Hello there,
Glad you stopped by again to see what Chris is doing. Tonight I am relaxing at home and waiting for AmazonFresh to deliver my groceries. I LOVE them. Yes, a part of the Amazon family, it has a great selection and things you do not see in the regular stores. I placed the order last night and you can edit the order up to 7 hours before deliver. Please know I am not getting a dime for this promotion. It is just great. Safeway delivers but you have to order like $150 of stuff to get free delivery or else it runs like $12. With AmazonFresh, you order $75 and bingo, free delivery and otherwise it is $5. Heck, and with Red Reddish Status you get free delivery the entire next month...but that is a whole different story. So here I am typing away and in the next hour plus I will see my delivery at the door. They are totally cool and heck it is nice to have someone deliver those big packages of paper towels and toilet paper and other stuff without having to schlep them from the parking garage. Oh and they do not allow you to tip! Enough said other than if you want more information go to http://fresh.amazon.com/
Next up is Halloween...I love the holidays in many different ways, but quite frankly, it is the anticipation of the holiday that is so much fun. I decked out the apartment at the beginning of the month. What was really nice was that when I came back from San Francisco the guy who cleans for me (thank you Moonsong!) left a surprise for me on the breakfast bar. He had collected some wonderful leaves and left them for me as a surprise knowing that autumn is my favorite season of the year. I have left them there for the month. I had to laugh when I got home from Mom's last night he had added some bones in among the leaves for a special touch. I have a wonderful garland of Indian Corn that a dear friend, Amy, made for me years ago. She was amazed when I mentioned it to her last year that I still had it. One thing I have noticed in the past 5 years of so is that the Halloween stuff has tapered off a bit and I am more focused on the autumnal (yes, Janet just for you!) side of this time of year. Throughout the apt I have candles lit (I do believe 21 or so) and dimmed the lights for a festive touch. Come Sunday, Halloween items will get packed away and Thanksgiving will step forward for a visit. I focus it in one area on a shelf unit I got at IKEA years and years ago...it is one of those that is 5X5 cubes and it has a black frame with beech shelving, I guess now it is only done in solid colors = how boring!
Soon it will be time to install Christmas...yes, install! Some decorate, but let's be honest, decorating is for the amateurs! Yes, I hope you are laughing right now. What can I say, I just love that time of year. I believe in Santa and let me share that many people I know are fully aware that when I watch the various Christmas movies they can set a watch to when I will begin crying. No, not sad, but the happy cry! I am sobbing and it can be the 30th time watching the movie and there I go. The tree will go up and get fluffed. Then the various areas of the apt. will get decorated but the shelf unit will not happen until the day after Thanksgiving as I pack that away. The tree will be over Thanksgiving weekend. Due to some traveling at the start of December, I am trying to get a bit ahead of the ball game on things this year, but the cards will wait until after Christmas. I like to send them out by the 12th day of Christmas, but after the holiday when all the craziness is done and done.
Boy did I get off on a tangent...sorry about that. Oh, there is AmazonFresh, just called so will be delievering in a few minutes so time to close for today. Enjoy and talk at you later. Cheers!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Life happens and reality sets in...
Hi there to those that tune in from time to time to see what Chris has been up to. Just home from a 4 day visit to see Mom and that does not count the drive time on each side as I decided to drive from Seattle to Ashland as fall colors were in top form. It was a great drive down to Portland last Friday to see Janet and then up early on Saturday with a quick stop at Starbuck's for a Pumpkin Spice Latte to get on the road for Ashland. Arrived in time as Mom was pulling out of the oven a huge casserole of stuffed cabbage. One of two favorite recipes from my childhood. We enjoyed a wonderful lunch plus two other meals from her creation. The days were filled with good times and challenges as well. Took a lovely drive in the country on Sunday to see the fall colors and Mom got to experience Sonic Drive-In for the first time while down there. She had a Texas Toast BBQ burger with onion rings and a root beer float. Who knew it could be so fun. We had a few games of domino's and a lot of time to chat and enjoy each other's company. All too soon it was time to head back north and under a swath of fog I headed north this morning. 7.5 hours later and one pit stop, I arrived in the Emerald City and settled in at my home.
Since my last posting I have been up to Vancouver, BC and trying to get new phone carrier settled in all the outer offices. Never a dull moment and all the offices are facing big Halloweens parities this weekend. Sunday will see clocks falling back and I do believe I have a breakfast date with a 2nd cousin and his wife, Amy. So needless to say, I am still getting a grip for all this blogging stuff and sometime there may be a gap, but I think far less than you have had. In fact, I think I still owe as recap of the dinner that Curt took me to at Brooklyn, plus how one spends a week in Vancouver, BC. November will see me visiting several of our outer cities and there is a 50th birthday celebration on the horizon that is morphing into something quite interesting. Stay tuned!
Since my last posting I have been up to Vancouver, BC and trying to get new phone carrier settled in all the outer offices. Never a dull moment and all the offices are facing big Halloweens parities this weekend. Sunday will see clocks falling back and I do believe I have a breakfast date with a 2nd cousin and his wife, Amy. So needless to say, I am still getting a grip for all this blogging stuff and sometime there may be a gap, but I think far less than you have had. In fact, I think I still owe as recap of the dinner that Curt took me to at Brooklyn, plus how one spends a week in Vancouver, BC. November will see me visiting several of our outer cities and there is a 50th birthday celebration on the horizon that is morphing into something quite interesting. Stay tuned!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Sunday becomes Monday
Hello one and all,
I hit a wall yesterday and boy was I glad the Seahawks were playing in Seattle. It meant that my apt. became isolated and I was left to read and relax and enjoy the day. Helpful tip though, do not think of taking a nap in the afternoon with the window open at oh about 3:30pm as the game ends...cannons go ff if they win and poof = nap be gone. They shutout the Jacksonvill team from what I heard.
So, sleep, caught up on the New Yorkers for Markie and read some of a book plus got a lot of the little errands and chores done about the apt. Feeling good now about heading to Vancouver, BC. Happen to have a chance to grab a late dinner with a friend and so will hold off until tomorrow telling you all about the dinner at Brooklyn - IT WAS FABULOUS! Also, there are some other things to share, but I will be doing another international post as I will be up in Vancouver, BC and have more time to connect. Hope you will come back and sit a spell and catch up with Swanda. Cheers, Chris
I hit a wall yesterday and boy was I glad the Seahawks were playing in Seattle. It meant that my apt. became isolated and I was left to read and relax and enjoy the day. Helpful tip though, do not think of taking a nap in the afternoon with the window open at oh about 3:30pm as the game ends...cannons go ff if they win and poof = nap be gone. They shutout the Jacksonvill team from what I heard.
So, sleep, caught up on the New Yorkers for Markie and read some of a book plus got a lot of the little errands and chores done about the apt. Feeling good now about heading to Vancouver, BC. Happen to have a chance to grab a late dinner with a friend and so will hold off until tomorrow telling you all about the dinner at Brooklyn - IT WAS FABULOUS! Also, there are some other things to share, but I will be doing another international post as I will be up in Vancouver, BC and have more time to connect. Hope you will come back and sit a spell and catch up with Swanda. Cheers, Chris
Saturday, October 10, 2009
The 3 D's = Drama, Dining and Disney
Hello there once again. After a couple of days to relax and catch up on sleep, I am quite pleased to be sitting here and looking out at Beacon Ridge and seeing the lovely colors of autumn. It is a far cry from last week and zinging around Copenhagen and getting an earful from people about how they view Americans. Now mind you, yesterday’s headline of Barrack Obama getting the Nobel Peace Prize yesterday, which was a shocker heard around the world. The comments shared have been all over the board. Mine are that it was an amazing honor that might be too soon and yet will need to be earned in marked actions so as not to be written off. Am I hiding behind a safe review? Perhaps, but one that has been tamed in the 24 hours as I have talked to friends coast to coast and see better how broad a view this country has of its’ President.
But I got off course a bit…I wanted to share thoughts of how people outside America view us (the Drama). These are not wrong views or all views…just some views that make you go hmmm.
First, why do we feel we are the only country to know what it is to get hit by Terrorists? So often we react like other countries have no clue and yet they were right there with us in 2001 as they had been hit by horrible experiences in their countries. It was our leadership that displaced that sympathy to a back burner and ignored the need for a global community. Even now, many in this country have a “we are the world” view and it is just not that way any longer. We are PART of the world and need to be more aware of what others are doing. Countries though out Europe and around the globe live in much more dramatic conditions than we do. Somehow we have fallen into a comfort zone of where shoes being scanned and keeping containers to 3oz. On carry on will make us safe. Oh how naïve we have become. As one man said, a gun can be made out of a bar of soap and a plane can be taken down if so desired. How I pray this does not happen, but I do fear we need to be better at being more real and concerned in our day to day actions.
Second, other countries are more front and center. Look no further than China and India. With Brazil winning the Olympic bids and Africa issues becoming more serious by the day we cannot pretend the world is only top heavy. As I sat there listening, it is amazing to hear conversations go from Pakistan to Afghanistan to the horrible storms and earthquakes. There is discussions of trials of public servants and pirates still being a problem but this is no where to be found in much of the American media. Again, talk fills how we only address world issues in 30 second sound bites and that is often true. When was the last time you sat and watched 60 minutes of news without commercials or read a newspaper from start to finish? Don’t count the “entertainment” section as hard news for a change. Many networks are looking at the morning news shows as entertainment now and the nation’s newspapers are shuttering their doors at an alarming rate. Mind you, I am not some saint here. I used to read the paper daily and now find I am an internet news junkie. We want it faster and splashier than the old black and white TV or paper. USA Today is now considered a go to paper of record…how and when did that happen?
Finally, it is accepting that we are a democracy and full of freedom and yet it is a place called Washington DC where two parties are now more like a party of Yes and a party of No that anything else. There is no longer discussion and compromise, but rather “What do I get out of it?” The current health care initiative is a perfect case in point as we have what the “public” wants being ignored due to the amazing donations and contributions by the health care industry. Just in the past year $49.7 million has been put in coffers according to Bill Moyer’s Journal last night and that is what we know about. If that kind of money had been saved look how many people could really have been helped. Issue after issue is being glossed over and the public is becoming so banal to it all. Why try and change anything? Is there hope? From an outsider’s view, there is hope…but it is fading. Outsiders truly envy America and all we stand for, but slowly the tarnish is covering over all that has shined. We so need to grow up and see that the rose colored glasses need to come off.
A lot of what was just written was compressed from conversations with people and will be one of the few political items I share. My blog is about experiences and happenings and yet we are looked at with a vision of WAKE UP PEOPLE! If you have a chance to travel internationally do! You get to see perspective and yes, the rest of the world is not perfect and they are not claiming it as such…but how often we do and are smug about it. We need to learn to be more humble and part of the answer and not always THE answer.
