Fab Foodie Mama

Annie is in her last semester at MTU and Rachel has started her first semester at NMU,  This weekend both of them were here and we went for lunch at the Kangas Cafe on Friday.  We had a great lunch.  I had a butternut squash soup and a half grilled cheese sandwich.  Ron had their spinach and bacon salad.  Racel had the Tuna salad and Annie had the chicken salad.  This is a new restaurant that was opened by my cousins' in-laws.  They are great caterers as well. 

The third annual 'Titanic Party' was held last month at the Miscowaubik Club in Calumet.  It is always a fun event.  Period dress is encouraged so we went all out.  I dressed in a large Victorian hat and lacy long black skirt.  Rachel and Will also dressed up.  Ron wore a suit, which I guess counts.  Mens' suits haven't changed much. Foodie Mama (aka the Unsinkable Molly Brown) The Happy Couple What made this an even more special evening was my friend David, (aka The Anabolic Gourmet) surprised his girlfriend Shirley and proposed to her!  Their first date was at the first Titanic party two years ago.  So, he was on the microphone, welcoming all the guests (he is also the President of the Club) and there were a bunch of cards on each table with 'Yes' on them.  He said that he would be asking a question in a couple of minutes and wanted to make sure he got the answer he wanted.  He mentioned that the Miscowaubik is a place ...

Wow, have not blogged in a month.  Summer is always so busy with Will's baseball and now soccer too. I definitely did eat at a place last weekend that is blog-worthy, the Harbor Haus in Copper Harbor.  It has been there for several decades and is always a treat to go to.  It has been several years since I had eaten there.  A friend of mine, Craig, who has a degree from the Culinary Institute of America, is a sous chef there and suggested we come in for dinner.  Last Sunday was a gorgeous day so Ron and I decided to take a ride to the Keweenw in the Solstice.  The Harbor Haus is a traditional German restaurant and the waitresses wear the typical costume.  I didn't get a photo but you can see the attire on their website (link is above). Duck Liver Pate For our appetizer, we ordered  duck liver pate and it was just like butter.  It was served w/ crostini and endive leaves.  Heavenly.  There were also edible flowers as a garni...

Our middle child, Rachel, is graduating today (thank you, Lord) and we had an awesome party for her yesterday.  It was great.  The weather all of a sudden changed from cold and rainy mid day to sunny and warm by 4:00 PM when the party started.  We had, just in the nick of time, for the most part, finished the Porch Project and were ready.  Rachel and I prepped most of the food the day before, but we were right down to the wire with getting everything ready for the start of the festivities.  Rachel, Annie, Will and I were all running through the kitchen for the last hour before the party started.   I felt like I was on an episode of 'Chopped'. So, speaking of Food Network TV Shows, the Anabolic Gourmet, challenged me to a 'Meatball Throwdown'; it was heaps of fun and we had a lot of participation from the guests.  I made my  Melt in Your Mouth Meatballs and AG prepped his  Best Ever Meatballs .  I ended up winning by only ten votes b...

Spring has finally arrived in the North Woods of the UP.  The daffodils and tulips are in full bloom and the hostas are starting to sprout.  The oaks and maples have mini leaves starting. Bliss! I had some mini blogs in mind but none seemed to measure up to a full Foodie Mama - worthy blog.  So, this is a random post of unrelated foodie odds and ends from the last couple of weeks.  Part 1:  Italian Food in the Chicago Airport On my way to Phoenix a few weeks ago, I had a three hour layover in Chicago so I decided to have a nice (as nice as it can get in an airport) lunch.  I can't recall the name of the restaurant now, but it was a cute Italian place.  The decor was rustic with red checkered tablecloths on wood tables; there was olive oil and bread for dipping on every table.  I wasn't too hungry so I just ordered a glass of Pinot Grigio and a Caprese salad.  I love this simple starter and make it often when I entertain.  This vers...

Last evening we were invited to our friend's house for dinner.  It was none other than at the home of the Anabolic Gourmet.  He saw my posting for chicken fettuccine Alfredo and wanted a chance to top mine in flavor and nutritional benefits.  I must admit, it was right up there with Foodie Mama's.  The sauce was very creamy and not from whipping cream, but from non-fat half and half.  I did not even know there was such a thing.  Very tasty!  Will couldn't (or maybe wouldn't) even pick Foodie Mama's or Anabolic Gourmet's over one another.  It was a very nice evening with some good friends and neighbors.   "Life is about good friends, good food, and good health to enjoy it" - AG Menu Starters 2009 Ecco Domini Pino Grigio Whisky and Brandy Manhattans Cheese ball and Whole Grain crackers Salad Onigaming Spinach and Bacon Salad Main Anabolic Gourmet's Grilled Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo AG's Gooey Garlic Bread Dessert Assorted ...

Happy Mother's Day to all your mamas out there.  To celebrate the day yesterday, Ron and I and the kids went to up Copper Harbor and had brunch at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge.  It's a beautiful place that is owned and operated by Keweenaw County.  It was built during the depression by the WPA as one of the federal programs.  After the copper mines began to decline and close, there was 70-80% unemployment in the region in the early 1930's. The historic lodge houses the restaurant, lounge and ballroom.  There is an adjacent 9 hole golf course and cabins for overnight stays.  The cabins are very quaint yet very comfortable.  The restaurant is very nice.  Fine dining in Keweenaw County.  For Mother's Day, they featured a full brunch with a huge spread of appetizers including olive tampenade crostini, tuna and dill stuffed apricots, caprese salad and mushroom and artichoke salad.  For the mains:  Prime Rib (medium rare), ham, ch...