20 years on - part 2

Paul and I had a great weekend on the north shore. We stayed in a nice condo-ish place at Superior Shores. On top of the fireplace mantel was a collection of rocks, driftwood and birchbark with names and dates of guests. We picked out just the right rock on the beach and added our names to the pile.
We stopped at this fabulous antique store on our way north. It's in Pease, which is just south of Milaca on 169. It is jam-packed full of neat stuff. Every room has a potential winner of the "Craziest Thing" contest. Rooms have just been tacked on to the main building and to each other. Paul was a little worried about the sturdiness of the floors, but they held up as long as we were there. It is quite clean, and even smells good. I bought a quilt that I estimate was made around 1880. It's in pretty sorry shape, it's a silk crazy quilt and silks from that era were dipped in solutions of lead to give them weight. This makes them crumble. It isn't worth a lot, but I'm tickled!
This is the atrium at the condo. Yep, that is a hot tub in the corner! With a view of Lake Superior!
Another cool antique store. This one is in Duluth, in an old church. They specialize in old books, and it had that "old book" smell I like so much. I bought a book about Queen Elizabeth's jewelry. It's somebody's job to keep track of her jewels, where they came from and what she wears them with. Rich people are fascinating. Paul and I imagined living in the old church. We put the bedroom in the choir loft.
We went to see "A Christmas Carol" (in 3D) at the movie theater. (You remember my need to see some version of this every year?) We smuggled in beer and enjoyed it very much. They had the nerve to charge full price for a matinee because of the 3D, so we kept the glasses. Paul and his friend the hotel lobby bear, make them look good!
We like to have breakfast at Hell's Kitchen when in Duluth. I am so happy that they have just published a cookbook with their best recipes. I love the wild rice porridge and the sausage bread. It would be wrong for me to give away their recipes, but nothing is stopping you from buying the cookbook for yourself (or borrowing it from the library). Like they say, "Damn good food!"

Since we are now in the Christmas season, I have a Christmas cookie recipe for you. I got the recipe from my friend Connie. Connie is much more highly evolved than I am. She told me a story once that began with a crabby person in line with her at a store. Connie tried to think of a way to improve this person's day. I would have been thinking of a way to get far away from Ms. Crabby! Do use real butter in these, you can really taste it.

Butter Riches

Cream 3/4 cup butter
Add 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 Tbls white sugar
Add 1 egg yolk
1 tsp vanilla
blend in 2 cups flour
Shape into 3 dozen balls (these are not large cookies), flatten slightly, bake 7-9 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool and frost with burnt butter frosting.

Burnt butter frosting (not really burnt)
brown 1/4 cup butter
blend in 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 Tbls vanilla
Gradually add 3-4 Tbls cream. Garnish with a slivered almond.