It was my birthday this past week. Those of you that know me know that I don’t just celebrate the day of my birthday, but usually try to extend the celebration into what I call my “birthday week”. I tried to pull off “birthday month” but Gary wouldn’t let me quite pull that one off. So, I celebrated my special day by taking off work, sleeping in, playing some “tennis” (this is in quotes, because I’ve never in my life played tennis – and tennis Jess-style is really more a crazy defensive racket move which more often than not results in my hitting the tennis balls off yonder into the baseball field, over a 30 foot fence…this tennis thing needs some work) and having a great dinner out at Cafe Maude a few blocks from our house.
Despite my lack of tennis skills, I was sore all over for the next few days. My forearms, my back, even my hands. It’s gone now, and I’m left with a certainty that I need to whip myself back into shape. Not to worry, joined the YWCA and start working out this coming week. More on that later.
Cafe Maude was absolutely awesome. I highly recommend it. It’s a sweet little neighborhood spot next to a hardware store and across the street from a gas station, hardly a location you’d consider optimal for a great dining experience. However, the restaurant itself is gorgeously decorated and lit on the inside. There’s a palpable amount of energy in the place, and even on a Wednesday night we needed a reservation and the place was full. Our waiter was wonderful and the food was incredible. I ordered a bowl of turnip puree soup that was out of this world, followed by a citrus salad and lamb skewers with a delectable saffron couscous. Gary had a burger and the duck confit salad. The burger was “the best he’s ever had” which is saying a lot. Bonus: Cafe Maude is within walking distance of our house so we were able to order two bottles of wine and not worry about the drive home. They also have music on Friday and Saturday nights, a rare thing in our neighborhood. We’ll for sure be heading back there.
On Friday, my good friend Natasha treated me to a fun and tasty lunch at Max’s in downtown Minneapolis. It was gorgeous out, and the truffle fries were to die for. I had never been to Max’s, and was impressed that despite the fact that it is a hotel restaurant, it didn’t have the feel of a hotel restaurant. The service was impeccable and the decor was modern and warm at the same time. Their raspberry limoncello mousse gave a fine finish to a tasty lunch and I highly recommend it. Thanks again Nat!
On Saturday, I had planned to head out to the Alexis Bailley vineyard in Hastings, MN for a tasting and a picnic on the vineyard with some good friends, but the weather went from 70 and sunny to 50 and rainy overnight. Instead, my friend Rachel hosted the picnic in her apartment. It was a great day of great company, good food and drinks and good music. Picnic started at 2pm, I got home at about half past midnight (I think?) and have been paying for my steady drink intake all day. The clouds have finally lifted, and it’s 9:30 pm. Almost time to head off to bed and start the new work week. Lost a day, but completely worth it! Rachel came into my life about a year ago and it feels like I’ve known her my whole life. She’s an amazing woman, and is also a DJ that hosts an amazing world music radio show on KFAI called Shake & Bake every Monday from 1-3 pm. This past Monday, she kicked off my birthday week by wishing me a happy birthday on air, joined by her cohost Tony Paul. Check it out here: Shake & Bake. It’s the June 1st show, the dedication happens at about 1:50 on this date. It made my day, and week, my month, my 32nd year! Thanks Rachel!
Goodbye birthday week, until next year!