So there you go in a way and so now I am into the afternoon of a lovely day here in the state of Washington. Tonight I get the benefit of being taken to one of my favorite restaurants in all Seattle. It is called The Brooklyn Seafood, Steak and Oyster House (The Dining).
Of course, service is important and the atmosphere is great. Often sit at the two chairs at the counter and watch the action happen, but tonight there are 3 so this will not be happening…Love my oysters and well hello Kumamotos; they were tiny and sweet and perfect but I can only share how a hungry 6'4" guy might just want to inhale them so going at Happy Hour for the oysters might be a good idea. Want to try their caprese salad and the day boat scallop with foie gras – some will claim overkill, way too rich, too much gras and the fois, and way too sweet with the figs, deep and heavy, but sometimes life is about excess! It is one of my true indulgences when I go! From there who knows but a cocktail or two might be enjoyed and Curt is bringing two bottles of wine…what a treat it will be. To get more information: www.thebrooklyn.com/
I will do a full wrap up tomorrow in that I get the joy of a day of leisure – which is rare as the best house cleaner in the world just called and since I have been gone more than here is going to pass tomorrow. What joy…but I do get to see a dear friend from Portland days, Chip Saturn will be stopping by early afternoon for a beverage and to catch up. Get to share the lovely foliage views of what I call Beacon Ridge (but is really just the side of Beacon Hill – so I like drama!).
And finally, my sister sent this along and the place opened the day I left for Europe, but I plan to go back (the Disney). Got to see a local special in San Francisco on it and it looks to be quite interesting. And hey, it is another reason to return to the city by the bay...
Learn Disney's past at new S.F. museum
You'll be able to get a taste of Disney in San Francisco starting Oct. 1.That's when The Walt Disney Family Museum opens, with 10 galleries focusing on different chapters in the life of Walt Disney himself, from his early years in Kansas City to his arrival in Hollywood in the 1920' to his technological innovations, like synchronizing sound to a cartoon.Displays will include the Oscar statuettes awarded to "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"--one full size and seven little ones--along with the earliest known drawings of Mickey Mouse, and concept art and animation cells showing Bambi and Pinocchio.The museum consists of three historic buildings in the Presidio, a former Army base with sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge.The museum will be open every day except Tuesdays, 10 a.,.-6 p.m. Admission is $20 for adults and $12.50 for kids 6-17, and will be by timed-entry ticket, available online at www.waltdisney.org up to 60 days in advance.
In my next post I am going to share a few laundry list items about making a comment as several have been challenged and a few other bits and pieces. Cheers!
But I got off course a bit…I wanted to share thoughts of how people outside America view us (the Drama). These are not wrong views or all views…just some views that make you go hmmm.
First, why do we feel we are the only country to know what it is to get hit by Terrorists? So often we react like other countries have no clue and yet they were right there with us in 2001 as they had been hit by horrible experiences in their countries. It was our leadership that displaced that sympathy to a back burner and ignored the need for a global community. Even now, many in this country have a “we are the world” view and it is just not that way any longer. We are PART of the world and need to be more aware of what others are doing. Countries though out Europe and around the globe live in much more dramatic conditions than we do. Somehow we have fallen into a comfort zone of where shoes being scanned and keeping containers to 3oz. On carry on will make us safe. Oh how naïve we have become. As one man said, a gun can be made out of a bar of soap and a plane can be taken down if so desired. How I pray this does not happen, but I do fear we need to be better at being more real and concerned in our day to day actions.
Second, other countries are more front and center. Look no further than China and India. With Brazil winning the Olympic bids and Africa issues becoming more serious by the day we cannot pretend the world is only top heavy. As I sat there listening, it is amazing to hear conversations go from Pakistan to Afghanistan to the horrible storms and earthquakes. There is discussions of trials of public servants and pirates still being a problem but this is no where to be found in much of the American media. Again, talk fills how we only address world issues in 30 second sound bites and that is often true. When was the last time you sat and watched 60 minutes of news without commercials or read a newspaper from start to finish? Don’t count the “entertainment” section as hard news for a change. Many networks are looking at the morning news shows as entertainment now and the nation’s newspapers are shuttering their doors at an alarming rate. Mind you, I am not some saint here. I used to read the paper daily and now find I am an internet news junkie. We want it faster and splashier than the old black and white TV or paper. USA Today is now considered a go to paper of record…how and when did that happen?
Finally, it is accepting that we are a democracy and full of freedom and yet it is a place called Washington DC where two parties are now more like a party of Yes and a party of No that anything else. There is no longer discussion and compromise, but rather “What do I get out of it?” The current health care initiative is a perfect case in point as we have what the “public” wants being ignored due to the amazing donations and contributions by the health care industry. Just in the past year $49.7 million has been put in coffers according to Bill Moyer’s Journal last night and that is what we know about. If that kind of money had been saved look how many people could really have been helped. Issue after issue is being glossed over and the public is becoming so banal to it all. Why try and change anything? Is there hope? From an outsider’s view, there is hope…but it is fading. Outsiders truly envy America and all we stand for, but slowly the tarnish is covering over all that has shined. We so need to grow up and see that the rose colored glasses need to come off.
A lot of what was just written was compressed from conversations with people and will be one of the few political items I share. My blog is about experiences and happenings and yet we are looked at with a vision of WAKE UP PEOPLE! If you have a chance to travel internationally do! You get to see perspective and yes, the rest of the world is not perfect and they are not claiming it as such…but how often we do and are smug about it. We need to learn to be more humble and part of the answer and not always THE answer.
So there you go in a way and so now I am into the afternoon of a lovely day here in the state of Washington. Tonight I get the benefit of being taken to one of my favorite restaurants in all Seattle. It is called The Brooklyn Seafood, Steak and Oyster House (The Dining).
Of course, service is important and the atmosphere is great. Often sit at the two chairs at the counter and watch the action happen, but tonight there are 3 so this will not be happening…Love my oysters and well hello Kumamotos; they were tiny and sweet and perfect but I can only share how a hungry 6'4" guy might just want to inhale them so going at Happy Hour for the oysters might be a good idea. Want to try their caprese salad and the day boat scallop with foie gras – some will claim overkill, way too rich, too much gras and the fois, and way too sweet with the figs, deep and heavy, but sometimes life is about excess! It is one of my true indulgences when I go! From there who knows but a cocktail or two might be enjoyed and Curt is bringing two bottles of wine…what a treat it will be. To get more information: www.thebrooklyn.com/
I will do a full wrap up tomorrow in that I get the joy of a day of leisure – which is rare as the best house cleaner in the world just called and since I have been gone more than here is going to pass tomorrow. What joy…but I do get to see a dear friend from Portland days, Chip Saturn will be stopping by early afternoon for a beverage and to catch up. Get to share the lovely foliage views of what I call Beacon Ridge (but is really just the side of Beacon Hill – so I like drama!).
And finally, my sister sent this along and the place opened the day I left for Europe, but I plan to go back (the Disney). Got to see a local special in San Francisco on it and it looks to be quite interesting. And hey, it is another reason to return to the city by the bay...
Learn Disney's past at new S.F. museum
You'll be able to get a taste of Disney in San Francisco starting Oct. 1.That's when The Walt Disney Family Museum opens, with 10 galleries focusing on different chapters in the life of Walt Disney himself, from his early years in Kansas City to his arrival in Hollywood in the 1920' to his technological innovations, like synchronizing sound to a cartoon.Displays will include the Oscar statuettes awarded to "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"--one full size and seven little ones--along with the earliest known drawings of Mickey Mouse, and concept art and animation cells showing Bambi and Pinocchio.The museum consists of three historic buildings in the Presidio, a former Army base with sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge.The museum will be open every day except Tuesdays, 10 a.,.-6 p.m. Admission is $20 for adults and $12.50 for kids 6-17, and will be by timed-entry ticket, available online at www.waltdisney.org up to 60 days in advance.
In my next post I am going to share a few laundry list items about making a comment as several have been challenged and a few other bits and pieces. Cheers!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Hello there...
Well, I am slowly recoverling from the trip to Europe (as I took the 6th off from posting) and last night (which was the 6th) was a lot of fun helping Jodie celebrate her birthday. (Details are to follow...) Today was a day that was oh so full and I feel that I need to pause, but want to share with you as night that was so magical that it deserves being posted here. So, without further adure, I share a magical evening that happened on the 19th day of December of 2008. And tomorrow, there is some fun to be shared...enjoy! Cheers, Chris
The HerbFarm
December 19, 2008
Snow has blanketed the Seattle area…a magical evening was just ahead…
And so began an evening that was not to be forgotten. Assembling at my apartment that evening was Helene, Markie, Dan and Moi. Four foodies to be sure. Would Dan make it in from Florida due to all the flight delays and cancels? Would the limo be on time? Would the restaurant cancel for the night as they had the night before…? I was so excited as Markie and Helene were treating me and Markie was treating Dan and it was a holiday heaven for all!
Slowly everyone showed and got the call that a town car would be driving us as the snow was too much for the limo. Bummer, but understood. OK, so most of us understood. One was a bit miffed that champagne would not be served on the way. But oh did we have a good driver. Slow and steady we made our way in anticipation of the experience and soon arrived.
Upon entering the HerbFarm the enormous mantle greets you. Coat check is nearby and soon we realize that my last name is the key word for the evening…”The reservation is under?” Schilling. Getting a glass of wine, finding a little something or being escorted to our table -yup…Schilling. It got rather challenging after a while. Maybe next time I will use a festive name like Santa. But that is getting to next time and this is about this time. We looked around and there is a private dining room and down the hall is the extensive wine cellar you must pass to use the restrooms. Quite a space and all set to enhance your senses. I laughed when I came upon the little bottle of ash from the old HerbFarm that had burned…it is all about marketing.
So we gathered near the entry for fresh air and enjoyed either a glass of wine or cider. At that point the co-owner stepped up and began telling about the herbs and such for the evening and they sent around samples. It was humorous in its’ own way and yet informative. She shared the history of the place and that they have a pig on property that we are more than welcome to visit. I have a feeling few took advantage that evening with the weather.
After a short welcome we were invited into the main dining room and seated. There is no other term than dinner theatre! The massive kitchen in three stages was off to our left once seated and we had a front and center table. There were other tables and a total of maybe a 100 diners that evening. A private library alcove overhead went unused and yet I would love to host a dinner there. There were tables of 6, 8 and even 12 people. There is also a community table for solo diners and small parties wishing to be part of a larger group. Upon seating my seat had a lovely silver framed message wishing me a Happy Birthday and was told it was a small gift from the HerbFarm. Each table had a animal holding a name plate. Ours happened to be a frog – the perfect business card hold for Eric in Kentucky and I asked to acquire it and my wish was granted. The table groaned with glassware, flatware and dishes all sorts and table décor was festive as well.
