, I think." -Molly reports from kitchen.
Guest bedroom (1) with look into hallway:
And 2nd floor master bedroom:
Wow, both Mike and I are super in love with this place and we cannot wait to make it our home in mid-December! More soon...
We had the inspection completed yesterday and no surprises, so I think we can officially announce that we are buying a home right here in Minneapolis! Of course, I had to bring small wonder along on our inspection.
Believe it or not (and you probably won't believe it if you know the McCarthy parents at all as their ability to dwell on any decision is remarkably predictable), Mike and I only needed to tour the Craftsman Style Bungalow once before putting down an offer. Actually, Mike was ready to put down an offer with or without viewing the house first. He was just set on continuing to live in our Longfellow neighborhood, close to many dear friends and the Mississippi River. To be honest, I couldn't agree more with his taste. The bungalow was on the market just for a day and we jumped on it. In this economy, I know the sellers must have been rather pleased!
Here are some photos and videos (with written commentary) taken during yesterday's inspection:
Soon to be carried over the threshold...Notice our inspector and his rad ladder in the background. Next up, a quick video of the backyard (backyard includes: patio, little mud room and backdoor, rain barrel, compost, one car garage with room for the canoe, basketball hoop, and a couple of parking spots...and a fence for the ray ray!):
Now a couple glances inside the house:
"My house...it's never going to be this clean, I think." -Molly reports from kitchen.
Guest bedroom (1) with look into hallway:
And 2nd floor master bedroom:
Wow, both Mike and I are super in love with this place and we cannot wait to make it our home in mid-December! More soon...
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Recap of Parent Weekends - Sept. and Oct.
The last weekend in September was spent in Cleveland Ohio visiting the McCarthy parents! It was a union of friends, family, and musicians! Orange Mighty Trio began their short fall tour in Cleveland with a gig at John Carroll University, an evening gig at Barking Spider (a very spiffy bar and music space in a converted carriage house), an impromptu show for the residents at Grandpa Len's assisted living home, and a house concert at the McCarthy's! With all this on the calendar, I couldn't resist making a quick trip to join in the fun.
Additional highlights of the weekend include a trip to West End Farmer's Market, a John Carroll football game, visiting with Grandpa Len and checking out boxes of his old photographs and letters, and running through the Shaker Heights neighborhoods! Here's a couple short vids:
The following weekend, back in Minneapolis, the Vasich parents made the trek to the cities! Saturday was apple picking, buying fall pumpkins and other goodies, walks through the woods, and dinner at Punch Pizza.
Sunday morning was an early one- I had the Medtronic 10 mile race at 7 am!
In good spirits thanks in part to a hot cup of coffee, Carol, Milt, and Mike came out to cheer and support me!
It ended up being perhaps my best race of the 2010 season- 8:08 pace average with a 1:21:09 finish. I couldn't have been happier. The morning was absolutely gorgeous- fog rising off of the Mississippi River and the sunlight beaming down on the runners as we cruised up Summit Ave. It was quite a treat to have the Vasich family out on the course! Mike is really quite an elite marathon fan, and now Carol and Milt know the ropes for future races!
Additional highlights of the weekend include a trip to West End Farmer's Market, a John Carroll football game, visiting with Grandpa Len and checking out boxes of his old photographs and letters, and running through the Shaker Heights neighborhoods! Here's a couple short vids:
The following weekend, back in Minneapolis, the Vasich parents made the trek to the cities! Saturday was apple picking, buying fall pumpkins and other goodies, walks through the woods, and dinner at Punch Pizza.
Sunday morning was an early one- I had the Medtronic 10 mile race at 7 am!
In good spirits thanks in part to a hot cup of coffee, Carol, Milt, and Mike came out to cheer and support me!
It ended up being perhaps my best race of the 2010 season- 8:08 pace average with a 1:21:09 finish. I couldn't have been happier. The morning was absolutely gorgeous- fog rising off of the Mississippi River and the sunlight beaming down on the runners as we cruised up Summit Ave. It was quite a treat to have the Vasich family out on the course! Mike is really quite an elite marathon fan, and now Carol and Milt know the ropes for future races!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
More highlights from last weekend...
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| Mike demonstrating the art of portage. I am unwittingly impressed and attracted to this handsome outdoorsman! |
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| Dinner at Alma & Peter's swanky new place! |
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| Minnesota State Fair! |
Saturday, September 11, 2010
LRT to Twins Game
Last Friday, we embarked on our first twins game in the new stadium. Too excited to remember our video cam once at the stadium, our only footage is from the light rail. Still kind of cool...
Canoe adventures!
As promised, here are a few videos highlighting our canoe pick-up from REI and it's ignaugaral trip out on the Minnesota lakes. It actually took us a couple of attempts to get the canoe- our first trip to REI took longer than expected, and we needed to get back home for a neighborhood late summer potluck (not mention, the huge pre-labor day sales...as expected, I got a bit waylaid in the women's athletic gear department).
Video detailing first attempt to pick up canoe:
Later in the work week, Mike and I were determined to bring "Lenny" home so we could take her (or, I guess it's a "him") out over Labor Day weekend. This time, I went straight with Mike to the boating department...
Successful canoe pick-up!
Saturday afternoon, we headed out to spend a few hours exploring the chain of lakes in Lebonon Hills State Park, about 30 minutes south of Minneap. It was a gorgeous afternoon, coolish and sunny. The lakes varied between weedy and lily-pads to absolutely clear and silent.
Our maiden voyage:
Video detailing first attempt to pick up canoe:
Later in the work week, Mike and I were determined to bring "Lenny" home so we could take her (or, I guess it's a "him") out over Labor Day weekend. This time, I went straight with Mike to the boating department...
Successful canoe pick-up!
Saturday afternoon, we headed out to spend a few hours exploring the chain of lakes in Lebonon Hills State Park, about 30 minutes south of Minneap. It was a gorgeous afternoon, coolish and sunny. The lakes varied between weedy and lily-pads to absolutely clear and silent.
Our maiden voyage:
Sunday, August 22, 2010
13.1 Minneapolis
After a summer of reasonably tough training, I managed a half-marathon PR (personal record: 1:52:04...5 minutes faster than my spring half marathon- 1:57:24) this morning in Minneapolis! Hooray. I don't want to yammer on too much about the run, but it is worth mentioning on this blog because Mike is truly my number one fan. Not only did he get up at quarter to six on Sunday morning to drive me to the race, he also managed to cheer for me at five points during the 13.1 miles. Record-breaking husband material, right there folks.
Here's some clips from the big morning:
Crossing the finish!
Festivities at the finish line:
Here's some clips from the big morning:
Crossing the finish!
Festivities at the finish line:
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