Return to Montreal and Quebec City (September 9-16, 2011)

L'Echaude' (Quebec City)

PJ and I first visited Montreal and Quebec City in September 2009.  We had such a delightful time in 2009 that we decided on a pretty quick return trip.  Even better the second time around.

Based on the 2009 trip, I posted descriptions of Montreal (here); Quebec City (here); and some of the churches we visited (here).  Those descriptions are pretty much on target, so I won't repeat them.

stuff tastes better when on a menu written in French

Some observations about the 2011 trip:

1.  We added a day in each city (compared to 2009 schedule) - well worth it.  Same hotels - would gladly repeat both.

PJ at our table inside Barroco (first night in Montreal).  I really like this photo.

2.  While we didn't experience any serious hassles in 2009, familiarity with the area made the 2011 trip incrementally easier and more enjoyable.  We had a better feel for French words - English translation generally available, but not on road signs.  We're getting better with menus.

inside St. Patrick's (Montreal)

Sunday afternoon view from atop Mont-Royal (Montreal)

3.  Surprisingly (given high quality in 2009), we ran into better restaurants this time around.  This was particularly the case in Montreal - three unbelievable dinners (Barroco, Bocata and Gard-Manger).  Each in the old port area; each in old stone buildings with the thick walls; great lighting, difficult to get reservations, inventive food, delightful.  Gard-Manger is interesting - no sign, no menus - just a few items scribbled on a chalkboard.  Seating for maybe 40; folks outside clamoring to get seated.  Some of this is due to buzz associated with the chef's TV show, but we felt the food was off the charts.  Restaurant jammed, loud music mix, delightful.  Barroco was a small-plate concept - just delightful.  As to both cities:  where do they source the fresh ingredients?  Wow.

4.  Walked all the way from our Sunday lunch spot up to Mont-Royal; then returned to the hotel via what passes for Montreal's Chinatown.  Fantastic urban walk with payoff views of the St. Lawrence and downtown.  Plus we got to walk with Montreal Alouette fans celebrating a big win over Edmonton, or somebody in the CFL.

inside Notre Dame Cathedral (Montreal)

Lunch - 300-year-old converted mill, St. Laurent, Ile d'Orleans

churches on Ile d'Orleans are perched on the water - stark

5.  Did a better job in Quebec City of getting away from the tourist areas - Rue St. Joseph in particular had some interesting restaurants.  Required lots of walking - all enjoyable.

6.  Returned to L'Echaude' in Quebec City - recalled the maitre'd from 2009, he went out of his way to make the dinners delightful (yes, there's something about comp'd champagne).  Duck confit and veal dishes were amazing.  He touted their blood sausage (black pudding) but we weren't quite up to ordering this as an entree - so he arranged tastings of this on two nights - excellent. 

7.  Something completely different - traveled to Ile d'Orleans - easy and quick trip from Quebec City (15 minutes or so).  This small island apparently always was agricultural.  Now it's full of small farms - fruits, apples, cider, cheeses, chocolates, wineries, six small towns each with its own church.  You can drive around the island in about an hour, great river views throughout.  Had a wondrous lunch at a 200+-year-old converted mill - fresh-caught salmon; Quebec wine; dessert (cheesecake) with coffee - old stone building, we were there during a heavy rain - it was easy to let your imagination run to old France itself.  Stopped at a cider place - they're entertaining and making wonderful drinks.

leaving the winery on Ile d'Orleans; St. Lawrence river and Quebec proper ahead - gorgeous . . .