Silver goblets held water and how they served it was a dream come true…they held a small ice bucket in the arm and did ice first followed by water out of a bottle. Not too much ice and not too little. The cup never ran dry the entire evening. Service was at a level of perfection rarely seen…always anticipating but never invasive. Stunning!
The theme of the evening was The Holly and the Ivy. The whole place was decked out for the holiday and the table was all the more with green chargers and ivory napkins holding our menus and a sprig of fir. We began with a Christmas Tree Champagne Cocktail: choice of Western Juniper or Douglas Fir syrup enhanced with candied cranberry. Champagne was then poured over this to release the smells to the nose. While the Douglas Fir was lovely, Markie did make the best choice with the Juniper. Next a lovely trio was delivered to each of us. Pearls of the Salish Sea – See menu for details of each. Without hesitation, the Qualicum Bay Scallop with Candied Celery Seed Granité and pickled Sea Asparagus was amazing and maybe that was because they had to send a town car to get the scallops for the dish as the delivery truck could not make it.
At this point the curtain was drawn across the kitchen and we were introduced to the staff for the evening and told some tales by the owner including his passion for buying stuff on ebay and thus the major collection of items all about the HerbFarm which was quite entertaining. You also got a sense just how the whole group comes together to make it all work and the amazing training all go through.
We were then served a lovely 2006 Amity Vineyards Pinot Blanc and this was paired with the 2nd course – “Crab Apple” Consommé was the next course. A bit of play on words, I find it a bit challenging and not my favorite. We opted to not try the “2nd glass experience on this course of Sake.
At this point Dan and Helene step away to use the rest room. This gets to be funny as the night progresses. The staff lunge to get to the door to open it for you and then rush over with a new napkin and remove the old. It kept going like this over and over. The staff could hear our comments and we were thrilled when the chef came out to talk to “the foodies in the front.” He had cooked at the White House and numerous restaurants.
Also, they delivered luscious breads to enjoy. I made the simple comment to Helene how I liked Balsamic vinegar and within moments some appeared. A server heard my comment and it was granted. Some of the best I had ever had. Later in the evening I spied a bottle for sale in the lobby…at $105. No, I did not buy a bottle.
Next up was the Nomad of the North Pacific. A delightful nod to the fish course and paired with a 2007 Soter Vineyards Rosé of Oregon Pinot Noir. No 2nd glass pairing with this course and I got to enjoy a 2nd egg as Helene does not like them.
The table to our right was a husband and wife who had brought their parents. That is six people at $275 a clip and they were not having a good time. They sucked down the food and his parents kept saying – When do we REALLY eat. How sad! The wife was totally jealous of our table and the attention and how we were just totally enjoying ourselves. Funny how things happen?
The pacing of the evening is such that the 9+ course dinner begins around 7pm and you are walking out around midnight. So amazing and there is live music to enjoy and it is a thrill that cannot be described to a non foodie as they often just roll their eyes.
Next up was the Northwest Bollito Misto…who knew you could lust for Pork Belly! Three of us sure did. Hello Mary. This dish honored the chef’s father and mother’s heritage. It was paired with a 2001 Wilridge Nebbiolo di Klipsun from Red Mountain. Good choice, I LOVE Nebbiolo’s and yet I have to say that the 2nd glass pairing was better…yes, it really was. A Guiseppe Costese Barbaresco, Rabaja out of Italy and it was such a discussion that the wine sommeliers stopped by to discuss and in the end they actually realized we were right in our points and thanked us for being so insightful. Yup, that got to the chef who paid another visit to our table after the next course to be sure we were enjoying ourselves!
It must be shared that each course is a work of art and the portion is such that it is a bite or two. This is not about “all you can eat” but rather about the layers of complexity that are being played with and how you take great lengths to use local items and let the senses be taken away on a wonderful journey. A foodie gets this. Not being a snob, just sharing. It was an evening that many of us would love to enjoy again.
As we began the fifth course, it was time to just pause and be present. The course was titled Bisen, Beef, Wagyu. Well, it was just yummy to be sure and even the 24-hour Wagyu Short Rib stood up, but the flavors…see the menu for full details. Amazing pairings of flavors. The wine was a 2000 Cadence Meritage, Taptiel, Red Mountain and a steal that night at $60 a bottle. It was so far above the 2nd glass pairing of Andrew Will Meritage, Klipsun Vineyards that the sommelier stopped by and gave us not only a 2nd glass of the original wine, but a third as well…oh yeah!
Heaven is a place we hear about and yet this was a heavenly evening. What a night to be sure. The cheese course followed – specifically Cheese with Bitter Greens. It was lovely to slow down and while no specific wine was available with this course, they had flights you could buy. We got two:
Red Alert! Had never had a red ice wine and we enjoyed them quite a bit. First up was Lake Crest Winery’s Syrah Ice Wine which was our 2nd favorite of the three. Inniskillin’s Cabernet Franc Ice Wine out of Canada was our 2nd tasting but third choice. Our final ice wine was the favorite and that was Sineann’s Zinfandel Ice Wine out of Oregon. All 2006 and was $35 for the tasting – thank you Helene for the lovely gift to the three of us for the holiday.
Flight of Grand Champagnes! What a treat…three fabulous pours with Dom Pérignon 2000 vintage starting things off. I know one of us sure good a good taste of this one. But the other three were a bit more balanced around…the 2nd being 1998 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame which is always a delight. But the third is why I so wanted to try it – I had never had Krug and tonight it all changed. Hello MARY!! Non vintage Krug Grand Cuvée was an oral orgasm unrivaled in my book. It was a sheer joy – again thank you so much Helene for treating us to this lovely memory.
Dan kept using the wash room and the gentleman server kept placing new napkins and in the end when Dan came back he had left a stack as a sort of joke that we all laughed at, but wonder if Dan ever realized it was a joke, or perhaps did not find it humorous. Oh well, it was all in fun. But the next course was not fun at all; it was the miss of the night sadly. It was a Sorbet of Pineapple Quince. It was just a miss on flavor. The server asked us what we thought as much of it was left and we were frank and honest. The chef came out for a third visit and asked what happened? My honest suggestion was to consider something like Grapefruit and pepper, something to really cleanse the palette. He liked my idea…but to be honest, I had had that once before at a dinner and have always thought it was an amazing blend.
We were slowly coming to the end of the dinner. Dan stepped out to find something for Lisa as a memento of the night. Helene did a little power shopping and well, I was getting a tad bit tired. Alas, it was time for dessert and Deck the Halls. To watch them plate this up right before your eyes. The perfection of the double Terrine was a sheer joy. Eggnog Ice Cream was a double BAM as I got Helene’s share. I am so happy she does not like eggs!
It was time for Coffee, Teas & Infusions…talk about assembly line as they prepared creamers, tea sets and coffees, oh my! It was magical and everyone was taken care of promptly. It was all laid out in a booklet complete with cliff notes on the back page on how to order if not sure!
The finale was A Selection of Small Treats. This was so cute as they did double orders so each person got to taste one of everything which did not quite work out on one side of the table, but there was Rose Geranium Chocolate cookie; Persimmon Pates de Fruits; Dark Chocolate Knackerli with Caramel Quinoa & Cranberry; Birch Milk Chocolate Truffle; and finally a Pumpkin Spice White Chocolate.
What an amazing meal…and as we sat back and savored the last tastes one could not help notice those rushing to get out and break the magic. It was a night to be savored, not rushed. Alas, we enjoyed ourselves and then went and settled the bill and got our wraps to brace for the cold. Our driver was there and as we headed back to the city Markie had a CD of Christmas music to polish off the night.
Many in the back nodded off as I kept the driver company and he was AMAZING in getting Helene home to her abode in the snow and madness. He then drove down into the city and took Roosevelt Avenue and we saw some festive lights and the CD finished just as we arrived at my building. The boys went to the parking garage as I went up to my apartment. The tree had been left on and was a magical moment to tell me that the magic would live on as the memory is one that will not die. Thank you to all for making my birthday so very special I will never forget it. Ho! Ho! Ho!
Well, I am slowly recoverling from the trip to Europe (as I took the 6th off from posting) and last night (which was the 6th) was a lot of fun helping Jodie celebrate her birthday. (Details are to follow...) Today was a day that was oh so full and I feel that I need to pause, but want to share with you as night that was so magical that it deserves being posted here. So, without further adure, I share a magical evening that happened on the 19th day of December of 2008. And tomorrow, there is some fun to be shared...enjoy! Cheers, Chris
The HerbFarm
December 19, 2008
Snow has blanketed the Seattle area…a magical evening was just ahead…
And so began an evening that was not to be forgotten. Assembling at my apartment that evening was Helene, Markie, Dan and Moi. Four foodies to be sure. Would Dan make it in from Florida due to all the flight delays and cancels? Would the limo be on time? Would the restaurant cancel for the night as they had the night before…? I was so excited as Markie and Helene were treating me and Markie was treating Dan and it was a holiday heaven for all!
Slowly everyone showed and got the call that a town car would be driving us as the snow was too much for the limo. Bummer, but understood. OK, so most of us understood. One was a bit miffed that champagne would not be served on the way. But oh did we have a good driver. Slow and steady we made our way in anticipation of the experience and soon arrived.
Upon entering the HerbFarm the enormous mantle greets you. Coat check is nearby and soon we realize that my last name is the key word for the evening…”The reservation is under?” Schilling. Getting a glass of wine, finding a little something or being escorted to our table -yup…Schilling. It got rather challenging after a while. Maybe next time I will use a festive name like Santa. But that is getting to next time and this is about this time. We looked around and there is a private dining room and down the hall is the extensive wine cellar you must pass to use the restrooms. Quite a space and all set to enhance your senses. I laughed when I came upon the little bottle of ash from the old HerbFarm that had burned…it is all about marketing.
So we gathered near the entry for fresh air and enjoyed either a glass of wine or cider. At that point the co-owner stepped up and began telling about the herbs and such for the evening and they sent around samples. It was humorous in its’ own way and yet informative. She shared the history of the place and that they have a pig on property that we are more than welcome to visit. I have a feeling few took advantage that evening with the weather.
