Early Spring

                  Liz and I are looking to tackle a garden this spring. It has the potential to be awesome, overwhelming or a little of both. With that in mind I was walking around the house considering where to plant. Looking at one of the flowerbeds, I found that nature had beaten me to the punch. It is mid February and this little flower thinks that it is time to get its bloom on. I’m sure it is confused though. This week we got our first snow, only to be followed by 60 and 70-degree temperatures to round out the week. Not that I blame it, I’m looking forward to Spring as well. While the winter has been mild, I just don’t think we are quite there yet. In the mean time I’ll debate whether to leave it be and let it freeze when the temperature drops again or transplant it and let it continue to grow indoor. It probably wouldn’t hurt to get a little green on my thumb before Spring rolls around. 

Sand and Snow

             South Beach Miami, the Hamptons, San Diego… I have seen the sun shine on sand. Vail, Breckenridge, Seven Springs, Icepocalypse Oklahoma… I have seen snow shut down states. However, what I hadn’t experienced until Michigan, was the two together on a beach. Who would have thought (ok, I hadn’t) that the two would combine into something so peaceful and easy on the eyes?

Locksmith

            It was a nice, calming evening from my front porch. I could see my breath, but it wasn’t cold beneath the scarf and pea coat. I’ll pick up Liz up from the airport in three hours. The water drops seemed to drip from the clouds as opposed to rain down. I had checked the back doors, the window latches and locks. How much does a pane of glass cost? I was locked out.

            The last time that this happened was about a decade ago. It was in front of a Toys ‘R’ Us in Tulsa, OK. I had previously given my best friend an extra key to my truck. He rescued me. After he finished fishing. Seven hours later.

            The only thing that I had in my pocket was my phone. No wallet. Obviously no keys. Lauren and William came to the rescue with a locksmith number. I called. ETA 25 minutes.

            A large white van with lights on the roof, slowly albeit quite professionally, made its way slowly down the street. Parked. A cordial gentleman exited.

            The self-locking door (the source of my troubles) gave the locksmith troubles even with his hair pin tools. I suggested the back door. He thought for a second before he pulled out a thin plastic sheet. He ran it between the door and the door frame. Click. Internal light. I laughed. He smirked before he said, “ These are supposed to be jimmy proof.”

            Well done Don Hill’s Lock and Safe. Well done.

The Great White North

             Like Peter Pan, we all have our happy thoughts. The thoughts that make us fly. One of Liz’s is Northern Michigan. It is a place where where sand meets snow. The Great White North meets the Upper Peninsula. Canada (horizon right) meets Michigan (horizon left). After visiting the Upper Penninsula I can now see why it is her happy place.  In certain ways it makes me want to fly as well.

Magnolia Grill

Literally around the corner from the house sits the unassuming facade of a restaurant. Since I have relocated to Durham, I have looked at it with curious, questioning eyes. My Mom, from 1,200 miles away in Oklahoma, treated me to a birthday dinner. No, she treated Liz and me to a birthday dinner at Magnolia Grill.

Gourmet Magazine has named Magnolia Grill as #11 on their Top 50 Restaurants List.

We got gussied up… no, we got sexy young couple dressed, and walked around the corner. I had called earlier in the week and was unable to get a reservation, but we thought we would still give it a shot by checking it out before the rush. We got in. No, not because we were sexy, but because we beat the rush. An amazing 2.5 hour-long meal followed.

Step 1: Spicy Presbyterian - Rye whiskey, chili-lime syrup, bitters and ginger ale. I’m sold.

Step 2: Fried green tomatoes topped with field greens atop mozzarella and oil. Southern sophistication.

Step 3: Bottle of red wine.

Step 4: NY Strip - With all of the fresh seafood in the area, I hadn’t treated myself to a fine steak since I arrived in NC. Grilled Angus NY Strip in balsamic jus with roasted potatoes, market beans, shitake mushroom and buttermilk blue cheese. It was definitely not a mistake.

Step 5: Pumpkin cognac cheesecake, candied ginger, drizzled in maple ginger sauce.

              Exquisitely prepared and presented food. Attentive, friendly service. Overall great experience. Thank you Mom. Thank you Magnolia.