Twins, Gophers and Radio Shows, Oh My!

Since settling into Minneapolis, I've made a few small adventures! Recent events include a Twins baseball game, a Minnesota Gopher women's volleyball game, and a trip back to Fond du Lac, WI to see family, friends, and godparents. Here are just a few more recent adventures to life in Minneapolis. Adjusting and visitng, being visited and having a great time.

For the Twins game, it was a last minute surprise to be sure! I received a phone call from my Aunt, when I was about to step on the bus to go home, asking if I would like to be her fourth for the Twins vs. New York Yankees game that night! I absolutely agreed!! I spent another hour downtown until we headed to the game, but really there was so much to see. I took a stroll through downtown and spent some quality time in Loring Park. I tried to sit and enjoy the park but these pesky little begging squirrels ruined it. All I did was sit on a bench. I was surrounded by a
half-dozen squirrels! All sitting and begging for food. Just as I tried to ignore their little peevish stares, I felt something on my foot. Naturally I kicked out my foot. Two squirrels ran out from under the bench. I was terrified, not to mention disgusted! I continued on to another bench. And then another. And another. It took me nearly six benches to find some solidarity in the park. Talk about environment adaptation, right? It was about another half hour until I was to meet with my Aunt and her two friends to head to the game. We lived up to all stereotype and expectation of the ball game. We picked up Minnesota beers and concession foods- not to mention we shouted and cheered the entire game. Sometimes for the wrong team. To be honest, it was quite difficult to tell one jersey from another from where we were sitting! One of my Aunt's friends wasn't familiar with the sport; being from England, she was more familiar with rounders. I got to sit next to her and explain the game. Little did I realize, I know the rules- most of them any way!

During the following weekend my friend Ashley came to visit! Ashley and I first met when I was her Community Advisor (think of it as a RA or Housefellow) at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. After a semester she was hired on to our staff and we worked together for the next year and a half. Throughout those two years and the continuing two, we shared loads of friendship perks and played intramural volleyball together. Ashley works in Minnesota and we found that we are within a
 two hour drive from each other! Ashley came in on Saturday afternoon and I drove her downtown to see the Art Festival my Aunt and Uncle's church put on. We walked across the bridge leading to the Walker Art Center Sculpture Garden and check out a number of the sculptures. Afterwards, we came back to the house and helped prepare dinner with my Aunt and Uncle. Once we finished dinner, we headed over to the University of Minnesota campus to see the women's volleyball team (Gophers) play against Penn State. Unfortunately we (Minnesota) lost, but it was still a great game to watch! We had planned that after game, we would head downtown and check out the dueling piano bar, Shout House! It worked out perfectly for timing because a friend of mine from high school actually works there, too! We stayed longer than we probably should have, but it was such a great environment to stay and listen to! I must go back. Perhaps for my birthday...

The following weekend I drove home with my friend Jenni- for company and to deliver her to her parents. They were upset for not getting to see her since early last spring. We stopped briefly in Stevens Point for a quick hair cut from the ever-so-lovely-and-talented Miss Mona!! We stayed around for less than an hour before we picked up some secondary snacks, caffeine and gasoline and headed on to Fond du Lac. I was headed to my parent's house to see my godfather who was visiting from North Carolina. We had plans to go to Madison on Saturday and watch the live show of Michael Feldman's radio show, Whad'ya Know? (Not much, you?). I went when I was in high school but this time was even better. When you arrive at the show, they provide a notecard for you to write your name, occupation, hometown and something interesting- it could be about yourself, a fact, a joke, you name it! I wrote down almost exactly what I did the last time I saw it. But this time, I got to be on the radio!! My card read as follows: "I am an August 2012 graduate with a job in my field. I can say the alphabet faster than anyone here. I dare you to try." If you click the link I included above, you can listen to the recording of the 6 Oct, 2012 show. I'm about 20-25 minutes in, with my rendition of the alphabet backwards. Which, I do dare you to try. I have never found anyone who can do it quite as fast!

I am sure you haven't been dying for updates from me, but I certainly feel like I have been slacking. My most sincere apologies. I'll get right back to work here! I have more to share but not enough battery to type it tonight!

Enjoy the radio show!
Sarah Marsh 

Spinach Pie!