After a short welcome we were invited into the main dining room and seated. There is no other term than dinner theatre! The massive kitchen in three stages was off to our left once seated and we had a front and center table. There were other tables and a total of maybe a 100 diners that evening. A private library alcove overhead went unused and yet I would love to host a dinner there. There were tables of 6, 8 and even 12 people. There is also a community table for solo diners and small parties wishing to be part of a larger group. Upon seating my seat had a lovely silver framed message wishing me a Happy Birthday and was told it was a small gift from the HerbFarm. Each table had a animal holding a name plate. Ours happened to be a frog – the perfect business card hold for Eric in Kentucky and I asked to acquire it and my wish was granted. The table groaned with glassware, flatware and dishes all sorts and table décor was festive as well.
Silver goblets held water and how they served it was a dream come true…they held a small ice bucket in the arm and did ice first followed by water out of a bottle. Not too much ice and not too little. The cup never ran dry the entire evening. Service was at a level of perfection rarely seen…always anticipating but never invasive. Stunning!
The theme of the evening was The Holly and the Ivy. The whole place was decked out for the holiday and the table was all the more with green chargers and ivory napkins holding our menus and a sprig of fir. We began with a Christmas Tree Champagne Cocktail: choice of Western Juniper or Douglas Fir syrup enhanced with candied cranberry. Champagne was then poured over this to release the smells to the nose. While the Douglas Fir was lovely, Markie did make the best choice with the Juniper. Next a lovely trio was delivered to each of us. Pearls of the Salish Sea – See menu for details of each. Without hesitation, the Qualicum Bay Scallop with Candied Celery Seed Granité and pickled Sea Asparagus was amazing and maybe that was because they had to send a town car to get the scallops for the dish as the delivery truck could not make it.
At this point the curtain was drawn across the kitchen and we were introduced to the staff for the evening and told some tales by the owner including his passion for buying stuff on ebay and thus the major collection of items all about the HerbFarm which was quite entertaining. You also got a sense just how the whole group comes together to make it all work and the amazing training all go through.
We were then served a lovely 2006 Amity Vineyards Pinot Blanc and this was paired with the 2nd course – “Crab Apple” Consommé was the next course. A bit of play on words, I find it a bit challenging and not my favorite. We opted to not try the “2nd glass experience on this course of Sake.
At this point Dan and Helene step away to use the rest room. This gets to be funny as the night progresses. The staff lunge to get to the door to open it for you and then rush over with a new napkin and remove the old. It kept going like this over and over. The staff could hear our comments and we were thrilled when the chef came out to talk to “the foodies in the front.” He had cooked at the White House and numerous restaurants.
Also, they delivered luscious breads to enjoy. I made the simple comment to Helene how I liked Balsamic vinegar and within moments some appeared. A server heard my comment and it was granted. Some of the best I had ever had. Later in the evening I spied a bottle for sale in the lobby…at $105. No, I did not buy a bottle.
Next up was the Nomad of the North Pacific. A delightful nod to the fish course and paired with a 2007 Soter Vineyards Rosé of Oregon Pinot Noir. No 2nd glass pairing with this course and I got to enjoy a 2nd egg as Helene does not like them.
The table to our right was a husband and wife who had brought their parents. That is six people at $275 a clip and they were not having a good time. They sucked down the food and his parents kept saying – When do we REALLY eat. How sad! The wife was totally jealous of our table and the attention and how we were just totally enjoying ourselves. Funny how things happen?
The pacing of the evening is such that the 9+ course dinner begins around 7pm and you are walking out around midnight. So amazing and there is live music to enjoy and it is a thrill that cannot be described to a non foodie as they often just roll their eyes.
Next up was the Northwest Bollito Misto…who knew you could lust for Pork Belly! Three of us sure did. Hello Mary. This dish honored the chef’s father and mother’s heritage. It was paired with a 2001 Wilridge Nebbiolo di Klipsun from Red Mountain. Good choice, I LOVE Nebbiolo’s and yet I have to say that the 2nd glass pairing was better…yes, it really was. A Guiseppe Costese Barbaresco, Rabaja out of Italy and it was such a discussion that the wine sommeliers stopped by to discuss and in the end they actually realized we were right in our points and thanked us for being so insightful. Yup, that got to the chef who paid another visit to our table after the next course to be sure we were enjoying ourselves!
It must be shared that each course is a work of art and the portion is such that it is a bite or two. This is not about “all you can eat” but rather about the layers of complexity that are being played with and how you take great lengths to use local items and let the senses be taken away on a wonderful journey. A foodie gets this. Not being a snob, just sharing. It was an evening that many of us would love to enjoy again.
As we began the fifth course, it was time to just pause and be present. The course was titled Bisen, Beef, Wagyu. Well, it was just yummy to be sure and even the 24-hour Wagyu Short Rib stood up, but the flavors…see the menu for full details. Amazing pairings of flavors. The wine was a 2000 Cadence Meritage, Taptiel, Red Mountain and a steal that night at $60 a bottle. It was so far above the 2nd glass pairing of Andrew Will Meritage, Klipsun Vineyards that the sommelier stopped by and gave us not only a 2nd glass of the original wine, but a third as well…oh yeah!
Heaven is a place we hear about and yet this was a heavenly evening. What a night to be sure. The cheese course followed – specifically Cheese with Bitter Greens. It was lovely to slow down and while no specific wine was available with this course, they had flights you could buy. We got two:
Red Alert! Had never had a red ice wine and we enjoyed them quite a bit. First up was Lake Crest Winery’s Syrah Ice Wine which was our 2nd favorite of the three. Inniskillin’s Cabernet Franc Ice Wine out of Canada was our 2nd tasting but third choice. Our final ice wine was the favorite and that was Sineann’s Zinfandel Ice Wine out of Oregon. All 2006 and was $35 for the tasting – thank you Helene for the lovely gift to the three of us for the holiday.
Flight of Grand Champagnes! What a treat…three fabulous pours with Dom Pérignon 2000 vintage starting things off. I know one of us sure good a good taste of this one. But the other three were a bit more balanced around…the 2nd being 1998 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame which is always a delight. But the third is why I so wanted to try it – I had never had Krug and tonight it all changed. Hello MARY!! Non vintage Krug Grand Cuvée was an oral orgasm unrivaled in my book. It was a sheer joy – again thank you so much Helene for treating us to this lovely memory.
Dan kept using the wash room and the gentleman server kept placing new napkins and in the end when Dan came back he had left a stack as a sort of joke that we all laughed at, but wonder if Dan ever realized it was a joke, or perhaps did not find it humorous. Oh well, it was all in fun. But the next course was not fun at all; it was the miss of the night sadly. It was a Sorbet of Pineapple Quince. It was just a miss on flavor. The server asked us what we thought as much of it was left and we were frank and honest. The chef came out for a third visit and asked what happened? My honest suggestion was to consider something like Grapefruit and pepper, something to really cleanse the palette. He liked my idea…but to be honest, I had had that once before at a dinner and have always thought it was an amazing blend.
We were slowly coming to the end of the dinner. Dan stepped out to find something for Lisa as a memento of the night. Helene did a little power shopping and well, I was getting a tad bit tired. Alas, it was time for dessert and Deck the Halls. To watch them plate this up right before your eyes. The perfection of the double Terrine was a sheer joy. Eggnog Ice Cream was a double BAM as I got Helene’s share. I am so happy she does not like eggs!
It was time for Coffee, Teas & Infusions…talk about assembly line as they prepared creamers, tea sets and coffees, oh my! It was magical and everyone was taken care of promptly. It was all laid out in a booklet complete with cliff notes on the back page on how to order if not sure!
The finale was A Selection of Small Treats. This was so cute as they did double orders so each person got to taste one of everything which did not quite work out on one side of the table, but there was Rose Geranium Chocolate cookie; Persimmon Pates de Fruits; Dark Chocolate Knackerli with Caramel Quinoa & Cranberry; Birch Milk Chocolate Truffle; and finally a Pumpkin Spice White Chocolate.
What an amazing meal…and as we sat back and savored the last tastes one could not help notice those rushing to get out and break the magic. It was a night to be savored, not rushed. Alas, we enjoyed ourselves and then went and settled the bill and got our wraps to brace for the cold. Our driver was there and as we headed back to the city Markie had a CD of Christmas music to polish off the night.
Many in the back nodded off as I kept the driver company and he was AMAZING in getting Helene home to her abode in the snow and madness. He then drove down into the city and took Roosevelt Avenue and we saw some festive lights and the CD finished just as we arrived at my building. The boys went to the parking garage as I went up to my apartment. The tree had been left on and was a magical moment to tell me that the magic would live on as the memory is one that will not die. Thank you to all for making my birthday so very special I will never forget it. Ho! Ho! Ho!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Clicked my heels three times
And I am home! Yeah, to be here for the first time this autumn is a joy. Trees are changing and I was greeted with a wonderful display of leaves on the breakfast bar. Can only guess Moonsong left them as a greeting for my favorite season of the year.
Flights connected and took a taxi directly to the apt. Mail is collected and have packed away summer look in preparation of getting fall decor up. Running on excess energy and so going to keep this post short. Know that I appreciate all the feedback from people and I look forward to sharing more thoughts and perspectives.
So enjoy the shortness of this post as I have a lot of thoughts flowing around up in the brain, but they will be shared later. Tomorrow reality sets in with two back to back meetings and it is Jodie's birthday dinner tomorrow night.
Flights connected and took a taxi directly to the apt. Mail is collected and have packed away summer look in preparation of getting fall decor up. Running on excess energy and so going to keep this post short. Know that I appreciate all the feedback from people and I look forward to sharing more thoughts and perspectives.
So enjoy the shortness of this post as I have a lot of thoughts flowing around up in the brain, but they will be shared later. Tomorrow reality sets in with two back to back meetings and it is Jodie's birthday dinner tomorrow night.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Relax, Rest and Paprika
So I tried to get this done before midnight! Close, but hey, it has been a lovely day. Slept in and then woke up and proceeded to take a two hour nap! I have grown to enjoy a simple breakfast over the past several weeks. That would be yogurt with fresh fruit, a bagel (which has not been easy to find over here by the way!) plus coffee. Used to be cereal with a banana and coffee but the weather was hot in San Francisco and the yogurt tasted good. Can anyone tell me why bananas are so hard to find when traveling outside of the United States? Seriously, it happened in Australia and now here in Denmark. I miss my banana. The potassium is so good for you. Granted, I may be making a blanket statement for two countries apply to more, but it is an observation.
Did you know that cantaloupe is champagne melon? You never know what will be tossed out next. But I have to tell you I had what the restaurant called a “Good-bye summer” salad. Oh am I going to fix this one again. It was spinach with champagne melon and watermelon plus shaved parmesan cheese. Add to that a balsamic vinaigrette dressing. But there was a bite to it as I ate it and could not figure it out. So I asked the server. Get this…minced Jalapeño in the salad to give it the heat of the summer. Is that cool or what? I mean, well you know what I mean. The blending of such different stuff to shake up the norm of what we expect as a salad.