Doing work at Domaine Steinbach cidery (Ile d'Orleans)

Notre Dame des Victoires (Quebec; walking back from L'Echaude')

8.  PJ is a good travel companion.

9.  Only one really rainy day on the entire trip (other than a bit of rain while we were on the island) - we were walking around Quebec - stopped in an unlocked church (St. Dominic's) - stayed for noon Mass in French.  Nice. Later that day had a wondrous lunch at Clocher Penche.

street scene outside our hotel (Quebec City)

10.  I remain fixated on Willa Cather - and really like this book about old Quebec City - it entirely gets my imagination going.  Jacques and Cecile went into Notre Dame des Victoires to get out of the rain, and sledded on Cap Diamante.  The apothecary shop was on one of the streets connecting the upper town with the lower town.  On their trip to Ile d'Orleans, Cecile and Pierre circled the island and landed at St. Laurent (where we had lunch). 

Bistro du Cap - delightful dinner - seated maybe 20 max?  (Quebec City)

Etc.

11.  We'll happily return.  Not sure when - there are other spots to visit . . . 

25 years in AZ

Today is the 25th anniversary of our moving date to Arizona.

Yes, it's almost impossible to believe that much time has passed.

Top photo:  8/27/86, morning photo, our three intrepid movers pose with the truck.

Middle photo:  8/27/86, afternoon photo, CPG in the emptied-out living room.

Bottom photo:  8/27/86 nighttime photo after arrival at Phoenix hotel (Embassy Suites on Thomas Road).  EPG (four weeks old) is included in this photo, though not in a very photogenic pose.

Unseasonably cool weather in Minnesota that day - the kids were feeling cold given the need to keep the doors open for the movers.  We had packed away everything except their travel clothes so put them into adult stuff, as best we could, for a couple hours during the day.  Our flight landed in Phoenix at night at "Terminal One" (long since closed) - had to descend to the tarmac via stairway in late August heat - we remember feeling the contrast.

Soon enough it was time for (1) PJ to set up the fam in temporary housing in a NE Phoenix condo; (2) NMG to enter Liberty Elementary for kindergarten; (3) me to head off to Del Webb Corporation for new job; and (4) all of us to pursue many AZ adventures.

Interesting tastes, interesting visuals

PJ and I (armed with coupon) tried Roka Akor on Friday.  A few thoughts:

1.  Not normally the type of restaurant we/especially me prefer - everything is overdone.  Corporate place, carefully and perfectly designed interior, showy valet parking, overly attentive and cheerful staff, please leave me alone.

2.  That being said, everyone was quite cheerful, plus PJ looked very nice for herself.  It was a pleasant evening.

3.  Japanese beers just aren't that great (based on a sample of about three over these many years).  But the labels look really cool.  See picture of bottle of the "microbrew" rice lager that I had - 500ml bottle - Koshihikari Echigo.

4.  We were sitting in the area that immediately surrounds the kitchen.  Struck up a conversation with one of the folks back there, and he comp'd us an appetizer - grilled shishito peppers "with ponzu and bonito flakes".  Never heard of this, though I think respectable foodies would be in the know.  Lots of flavor, not too hot at all, I have no idea what ponzu or bonito flakes might be.  But it looked great, and we really enjoyed.

5.  The shishito peppers, and our entrees, were robata-grilled.  Whatever the technique, it worked.

D'backs - Mets (August 13, 2011)

 Our local heroes have exceeded expectations all year, and currently lead their (admittedly weak) division by two games.  CPG, PJr, PJ and I headed out to the ballpark Saturday evening to check things out.

Great seats in second row in left field bleachers - we all liked the vantage point.  It was "Bark in the Park" promotion, featuring a fine doggy parade just prior to game time (and right in front of we fans in left field).

Great seats in second row in left field bleachers - we all liked the vantage point.  It was "Bark in the Park" promotion, featuring a fine doggy parade just prior to game time (and right in front of we fans in left field).

Walked to dinner at Hanny's downtown after the game; then home for unspeakable Euchre games; fun night (except for the last part).

CA trip (August 4-7)

PJ and I made a quick trip over to California.  We much enjoyed last year's visit to Laguna Beach, so decided on a repeat.  Plus it gave an opportunity to visit EPG in nearby Santa Monica.