Tonight, I was left between a rock and a hard place over this one. I love quiche. With capitals: L-O-V-E. Earlier this week, my Aunt and I went through the entire week and sort of pre-planned for meals. Our goal was to eat in more, eat out less, save money, and save trips to the store (by making one large list and doing it once for the week). When Wednesday came, I knew it was spinach quiche night. However, I never once expected to be making it myself- all by myself. My Aunt had a few meetings at church she needed to attend and left me in charge of the kitchen. Again..

How to Cook Everything The Basics: All You Need to Make Great Food by Mark Bittman (Google Affiliate Ad)
The recipe is one out of "Tidewater on the Half Shell: Fine Virginia Recipes" ©1985, Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Irc. Norfolk, Virginia (just to be safe). On page 78 under Eggs, Cheese and Pasta you can find Spinach Pie and Spinach Quiche. I couldn't tell you the literal difference, but as we didn't purchase or prepare a crust (due to non-gluten preferences), tonight I made the pie!

Ingredients: 
10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, cooked
1-pound Ricotta cheese
1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
1 Tbsp. oil
1 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 egg, beaten with fork
1 tbsp. butter, cut into pieces

Instructions: 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Drain and squeeze as much water out of spinach as possibile.
Combine all ingredients except butter. Mix well.
Place mixture in a 9-inch pie plate. Top with butter.
Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

________________________________
Began thawing the spinach.
Prepared the mix-ins: Cheddar cheese, Ricotta cheese, onion, and egg.
Mixed ingredients together.
I did not include oil salt or pepper. The oil, I found not necessary; the salt and pepper I feel can be added as needed per the need of the person eating it.
Place in oven for the time being.







Final Product:

Until next time!
Sarah Marsh

Romanian Stuffed Peppers!

TO BE STUFFED

I Googled a few different recipes until the picture and description reminded me precisely of what I think I had at my cousin's in Belgium last month. This site is the closest I could find! Below I've copied and paste the suggested recipe. Below the line under it, I included my instructions of how I put mine together. Please keep in mind I am NOT anywhere near an amateur cook and should probably not have considered this choice has my first goal meal! Let's hope my Aunt and Uncle enjoy it!

Breville Compact Juicer Juice Fountain - BJE200XL (Google Affiliate Ad)

Romanian Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients:

6 medium bell peppers -green or red. Pick bell peppers with a nice bell shape.
1.5 lbs ground meat, usually beef (I used 1 lb 90% ground beef, 0.25 lb 85% ground beef and 0.25 ground pork)
1/2 cup Arborio rice
1 medium yellow onion chopped
3/4 cup fresh chopped dill
15 oz can tomato sauce 
Salt and freshly ground pepper to your liking
Flour to top the peppers

Method:

Wash the bell peppers. Cut around the stem of the bell pepper and remove all the seeds. You may want to blanch the peppers for a few minutes before stuffing them.

Mix together the meat, rice, onion, dill, salt and pepper. Add 2 tablespoons tomato sauce to the mix and 5 tablespoons of water. Mix well with your hands.

Stuff the peppers with the mixture but don't stuff them too tightly. 

Top the stuffed peppers with about 1 tablespoon of flour to prevent the mix from escaping the peppers

Add the peppers to the pot. Add the tomato sauce and water until the stuffed peppers are almost covered. Boil on medium to medium high heat until cooked, about 1 hour.

Serve with bread and sour cream. Yummy! Enjoy! :)

___________________________________

Cut open the peppers- I did not blanch them.
Cook the rice.

Cook the meat, as it is browning, prepare ingredients 

-chop up onions, garlic, dill 

-get ready for salt and pepper, water, and tomato juice 

Once the meat is brown, add in the rice. Then add other spices as needed. 

Wait for the combination of the mixture to cool, prepare peppers in a large pot. 
Fill peppers with 'stuffing supplies' and place carefully into the pot. Surround the peppers with water and canned tomatos until near the top of the peppers! 
I did a low heat for a while because my timing for my Aunt and Uncle were off, yet I don't want to over coo them! So exciting!! The house has smelled incredibly delicious all afternoon! 


                                       Final Product: 

I'd be happy to hear of suggestions for beginner cooks! Meals, packed lunches, etc. I'm open to all! 

