We had a lovely Mother’s Day dinner at our house last night! Jeri, Dave and Vonnie, Regan, Sam and Missy and Steve and I feasted on a meal cooked, mainly, by the non-moms.

Steve grilled thick sirloins, Sam was in charge of appetizers, Missy set the table, Regan washed the dishes and Dave picked ramps out of our woods. That was the most work, but they were delicious roasted with the potatoes, mini peppers and baby bok choy.

We drank champagne and Spritz – and some very good wine. Missy made chocolate lasagna for dessert and all the mothers ended the day happy.

I wish Mother Nature was happier!

24 years ago, Samuel David Northrop was born! He came to work 3 days later – and is still a large part of Main Street Market today!

Happy Birthday Sam!

Yesterday, two hopeful signs of spring emerged!

I took this picture of beautiful purple crocuses in the middle of our bedraggled, beat -up front garden when I left the store last night.

Steve had taken two beautiful Angus tenderloins home for dinner. He was optimistic that the snow had melted off the deck and he’d be able to get to the grill to cook them. Success!

We are nowhere near close to actually sitting or eating outside – but this spring we are taking baby steps!

Dave said this cheesecake was the most delicious, lightest, tastiest cheesecake he has ever eaten. Darn – I wish it was possible to taste it!

Jim and Andrea also prepared a sumptuous feast to precede the dessert. They all better take some long hikes to work off these meals!

Dave and Julie dipping their feet in the creek.

Dave and Julie near Palm Springs California.

A couple of weeks ago, we were in Palm Desert California. While Steve and Brad played golf, Dave, Julie and I hiked in two separate areas.

I think hiking in the mountains is Dave’s favorite thing to do. Fortunately, he is usually in Arizona for his birthday! Although he won’t be hiking the paths pictured here, I am sure he is somewhere on the beautiful trails in Sedona. Jim and Andrea Jacquet are with Dave and Vonnie right now – I think Jim is in charge of the birthday cake!

Happy Birthday Dad – have a wonderful day!

I love you!

Last week, Steve and I met my parents and siblings in Palm Desert California for a vacation. We made plans to meet the VanLaanen family members in Palm Springs – hopefully at Trio.

As it turned out, we did not eat at Trio. However, it was Fashion Week at El Paseo and Trio was the caterer for Wednesday’s show. My sister Julie and I snuck into the catering tent to met Lisa, Lynn and Mark; we also saw Laurie and Paul. Once in, we were golden!

Mark talked a mile a minute – go figure! It was so nice to see him.  The tents were full of beautiful everything – people, clothes, food, drink – you name it! We had some kind of vodka, cranberry, club soda drink from the very cool bar set up between the two ginormous tents – very Palm Springs.

The fashion show was supposed to start at 8:00, but it took quite a while for everyone to get seated. Wednesday’s theme was Project Runway designers and featured about a dozen designers from the show. Three huge screens were set up at the back of the runway; each designer had a music video to accompany the models. We stood at the end of the runway, next to the photographers platform, so we had a great view of the models coming and going.

Lisa owns Blacksmith Clothing  so Julie and I asked lots of questions about the designs we saw and the possibility of actually buying the clothes. Lisa said the design elements on the runway trickle down to clothes you would actually be able to buy in stores – which is good!

The show lasted about  90 minutes – and was so much fun! It was something I’ve never seen before – and it was fun to spend an evening with Mark when he wasn’t working. Julie and I definitely enjoyed our night out!

95 degrees the past two days. According to my phone, it is only 62 right now at 7:00 am, but I think that is understated!

It has been wonderful to walk in the morning! No ice or snow to navigate and we wear shorts! And sunscreen! Feels pretty great.

I hope it doesn’t snow much today – really!

The Lumineers, Sam, Missy and me!

Every once in a while, something happens that just seems surreal. That was true for me last night.

Main Street Market is a big supporter of the Door Community Auditorium; we’ve sponsored  shows every year for the past 20 years. (Disclaimer: I am a member of the board of directors of the DCA.)

