Jumping On Hogan Brothers Bandwagon

March 14th, 2010

It’s been a while since I have written about Hogan Brothers in downtown Northfield.  It’s about time now.  We strolled in on Saturday around 3PM.   My regular readers know that I get snack attacks at off hours which makes it good for avoiding the rush, and getting in on more thoughtfully served food, temperature wise,coordination of timing of different courses, and sometimes even visual presentation.    But at Hogan’s the biggest deal for me is avoiding the wait in line.  I love to walk, but never have liked standing in one place.   For some, there is a delight in socializing while in the que,  and I like that, too, but not so much while standing for more than a very few minutes.

Anyway, I ordered a full tuna and Swiss cheese hoagie, warmed up, and dh ordered the ham and Swiss and iced tea.  I ordered a small fancy coffee with whipped cream, forget which one now, and a chocolate chip oatmeal cookie, the big kind.  Later I went back for a double scoop of French Silk ice cream to take home.  To be brief, cuz I gotto go, the food was delicious, the three meals,two drinks, and two delicious snacks we got, plus change thrown into the tip jar all came down to less than $17.00 and came out to the table as fast as any fast food place around.

Thanks, Hogan’s, for doing such a good job!  AND FOR THE MUSIC AND ART, TOO!

Get Out Of Town! The Gran Plaza is awaiting your presence.

March 12th, 2010

Gran Plaza Mexican Grill (and Bar)
520 Central Ave
Faribault, MN 55021

507-333-1344

If you feel the need to head south for an out of town lunch or dinner, The Gran Plaza, a brand new Mexican restaurant may be just the ticket.

Dh and I were over at Penney’s returning some curtains yesterday when suddenly I got hungry for a snack.  We had passed the Gran Plaza last week after chowing down at Monte’s and noticed that it looked pretty good, so we vowed to try it next time we were in town.  We did and we are not sorry.

The place is SOOOOO clean, top to bottom.  The servers were So nice, although their English has  little way to go, they did just fine with finding me a plug in and putting a light amount of cheese on my burrito.

The free chips and salsa were good.  The chips warm and the salsa tasty but not too hot or salty, although not homemade in a way I am familiar with.  The tea was good, and the prices are just right.  We both had burritos and rice and beans.  Pretty standard.  But because they are new, the place is so new, the people so nice, and the food just right, I’ll go back next time I am in Farbo, hungry for a snack.

Handicap accessible, and I recommend it.

Fast Food Restaurant Row aka State Hwy 3, Northfield, MN

March 4th, 2010

Fast Food Restaurant Row aka State Hwy 3, Northfield, MN

We went ahead and tried the new KFC,  across from Cub’s Food Store,  We had the 6 piece all white meat family pack
with a small side of cole slaw and a little thing of mashed potatoes and three soda biscuits.
It came to around $17, and will last us for three meals.  Not bad there.

The grilled chicken was new to me, but I am an old KFC fan from Chicago and I used to eat
the fried chicken once a month for a few years, I guess.  Never more than one or two small
pieces.  The sides, cole slaw, potatoes and biscuits are very much the same now as they were then.

I love the slaw and will eat all of it, but I leave the liquid at the bottom of the container
as it’s too sweet for me. The potatoes with gravy are as bad as ever and I don’t touch them except to taste them today so I could report on it.  The biscuits have lots of baking soda, which I like, but these biscuits seemed to get heavier as I chewed and I had to get rid of it.  Baaack.

Over all the chicken was about as good as the other chicken providers on FFRR, save CUBs. I love
Cubs minus the skin, then George’s broasted chicken and then Culver’s.  Quarterback is okay I think but I really don’t remember, as it’s been awhile.

My dh saw man in the drive in eating chicken while he was waiting for a chicken order, so I guess
either he was comparing or KFC has a ready made audience.

Spill Some Tea!

February 21st, 2010

Don’t know much about local politics right now, but I am calling for a Northfield  tea party

where all the local stars and the quiet waiting in the background people can

step up to the podium for 5 minutes, hand out whatever materials they want,

and do that for a couple of hours each week at some large venue in the winter

and outdoors in the summertime, where everyone can attend.  I’m calling

for it and hope that I am not  stepping on a similar plan already in place.