Until next time..  spinach pie (just like quiche, only no crust and with small changes)

Sarah Marsh

Continuing Life's Adventures

This week has proven to be an adventure in more ways than one! I began my week at work with a paperwork meeting to finalize information, employee handbook, and all other official documents needed to confirm employment. I met the other two recent hires and we enjoyed getting to know one another briefly. On Thursday and Friday, I had training shifts for some of the day where I learned majority of the ins and outs of my job as ticket sales representative. I cannot wait to put my new knowledge to work!

Cooking With Calphalon 12-Pc. Hard-Anodized Cookware Set (Google Affiliate Ad)
Among the obvious new changes is life: moving states, buying a car, starting a job, living with my Aunt and Uncle, etc. There is one you might not recognize upfront. You see, I have had the privilege of  provided housing AND meal plans for the jobs I worked at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point for the last three and a half years. Also, for majority of that time, the kitchens in our buildings were converted to living spaces for students, meaning I did not have accurate access to a kitchen- let alone a need to cook for the last three and a half years. What does this mean now? I cannot cook. This is not an exaggeration. Last January I tried to cook Ramen Noodles for a few friends (we were each in charge of various cooking tasks, the noodles were mine), and I legitimately RUINED them. Truth. I have multiple witnesses.. unfortunately. Cooking will prove to be the largest challenge, I think. So I have set some small goals for myself over the next few months to better improve my -lack of a- skill! First? On one of my days off this week, I will be preparing Romanian Stuffed Peppers. I found the recipe online, I'm hoping they turn out like my cousin's did when I was staying in Belgium about a month ago. Think I'm crazy? You're probably right. But this is something I need to do!!

Another thing about work-- I found on Thursday that I work in the utmost PERFECT location possible. Out the window from our office space, I can see this picture. It is a building-long mural of classical sheet music. This only further shows me that this is what I am supposed to be doing. I'm in love with my new job and location. To be equally honest, I am terrified of the enclosing tundra and freezing temperatures that come with living in Minneapolis. Cross your fingers. Hopefully I'll make it through this winter!!

I have set other goals for myself that I should share! A few weeks ago, I decided to begin small training for a 5k. My plan is to be able to run one on OR before Thanksgiving (November 22, for those of you who do not celebrate the holiday of American Thanksgiving). I started this with small expectations considering I hardly ever run (similar to cooking, this is not my strong point)- and have never run on purpose without being told by a gym teacher or coach. As you can see this should prove to be quite the task for me! I'm beginning with the iPod Touch Application called Couch25K. Sounds promising and I've heard of others who have had success using it! I'll keep you update on how it's going!

Until next time!
Sarah Marsh

Weekend travels

Two weekends ago, I should have been spent putting things together and finalizing packing for Minneapolis. However, previous engagements needed to be attended first!

On Saturday, my parents and I drove to Chicago to attend my cousin Amber's baby shower. She and Davey are expecting in about a month and we wanted to be present to help them celebrate! The shower was a wonderful time, we played numerous games and had the opportunity to get to know others who have touched Amber's life, as well as catch up with my dad's family. After the shower, we helped clean up the space and move the presents and remaining food back to their house. After a few fun family photos, we headed to my Aunt's house for dinner and a recap of my summer adventures in Europe.







Milwaukee Brewers Cooperstown Pennant (Google Affiliate Ad)
On Sunday, I had planned (long before I came home from Europe) with my friend Jon to attend a Milwaukee Brewer's game! Jon picked me up by mid morning and we headed down to Milwaukee. Our first stop was at an IHOP though-- better breakfast (and more affordable) than the stadium would provide! Upon heading into the stadium, we found the newest statue of Bob Uecker and we got a photo of Bob with Jon!!

Jon had printed off the tickets and handed one to me. He made a quick entrance through the scanner and gate, but my ticket wouldn't let me in. The scanner wouldn't pick up on it and they wouldn't let me in! They referred me back to the ticket box offices and asked that I get them to reprint my ticket. Once that was settled, I was able to get in without hesitation. Jon and I picked up our Bobble Heads and headed into the game! Before going straight up to our seats though, we stopped by the Brewer's dugout to see if any players were around for autographs. None of who was there sparked Jon's interest, and he told me we needed to go take some tourist-esque photos of me with figures around the park.
I had been tweeting about being at the stadium and at the game and got a phone call from a friend who had seen my tweet and was heading to the game, too! Before we went up to our seats, we met up with my friend Courtney!! It was so much fun to catch up and see one another!When Jon and I finally made the hike up to our seats, we checked out our bobble heads. What did we find? He had the regular Ramirez one, I got the specialty one! The difference? A gold jersey compared to a white one! Well, the Brewers won the game, although it was not high scoring, it definitely had high intensity. After the game, Jon and I headed back to Fond du Lac for ice cream at Gilles. Shortly after, Jon dropped me back at my house so I could begin packing to leave for Minneapolis on Monday!

