Okay, the last thing I need right now is a new place to spend money, but I must give free advertising space to Trader Joe's.
The grocery store part is cool - organic and creative foods, decent produce, and foods made with minimal processing. But the wine store has made me a very happy person. Yes, I am talking about the famous Three Buck Chuck.
Charles Shaw's winery in California produces a fine Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Shiraz (I havn't tried the Sauvignon Blanc yet). These are wines I could see serving to company (if I have any left... wine that is, not people to invite over). Each fine Charles Shaw wine sold at Trader Joe's retails for $2.99 (+ tax). That may be less than the price of Boone's Farm (and Chuck's wine is so much, much better!).
This reminds me of what my Uncle Myron said to me once, "Get into the alcohol business, because when times are good, people drink. When times are bad, people drink." Smart man (he made a few bucks in his career too... selling booze!).
Times are not great nor bad for me right now... just odd. I could add to Myron by saying, "When times are strange, people drink." Me thinks I will crack open a bottle tonight (or at least after I walk the Pep this afternoon). Cheers!
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Friday, October 19, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Memories...
I learned today that my great aunt Elizabeth had a stroke and is now at Fairview Ridges Hospital. I do not know her prognosis, but since she's 93 years old, I am not completely optimistic.
I remember spending the night at her house in Virginia, MN, where she lived with her father, my great grandfather Olaf. Olaf was born in Sweden, and by the time I was old enough to have memories of him, his hearing was almost gone. He would shout at me in Swedish, and I would reply in English, and somehow, we understood each other (or at least that's what my memory is telling me now).
Elizabeth still worked back then, so she hired a woman from Greece to watch over my great grandpa. The Greek woman's name escapes me, but I remember she made these great potato dish (okay, the name of the dish also escapes me), and she was thrilled that I liked it.
I haven't seen my great aunt in a while, and the last time I did, it was clear that she was getting older. I am comforted knowing that if Elizabeth does pass, she will join her sister, my beloved Grandma Fran. My memories of G'ma Fran (as she abbreviated it) would fill many Web pages. For now, I will just sum it up: She was one cool grandma!
I remember spending the night at her house in Virginia, MN, where she lived with her father, my great grandfather Olaf. Olaf was born in Sweden, and by the time I was old enough to have memories of him, his hearing was almost gone. He would shout at me in Swedish, and I would reply in English, and somehow, we understood each other (or at least that's what my memory is telling me now).
Elizabeth still worked back then, so she hired a woman from Greece to watch over my great grandpa. The Greek woman's name escapes me, but I remember she made these great potato dish (okay, the name of the dish also escapes me), and she was thrilled that I liked it.
I haven't seen my great aunt in a while, and the last time I did, it was clear that she was getting older. I am comforted knowing that if Elizabeth does pass, she will join her sister, my beloved Grandma Fran. My memories of G'ma Fran (as she abbreviated it) would fill many Web pages. For now, I will just sum it up: She was one cool grandma!
Monday, August 27, 2007
Life is good
(With apologies to Jugglernaut for stealing her post title.)
Last Saturday, I assembled our new entertainment center. This Tuesday, the Husband will pick up a new area rug for our family room. When Ikea is restocked, I will pick up our new coffee table (that matches the entertainment center).
But do you know what's really good?
Yesterday evening, the Husband and I simply sat on our deck with Pepper and soaked in the beauty of a late summer evening. There was a nice breeze and the temperature and humidity were in check. Pepper noticed some deer in the field bordering our back yard, but (somehow) managed to keep himself from charging (behavior we quickly rewarded with some treats).
Before long, the leaves will start changing (and it'll be time to get out the rakes). Raking aside, I love Fall. The coolness, the colors, the reduced dew points... (sigh). Is August over yet?
Last Saturday, I assembled our new entertainment center. This Tuesday, the Husband will pick up a new area rug for our family room. When Ikea is restocked, I will pick up our new coffee table (that matches the entertainment center).
But do you know what's really good?
Yesterday evening, the Husband and I simply sat on our deck with Pepper and soaked in the beauty of a late summer evening. There was a nice breeze and the temperature and humidity were in check. Pepper noticed some deer in the field bordering our back yard, but (somehow) managed to keep himself from charging (behavior we quickly rewarded with some treats).
Before long, the leaves will start changing (and it'll be time to get out the rakes). Raking aside, I love Fall. The coolness, the colors, the reduced dew points... (sigh). Is August over yet?
Friday, July 27, 2007
The next draft pick for the Minnesota Twins
This is my nephew Cody. He'll be 14 this fall, but he already is showing major league form.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
A new post! (summer plans)
Could it be??
Am I actually posting to my glob?
It's true! I even have a topic... what I am going to do over the summer.
Our first little vacation will be to southern Minnesota, camping with some friends. We'll be at the Old Barn Resort, but we will slumber in our tent (complete with our dog, Pepper).
Our next little vacation will be up to McGregor, Minnesota -- again for some camping. This time it's at a US Forest Service campground on Big Sandy Lake (again, we will be joined by The Pep). After a few nights in the tent, we will go to lovely Proctor, MN for a family wedding reception. The good news is that my family knows how to have a good time!
I am hoping that the next little vacation will involve walls and a real bed... perhaps in Mexico!
Am I actually posting to my glob?
It's true! I even have a topic... what I am going to do over the summer.
Our first little vacation will be to southern Minnesota, camping with some friends. We'll be at the Old Barn Resort, but we will slumber in our tent (complete with our dog, Pepper).
Our next little vacation will be up to McGregor, Minnesota -- again for some camping. This time it's at a US Forest Service campground on Big Sandy Lake (again, we will be joined by The Pep). After a few nights in the tent, we will go to lovely Proctor, MN for a family wedding reception. The good news is that my family knows how to have a good time!
I am hoping that the next little vacation will involve walls and a real bed... perhaps in Mexico!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Six Months to Live
No, this is not my prognosis!
It's a music project my bro is involved with. Check out their site. If you click on Members, you can get a look at one of the most talented rock/prog/punk percussionists the Twin Cities has ever seen (i.e., my bro). I will let you guess which one he is... but he's not in the Dead Judds (that's your hint).
Anyway, they have a gig a week from tomorrow - Friday, June 1 at Club Underground. Just go already! It's only $5... I know you can handle that and score a beverage to boot!
Did you go to the site to find my brother? I will give you another hint:
It's a music project my bro is involved with. Check out their site. If you click on Members, you can get a look at one of the most talented rock/prog/punk percussionists the Twin Cities has ever seen (i.e., my bro). I will let you guess which one he is... but he's not in the Dead Judds (that's your hint).
Anyway, they have a gig a week from tomorrow - Friday, June 1 at Club Underground. Just go already! It's only $5... I know you can handle that and score a beverage to boot!
Did you go to the site to find my brother? I will give you another hint:
Thursday, February 08, 2007
They're baaaaaack!
The parental units have returned from Israel. Of course, everything went well and they were perfectly safe. They highly recommended Israel to me (it's on the list, but it's a very long list).
Monday, January 22, 2007
Israel
My parents are traveling throughout Israel. They left on January 14 and will return on January 28. Two weeks in the Holy Land -- I am sure they are seeing a lot of OLD ruins (as opposed to "new" ruins) and having a good time.
I would love to head somewhere truly out-of-the-ordinary someday. Here's the list of countries I have visited (so far):
I would love to head somewhere truly out-of-the-ordinary someday. Here's the list of countries I have visited (so far):
- Canada
- Mexico
- France
- England
- British Virgin Islands (Tortola and the Virgin Gorda)
- The Bahamas
- Andorra
Where have you been?
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