Don’t Complain, Just Cook the Beef!

February 21st, 2010

Although I will eat a hot dog or a white castle slider once in a while, I do occasionally

cook a steak for my dh.  Here’s a great site and a super chart for doing so.  Enjoy!

http://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/cookinglessons.aspx

Bitches and Dogs

February 16th, 2010

So many people around here are ignoring the city ordinances and state laws concerning loud and aggressive dogs that it is becoming unsafe to walk around here. The dogs are controlling the people and that is just wrong.  Some people, children included are afraid to walk in the Northfield neighborhoods now.  When are we going to put safety above some of the other nonsense that goes on?

#
DOG BITE LAW – Statistics about dog bites in the USA and elsewhere
Dog bite losses exceed $1 billion per year, with over $300 million paid by homeowners … Every year 2851 letter carriers are bitten. (US Postal Service.) …. State Farm Times, 1998;3(5):2.) That $1 billion estimate might be low — an …
www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/statistics.html – Cached – Similar
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Article: Injuries from dog bites affected 4.5 million Americans …
U.S. Newswire; May 13, 2009 ; 700+ words … … dogs every year. … there are 3 million to 4.5 million dog bites in the United States each year, and . …
www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-20123778.html – Cached
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Facts About Dog Bites and Attacks
The AVMA estimates 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year, … Every 40 seconds someone enters an emergency room in the U.S. for a dog related … (Source: CDC) Over 450000 are seen in other medical type settings. … Most dog bites occur in the afternoon and evening, with the peak between 3 PM and 7 PM. …
www.doesyourdogbite.org/facts.htm – Similar
#
Causes of Personal Injury. Statistics, Numbers & Types of Personal …
The US Government estimates that every year, over 3000 people die as a … Of these 5 million dog bites, over 800000 people need medical attention and …
www.phillipsinjurylawyers.com/topics/causesofpersonalinjury.html – Cached
#
LEGAL HELP CENTER
Transportation Accident – There are over 3 million injuries a year from transportation … Dog Bites – There are almost 5 million dog bites per year. … to benzene in the U.S. every year- estimated at more than 3 million workers. …
www.legalhelpcenters.com/ – Cached – Similar

Restaurant Ambience – Northfield Golf Club

February 4th, 2010

November, 2009
While waiting for my fettucinni jambalaya to be served, I looked out through the plate glass wall separating me from the cold air and beautiful white snow hills and frosted trees of a well manicured golf course.  Sensing something in flight above eye level, I looked up to see the greyish under side of a bird soaring across my field of vision.  My heart leaped just until I was able to get myself under control so that I could carefully observe the events to come.  As quick as the bird entered my vision, it disappeared, I remarked to myself that I see why the underside of the bird was light grey.  It seemed to match the overcast sky which would make it difficult for any near sighted creature to be forewarned of the impending doom brought down by a bird of prey.

Still as a frightened rabbit, and focused as I could be, I watched the bird fly up to a tall pine tree and disappear in the highest branches.  As the bird landed I could see the distinctive tail of the red tailed hawk, a bird I had seen many times.  As I waited for any sign of movement, I wondered what was up…normal feeding time or a more interesting prospect? Then nothing until two large black crows went after a hawk over the the left of field and then out of my vision.

Now, my heart was singing.  What was the chase about?  A nest, or a favorite food source, or was it just a plain old ‘Get out of our territory, we know why you came!’ sort of thing?

Suddenly, two red tail hawks appeared, flying in after the crows who were chasing down the first hawk. Then, two crows chasing the two red hawks back towards and then in front of me and vanishing behind the giant pines.  By now, my heart was double beating and it was all I could do to keep from jumping up and shouting to the whole restaurant, “Hey, why aren’t you watching the hawks and crows?  It’s much better than TV! And the chase goes on and on and on and on…

Wiederholt’s Supper Club

February 1st, 2010

This one is far out, about a half hour drive, but if you are up for a little change, this is worth the nice drive.  An all American place with the standard fare, no big surprises, just really delicious food without the fancies, but with all the great basics.  Good for the no spice is nice crowd.

