Strawberries That Don’t Talk Back

Picking up some fresh roadside produce from a local farm I discovered that sassy strawberries are about as desirable as a surly teenager.  That sqeeck they make, simply unnatural.  Just as we accept the imperfections of our developing offspring we should the strawberry.  A little misshapen and not evenly red make for the juciest and tasty slices over that bagel french toast I tried.

Tags: bagel french toast, strawberries

Indoor Plumbing, It’s Gonna Be Big

I”ve used this stolen line about one other artist, the darling lad Jack Ingram.  Tonight you can see another singer I have the same sentiment about at The Grand Kabaret:  Brandon Sampson.  Jack has done me proud by living up to something I told him 10 plus years ago.  Brandon is on his way.  I am just a music patron.  I love music but the closest I ever got to helping foster anyone besides buying an album was while living in Klamath Falls, Oregon and working at The Ross Ragland Theater.  Working with professional musicians you recoginize one thing that can seperate them from everyone else trying to make it.  Nice, and I don’t say that just cause I am from Minnesota.  Working with folks from Dave Brubeck to Garth Brooks and a favorite in between, Bela Fleck,  everybody that ever toured that venue was nice.  It is true what you hear about quirky things in contracts, but when you black those lines out and feed them a homecooked meal we are all the same.  Man, it was a great and memorable gig and no artist performing there was anything but gracious.  I think it taught me alot about the art of hospitality, and a wee bit about talent and who might make it big.  Three hours to come see someone who will.   Brandon Sampson, tonight at 8.  210 North Minnesota, right here in New Ulm.

Summer Breeze Makes Me Feel Fine

Why is it that the guests always have the best ideas?  Besides being smart and savvy, they know a good day when they see it!  And they can also feel a breeze.  So breakfast on the porch it was with Stuffed Caramel French Toast which, you know me, isn’t mentioned to make anyone feel bad for not whipping up any themselves this morning.  Rather, for some reason the caramel stuck mostly to the bottom and since appreciating the Julia Child spirit of simply sucking it up and serving it anyway.  I put two sections together with cream cheese and a wonderful strawberry jam from Louisiana.   Nothing was burned and it was still delightfully golden and pretty,  just worried most of the flavor was at the bottom of that pan and these thoughts  resulted in another offspring of the frequent occurrence around here called the mother of invention.  It was delish, albeit a bit to big, but that generally doesn’t generate any complaints.  Thus I was also reacquainted with that Cochon Butcher jam, another guest best thing in the form of a gift.   And a sweet reminder of our upcoming trip to New Orleans in September.  Where we are staying at The Bohemian Armadillo no less.  All the while more happening here, floors sanded and the three rooms getting totally rethought.  Input willkommen!