One of the perks of  show sponsorship is that you get to meet the artists backstage after the show. Over the years, we’ve met lots of great artists – some well-known, some not so much! Kathy Mattea, the BoDeans, Mary Wilson, The Bellamy Brothers, The Neville Brothers, Bob Hope – it’s a pretty good list! (I really should find a place to display all the pictures from our photo ops!)

Our kids aren’t usually too keen about going  backstage to meet the artists. That was not true of The Lumineers! Especially Sam – he was so excited to both hear them and meet them!

I did not know anything about The Lumineers. In early May, Sam sent me an email with a  link to their Ho Hey video. He said they were coming to the DCA in June – could we sponsor them?

I knew the DCA Mainstage season lineup and didn’t recall seeing them on the schedule. I followed the link Sam sent and saw that The Lumineers were opening for Brandi Carlile.

Brandi Carlile performed at DCA the summer of 2010; Main Street Market sponsored her show. She was amazing – it was one of the best shows I’ve seen at DCA. When Cari Lewis booked Brandi for June 2012, we jumped on that show sponsorship. Therefore, we were already sponsoring The Lumineers!  Needless to say, Sam thought that was pretty cool.

The entire evening was awesome. The Lumineers were fantastic – received a standing O from the sold-out crowd! Brandi Carlile was even better than the first time – more polished and man, what a voice!

Sam, Missy and I were so excited to go backstage after the show. They were all jazzed  – and so nice. The Lumineers are young – early-mid 20′s! Crazy. They were just happy to be playing their music on the road and happy for the opportunity to open for Brandi. That was only 7 months ago! And last night, they performed at The Grammy’s. And I watched, along with millions of other people.

However, unlike the vast majority of those people, I’ve seen them perform live, met them and have this photo to prove it!  Today, I am going to display our signed poster of the concert somewhere in the store. I might even look for a place to hang a picture or two.

One other cool thing from The Grammy’s  last night. Preservation Hall Jazz Band backed up the Black Keys on one of the night’s performances. The Preservation Hall guys were also at the DCA last summer – and brought down the house! That should tell you something about our venue and the quality of the shows we present. (Plug for DCA!) The 2013 Mainstage schedule will be released in late April.

Maryna in her dress uniform

Maryna graduated from boot camp in Fort Leonardwood, Missouri yesterday at 9:00 am. Congratulations!

Andrew flew to Missouri Wednesday to attend the graduation ceremony. Maryna has 4 days off – she can leave the base at 9:00 am but must return by 8:00 pm. Andrew sent me this picture of Maryna in her dress uniform yesterday afternoon. They had been woken up at 4:00 am Thursday before the ceremony; she was taking a nap!

Andrew is taking lots of pictures of Fort Leonardwood to show us when he returns. I imagine he’ll have more stories to tell of Maryna’s experiences at boot camp since she returned after Christmas break. Crazy – it is so hard!

Maryna will move into nicer digs next week and have a few amenities – internet! It will be easier to communicate – writing letters is so sloooooow.

We are all so proud of Maryna. Graduating from boot camp in the Unites States Army is no small feat and definitely not for the faint of heart!

It was easy to assemble, smelled delicious and really does need the sour cream and cilantro. I made cornbread to go with it – any crusty bread would be just fine.

Some foods are made for snow days! Enjoy!

Last week we again celebrated Jeri Northrop’s birthday with dinner at our home. Dottie Klepp, Marianne and Don Diekman, and Dave and Vonnie were the esteemed guests! Steve, Sam and I were the hosts.

We have a tradition in our family – the birthday person gets to choose the menu. Jeri chose beef tenderloin – and white on white cake is always the dessert. I chose the side dishes – lettuce salad with goat cheese, pears and dried cherries, roasted potatoes, and something new – roasted carrots and parsnips. Guess what the hit of the evening was! The vegetables! Who knew?!!