Sunday night last, we went with friends to celebrate a birthday and we had a really good time.  If you have a nice place, friendly people, good service, good food, handicap accessible, free birthday cake and clean rest rooms, to me, that’s a win.  Oh, and the toppers for me are great brown iced tea, not that barely uncolored stuff we get so much of around here, and a real relish tray with black and green olives, cut carrots and celery, crunchy garlic toast and rolls.

I had the deep fried scallops, my dh’s mushrooms from his filet mignon, and a baked sweet potato with brown sugar plus a good sized side salad with French Roquefort dressing, not that ol’ bleu cheese creamy sauce in a sealed package which we often see more than we’d like.

Our friends enjoyed the Chicken and Ribs combo and Pork Chops.  All reported good, yummy, and abundant enough.  They were also served a carafe of coffee in a metal pot and a glass of white zin.

I generally prefer a booth over a table, but tables are all they offer, so I dealt with it, and as such, it wasn’t so bad over by the wall.    The prices are about average and there is a long bar available in a  separate room for bar stool lovers.  I give it a 17.5 out of 25.  I miss the sauces, but I appreciate the waitress who got up on a chair to plug in my oxygen machine.

Monday-Thursday: 4:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Friday & Saturday: 4:30 pm – 11:00 pm
Sunday: 11:30 pm – 10:00 pm
(reservations recommended)

Highway 61 – Miesville, Minnesota
14535 240th St. E.
Hastings, MN 55033
(651) 437-3528 or (507) 263-2263

Stay In and Eat Out

January 28th, 2010

Dh and I have been working like crazy.  After two years of running his own business,  he is much in demand.  And my card business is starting to grow it’s own wings.  See http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/Bright    I really love making the cards and the jokes and the verses from the heart.  I get a lot of wonderful feedback and return customers now and it’s a great thing for me, and I am so grateful to even be alive these last two years, limited as I am, I can still do quite a bit.

Now that I got that out of the way, I wanted to write about Kurry Kabob’s take out.  As I said, we have been busy and didn’t want to do the food thing ourselves, so dh went out and got us a Maharaja Dinner for two, $49.95, plus tax.    That was a lot of money to spend, but guess what!  We got the first night big dinner, and two more days of hearty, last all day lunches for both of us.  So, six meals, scrumptious meals for $50 some odd dollars ain’t too bad.

The great part is that they were well packed and hot upon arrival even though it was about -2 degrees F when dh picked them up.  It’s not that far from us though.  But here’s what came with the Maharaja Dinner for two, from my not that reliable memory…I chicken chili dinner, 1 curry chicken dinner, 1 whole box of veggies, lamb sausage, 2 lg prawns, several pieces of tandori chicken, 2 large pieces of naam bread, 2 cups of rice, yogurt cole slaw style dipping sauce, mint sauce, bbq sauce, two donut cakes in honey sauce.  I think that was it.  Oh, it was good, though, and that curry tumeric cleans your brain so you don’t get the dreaded Al’s Himer whatchacallit. :)   I jest, but not about the tumeric.  You will also find it in mustard, so if you fav fast food restaurant has quit handing out mustard, go see Pai at Mandarin and she will fix you up.

Yep, the curry is spicy and I order mine medium.  I would get the hot, but it’s accumulative and I can’t take it after a few bites, but I really do like it. The point I am trying to get at is that Kurry Kabob will make anything you want to your specifications, if you are of a mind to have no spice or all kinds of spice.  They are very accommodating hosts.

Right now, I am drinking cold spearmint tea, which is so satisfying.  I never use ice cubes at home.  But I will cool the glasses in the summer time once in awhile, and I do keep the frig cold cuz dh likes his milk cold, cold, cold.

One more thing I will share with you drink wise, is that after years of making my hot lemonade one way and only one way, I have now added one cinnamon stick at the simmering stage.  It is a wonderful smelling, super delicious tasting and extraordinary healing spice.  Splurge and buy a bag of sticks off the little spice rack next shopping trip.

Women’s Health

January 20th, 2010

The Federal Government has fifty publications dedicated to women’s health issues.  You can become a partner, like I am doing now, by helping to distribute this info or you can order or download this valuable but free information right here:

http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/puboftheweek.htm

I wish you all good health!