So I can now stop talking about food for the day as that was all I had. I was totally in a non-food mode this day, but when it hit it was for simple stuff. Especially the salad this evening I so did not want to see more than a course. Yes, I am a total foodie, but one can only handle so many multi-course dinners in a week. And do not get me started on the restaurant at the hotel in San Francisco. OK, so I will for a minute…it was called Ponzu.
Here is what their website says about it: Do you Ponzu? This San Francisco fusion restaurant is located downtown in Union Square, next to the historic Serrano Hotel. A free-flowing dining room and cocktail lounge experience envelops Ponzu's guests in a fantasy environment the moment they arrive. From the backlit magnifying glass sconce outside the front door to the vast curvy bar backed by three large tanks of tropical fish inside, diners get a sense of the whimsical style throughout.
Did you know that cantaloupe is champagne melon? You never know what will be tossed out next. But I have to tell you I had what the restaurant called a “Good-bye summer” salad. Oh am I going to fix this one again. It was spinach with champagne melon and watermelon plus shaved parmesan cheese. Add to that a balsamic vinaigrette dressing. But there was a bite to it as I ate it and could not figure it out. So I asked the server. Get this…minced Jalapeño in the salad to give it the heat of the summer. Is that cool or what? I mean, well you know what I mean. The blending of such different stuff to shake up the norm of what we expect as a salad.
So I can now stop talking about food for the day as that was all I had. I was totally in a non-food mode this day, but when it hit it was for simple stuff. Especially the salad this evening I so did not want to see more than a course. Yes, I am a total foodie, but one can only handle so many multi-course dinners in a week. And do not get me started on the restaurant at the hotel in San Francisco. OK, so I will for a minute…it was called Ponzu.
Here is what their website says about it: Do you Ponzu? This San Francisco fusion restaurant is located downtown in Union Square, next to the historic Serrano Hotel. A free-flowing dining room and cocktail lounge experience envelops Ponzu's guests in a fantasy environment the moment they arrive. From the backlit magnifying glass sconce outside the front door to the vast curvy bar backed by three large tanks of tropical fish inside, diners get a sense of the whimsical style throughout. Well folks…I did the Ponzu and sorry I did. The 3 fish tanks are now lifeless. The wine storage is empty and no flowers to speak of…yes, it is hurting and yet there is one thing they have so much of that it shows up on every item you order. Yes, I speak of paprika. My God! They douche everything with it. Potatoes, French fries, crab cakes, salad dressings, it was vulgar after a while! There was someone in the kitchen who knew to keep it away from dairy and fresh fruit! I must send them a thank you note.
And we are back and with that I will share that it has been a perfect day here in Copenhagen and one that was totally unplanned as I thought I was flying home today. One thing I did learn this day is that Copenhagen is sometimes referred to as the Paris of the north. Hmmm, I can understand that as it is very walk able like Paris.
As a closing comment, here is a site of the city that made me laugh; he may be gone, but not forgotten. A couple of things to note in the picture, it was a lovely day and if you look carefully, see what restaurant is in the reflection – yes, a touch of America in this city…they are everywhere! Not sure how tomorrow is going to unfold, so I might not get to post until my return to the states. Cheers! PS: Work with me as I learn to add stuff and fluff up these postings. It is a learning curve to be sure. Hope you enjoy!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Am I in Seattle or Copenhagen?
One word = rain! It poured all day through without a break. But I must share; I was like a kid in a candy store. Mind you after 12 days in San Francisco where I had the privilege of experiencing a most unusual late summer heat front that pushed temps into the 100’s, this was like heaven. Yes, going to pay the price for being soggy, but clothes are now draped around the room and drying and I have had a hot shower and feeling better.
What a great day to be sure.
But let me pause for a moment and share how yesterday became the launch day of my blog. I had been trying to decide when? Well, it was my Dad’s birthday. He’s been gone now 10 years and we used to have great discussions, about all sorts of topics. I think that is why I enjoy my morning chats with my boss, Mark. Oh they are unique at times and oh do we have different opinions, but there is the respect of that different opinion.
Dad and I would have these talks at all sorts of different times. Mind you, I was never in the realm of his sports talks. He took sports just a bit too seriously for my tastes. There were times I thought his head would blow up when a play would not go right or a ref made a bad call. But once you got outside of sports he would be impassioned and make good arguments. It was about the word.
So, it made sense to begin this column of “the word” on what would have been his 87th birthday. At the same time any good journalist should cover the who, what, where, when and why besides the how.
WHO influenced me? Uncle Markie hands down with his blog. He has been doing it for over a 1,000 postings and some are too funny and others make you pause and go – huh? You can go and see what got me interested at http://blog.unclemarkie.com/. His is so much more unique but over time I might work on that.
WHAT is it for? The postings are of nothing in particular other than sharing thoughts and experiences of my life. It seems that I have been blessed with a hell of a lot of good times and opportunities and so why not share them with others. Stop by if you like or move along and have a good day.
WHERE do I see this going? Do not have a clue in the world and feel the less planning the more fun it will be.
WHEN do I post? Each day unfolds differently as I have discovered so I will post when I can. Yesterday I mentioned 3-4 times a week. We shall see. Not going to have my feet to the fire on this one.
WHY did I pick the name I did? Many of you know I am involved in the Radical Faeries (although I am not that radical to be sure). One of the things that came out of that involvement is a name – Snowbear. I love the snow and am bearish like. Well, a few years back I split with a partner of several years and decided to search for a different animal to relate with. Through my research I discovered that the swan has the same energies in Native American rituals. Well, we had swans in Lithia Park in Ashland when growing up and thought cool. So I took the name Snowswan.
Well, I decided to change my email address from Snowbear@aol (now, now – it was the mid 90’s and aol was hip then!) to Snowswan@aol but it was taken. And so I began trying different things and then I remembered a fellow faerie who took a French name and so I thought I would be all that and a bag of chips and tried Swandusnow@aol (yes, seriously I did!). And guess what, it took! At the next gathering I announced I was “Swan-du-Snow” from this point forward and well that is a mouth full and soon Swanda became the shorten version of it. It was at this time I met many of the dear friends in the faeries who are so much a part of my life. Well, once you meet, that name sticks and Swanda has.
Mind you, I flipped back to Snowbear a few years back and took Snowy as a fun name…but for several people Swanda is how I am known and will always be known. So in only 3 paragraphs we got the first word.
As for Fabulous…do you really need to ask? It is what it is! I am an ego-centric pig at times and own that. But a gay ego-centric pig and so I had to use Fabulous! My Ya-Ya’s will verify that for you!
And therein the name was born – Swanda’s Fabulous Blog.
So let’s get back in the car and talk a bit about this day. Oh yes, I had not forgotten, stick with me, I usually get back to the main story, but y’all know you were asking where the hell that name came from? Yes, I know you were.
I shared with you yesterday about the plan for today. Well, let me tell you I have been a good trooper and was where I was suppose to be and did what I was told to do. We began with “Danish” and have been told to be careful on how I refer to that. A joy of correctness in a blog!
Decided to be really basic and have a Kringle. It is made in the original Danish way, where the pastry is made out of layers of flaky, buttery crust, enclosing a filling of almond paste and raisins, then topped with sugar and sliced almonds and finally twisted into the traditional pretzel shape.
The Kringle was brought to Denmark by Austrian bakers who were hired to replace Danish Bakers during a strike. Danish bakers were on strike as they wished to be paid in money rather then bed and board. When the Austrians left, they also left behind, the methods of rolling butter between the layers of dough, then letting it rest before shaping and baking.
Can you answer me this? If it was brought to Denmark by Austrians then how can it be made the original Danish way? So confused! I took the little card at the café and wanted to be sure to share this. Also, before moving on it is so more obvious why Americans have weight issues. Over here breakfast is very simple, not a platter laden with piles of greasy food. A biscuit and coffee and then simple lunch makes up the first half of their day. I need to keep some of these practices in mind. Yes, in mind, but also in motion and not go backwards.
It was off on the boat ride and what a festive time and I tried to get people to laugh. Yes it was gray out, all the better to see the yellows and blues and greens on the buildings. Cute and adorable…on the surface and yet the cobblestones were at every turn waiting to take you down. They are mean and deadly to anyone who is overweight and happens to have issues with an ankle – Hello, hello, that would be ME! The perky little guide with the oh so original name Heidi. Oh please where are the Betha’s, Helga’s and Doris? Come on, do they really think we buy into the fact that the 4 guides all happen to have “H” names. Heidi, Hannah, Helen & Herma.
We board boats for the tour. Nyhavn is part of the original Copenhagen Harbor all the way back to the founding of Haven, as Copenhagen was then called, in the 12th century. We go along and there are so many boats in due to the weather and yet the stunning colors of the buildings serve as a nice backdrop for this. When in Nyhavn, the Danes really get into a typical Danish term "Hygge" - relax and forget all about the worries of life. Now it's time to have a good time with friends. That's all that matter. Yea, say that to the dozen or so people still sulking. Can you believe it!?! Yes, we lost and I have been getting more and more clarity on why. More on that in a bit. Come on people, relax, enjoy and oh it is time to attack more cobblestones = oh joy!
We head to the main square and I opt to hop a tri-bike. Meet the group in the center of town and not dying by then. We are nearing time for lunch break. Two people would be in heaven right about now as I am standing in the town square and there are a plethora of hot dog carts and more than a few of what the locals call beer bars, not pubs. Interesting to be sure. As we enjoy a dog (and oh do you pay for the privilege to enjoy a wonderfully done hot dog in the center of town) Hot dog stands, especially those around Rådhuspladsen, offer polser (steamed or grilled hot dogs) with shredded onions on top and pommes frites (French fries) on the side. You learn that in less than 10 years the number of breweries has exploded. With about 18 back at the turn of the century soon there will be like 150 plus. Amazing to be sure, but beer is taking its’ rightful place in this city.
Mind you, Copenhagen is home to over 2,000 eateries of all sorts and food has taken on a religion like status here. Somehow we got a reservation at a place know for fish tonight. It makes it an almost religious duty to import ultra fresh fish and shellfish three times a week from Greenland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands. Oh my…but we still have a museum to enjoy.