Easy trip over, we even managed to get an early start.  Mina accompanied us (she was visiting relatives in the area) so had a good chance to chit-chat, the trip went by very quickly.  Weather was absolutely delightful.  We pretty much reprised last year's experiences:  lots of walking on the beach, in the town, in the neighborhoods; lots of sitting on the balcony watching the ocean run up right to us (had the same room as last year); lots of (successful) looking around for interesting restaurants.  Revisited 230 Forest and Nick's; also had good luck at a new place (Asada) though they had to keep comping stuff for us as they screwed up orders and even spilled a bit on PJ.

Friday night's long walk on the beach was particularly fun (we landlubbers even saw several dolphins from not-too-far range), though both evenings had wonderful sunsets.   Great change of pace and weather.

Drove up to Santa Monica on Saturday.  Patrick had a good lunch idea - right overlooking the ocean in the Shangri-La hotel; then we walked the beach area awhile, then rested back at his apartment.  He's made quite a bit of progress furnishing the place, including what has turned out to be a remarkably uncomfortable (though quite nice looking) sofa and loveseat.  So we wandered around shopping for a replacement - eventually located what we all thought was a great set of stuff for his apartment, at what we all thought was a quite fine price.  So that was fun.

Dinner at our old favorite - La Bottega - where they seem to know EPG quite well.  We had enjoyed the food and beer there on our last trip back in late January. 

EPG had a great idea for Sunday:  visit the Getty Center - just a few minutes from his apartment.  As first-time visitors, we were really surprised at the beauty of the setting, the quality of the buildings, the size of the complex, the free admission, etc.  Even the tram ride up is fun.  We will need to stop at this place in the future, as it would require quite a bit of time to get through the various areas.  This was fun.  I'm posting a few low quality photos of art items over here.

Then the trip was over, all too soon, we said goodbyes and headed back to Phoenix.  Another easy trip; unsuccessful stop at the outlet malls; excellent dinner at the Rokerij.

Visiting KHG! (July 21 - 25, 2011)

Some time ago, Chris planned a lengthy trip to Virginia to visit (and stay with) Kerry, spend time with the Jackshaws, etc. (He also pledged, if loosely, to visit Lancaster, but that's another story.) At any rate: over the course of the last couple months prior to his visit, the entire rest of the family, pretty much one by one, made plans to join the fun for the final weekend of that visit. Thus we all (including POC and, now, Nedda) found ourselves in Kerry's apartment in Arlington, VA as of the evening of Thursday, July 21, 2011.

Also in attendance was Kerry's saintly-though-uncanonized roommate (Christina).

And the fun began.



(I will note that the weather was very hot and humid - up to 102 - but didn't end up affecting things very much. In weather terms, it was a relief to get back to Phoenix - which doesn't often happen in July.)

Very nice, very memorable visit. Dinner at the apartment on the night of everyone's arrival (Thursday 7/21) - Chris was heavily involved in making Tinga pork, Kerry had nice beverages for us (including Chimay for me, with glassware (which is important!)). And we celebrated POC's birthday with (berry) cake (successfully made by Kerry) and ice cream. Then some ping pong and pool downstairs in the community room (if I'm keeping the days straight).

A very nice adventure for Friday lunch: a place that serves fresh crabs (Quarterdeck, right in Arlington). I'm not quite sure how these were prepared; I do know (1) they were ordered by the dozen; (2) must have been boiled?; (3) some tasty seasonings that looked like dirt but tasted awesome; (4) it is an adventure to pound these things with a mallet, open them up, discard brains, lungs and guts; (5) they tasted wonderful. So this was a great idea on K's part, and definitely something we don't see in AZ. Nicole and POC treated (a substantial treat, let's say).

