This weekend Minneapolis hosted their first Chipotle Cultivate Festival. We went in hopes of finding some burrito bowls and guac. We did find some burrito bowls and guac but I personally think I found something more. After we wandered through the booths, visiting with some avocado farmers and some tabasco pepper farmers we decided to sit in their Chef's Tent to watch Chef Andrew Zimmern make a beautiful tongue dish. After having watched his show for years I was expecting an entertaining demo of something tasty but something even better happened. He described in a few sentences exactly how I feel about food, exactly how I feel about the power of food. I don't think I could have described this any better.
I finally made it back to the Mill City Museum! Dead smack on the Mississippi River, looking out onto St. Anthony's Fall, the Mill City Museum is a huge part in representing the thriving milling industry that once occupied the river's banks (once the Flour Milling Capital of the World!). Providing a snap shot of the once booming milling society, the Mill City Museum is situated on the ruins of the Washburn "A" Mill. Built in 1874, the Washburn Mill was supposedly the biggest mill in the whole world. One of more than two dozen mills posted on the river's bank, the Washburn Mill Experienced a HUGE explosion in 1878, killing 18 workers. This huge mill was powered by the rushing water from St. Anthony's falls, as were most of the mills along the river.
When you first arrive for the tour, they send to you to this AWESOME elevator, where you are taken on a historical, 'real' life experience of how the mill used to function, with actual voice overs from workers who worked at the mill. After bouncing through about 8 floors of history you exit onto their outlook, which gives a wondrous view of the river, the falls and the stone arch bridge. Check it out!
From the 8th floor, I think, looking up from their ruins courtyard
I think this is one of the coolest signs ever!
Another view from the 8th floor, a look at the stone arch bridge
Looking down onto the Washburn 'A' Mill Ruins (FYI, you can have weddings here apparently! Word to the wise, if you're planning on having a wedding during the summer, either bring body spray and extra deodorant, or plan for a fall wedding.)
More of the falls just cause its so cool. Based one of the first details of the falls, from a missionary, the falls is currently not in it's original location. Over a hundred years ago, there was an cement "apron" that was built right under where it spills. Cool fact, they used to dump the left over flour dust from the mills into water....which eventually turned the river into mush. One smarty pants noticed however, that the fish in the river were HUGE! He then began a fish feed company, using said left over gunk from the mills. What a smarty, I tell'ya.
That first building, right above the parking lot, was an old mill and now it has been converted to apartments. How cool!
Downstairs, theres a museum with cool things like GIGANTIC Bisquick boxes, old commercials, example water installations to show the power of the falls and even a test kitchen that makes bread daily (that was based off of an old Pilsbury kitchen!
The biggest recipe box I've ever done seen!
Thanks!
Also in the museum, theres a video you can watch called Minneapolis in 19 Minutes Flat, its so informative and doesn't even seem like 19 minutes!! So worth watching! Heres a little preview!
I'm so glad I finally made it back to the museum! I've taken a little break in exploring these past few weeks, my apologies. Its been a rough time for me here in Minnesota, a combination of anxiety and frustration, or as I like to call it 'Ferklumpedness.' (It feels exactly how it sounds) I only have a four more weeks here in MN so I'll try to get back on that optimistic horse and explore more for yawl! Until then..
*Intermission before I get back to the Mill City Museum!*
If you remember my first Minnesota update post I had pictures of two, four legged fur balls, Harlee and Cheyenne. Heres a little video of Cheyenne I caught the other night during one of our cuddlefests. Can you say... "Paw'kward"?
I heart this little pup so much. So many of my frustrating days here have been smoothed out by her unconditional smothering constant need for affection, like a little reminder that something appreciates that you're here in the world.
Oh this little smooshball of goofiness, if I could, I would bring her back to California with me so fast!!!
Oh food blog..right.. uhhh here! Food!
Dumplings that my house mate Ruxin and her boyfriend Lei made! I have more pictures of them, have no fear...Also have no fear that I ate like 3 dozen dumplings...all by myself! I love dumplings as much as I love Cheyenne, and thats a lot!
Hope that you're filled with warm (see: dumplings) fuzzies (see:dogs) now!
How was that last nom bomb for you?! Back to the Minnesota stuff.
For the past two weeks I've spent my weekends at county fairs. There are 87 counties in the state of Minnesota. I would like to say that each county has a fair, but thats probably not true. I also like to say that all of these county fairs are practice for the the Great Minnesota Get Together!
Anywhose... on the first weekend we went to the Anoka county fair. Anoka county is the fourth most populated county in Minnesota. Anoka comes fromthe Dakota word anokatanhan which means "on both sides," a toss to its location on the Rum River. Bleck, less info, more pictures, ammorite!?
Fireman Challenge.
Little Lamby!
PUPPIES!
Apparently you can show Alapacas....
One of my favorite past times...looking at fantastic 4-H projects
Really prime stuff here..
Really, some really excellent showmanship
Despite how many times I've seen Grease, you could never get me into one of these things
I 100% do not trust fair rides. #statement
Especially when the weather looks like this...no thanks
This was almost cute enough to ride, then I stopped myself
Rachel spending a good 45 minutes at winning tokens...Brian being badger'y as usual
See? Look how cute those colors are! So tempting
This...is a funnel cake...
These guys....
From the parking lot..."Fun"...oh sure...
Also, DEMOLITION DERBY! Now I've only been to one Demo Derby prior to this but *spoiler alert* I LOVE DEMO DERBY'S!
The second weekend we hung out at the Washington County fair. Heres a fun fact: Washington County was named after George Washington! (Thats all I got for you!)
This is a real thing..,
No really, it's a real thing...
I would give this entry Grand Supreme, Overall Champion!
Almost cute enough to make me forget that I hate birds
Hey! Wallaby my friend!?
This guy had a little mohawk going on...still not cool enough to get me to like birds
I WON A ROUND OF BINGO! I won a whole 2 dollars. After a 1 dollar buy in for 7 cards, I would say that that is a major win! And on the left there are corn dogs with mini bratwurst instead of hot dogs. Also a major win!
And then it started pouring. The only downside of Minnesota is the weather (though I've heard that it is also one of their crowning achievements as well...weird place I tell ya) During the downpour I hid under a tent and ate a little pie. It was awesome! I think it is safe to say that I am going to take a little break from fairs until the Great Minnesota Get Together.
Up next...A Revisit to the Mill City Museum (finally!)
Well hello there! (Or should I say Aloha!) Here's a quick Nom Bomb to tie you over till I can organize my latest Minnesota adventures! Ready?
Lomi Lomi is a favorite of mine because I'm a sucker for salmon and tomatoes. Introduced to the islands by western sailors, this hawaiian yum is similar to a salsa and usually consist of: salmon, tomatoes, sweet onions and some sea salt. Its' been hot here in Minnesota, too hot to cook. Luckily I (somehow) had a version of all of these ingredients in my fridge! So here we go!
Ingredients: cherry tomatoes, salmon, yellow onions and salt!
First! Cut tomatoes into quarters. You can use any tomatoes really, but these were just the ones I had!
Then! Chop up some onions and toss it in!
And then! Toss in some left over salmon. This salmon is from Trader Joes. I made it the night before, it was pre-marinated and baked at 375 for 15 minutes (It was yum then too, more on that later!)
Then you... Toss it all together!
Finally. Add some salt to taste and throw that yum yum into the fridge to chill out!
Well there you go! Usually the crew and I like to eat it with some tortilla chips. I had maybe two bites with chips but then I just ended up eating it solo. For some reason, Lomi Lomi feels like comfort food to me, don't know why, it just does! Mahalo!!
