A Birthday Get-away

… to the cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul) with Eric … and no kids.  My mom arrived on Wednesday night to stay with the kids.  Actually, she met us in Valley City to attend a debate featuring the five GOP candidates for North Dakota’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.  Eric and I have a special interest in this race as a good friend, Shane Goettle, is running.  More on that topic later…

My mother is wonderful!  While I’ve scaled back coursework for the kids, she’s not afraid to tackle teaching. 

We left mid-morning on Thursday, the day of my birthday – December 15.  We stopped at The Wilkin in Breckenridge for lunch, then headed out again with plans to stop at the outlet malls before checking in at the hotel.  My brother, Pat, and his wife, Anna picked us up shortly after 6pm for supper at The Bachelor Farmer Restaurant.   Excellent food and we had such a great time visiting.  

Pat and Anna, above, and Eric and I, below.

We started out with and appetizer and a toast.  The appetizer was Seared Sea Scallops on a bed of potato pancakes with saffron mayonnaise.  The toast was Beef tartare with traditional accompaniments (toasted bread triangles).  I suggested we try the tartare and it was very good. 

Anna and I chose the same entrée:  Duck leg and breast, wild rice, walnuts, and cranberries.  Delicious!!  Eric chose the Meatballs, lingonberries, mashed potatoes, and pickled cucumber. 

My brother, Pat, ordered the House-cured pork loin and belly, braised cabbage, and Thursday Night Pea Soup.

The desserts came and we dug in, then I remembered pics!  So, the first is my dessert – Flourless chocolate cake, salted caramel semifreddo and lingonberry pate de fruit. 

Eric chose the Oatmeal shortcake with spiced fruit compote and sweet crème fraiche.  Pat and Anna shared the Pear Tarte Tatin with whipped crème fraiche and pear caramel.  I didn’t get a picture because it was so good it didn’t last long!  Below is a pic of the kitchen which wasn’t far from our table.

After supper, we stopped the Marvel Bar for an after dinner drink.  This bar takes ‘normal’ drinks and makes them unique.  My fall back drink is the Tom Collins and so I tried the Tomas Collins, which was a mixture of pickle brine, lime, AALBORG, and seltzer.  I liked it and would drink it again if Eric could figure out how to make it!!

Thanks for a great evening Pat & Anna!

Friday, we ate breakfast at the hotel, then headed out for a stop at Trader Joe’s.  I’ve always wanted to shop at this store, and am glad we had the opportunity.  Then it was on to the Mall of America.  We shopped at the American Girl and Lego stores before stopping at Bubba Gump’s – YUM!! - for lunch.   Afterwards there was time for Barnes & Noble and a few odd stores to fill in Christmas gifts.  My hubby was the best… he carried bags and even made a trip out to the vehicle to drop a few off so we wouldn’t have to carry them.

That evening, we ate at Sea Change and attended ‘The Christmas Carol’ at the Guthrie Theater.  It has been a special wish to see that particular show ever since my parents brought back a t-shirt for me after their visit to see the same musical (I pretty sure I was under 10yo).  If I could have found a similar t-shirt for my daughter I would have bought it!

Our weekend get-away will ended with a BISON game and HUGE WIN in Fargo on Saturday.  I hadn’t been to a playoff game, yet, and the atmosphere at this game was totally awesome.  Very loud and great school spirit.  My hubby may go to Frisco, TX, but it depends on if he can acquire a ticket!