Friday evening: Patrick treated to a Potomac River cruise - had conspired with the locals to make arrangements. Warm evening, but that actually felt nice once we started moving on the river. A delightful route - various of the monuments are visible, we venture down toward the (pretty) new Washington Nationals stadium, etc. There is definitely something about getting out on the river with a beverage or two, it promotes conversation and was just a nice time. Pizza back at the room - great stuff - then enjoyed the ping pong and pool tables; then back to the room for a game I had never heard of ("apples to apples"). Large group of players, quite fun (even if I was robbed by at least two judges). Steve Jackshaw was the surprise(d) victor, though some scoring shenanigans were a factor.

Saturday was the only day we made it down to the Capitol Mall - a subgroup (Chris, Paul Jr., Nedda and me) took the metro in mid-afternoon. I had wanted mostly to go to the National Gallery - that would have worked better had I checked its hours - we only were able to spend about a half hour before getting kicked out at 5p. Also spent time at the national history museum, then the American history museum - section about military stuff was pretty compelling, I thought. Unoriginal concept: the more you read about things, the more interesting they become. Among other things, I much liked a Viet Nam war setup shown on multiple video screens displayed in period TV sets - nice, and evocative. Nice burger place for dinner.

Sunday - among other things, a few of us (PJ, Kerry, Christina, Nicole, me) went to Eastern Market - I can see why Kerry and Christina like it. Had absolutely delightful crepes for breakfast and walked the area until overtaken by the heat. Enjoyable mid-day consisting of food, euchre games, some video game about Twilight; then Nicole and POC had to leave. In the evening: Kerry had reserved the community room - worked perfectly - we ordered in Thai food. Richard Frank stopped by; also Allen and Heather Gibby and daughter (who was knock-out cute and well behaved). Charlie, Beth and Mark arrived about halfway through. Among other things: celebrated Patrick's 25th birthday a few days early. And it was fun to sit around talking. Then switched to euchre games until we were kicked out at 11p. Chatted on Kerry's nice patio for awhile and considered it a fine day.

Monday was travel day. Christina took Chris to airport very early; Kerry (with PJ and me) took Patrick to airport somewhat early; Richard came by, also Charlie, Beth and Mark; lunch at Cosi; enjoyed a bunch of conversation and a bit more euchre (CCG and me providing some instruction to the youngsters). Kerry ran Nedda to the airport (Reagan), then ran PJ and me to Dulles. End o' trip, sad to be leaving Kerry behind.

Kerry has a delightful apartment, and shares it with a delightful roommate. It's hard to describe the degree of disruption that we imposed on these folks, and the degree of graciousness and generosity with which they managed the disruption.

Only wish we had blocked out more time for this trip.

A lot of people seem very happy about this engagement

And you can definitely put PJ and me right at the top of the list.

Photo taken in Santa Monica, CA on 7/13/11, courtesy of EPG.

Haboob

This video (and other similar videos) has been widely distributed but I want to post it here so I don't forget about how impressive this looked. We've had a "haboob" or three during our time in AZ, but either they didn't look this massive, or the photographers weren't as effective. The time-lapse method is great for this.



At our house: no storm, but it looked like a very heavy fog had rolled in. Highly unusual. In the morning we could see that absolutely everything is covered in dust. The newly-refinished streets in our little subdivision no longer look black (despite the efforts of the street sweeper shown in left photo below, which mostly just stirred up the dust) (and note all the dirt on my office window).

I had gone hiking at 40th street earlier that evening, and bottom right photo shows the mildly ominous look of the sky at that time.

July 4th weekend (hotel/concert)

OK, all our activities were over by 11p July 3, and PJ worked a full shift on July 4. But it still felt like a fine 4th of July holiday weekend.

We revived an old practice (maybe even a "tradition") by staying over at a Scottsdale hotel for the holiday. The revival was instigated by Chris and Paul Jr, who figured out that the event (last held in 2002, we think) probably wouldn't happen again unless they made the reservation themselves. So, we were on. Arrived July 1. Parked beside a 2003 Kia which we correctly interpreted to mean that Patrick had shown up (unannounced) all the way from Santa Monica. It's not easy to pull off a surprise, but he did it. Once his mother recovered from the shock, we checked into the room, went to the happy hour (the property does draw an interesting, shall we say, crowd), to dinner at the onsite restaurant, out for a little swimming, and back to the room for a little euchre to finish off the day.