Well, not exactly a museum, it is a living and breathing design space. There are two exhibits currently – “it’s a small world” which I initially thought would be about Walt Disney, but it is not. It is about the future of design and how things are getting smaller and smaller. All I can say is phones are small enough! The 2nd exhibit was a way cooler for me. Called “Short/Cuts – design from the 20th century” and it had stuff like the disposable razor and a Mickey phone and there was even Tupperware. How many things came into our lives last century is really amazing. The DDC does so much to encourage people to follow their real working ideas and to make films and share ideas. Very cool!
They offered a guided shopping trip and I passed and if it had not been raining I would likely have tried the mass transit, but I wanted to dry off and have a quick nap before dinner and then the finale of the evening, Tivoli Gardens. So I jumped in a taxi and headed for the hotel. It is how you say things I have realized if they will take advantage. I was firm and short – The Admiral Hotel please, and got their straight away.
Dinner was set for 18:00 (they all use 24 hour clocks over here) or 6pm. This is early by any stretch of the imagination, but the only way to fit a multi-course dinner in and the show. And so it was to be.
NOMA is the name of the restaurant which is short for nordatlantiskl mad, or North Atlantic food. It’s relatively new and so we were able to snag a table for 8 of us tonight. This showcase of Nordic cuisine has received favorable press in it’s strive to be true to Denmark’s true fish houses. We almost missed finding the place in that it is within an antique, stone-sided warehouse.
We kicked off the night with the sea bay shrimp which won us over with its fragrance of a lime-flavored mousseline sauce.
Platters of fish poached, grilled, pickled, smoked, or salted according to old Nordic traditions, then served in ways that are sometimes more elaborately decorated. Tonight we tried (in order) zander (sort of like perch) is a classic coming with a tarragon-flavored cream sauce, halibut in a foamy wasabi-flavored cream sauce, plus crayfish, blue lobster, salmon freshly salted. I do not think I need to try lobster smoked again!
But we were not done; they had only finished the fish course…To beguile jaded palates, the chef offered Skagen or Serrano ham with lusciously ripe avocados and crisp fresh greens. Wow, it really perked me up.
In came autumn fresh partridge and field gathered mushrooms. The menu is delicious, and full of flavor with combinations that might not be thought of at first.
And then came the old stand by…the plate-size Wiener schnitzel with fresh green peas and bacon.
The salad course was AMAZING - foie gras with dried wild goose breast and beet root stalks and parboiled carrots.
For dessert, the plum tart with clotted cream may be an acquired taste, but it captivated us. Coffee and Armagnac were sent from the kitchen, a real topper.
Thank goodness we began when we did as we rolled out of there just before 9pm and had to make our way cross town in less than 30 minutes in the rain, yes, it was still pouring. We did it and Tivoli Gardens was a gem even in the rain. No rides, but the lights were on and the production was moved indoors. I decided to opt out of the production; too much had just happened this day. I needed to pause and I did. Relaxed and chatted with a couple of people.
Yes, the whole Olympic thing came round. I happen to believe that the map was one of the biggest things to influence the members voting and also the desire of the new IOC president to take the games where they have not been. Yes, they have not been to Chicago, but they have been to the USA. I am still a bit tipsy from this evening as I had my share of wine and vodka this night. What a night. Company, I think not. Sleep is needed, but I wanted to put this to paper before I slept. It is just after 1AM and I am tired yet, thankful no structure Sunday. So for now I bid you a good night and if this works, you will see what map I refer to, it was presented by the Rio Committee.
What a great day to be sure.
But let me pause for a moment and share how yesterday became the launch day of my blog. I had been trying to decide when? Well, it was my Dad’s birthday. He’s been gone now 10 years and we used to have great discussions, about all sorts of topics. I think that is why I enjoy my morning chats with my boss, Mark. Oh they are unique at times and oh do we have different opinions, but there is the respect of that different opinion.
Dad and I would have these talks at all sorts of different times. Mind you, I was never in the realm of his sports talks. He took sports just a bit too seriously for my tastes. There were times I thought his head would blow up when a play would not go right or a ref made a bad call. But once you got outside of sports he would be impassioned and make good arguments. It was about the word.
So, it made sense to begin this column of “the word” on what would have been his 87th birthday. At the same time any good journalist should cover the who, what, where, when and why besides the how.
WHO influenced me? Uncle Markie hands down with his blog. He has been doing it for over a 1,000 postings and some are too funny and others make you pause and go – huh? You can go and see what got me interested at http://blog.unclemarkie.com/. His is so much more unique but over time I might work on that.
WHAT is it for? The postings are of nothing in particular other than sharing thoughts and experiences of my life. It seems that I have been blessed with a hell of a lot of good times and opportunities and so why not share them with others. Stop by if you like or move along and have a good day.
WHERE do I see this going? Do not have a clue in the world and feel the less planning the more fun it will be.
WHEN do I post? Each day unfolds differently as I have discovered so I will post when I can. Yesterday I mentioned 3-4 times a week. We shall see. Not going to have my feet to the fire on this one.
WHY did I pick the name I did? Many of you know I am involved in the Radical Faeries (although I am not that radical to be sure). One of the things that came out of that involvement is a name – Snowbear. I love the snow and am bearish like. Well, a few years back I split with a partner of several years and decided to search for a different animal to relate with. Through my research I discovered that the swan has the same energies in Native American rituals. Well, we had swans in Lithia Park in Ashland when growing up and thought cool. So I took the name Snowswan.
Well, I decided to change my email address from Snowbear@aol (now, now – it was the mid 90’s and aol was hip then!) to Snowswan@aol but it was taken. And so I began trying different things and then I remembered a fellow faerie who took a French name and so I thought I would be all that and a bag of chips and tried Swandusnow@aol (yes, seriously I did!). And guess what, it took! At the next gathering I announced I was “Swan-du-Snow” from this point forward and well that is a mouth full and soon Swanda became the shorten version of it. It was at this time I met many of the dear friends in the faeries who are so much a part of my life. Well, once you meet, that name sticks and Swanda has.
Mind you, I flipped back to Snowbear a few years back and took Snowy as a fun name…but for several people Swanda is how I am known and will always be known. So in only 3 paragraphs we got the first word.
As for Fabulous…do you really need to ask? It is what it is! I am an ego-centric pig at times and own that. But a gay ego-centric pig and so I had to use Fabulous! My Ya-Ya’s will verify that for you!
And therein the name was born – Swanda’s Fabulous Blog.
So let’s get back in the car and talk a bit about this day. Oh yes, I had not forgotten, stick with me, I usually get back to the main story, but y’all know you were asking where the hell that name came from? Yes, I know you were.
I shared with you yesterday about the plan for today. Well, let me tell you I have been a good trooper and was where I was suppose to be and did what I was told to do. We began with “Danish” and have been told to be careful on how I refer to that. A joy of correctness in a blog!
Decided to be really basic and have a Kringle. It is made in the original Danish way, where the pastry is made out of layers of flaky, buttery crust, enclosing a filling of almond paste and raisins, then topped with sugar and sliced almonds and finally twisted into the traditional pretzel shape.
The Kringle was brought to Denmark by Austrian bakers who were hired to replace Danish Bakers during a strike. Danish bakers were on strike as they wished to be paid in money rather then bed and board. When the Austrians left, they also left behind, the methods of rolling butter between the layers of dough, then letting it rest before shaping and baking.
Can you answer me this? If it was brought to Denmark by Austrians then how can it be made the original Danish way? So confused! I took the little card at the café and wanted to be sure to share this. Also, before moving on it is so more obvious why Americans have weight issues. Over here breakfast is very simple, not a platter laden with piles of greasy food. A biscuit and coffee and then simple lunch makes up the first half of their day. I need to keep some of these practices in mind. Yes, in mind, but also in motion and not go backwards.
It was off on the boat ride and what a festive time and I tried to get people to laugh. Yes it was gray out, all the better to see the yellows and blues and greens on the buildings. Cute and adorable…on the surface and yet the cobblestones were at every turn waiting to take you down. They are mean and deadly to anyone who is overweight and happens to have issues with an ankle – Hello, hello, that would be ME! The perky little guide with the oh so original name Heidi. Oh please where are the Betha’s, Helga’s and Doris? Come on, do they really think we buy into the fact that the 4 guides all happen to have “H” names. Heidi, Hannah, Helen & Herma.
We board boats for the tour. Nyhavn is part of the original Copenhagen Harbor all the way back to the founding of Haven, as Copenhagen was then called, in the 12th century. We go along and there are so many boats in due to the weather and yet the stunning colors of the buildings serve as a nice backdrop for this. When in Nyhavn, the Danes really get into a typical Danish term "Hygge" - relax and forget all about the worries of life. Now it's time to have a good time with friends. That's all that matter. Yea, say that to the dozen or so people still sulking. Can you believe it!?! Yes, we lost and I have been getting more and more clarity on why. More on that in a bit. Come on people, relax, enjoy and oh it is time to attack more cobblestones = oh joy!
We head to the main square and I opt to hop a tri-bike. Meet the group in the center of town and not dying by then. We are nearing time for lunch break. Two people would be in heaven right about now as I am standing in the town square and there are a plethora of hot dog carts and more than a few of what the locals call beer bars, not pubs. Interesting to be sure. As we enjoy a dog (and oh do you pay for the privilege to enjoy a wonderfully done hot dog in the center of town) Hot dog stands, especially those around Rådhuspladsen, offer polser (steamed or grilled hot dogs) with shredded onions on top and pommes frites (French fries) on the side. You learn that in less than 10 years the number of breweries has exploded. With about 18 back at the turn of the century soon there will be like 150 plus. Amazing to be sure, but beer is taking its’ rightful place in this city.
Mind you, Copenhagen is home to over 2,000 eateries of all sorts and food has taken on a religion like status here. Somehow we got a reservation at a place know for fish tonight. It makes it an almost religious duty to import ultra fresh fish and shellfish three times a week from Greenland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands. Oh my…but we still have a museum to enjoy.
Well, not exactly a museum, it is a living and breathing design space. There are two exhibits currently – “it’s a small world” which I initially thought would be about Walt Disney, but it is not. It is about the future of design and how things are getting smaller and smaller. All I can say is phones are small enough! The 2nd exhibit was a way cooler for me. Called “Short/Cuts – design from the 20th century” and it had stuff like the disposable razor and a Mickey phone and there was even Tupperware. How many things came into our lives last century is really amazing. The DDC does so much to encourage people to follow their real working ideas and to make films and share ideas. Very cool!
They offered a guided shopping trip and I passed and if it had not been raining I would likely have tried the mass transit, but I wanted to dry off and have a quick nap before dinner and then the finale of the evening, Tivoli Gardens. So I jumped in a taxi and headed for the hotel. It is how you say things I have realized if they will take advantage. I was firm and short – The Admiral Hotel please, and got their straight away.