A lovely evening was had by all, especially the birthday girl! As soon as my recipe page is working properly, I will add a better (bigger and clearer) version of this recipe. For now, I have it posted in the Main Street Market produce department and you might be able to read the picture!

Personally, I thought the cake was especially beautiful. I did however, absolutely love the carrots and parsnips!

Rump Roast – before and after!

This is a recipe I’ve posted before – still good and Main Street Market has Certified Angus Beef boneless rump roasts on sale starting Jan.2!

This recipe comes from a cookbook my parents brought back from Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It has a lot of really good recipes in it and I use it often!

Beef Roast with Herb Crust

4# boneless rump roast, tied

4 shallots, finely minced

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

2 T. fresh thyme, chopped or 2 t. dried

1 T.fresh sage leaves, chopped or 1 t. dried

2 T. extra-virgin olive oil

1 T. grated lemon peel

1 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, mix together all ingredients except the roast. Rub over roast, pressing gently to adhere herbs. Put roast on a rack in a roasting pan. Place pan in the center off the oven, uncovered, and roast until thermometer reads 130 degrees – approximately 20-25 minutes per pound. Remove from oven; let sit 15 minutes before carving. Serves 8-10

Appetizers for holiday entertaining at Main Street Market!

There will be many parties and get-togethers the next few days as we all ring in the New Year!  Cheese and sausage is a Wisconsin favorite – and the selections in the Main Street Market deli department give you lots of options!

He came to work at 2:00 am this morning! If you see him nodding off during church services, you’ll know why!

We had a Standing Rib Roast and Yorkshire Pudding last night – succulent!!!

Rush Creek Reserve is a special, limited-release cheese from Uplands Cheese. (We also sell their very excellent Pleasant Ridge Reserve all year!) Andy Hatch is the cheesemaker – and married to Katelyn Leline, daughter of Paul and Leslie Leline.

Heidi Gilbertson from Island Bread Company on Washington Island, brings freshly baked bread from the Island once a week. Her bread is delicious;let us know if you want something specific and we will order it!

Nielsen-Massey Vanilla products are top of the line. Cam Nielsen is an Egg Harbor resident; at a Door County Land Trust fundraising event we co-sponsored, I asked her about the company. It is her family’s company – and she ran it for many years! Now her three children run the company, but she gave me the contact information and Main Street Market now stocks Nielsen-Massey vanilla!

Door County products – and connections! Buy local!

Last Sunday’s snow turned our backyard into a winter wonderland. We have a spotlight on a peak of our house and turned it on when we walked through the woods to Jeri’s house for Sunday night dinner.

Steve was ahead of me and I took these photos on my iPhone. It was absolutely gorgeous! When we got to Jeri’s house, the tree on her deck was equally beautiful – but awkwardly shaped! Oh well.

Especially at this time of year, it appears to be the work of a master architect!

If you find yourself in a quandary about these and other food issues during this most happiest time of the year, drop Kaaren an email. She is our “resident foodie extraordinaire” and will help you sort out the issues, give you some options and let you keep peace at the holiday table.

From all of us at the Main Street Market happy holiday feasting!

Sunshine House wreath in action!

Main Street Market is again selling beautiful Sunshine House wreaths! Not only are they lovely, the funds go to a very worthy cause!

I realize that today it is 50 degrees, foggy and drizzling – but I am certain we are going to get enough snow soon to make everything look more festive!

Ivana and Santa – 2012

Egg Harbor’s HollyDays starts off with Breakfast with Santa at the Landmark Resort. Steve’s brother and his wife and 3 children and Grandma Jeri are usually the first ones to have breakfast with Santa -  at 8:30 am Friday morning.

This year, Adam took Ivana and 8 Northrops had breakfast, made some cute crafts and the younger ones sat on Santa’s lap!

It is really a nice event and was quite busy when the Northrop clan left to go home!

Oh and by the way, our Pepper Tree won the HollyDays Tree Contest. HoHoHo.