Full day at the hotel on July 2. The breakfast hasn't changed. Card-playing marathon; Nedda and Pat H joined in. Lunch. Some swam, the older folks napped a bit. Mary Beth joined us later in the afternoon. Back to the manager's reception. Sat outside by the pool and listened to "live music" after happy hour each night - it was not unpleasant, but gosh what a gig for the performers ("entry level" minus, I'd say). July 2 was the hottest day in Phoenix in several years (118F). Had a delightful dinner at Roaring Fork - right within walking distance - this place has a wonderful happy hour menu available all evening in summer. The green chile pork stew is the star of the show. Ate PJ's fancy holiday dessert (pictured above), played a bunch more cards, tried to teach Nedda euchre (but I think perhaps she was teaching us).

Checked out Sunday 7/3 after breakfast - just a delightful weekend, and it was v. nice EPG made the road trip.

It happened that Paul Jr. had bought four tickets for a Jeff Bridges concert at the Biltmore hotel in the evening of 7/3 - the music from the movie "Crazy Hearts" was quite fine, and the guy is now releasing an album. So PJ and I attended with he and Nedda; we were in the first row behind the tables thanks to the intercession of someone they knew from Greenberg. Nice setting, nice music, nice evening; Jeff B wasn't really effective at communicating with the audience so that was a small minus. Dinner at Rokerij.

PJ and I appreciated being treated to the hotel and to the concert.

Winslow and Jerome (touring with PJ, June 4-8)

PJ and I took a delightful tour of Northern Arizona June 4-8.

Saturday, June 4

We hadn't driven the Beeline Highway for many years - spectacular scenery.

Stopped at the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park (enroute to Winslow). Some photos in the slideshow, plus video below. This was surprisingly entertaining - though for some reason, we had low expectations. Arrived around 11:30a -brilliant sunshine, temp in upper 70s, perfect. Nice trails, decent exercise. Very dramatic (by our standards) working our way through the rocks and creek under the bridge itself.



Then lunch on the patio at something called the Rimrock Grill in Pine, Arizona (about five miles up the road from the Tonto turn-off). Odell IPA on tap. Hit the spot, and then some.

Then onto Winslow. We had our misgivings about spending time in Winslow, but had seen positive reviews about the La Posada Hotel and its restaurant - the Turquoise Room (plus a feature on some TV travel show). So we booked two nights in what must be the best available room (242) - about the only room with a small balcony, with the room just open in a newly-remodeled section of the hotel, overlooking the front entry, new gardens and plantings, etc.

La Posada is a delight - we were thrilled with our stay there. I don't know how they do it - every detail is thought through carefully and then executed to perfection. It's almost overwhelming trying to take in everything they're up to. Descriptions available via the hotel website and plenty of other online review sites.

My stab at a quick description: The place would be delightful if it were just the hotel with restaurant. But then there all these additional layers that make the experience so rewarding. Architecture by Mary Colter (we're familiar with her for Grand Canyon work) - this hotel is intended to be patterned on a traditional hacienda, and it really works. Supposedly her favorite project. Santa Fe RR history. Harvey Hotels. Harvey Girls (still use the uniforms in the restaurant). 1930s and 1940s hot spot - TWA stopover in addition to the trains. Rapid decline after WWII; converted to lowly RR offices, treasures auctioned off or sent to dump. City of Winslow in rapid decline after a bright start. Renovation of the hotel starts. Associated artists, starting with renovator's wife. Tinsmith. Gardener. Turquoise Room. Painstaking restoration, new elements. Gorgeous public spaces consume so much of the hotel - how does this make $? Freight trains passing through constantly - a plus, enhances the atmosphere, evocative RR sounds. With Winslow still struggling - this gem in a tough area.