Dinner was set for 18:00 (they all use 24 hour clocks over here) or 6pm. This is early by any stretch of the imagination, but the only way to fit a multi-course dinner in and the show. And so it was to be.
NOMA is the name of the restaurant which is short for nordatlantiskl mad, or North Atlantic food. It’s relatively new and so we were able to snag a table for 8 of us tonight. This showcase of Nordic cuisine has received favorable press in it’s strive to be true to Denmark’s true fish houses. We almost missed finding the place in that it is within an antique, stone-sided warehouse.
We kicked off the night with the sea bay shrimp which won us over with its fragrance of a lime-flavored mousseline sauce.
Platters of fish poached, grilled, pickled, smoked, or salted according to old Nordic traditions, then served in ways that are sometimes more elaborately decorated. Tonight we tried (in order) zander (sort of like perch) is a classic coming with a tarragon-flavored cream sauce, halibut in a foamy wasabi-flavored cream sauce, plus crayfish, blue lobster, salmon freshly salted. I do not think I need to try lobster smoked again!
But we were not done; they had only finished the fish course…To beguile jaded palates, the chef offered Skagen or Serrano ham with lusciously ripe avocados and crisp fresh greens. Wow, it really perked me up.
In came autumn fresh partridge and field gathered mushrooms. The menu is delicious, and full of flavor with combinations that might not be thought of at first.
And then came the old stand by…the plate-size Wiener schnitzel with fresh green peas and bacon.
The salad course was AMAZING - foie gras with dried wild goose breast and beet root stalks and parboiled carrots.
For dessert, the plum tart with clotted cream may be an acquired taste, but it captivated us. Coffee and Armagnac were sent from the kitchen, a real topper.
Thank goodness we began when we did as we rolled out of there just before 9pm and had to make our way cross town in less than 30 minutes in the rain, yes, it was still pouring. We did it and Tivoli Gardens was a gem even in the rain. No rides, but the lights were on and the production was moved indoors. I decided to opt out of the production; too much had just happened this day. I needed to pause and I did. Relaxed and chatted with a couple of people.
Yes, the whole Olympic thing came round. I happen to believe that the map was one of the biggest things to influence the members voting and also the desire of the new IOC president to take the games where they have not been. Yes, they have not been to Chicago, but they have been to the USA. I am still a bit tipsy from this evening as I had my share of wine and vodka this night. What a night. Company, I think not. Sleep is needed, but I wanted to put this to paper before I slept. It is just after 1AM and I am tired yet, thankful no structure Sunday. So for now I bid you a good night and if this works, you will see what map I refer to, it was presented by the Rio Committee.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Hello from Copenhagen
I cannot believe I have just said that…it is only now sinking in that I am here. Markie, johnny and Mike thank you for the messages. Initially I was stunned, but no more as I got to talk over this with a local at a bar. But first, here is how it all played out
The results of the voting as published by the International Olympic Committee.
Ballot 1: (95 eligible, 94 valid ballots)
Madrid - 28Rio - 26Tokyo - 22Chicago -18 (ouch!)
Ballot 2: (97 eligible, 1 abstention, 95 valid ballots)
Rio - 46Madrid - 29Tokyo – 20
Ballot 3: (99 eligible, 1 abstention, 98 valid ballots)
Rio - 66Madrid – 32
Rio de Janeiro elected!
The IOC is very emotional and well, Chicago was first and so after the presentation (we were the 1st of 4) the President left. This could have hurt us, but I do not think so. I think this…
The IOC cared more about the former president of the IOC. He was from Spain. They did not wish to diss him. So Madrid had to save face. Thus at the first ballot, I believe each continent stood behind its’ candidate and we lost. There’s a disconnect here and we did not realize it. Also, the USOC leadership all changed from Beijing to now. Not good. The IOC is an old boys’ club in the worst way. We had a good and solid bid…but emotion ruled the day, not bids, not practical, not last minute landings. Hell, Rio just canceled a world level swimming contest due to money. This should have opened eyes, but it did not.
Tokyo had solid funding and that could not be ignored. Seriously, already $4 billion lined up. Madrid had the former president and well, Rio had a damn fine presentation and that map was just plain dead one. No games had been in South America.
So what to do…the ego-centric Americans learned a few things today. I learned a few things today. I will not share here, but tomorrow I will send along a post after my talk with Felix at Café Intime last night. VERY EYE OPENING about how Europe and the world view the USA…and yes, we have a few things to learn.
After the announcement we went back to the hotel and SALT where they had an amazing dinner for us…
First up was the Danish version of soul food fried platters of herring and Danish fish cakes with mustard sauce and minced beet root.
One local diner confided in us: "The food is not worthy of God's own table but it's so good for me I come here once a week." What does that mean?
Next up, the lobster soup – one word – FABULOUS!
Our feast continued with Brittany oysters with lemon and shallot-flavored vinegar plus mussels in a Pernod-flavored cream sauce with fennel and summer onions.
Next, it was a choice and I picked the best beef tenderloin steak w/ garlic-glazed fingerling potatoes and gold beets. I had read that many an evening Danish meal is Bøf & Ost (Beef & Cheese) and so now the former is handled…it is time for the cheese.
Not to be disappointed, a platter groaning with six different selections of the best cheese in the country arrives for us to devour with crusty and freshly baked bread.
Now mind you I picked the beef and good thing I did. Several choose pork chops with fennel and candied roots. Not a good thing. Locals then know you are a foreigner. During the war pork chops, was the favorite dish of the Nazi occupation forces in the early '40s. For years it was not served, but recently they are popping up on menus. Interesting how history can tag you.
A salad of sautéed spinach incorporating venison con fête with sautéed foie gras had me moaning Mama like no tomorrow! The lavender infused orange zest vinaigrette was truly something I had never thought of or expected.
The finale was pear-flavored sorbet with Danish raspberries and cream.
Wines were amazing and somehow I am still walking as I go out into the night for a bit of air and just to absorb all that is around me. Little do I realize that everything will become clearer as I meet a local and get perspective, but that is for the next post?
Must sleep for a few hours at least, we need to be up and ready at 09:00.
Hell, you knew I was not going to sleep in this city. It is all sinking in and after months of work I am now feeling like a free bird. WOWZERS! Yes, I said it feeling free and a bit frisky as well. Nothing came of Felix, except some damn fine conversation. But there is still tonight and well I do feel the need to score one for the home team…did I just go TFI?
As I got up there was an envelope on the floor of my room…slide during the night. It is an itinerary for Saturday. To use Uncle Markie’s term I do believe I have become part of a death march!
So our breakfast stop is to be a little café in Copenhagen. But first, a bit of history…situated on the east side of the Danish island of Zealand, this Scandinavian city is closer to Sweden then the mainland of Europe. Copenhagen is the capitol of Denmark, Europe’s oldest Kingdom. The dreaded Vikings used to call this place home, but, today Denmark is the very image of a civilized country, enjoying one of the world’s highest standards of living. Is it just me or is it a country where weight is just not an issue and I am feeling VERY much on display! OK, enough about me, for now.
We begin our day fun at breakfast. This country has elevated a flaky, fruit filled pastry to such a high level of perfection it is known the world over as “A Danish.” See – haha! OK, bad, bad…but during the coffee and pasty fest we will all given a Copenhagen Card and boy make sure you get one if you visit! Avoid the hassle of buying tickets for transportation, museums, and attractions. We get ours for free, but I fear there is a charge.
So the sheet says “If you feel the need to rush, to make the most of your short stay in Copenhagen, relax.” What the hell does that mean?
It goes on to boast - A wonderful way to get a feel for this harbor town is a tour boat ride through Nyhavn. Once the home of rowdy sailors and merchants, this sea going neighborhood has been a prosperous part of Danish life for over 300 years…wooden sailboats still anchor at the docks near Hans Christian Andersen's home. I am guessing the latter is why they picked this particular boat tour.
Later, it claims I’ll burn off some of those delicious Danish calories with a brisk Danish walk….but first; we have a boat to catch. Do they realize I am walking with a cane and am fat? Hell, getting out of my hotel room is burning off calories!
The provided tour sheet states: After your tour, head up Stroget Street, a pedestrian mall that leads from Nyhavn to the city center. Stroget is one of Copenhagen’s best places to shop, snack, or just to people watch. I am game, but it is suppose to be raining and so this is going to be a joy I am sure! NOT!
Stroget leads right to the Town Hall Square and the center of the city. Some travelers have a seat right in Hans Christian Anderson’s lap. The author of “The Ugly Duckling” and “the Little Mermaid” doesn’t mind at all. I do believe I plan on passing on sitting on his lap this day.Copenhagen is steeped in history with its share of churches, museums, palaces and a Queen. If this seems a little bit stuffy don’t be fooled because the Danes also know how to have fun. OK, so this is all in this sheet of pre-information, you so know I will have a follow-up tomorrow or whenever I am alive again.
Thankfully, they are allowing a two-hour break for lunch, beverages and shopping. I think beverages are at the top of my list and I have not left the hotel yet.
Did I tell you about where I am staying? Staying at Admiral Hotel is an experience in its own right. None of our rooms are identical. The grand, rustic wooden beams give the room’s individuality and a golden glow.
The interior design is also worth mentioning. In cooperation with Danish furniture classic designers Trip Trap, they have decorated each room with custom-made furniture of solid teak. Yes, it is over the top!
All rooms have a sophisticated TV and radio system, video-on-demand, telephone, e-mail and Internet access, mini bar, hair-dryer, 24-hour room and snack service as well washing, dry cleaning and 1-hour ironing service. Blah, blah, blah! All I can say is thank the goddess I am not paying for my room this weekend – it would be obscene. What an amazing place.
So let’s get back to our one day tour. We will have had a break and what better place to pick up than a museum…the Danes have a knack for design, whether it’s in architecture like the Black Diamond addition to the Royal Library of Copenhagen, or in everyday things. To see what a coffee pot SHOULD look like; spend an hour in the Danish Design Center, near the Tivoli gardens. The museum shows how Danish designers achieved international fame by producing furniture and everyday objects that are functional, graceful and comfortable. A private tour has been arranged for our group. All 4 cities are touring right behind each other.
Due to the votes, some people are sulking and not going to do the tour. Fine, spend the rainy day in your room. The Danish people have opened their city to us and I plan to take advantage. My butt is still soar from the flight, but I have NEVER been here before and hell, when would I know to put this all together again?! Get over it people, the IOC is an old school group of people who are out of touch and well, Rio got the bid and get over it!