On my way to Minneapolis, I made an overnight pitstop in Stevens Point to see a few more people that I missed out on the last time I was there. When I got into town on Monday evening, I first stopped through Thomson Hall and then headed for Noel Fine Arts Center (NFAC). When getting to the NFAC, I stopped first at the department office and then I stopped my our orchestral director's office. Just when I thought I had missed my professor for low brass, I recognized the time. It was the time that low brass ensemble was rehearsing. What did I do? Grabbed my bass trombone from my car and joined them for the rest of rehearsal!! Talk about an absolutely fun time!!

I met up with a few girls from our London trip for dinner at a sushi place and did random meet ups with people both in their rooms and at the Basement Brewhaus until I crashed from exhaustion! Taking a little time Tuesday for seeing more bright, smiling faces at the Brewhaus again and at Noodles. Just after lunch that afternoon, I left for the final leg of the journey to Minneapolis! I arrived during rush hour, and usually I hold up pretty well for defending my decisions and actions on the road. But this was my first large-city drive in my new car, with the stick shift. Whew. I made it safely but it felt like F-O-R-E-V-E-R.  After settling in and doing some minor unpacking, I planned how to get to my work meeting the following day and headed to bed!

More to come.. can you keep up??
Sarah Marsh

My Series Continues..

The second book in the series of Sarah Marsh started this week. Previously we were going through chapters of college, summer externship in London, graduation, and job searching. Currently, I am closing the first book and beginning the second: Real Life. 

On Saturday after I got back from Minneapolis, my parents picked me up and we headed to my dad’s RC Sailing group in Brandon. On our way home from sailing, we stopped by the Holiday Car Dealership in Fond du Lac and began the hunt for a vehicle for me. Initially I made swooning and embracing actions towards a particular orange sedan without paying the slightest of attention to the logistical points ie. milage, cost, and age. My mom immediately told me to be more responsible in a decision and to  continue looking at vehicles based on their logistical points, not just the color. Oops. Sorry mom. 

"Spark Plug Rethreading Tool F/Ford" (Google Affiliate Ad)

As it turns out, the little, orange Ford Focus I found in the beginning was actually the best car based on age, milage and cost. Don’t I know what’s great!? Considering the car is stick shift and I only learned one day about five years ago in the piedmont region of South Carolina: hilly and incredibly challenging to a beginner (thanks for this goes out to Colin Kane in Aiken Estates around June 2007), my parents had to do the test driving on this one. Once we were off a few main roads, I did try my hand at it but with two backseat drivers telling me what to do when it became incredibly overwhelming and I parked it saying, “I’m done with this.” Talk about frustrations. I figured it was a no-go and we returned back to the dealership to test drive a couple other vehicles. As the day ended, my parents had other things in mind. We put the deposit on the car before we left and then headed home. 

On Tuesday, my dad had a day off from work and we headed back to the dealership so I could pay the down payment and take care of the spare keys and insurance-- dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s you know. While my dad took me to a church parking lot to practice driving stick shift, my phone was going off in the backseat. Not that I heard it due to my severe concentration, not to mention my phone was on vibrate. A little later I found that I had the missed call and a voicemail. After my dad made me drive him around town taking him around as practice and so he could complete his errands for the day, I listened to the voicemail- a call from the Minnesota Orchestra, who I interviewed with last week in Minneapolis. I quickly called them back, only to receive an offer for the position!! 

"Orchestra Light with Adapter and Bag" (Google Affiliate Ad)

All in one day I feel as though I have become an adult. I purchased a car, learned to drive stick shift, and accepted the position of Ticket Sales Representative for the Minnesota Orchestra. Early next week, I will be moving to Minneapolis and beginning work by mid-week. Words do not even begin to describe how incredibly excited I am to begin this next step. My dreams have come true on this one, hands down. 

Until next time! Cheers!

Sarah Marsh

Minnesota.. not once, but twice!