The restaurant is ridiculously good. PJ stuck with the prime rib and filet at dinner on our two nights and was well rewarded; I had elk medallions with some sort of black currant reduction on Saturday, then the MVP dinner on Sunday (quail, elk medallion with some other treatment, tamale with bison). Somehow the chef incorporates all sorts of native elements, fresh local ingredients, delightful meats. And this is in Winslow!! Breakfasts and lunches also just a delight.

Also on Saturday: we walked into downtown Winslow. Not a good sign when the best attraction is based on a 1970s Eagles tune (per photo stream).

Sunday, June 5

Three delightful meals at Turquoise Room, per above. Warm weather. Visited Homolovi Ruins State Park. This isn't terribly interesting - or maybe it is, after all. Incredible site overlooking the Little Colorado River. Open, desolate territory. Lots of unauthorized digging on the sites as folks sought pottery in prior years.

Spent much of the afternoon and early evening relaxing around the La Posada property - too much to look at, will need to go back. Also spent some time driving around Winslow neighborhoods, which was interesting.

In addition to meal description above: had two of their famous appetizers with Sunday dinner. A Hopi woman makes a traditional "piki" bread that is indescribably light. Not possible to re-create. The chef also has a squash blossom appetizer that is just delightful.

Monday, June 6

More time hanging around La Posada for breakfast, etc. Found a book for me and a really nice bracelet for PJ at the gift shop. Reluctantly checked out.

Lunch at the very-well-reviewed Tinderbox Restaurant in Flagstaff (less than an hour west of Winslow). Cool, breezy, delightful in Flagstaff. We walked the downtown area - which merits further exploration. Bought a six pack of Lumberyard IPA at the brewery.

Then drove down 89A through Sedona to Jerome (yet another spectacular drive), where we stayed two nights at the Jerome Grand Hotel. Walked the town a bit after checking in; enjoyed the view and a drink from our patio (per photo stream); dinner at Asylum in the hotel. Perfect weather.

Tuesday, June 7

Breakfast at Quince. Then to the Woodchute Trail (10 or so miles south of Jerome), got there around 11:00a or so. PJ was talking about going all the way to the lookout point (about 4.5 miles one way from where we parked) - and she meant it. I think she scampers rather than hikes. Conditions were just delightful, the payoff views can't be beat. This was fun. Lunch at Grape per usual; then mostly relaxed at the room until dinner at Asylum.

We're a little concerned with the Jerome Hotel and Asylum - not progressing. Or maybe it was an unfair comparison after what we experienced in Winslow.

Wednesday, June 8

Breakfast at Flatiron Cafe in Jerome - nice. Walked the shops awhile in Jerome - nice. Decided we needed to continue our pattern of lunch in a different town every day - went up to Sedona after checking out of the hotel. But we didn't have great luck finding a lunch place and ended up at the Oak Creek brewery location in Tlaquepaque. Which was ok. Walked around Sedona a bit, then worked our way home. But not before stopping at BJ's at Desert Ridge for dinner around 7:30p, where we had surprisingly good food and a nice conclusion to our trip.

I do enjoy traveling with PJ. This was a great trip, with Winslow the best part.

Palo verdes in front of house

Three palo verdes in front of the house. Almost three years old. Already throwing lots of shade.

And they look particularly fine when flowering. Photos taken in May 2011.

Iowa trip (May 19-23)

PJ and I traveled to Iowa - primary motivation for the timing of this trip was the graduation of Tom and Kieran Cullen from Storm Lake High (what with PJ being Kieran's godmother).

We had a delightful time of it, per usual. Here's what happened:

Thursday, May 19 - flew into Omaha, picked up rental car, drove up to St. Joe in time for supper. This was a pretty quiet evening - caught up on everything, put together plans for a busy Friday, etc. Did go over to Dick Erpelding's for some rhubarb (which I cut up for pie) and radishes (which PJ and EMG polished off for dinner).



