Midwest Specifics

In honor of the return of the cold and this evening's snow dusting I have presented a clip of blowing snow. Blowing snow is one of my favorite winter things; except when it really blows, and I find myself stranded in Minneapolis, which was actually quite fun, so I suppose I do in fact always love windy snow days. 

Valentine's Day

Hibernation Hiatus

Preston and I have shared Valentine's Days through the mail, a surprise trip to Tacoma and a meager, balmy picnic in a Western Australian hamlet. This year we decided to do it in style; we headed downtown baby. 

My Downtown Valentine

Preston wore his Thailand tailored suit and I modeled boots, mittens and a pair of Preston's Under Amour. With the aid of a primarily black ensemble, the naked eye was unable to discern the thick long underwear from chic lady-like leggings. 

We sipped on plum wine and imported beer in Wasabi's lobby. After dining on heart-shaped sushi rolls we began our frigid journey to Dempsey's Irish Pub. And because two blocks is too far in -9 we stopped to refresh our spirits at Fort Noks and Rooters. 

Ice, Ice, Baby

Jaeger and Whiskey, the evening's sponsors, made us friends, distracted from the band and exiled us into the perpetual polar vortex. Earlier that night Preston had thought to lock all of his keys in the car, opting just to take his spare; reasoning, one key is easier to keep track of. Later that evening, after jaeger bomb #4 to be precise, we caught a taxi home. And it was only when we were swaying in the bitter wind and wobbling on the icy walkway that we realized the house key was locked eight miles north. 

Two Hours Before...happier/warmer times

Neighbors let me into the warm building as Preston took the taxi back. A long forty minutes later, he returned unsuccessful. Quite worse actually. Somewhere between here and there he lost his spare key in Fargo's snowy tundra. A thin wood door separated us from a warm bed. There was only one thing to do. In fact I had attempted to do it twenty minutes before. 

"Go ahead Pres, just kick down the door". 

And with three swift jiu jitsu moves the door was down and we were in the welcoming hallway of our hobbithole. We both worked that Saturday. I served coffee and pie. Preston repaired a broken door for a silly couple of Californians. 

Midwest Specifics

It's Melting!

 Rejoice to Thor & Odin, it is 34 degrees today!!! That is forty degrees warmer than last week! Spring is this you? I sure hope so.

Fun Fact: This winter season has had the most days below zero since temperatures were first recorded in 1888. We have logged fifty days below. This state of affairs deems Preston and I midwest warriors. Huzzzah!

Midwest Specific

This photo commemorates the time I got my truck inexplicably stuck in a snowbank. My tires spun as the entire cardio room of the YMCA gawked. Meanwhile I contemplated laying across the front bench until the snow thawed.

This photo commemorates the tow truck superhero who rescued Dragon, and told me that I was officially a midwesterner.

Midwest Points

Getting Stuck in the Snow = 7 MIDWEST POINTS

Waiting to be rescued in the YMCA sauna= 2 MIDWEST POINTS

Crying in my car = -4 MIDWEST POINTS

Winter Wins

After a long day of cappuccino creating and panini pressing I am nestling in. Frosted Flakes-sized snowflakes are fluttering about Broadway, 13th and Main. A fresh white layer is carpeting over lane lines and sidewalk cracks.

Hibernation had led me to Gilmore Girls, beers on snow and possibly a pizza or two. Happy Winter!

PS 

MIDWEST POINTS

Going Without Gloves = 7 MIDWEST POINTS

Hibernation

Cozy Cold

A few weeks into January, a few weeks into -20, I stopped fighting the cold. I gave in, and tucked in. Candles are lit and books are read in our little hobbit-hole apartment. Cayenne and garlic billow about our galley kitchen as winter dinner creations are invented. And the heat is always on.

Deciding to do as the North Dakotans do has been liberating. Giving in to the indoors doesn't take long to enjoy. A bath each night to ward off the commute cold and four blankets piled high above our Christmas quilt have become routine. And while I dream about beers drank on summer patios and a return of my sandal tan-lines, I am doing my best to enjoy my final months of winter.

A Hibernation Documentation

Books Read & Re-read:

Gone With The Wind*
Drop Dead Healthy
City of Dark Magic
Cowboys Are My Weakness
Oris A.P.E
A few chapters of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets**
Greek Myths 
Wild

*ceased reading in New Orleans, in order to give Rhett and Scarlett a chance at a different ending
**read by Preston, listened to by Kailynn

Culinary Creations

Hot & Sour Chicken Stir-Fry
Pasta Carbonara, a la Cayenne
Vegetarian Bacon BLT's
Sweet Potato Fries
Grilled PB&J's
Cayenne Fried Chicken & Waffles*

*Chef Preston's masterpiece

Candle Scents

Bahamian Breeze
Ocean Mist
Tangerine Cloud
Spas of Thailand

Movie Dates

American Hustle
Labor Day
Frozen Sing-A-Long
Rushmore

Ground Hog's Day

With the promise of spring, coming one of these far off-days, Preston and I have began to venture out of the den. We have blissfuly dined on Fargo's finest sushi, bopped along to Wisconsin Blue-Grass and even attended a free drinks happy hour. Reaffirming our in it to win it mantra we sketched a plan to tryout every downtown restaurant and bar. As soon as it thaws a bit.