I have spent majority of the last two weekends in Minneapolis! The first weekend was Labor Day weekend. I drove with my parents the five and a half hours to Minneapolis on Friday afternoon. Weekend events included meeting my brother's (Andrew) girl friend's (Mary Elizabeth) Dad who was visiting from North Carolina, Minnesota State Fair, and family time with my Aunt and Uncle.

Char-Broil Tabletop Gas Grill (Google Affiliate Ad)
When we got in to my Aunt and Uncle's house Friday night, we caught up with them over some drinks and then hit the hay. It's so surprising how exhausted you get driving! Saturday morning we woke up to have homemade granola and for me to go through pictures for my Aunt and Uncle of my summer in Europe. By noon we were heading to the Minnesota State Fair!

PIGLETS!!

ANDREW AND THE PUMPKIN

At the fair we didn't get to experience ALL 70 items on a stick, but we did get ice cream and corn dogs, not to mention the cheese curds and honey. We also toured through the arts & crafts building and the fine arts exhibits. The beginning of our state fair experience included the barn yard and newly born animals!! 

ANDREW AND ME ON THE SKY GLIDER

MOM AND DAD ON THE
SKY GLIDER

After riding the Sky Glider the rest of our group went to look at the Butterfly House while I met up with Adrian, one of the guys who came to London with our internship group this summer. I met up with Adrian, his mom and his niece and nephew.


When leaving the fair, we picked out a place to eat in Uptown and headed there to meet up with my friend Jenni. Jenni joined us for dinner at Muddy Waters, and then she and I went out and met up with our friend Kate for  drinks at The Bulldog. It was so much fun to catch up with each other and share some drinks and (more) cheese curds!

On Sunday we went out to Victor's 1959 Cafe for brunch with Mary Elizabeth and her dad while Andrew was at work. I had the world's best breakfast.. banana pancakes with walnuts and mango spread on top. Yummmmmmy. Hands down, best pancakes I've ever had. We stopped for ice cream at Sebastian Joe's and then The Running Room to see Andrew! After seeing Andrew, my parents and I headed out for the five and a half hour drive home!!

Lo and behold, I returned to Minneapolis the following Thursday. It was super short notice, but for all the great reasons! I had an interview with a music organization in down town Minneapolis. I found out late Thursday morning and I immediately picked up a train ticket for the 5:05pm Amtrak train out of Columbus! When I got back into town, Andrew picked me up from the train station and we headed to Pat's Tap to see a friend of their's DJ for the night.

On Friday, Mary Elizabeth still needed to work, Andrew and I ran errands and stopped by the office to see where I was going to be interviewing in the afternoon. Then we met up with my friend Jenni for lunch at Brit's Pub. After a delicious reminder of everything I loved about my summer in London, I headed out for my interview!! I'm thinking it went well, and perhaps I'll have more news to share of adventures in life, but for now, I'll just leave my killing anticipation and excitement out of this! When I met back with Andrew we headed back to his place for some down time. When it was time for us to pick up Mary Elizabeth, we also headed out to our Aunt and Uncle's house to pick up my straightener I left behind the previous weekend.

When we headed back to the apartment, we had some much needed down time including catching up on the ends of TV series seasons I missed in the spring and early summer due to leaving school and going abroad. Various series including 'New Girl' and 'Once Upon A Time' but also learning about 'Downton Abbey'.. which, to be frank, I am not sure how I missed the boat on that one. Does anyone I know have the first season so I can learn more about what I have missed?? Our night turned into a late evening with the cast of 'Downton Abbey', we shared some wine and Andrew took some pork and potatoes to town for dinner-- hands down some of the best cooked pork I have had since returning from Europe. A friend of mine from school, Charlie, also came over to join us for the show and some drinks. So good to catch up.

Saturday morning 7:50am train came much earlier than I had hoped. The five hour and twenty minute train ride proved that air conditioning in the world was not dead-- I practically froze to death. If you're taking the Amtrak. Be sure to wear long sleeves and pants. Preferably socks and shoes. Do not do as I did: jean shorts, short-sleeve top and Birkenstock sandals. By the time I stepped off the platform to meet my mom in Columbus, WI, I think I had grown an inch of hair on my legs from all the goosebumps I had!

Only time will tell from here! I hope to share more news accordingly!
Cheers!
Sarah Marsh