Friday, May 20 - Went to Mass at 7:50a, chattered with the crowd after. Cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Went to Maggie B's for lunch shortly after 11a - partly because it's tasty, partly because the place is closing permanently next week so this was the last hurrah. Then to Clarence & Caroline's - very enjoyable sitting around talking about various topics. Caroline was up and around, which we understand to be an improvement from recent months. We didn't play any 500, but Clarence served drinks (and made us a loaf of bread). They were talking about personalities of and occurrences involving various of the relatives, including my grandparents; old-days stuff about gardening, cooking, food storage, food (un)availability (no spaghetti, for example), on and on. One of the highlights of the trip.

After some deliberation we decided to drive over to Alton, Iowa for the annual Luxembourg Mass celebration over there. This was a pretty big commitment - 2+ hour drive, very unsettled weather. But ended up being a very pleasant outing. Made it through lots of rain in time for the Mass - which was held indoors rather than at the site of the original church (now a small cemetery a few miles outside of town). Our group constituted four of the nine attendees. After Mass there was a gathering at something called "Pizza Ranch" in nearby Orange City (odd name: American/Italian food on a "ranch"??) Can't say I'd select this type of restaurant very often, but it fit the bill nicely. Chatted with the attendees for a long time, primarily Fr. Paul Eisele and some Luxembourg-connected deacon named Rick Roder. Long trip back through lots of rain, then we sat and decompressed a bit before going to bed.

Saturday, May 21 - power outage in the morning, even though the weather was pretty mild. Cecilia and Therese arrived from Minnesota for lunch. Mass at 5p - we were ready for the (erroneously) predicted "Rapture" at this point. Very enjoyable sitting around and talking, I think we were ready for a lower-key day. Even sat around on the patio for awhile, which was a nice place to have a Boulevard pale ale (which we found on last year's trip to Kansas City).

Sunday, May 22 -Graduation day. Best weather of the trip, which was nice. Storm Lake High was fascinating - reflecting the meat-packing town - Hispanic, Sudanese, Asian, some white. I have a pretty bad attitude about code words like diversity, multicultural etc - typically employed in seeking government preference and primarily serving to divide - but here's a town where it's all happening in real time. No doubt there are plenty of problems in dealing with all this, but graduation day was quite wonderful (the Sudanese had the best clothes and were the most demonstrative). Dolores and Art hosted a very nice gathering at the house - great food and turnout - and it was interesting to hear Tom and Kieran's college plans. Steve came over from Mason City so we had a pretty good representation. Nice drive back to St. Joe on a beautiful evening while we recapped the day.





Monday, May 23 - travel day. Cecilia and Therese were off to the Twin Cities early (in Therese's case, after she and Grandma raided the Erpelding rhubarb patch). PJ and I sat around chatting with Grandpa and Grandma, including entertaining ourselves by watching a robin feed its baby perched on the patio rail. Patricia received a tour of Grandpa's self-built exercise facility (in the basement), including the latest addition (which relies on a 35 year old cut up truck tire inner tube). It frightens me a bit to admit that he appears to benefit from using this (probably dangerous) equipment.

Then off to Omaha and a smooth trip back to Arizona.

We'll look forward to our next midwest tour.

NMG-POC wedding - some photos

I'm told (and believe) that there are lots of great photos from various photographers taken at the NMG-POC wedding back on March 25.

I'm also grateful to have picked up photos from my dad and brother (Charlie) on March 27, or I might still be waiting to see any photos at all.

So - while I wait for more - here is a set of photos, with captions, that walks through at least part of the story. For full-screen viewing, click on any photo, click "slideshow" in upper left, then hit F11 . . .

90 years old today

As discussed here; it was fun to obtain the factory certification.

Not sure of the future for this old piano - the lowest C sharp note is a repair problem. We also think the action needs to be redone if we wish to continue using this piano. Expensive; probably worth it; time will tell.