While the sheet states and evening at Tivoli, I just found out a few minutes ago that they are opening this just for us this evening in Copenhagen, over 100,000 lights will glow for the city delegations —Tivoli Gardens, it is a must-see destination. They are running it as a special evening and locals can join in and it is a festive moment for the city. This is AWESOME! Tivoli is a one-of-a-kind amusement park-- right in the center of the city. For more than 150 years Tivoli has offered visitors an easy place to totally unwind. It was a direct influence of Walt Disney and you all know how I feel about Walt! They are opening the park for us and the city for a night and there is a show, but I think I am going to just wander. Now, weather permitting a bit of pyrotechnics will cap the night —a prefect end to a prefect day in Copenhagen.
Mind you, I live a rather full life. And there are times when I have to pause and pinch myself. This morning is one of them. Thank you Betsy for an amazing two year run that ended, but I will NEVER forget. Thank you Mark for a 12 year run that keeps going and I try and hit each day with new and fresh verve! Thank you to so many of my wonderful friends and family for their support. Also huge thanks, to my doctors who keep helping me through the challenges that pop up.
Live each day folks like it may be your last as you never know when that might be. There are the Yaya’s and Charlene, Erik, Curtis and all the creative team at E&A, Markie, Jeff, Mick, Jodie, Rob, johnny, Connie, Barb in Kentucky, Trista Anne, Tamara, Janet – MSMF and Mom plus so many others…thank you all! So for now, I do believe it is time to see the city and tomorrow I will try and post again. Let me knowif you likke this new form of communicating. The last journal got filled in San Francisco and that was the tipping scale to jump over here.
The results of the voting as published by the International Olympic Committee.
Ballot 1: (95 eligible, 94 valid ballots)
Madrid - 28Rio - 26Tokyo - 22Chicago -18 (ouch!)
Ballot 2: (97 eligible, 1 abstention, 95 valid ballots)
Rio - 46Madrid - 29Tokyo – 20
Ballot 3: (99 eligible, 1 abstention, 98 valid ballots)
Rio - 66Madrid – 32
Rio de Janeiro elected!
The IOC is very emotional and well, Chicago was first and so after the presentation (we were the 1st of 4) the President left. This could have hurt us, but I do not think so. I think this…
The IOC cared more about the former president of the IOC. He was from Spain. They did not wish to diss him. So Madrid had to save face. Thus at the first ballot, I believe each continent stood behind its’ candidate and we lost. There’s a disconnect here and we did not realize it. Also, the USOC leadership all changed from Beijing to now. Not good. The IOC is an old boys’ club in the worst way. We had a good and solid bid…but emotion ruled the day, not bids, not practical, not last minute landings. Hell, Rio just canceled a world level swimming contest due to money. This should have opened eyes, but it did not.
Tokyo had solid funding and that could not be ignored. Seriously, already $4 billion lined up. Madrid had the former president and well, Rio had a damn fine presentation and that map was just plain dead one. No games had been in South America.
So what to do…the ego-centric Americans learned a few things today. I learned a few things today. I will not share here, but tomorrow I will send along a post after my talk with Felix at Café Intime last night. VERY EYE OPENING about how Europe and the world view the USA…and yes, we have a few things to learn.
After the announcement we went back to the hotel and SALT where they had an amazing dinner for us…
First up was the Danish version of soul food fried platters of herring and Danish fish cakes with mustard sauce and minced beet root.
One local diner confided in us: "The food is not worthy of God's own table but it's so good for me I come here once a week." What does that mean?
Next up, the lobster soup – one word – FABULOUS!
Our feast continued with Brittany oysters with lemon and shallot-flavored vinegar plus mussels in a Pernod-flavored cream sauce with fennel and summer onions.
Next, it was a choice and I picked the best beef tenderloin steak w/ garlic-glazed fingerling potatoes and gold beets. I had read that many an evening Danish meal is Bøf & Ost (Beef & Cheese) and so now the former is handled…it is time for the cheese.
Not to be disappointed, a platter groaning with six different selections of the best cheese in the country arrives for us to devour with crusty and freshly baked bread.
Now mind you I picked the beef and good thing I did. Several choose pork chops with fennel and candied roots. Not a good thing. Locals then know you are a foreigner. During the war pork chops, was the favorite dish of the Nazi occupation forces in the early '40s. For years it was not served, but recently they are popping up on menus. Interesting how history can tag you.
A salad of sautéed spinach incorporating venison con fête with sautéed foie gras had me moaning Mama like no tomorrow! The lavender infused orange zest vinaigrette was truly something I had never thought of or expected.
The finale was pear-flavored sorbet with Danish raspberries and cream.
Wines were amazing and somehow I am still walking as I go out into the night for a bit of air and just to absorb all that is around me. Little do I realize that everything will become clearer as I meet a local and get perspective, but that is for the next post?
Must sleep for a few hours at least, we need to be up and ready at 09:00.
Hell, you knew I was not going to sleep in this city. It is all sinking in and after months of work I am now feeling like a free bird. WOWZERS! Yes, I said it feeling free and a bit frisky as well. Nothing came of Felix, except some damn fine conversation. But there is still tonight and well I do feel the need to score one for the home team…did I just go TFI?
As I got up there was an envelope on the floor of my room…slide during the night. It is an itinerary for Saturday. To use Uncle Markie’s term I do believe I have become part of a death march!
So our breakfast stop is to be a little café in Copenhagen. But first, a bit of history…situated on the east side of the Danish island of Zealand, this Scandinavian city is closer to Sweden then the mainland of Europe. Copenhagen is the capitol of Denmark, Europe’s oldest Kingdom. The dreaded Vikings used to call this place home, but, today Denmark is the very image of a civilized country, enjoying one of the world’s highest standards of living. Is it just me or is it a country where weight is just not an issue and I am feeling VERY much on display! OK, enough about me, for now.
We begin our day fun at breakfast. This country has elevated a flaky, fruit filled pastry to such a high level of perfection it is known the world over as “A Danish.” See – haha! OK, bad, bad…but during the coffee and pasty fest we will all given a Copenhagen Card and boy make sure you get one if you visit! Avoid the hassle of buying tickets for transportation, museums, and attractions. We get ours for free, but I fear there is a charge.
So the sheet says “If you feel the need to rush, to make the most of your short stay in Copenhagen, relax.” What the hell does that mean?
It goes on to boast - A wonderful way to get a feel for this harbor town is a tour boat ride through Nyhavn. Once the home of rowdy sailors and merchants, this sea going neighborhood has been a prosperous part of Danish life for over 300 years…wooden sailboats still anchor at the docks near Hans Christian Andersen's home. I am guessing the latter is why they picked this particular boat tour.
Later, it claims I’ll burn off some of those delicious Danish calories with a brisk Danish walk….but first; we have a boat to catch. Do they realize I am walking with a cane and am fat? Hell, getting out of my hotel room is burning off calories!
The provided tour sheet states: After your tour, head up Stroget Street, a pedestrian mall that leads from Nyhavn to the city center. Stroget is one of Copenhagen’s best places to shop, snack, or just to people watch. I am game, but it is suppose to be raining and so this is going to be a joy I am sure! NOT!
Stroget leads right to the Town Hall Square and the center of the city. Some travelers have a seat right in Hans Christian Anderson’s lap. The author of “The Ugly Duckling” and “the Little Mermaid” doesn’t mind at all. I do believe I plan on passing on sitting on his lap this day.Copenhagen is steeped in history with its share of churches, museums, palaces and a Queen. If this seems a little bit stuffy don’t be fooled because the Danes also know how to have fun. OK, so this is all in this sheet of pre-information, you so know I will have a follow-up tomorrow or whenever I am alive again.
Thankfully, they are allowing a two-hour break for lunch, beverages and shopping. I think beverages are at the top of my list and I have not left the hotel yet.
Did I tell you about where I am staying? Staying at Admiral Hotel is an experience in its own right. None of our rooms are identical. The grand, rustic wooden beams give the room’s individuality and a golden glow.
The interior design is also worth mentioning. In cooperation with Danish furniture classic designers Trip Trap, they have decorated each room with custom-made furniture of solid teak. Yes, it is over the top!
All rooms have a sophisticated TV and radio system, video-on-demand, telephone, e-mail and Internet access, mini bar, hair-dryer, 24-hour room and snack service as well washing, dry cleaning and 1-hour ironing service. Blah, blah, blah! All I can say is thank the goddess I am not paying for my room this weekend – it would be obscene. What an amazing place.
So let’s get back to our one day tour. We will have had a break and what better place to pick up than a museum…the Danes have a knack for design, whether it’s in architecture like the Black Diamond addition to the Royal Library of Copenhagen, or in everyday things. To see what a coffee pot SHOULD look like; spend an hour in the Danish Design Center, near the Tivoli gardens. The museum shows how Danish designers achieved international fame by producing furniture and everyday objects that are functional, graceful and comfortable. A private tour has been arranged for our group. All 4 cities are touring right behind each other.
Due to the votes, some people are sulking and not going to do the tour. Fine, spend the rainy day in your room. The Danish people have opened their city to us and I plan to take advantage. My butt is still soar from the flight, but I have NEVER been here before and hell, when would I know to put this all together again?! Get over it people, the IOC is an old school group of people who are out of touch and well, Rio got the bid and get over it!
While the sheet states and evening at Tivoli, I just found out a few minutes ago that they are opening this just for us this evening in Copenhagen, over 100,000 lights will glow for the city delegations —Tivoli Gardens, it is a must-see destination. They are running it as a special evening and locals can join in and it is a festive moment for the city. This is AWESOME! Tivoli is a one-of-a-kind amusement park-- right in the center of the city. For more than 150 years Tivoli has offered visitors an easy place to totally unwind. It was a direct influence of Walt Disney and you all know how I feel about Walt! They are opening the park for us and the city for a night and there is a show, but I think I am going to just wander. Now, weather permitting a bit of pyrotechnics will cap the night —a prefect end to a prefect day in Copenhagen.
Mind you, I live a rather full life. And there are times when I have to pause and pinch myself. This morning is one of them. Thank you Betsy for an amazing two year run that ended, but I will NEVER forget. Thank you Mark for a 12 year run that keeps going and I try and hit each day with new and fresh verve! Thank you to so many of my wonderful friends and family for their support. Also huge thanks, to my doctors who keep helping me through the challenges that pop up.
Live each day folks like it may be your last as you never know when that might be. There are the Yaya’s and Charlene, Erik, Curtis and all the creative team at E&A, Markie, Jeff, Mick, Jodie, Rob, johnny, Connie, Barb in Kentucky, Trista Anne, Tamara, Janet – MSMF and Mom plus so many others…thank you all! So for now, I do believe it is time to see the city and tomorrow I will try and post again. Let me knowif you likke this new form of communicating. The last journal got filled in San Francisco and that was the tipping scale to jump over here.
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