Great Weekend in Detroit

Detroit had a huge win this weekend with its excellent hosting of the Frozen Four, the division 1 college hockey tournament's finale. The weather was beautiful (upper sixties and sunny) and the crowds in good spirits. The city looked clean and healthy. The Tigers had their home opener on Friday in between the semi-finals on Thursday night and the finals on Saturday night as well as a game Saturday afternoon, adding to the festive atmosphere (the Tigers swept the Cleveland Indians this weekend). My perennial dining companion and I had tickets to the Frozen Four and were thrilled to be part of the event. Wearing our Michigan gear, we had numerous "Go Blue" exchanges with other fans. The whole event was like being part of the UN of College Hockey. While RIT, Miami (OH), Wisconsin and Boston College were the four participants, we saw jerseys from Maine, Minnesota, Air Force, Alaska, Denver, Northern Michigan, Lake State and numerous others. The actual games were all blow outs (yes, Michigan should have been there and hopefully will reach the Frozen Four next year to provide some better competition for the dynasty of Boston College) but I could not have asked for a better overall event.

Before the Saturday game we meant to go to Angelina's Bistro, but it was too busy for us to be seated. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise as we made our way to Cliff Bell's, a jazz bar and restaurant on Park Avenue. It was my first time there, but my perennial dining companion had been there before a concert before. I love this place. Ambitious but successful food coupled with a great bartender (and Oberon on tap - YUM!) and you can't go wrong. We will be back and you should visit (http://www.cliffbells.com/). I had the Wild Mushroom Potpie and my perennial dining companion had the steak and eggs. Tremendous food and a great atmosphere.

Grand Slam Weekend for Detroit! Go Tigers!

Red Pepper and Mushroom Pasta

Unwilling to stop at the grocery store on the way home and mindful of all the ingredients needing to be used already in my refrigerator, I tried to make something tasty, fairly healthy and clear out the refrigerator as well. Here's the solution I came up with, but I bet you could work some substitutions in as well. It makes two very generous servings.

1 red bell pepper diced
4-5 mushrooms, sliced thin
1 clove garlic minced
3-4 tbsp olive oil, divided
salt and pepper
1 cup canned great northern beans or cannellini beans
8 oz whole wheat fusilli pasta
freshly grated parmesan cheese
2-3 tbsp toasted pine nuts
1/2 cup pesto


Heat the water for the pasta (salt the water a bit) and prepare according to package directions

While the pasta is cooking, heat 2-3 tbsp of olive oil in a medium skillet. Saute red bell pepper, mushrooms and garlic until soft over medium-low heat (about 10 minutes). Drain and rinse the beans and add to the mixture for the last 2 minutes to heat through.

Drain the pasta and mix in the pesto. Add 1-2 tbsp olive oil if needed for better blending (will depend on the thickness of the pesto). Toss the pasta with the vegetable mixture and serve topped with parmesan cheese and toasted pine nuts.


Note: I toast pine nuts on a cookie sheet in a 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes. Shake the pan a couple times while the pine nuts are in the oven and keep an eye on them to make sure they don't burn. Also, you can buy prepared pesto, but I make my own during the spring and summer and freeze.

CCHA

Congrats to the U of M hockey team for winning the CCHA championship as a 7 seed. Great job boys!

Awesome weekend for food, music, and hockey!

What a terrific weekend! First, and probably most important, U of M swept Michigan State to advance to the CCHA finals this weekend. Go Blue! Go Louie Caporusso and Steve Kampfer and Carl Hagelin and Matt Rust and Luke Glendening and David Wohlberg and Shawn Hunwick and the rest of the Michigan Wolverines!

Second, what an awesome show at The Ark. Band of Heathens, out of Austin, TX., delivered an outstanding concert. Part jam band, part alt country poster child, this band transported me to Nashville, one of my favorite cities, where I could picture myself with a cowboy hat and a beer just having a great time. Well done, Heathens. Visit the Heathens at http://www.bandofheathens.com. For dinner before the show, we visited the Jolly Pumpkin and sat upstairs for the first time. Great food. I had the chick pea panini and a Bam Biere, my perennial dining companion had the Asian Salad. Great service and excellent food. The Bam Biere is not to be missed. http://www.jollypumpkin.com/.

Sunday brought our first visit to Bill's. Amazing coney dogs and root beer. Summer is coming. It is! Yummy!

Welcome, Calista!

I wasn't sure I was ready for another kitty so soon after losing Phoebe, but my perennial dining companion said a lot of kitties were waiting for homes in shelters and I agreed. Welcome, Calista!

Great CCHA playoff weekend for U of M

Welcome back, Louie Caporusso. A hat trick from Caporusso, two goals from Sweden's Carl Hagelin and a fine fourth effort by back up goalie, Shawn Hunwick, lead Michigan's hockey team to a 6-0 victory over Lake Superior State and a sweep of the series. Michigan advances to the second round in the CCHA playoffs. Let's hope senior Chris Summers returns to the ice for next weekend's series against Michigan State. Let's Go Blue!

The Cats Part - Saying Goodbye to Phoebe

My perennial dining companion found Phoebe at the Capital Area Humane Society in November of 1998. She flopped in her cage to let him rub her belly and he knew she was the kitty for us. Phoebe’s ride home from the Capital Area Humane Society was legendary. She chewed through the cardboard carrier they gave my perennial dining companion to transport her home and he played a gentle game of “whack a mole” with her all the way from Lansing to Farmington Hills. 12 years later, Phoebe was still flopping for belly rubs and surprising us with her determination.

Phoebe was the quintessential cat. Small and striped, she could hear a tuna can open while asleep on another floor of the house. Feisty and determined, she could open folding doors with one paw. Our constant basement companion, Phoebe, the sports kitty, survived many important sporting events in the basement, including 2 Detroit Stanley Cups, Michigan’s victory over Florida in the Capital One Bowl in 2008, and the Detroit Tigers World Series Appearance in 2006.

When Phoebe was diagnosed with Chronic Renal Failure in November, she amazed us with her determination to survive and to thrive despite her failing kidneys. Phoebe never gave up. A bad day would lead to a series of good days. She never quit giving head butts, belly flops and love to her family. Over the last week, our little fighter kitty lost the battle of wills with her body and we had to say goodbye. We were lucky to have her as part of our lives and she will be sorely missed.