Unfortunately, the gentleman that helped us in 2009 unexpectedly died last year. Among (many) other things, he was talking about how Steinway pianos outlive their owners.

Very interesting, if promotional, Steinway book discussed here; the related TV program was surprisingly good.

Photos (top featuring Kerry) from 1994.

Peckvillercher

The Luxembourg knick-knack market is not nearly as well-developed as that of some other European countries. I don't think there are all that many items that folks here in the U.S. generally associate with the Grand Duchy.

Which makes it all the nicer that Patricia followed up with our (extended) family's #1 contact in Luxembourg - one Claude Lanners - to improve our supply of Peckvillerchers here in Arizona. My parents have given us a few over the years, but the quality of those available via the Wisconsin Luxembourg fest seems to have diminished.

Peckvillerchers are delightful little whistles shaped like birds - associated with a Luxembourg town where leftovers at the clay works were used to make them. Now associated with Easter. To operate: just blow in the tail.

Claude knows his Peckvillerchers - as we have learned (through a link he provided to this website) - the town of Nospelt is the traditional supplier of these delightful little whistles, and hosts a festival annually on Easter Monday.

Top photo shows our four treasures (as always, click photo to enlarge).

Bottom photo - one example - each is marked with "11" (which I'll boldly guess refers to "2011") and with the name of the town of Nospelt. (Photographer's Easter-themed prop described here.)

We're grateful to have these . . . perhaps future generations will appreciate also?

More on Claude to come in a future post.

Here's Nospelt:


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Choral Union spring 2011

CPG 'n me finished year six in ASU Choral Union. More of a mixture of performance opportunities this spring than in most prior semesters. So that was nice.

April 29 - combined choirs - we did three songs on our own and then "Make our Garden Grow" from Candide with the combined choirs . . . cell phone video of this last number here (courtesy PJr) (be patient, the music starts at about 0:24). Nice crowd, live space, good. PJ and MB also attended, we had a bite at Village Tavern after. The concert was fun. We typically are involved with bigger works - which is certainly my preference - but it was a nice change of pace to do these pieces.



April 20 - CU had a bit role in a concert with the ASU Sinfonietta - themed "The Art of War" - we did the choral part of the 1812 Overture. Interesting concept - student art works in the lobby, martial arts demonstrations, ROTC presence, music all themed to war. It was fun to be onstage for the overture.

April 8 - we performed "Belshazzar's Feast" (combined ASU choirs). The work (described here) is mostly built around the story line from the Book of Daniel that involves the "handwriting on the wall" . . . which appeared as Belshazzar et al profaned the cups Nebuchadnezzar had heisted from the temple. Rembrandt's version here was on the cover of our music.

This was a bit of a challenge to learn, let's say. Barb, Dan, Emily, Allison visited our March 22nd rehearsal when in town for NMG-POC wedding . . . probably were thinking we'd never pull off the performance. But it did come together reasonably well, was very much fun to perform, I hope to have another opportunity in some future year.

Kai (at Wild Horse Pass)

Wanted to mention briefly that PJ and I spent a delightful weekend at Sheraton Wild Horse Pass resort down on the south end of Phoenix (overnights April 9 and 10).

The impetus for the trip was a generous gift certificate to Kai restaurant at the resort - received from our kids for our 30th wedding anniversary. So it was time to get going on this. Kai has been open a few years now, and remains the valley's #1 fine dining restaurant (per the reviewers, or at least most of them). I believe it's the only restaurant in the state with AAA five diamond status.

The place lived up to its billing - PJ had the lamb, I had the buffalo tenderloin, tremendous attention to detail by the staff - nice.

What was also nice was that the other restaurants at the resort also did a great job - we had dinner at Ko Sin the second night, plus a great lunch at the golf course clubhouse.

Mostly relaxed around the room, but also did a hike on the south side of South Mountain - Telegraph Pass - I can see why it's such a popular place with folks on that side of town. Even some petroglyphs right off the trail.

Excellent getaway.