It just happens that this past weekend Bret and Jon were having some friends over for a little day of cooking, eating, and drinking, and we got the privilege to attend.  We got some excellent culinary lessons from Bret (who is an excellent teacher by the way) and then ate the beautiful masterpieces we had created.  One of our prep jobs was to be in charge of choosing the wines to pair with each dish and I must say we did an excellent job.  Minneapolis had this great wine shop, France 44, that had an excellent selection of French wines.

Here’s a look at the menu we prepared:

Aperitifs
Anchovy Tapenade with Crackers
Kir Royal (a popular French cocktail made with creme de cassis–black currant liqueur topped up with champagne)

Plat
Cuisses Poulet farci avec la saucisse avec jus (Stuffed Chicken Thighs)
Pomme de terre parisienne (Parisian Potatoes)
Steamed small carrots

Salad Vert
Fromage

Dessert
Tartelettes au chocolat individuels avec des framboises et crème à la pistache (Individual Chocolate Tarts with Raspberries and Pistachio Cream)

Dante’s started offering wine dinners a few month ago that Dusty and I started attending.  It’s a great reason to try excellent food and wine and to learn how everything pairs together.  For months Nick and Andy have been talking about hosting a cooking class where guests can do a little Italian cooking and end the night with a great dinner.  A few weeks ago we were lucky enough to be able to attend and had an absolutely wonderful time.  They closed down the restaurant for the night  and we were able to go to four different food stations and two different beverage stations to learn about wines, beers, making fresh pasta, making neapolitan pizza, homemade sausage, and breaking down poultry and fish.  I learned and did so many interesting things. It was a great date night out with Dusty. I can’t wait to do it again.

A few weeks ago we attended one of the Spring Omaha Fashion Week Runway shows.  On the runway that night were collections by designers Emma Erickson, Megan Hunt for Princess Lasertron, Jane Round and Paddy Tarlton for Dancin Yogi.  The event was held at Kaneko, which is one of Dusty’s and my favorite venues in the Old Market.  It was an excellent event all around–the best front row seats, phenomenal models, and of course, inspiring collections.  To our surprise Jerell Scott, of this season’s Project Runway All Stars was there (See picture below of Jerell with my friend Kate and me, lower right).

Top left: Nieces playing video games and watching movies on the iPad under the blankets. Others: Medievel Festival.

Our good friends Mike and Patty hosted their annual couture party on St. Patty’s Day weekend.  We can’t get enough of the photo booth! Isn’t everyone lovely in their green.

We plan on going back to France this summer and people are often surprised to hear that we keep US work hours while we’re there.  The US is behind France by 6 hours so when it’s 9am in Omaha it’s 3pm in Paris. Dusty and I would usually wake up by 9 or 10am, check email from previous day, spend a little time together, relax, get some breakfast, and start working.  Dusty would be continue to work while I went to the market and/or grocery store to get our groceries for the day.  We’d usually make a grocery list in the morning that included what I needed to get (and google any items I didn’t know how to pronounce so I could ask for them at the market).

I taught a hybrid communication course while were were there and met with my students before we left for Europe and then met with them again when I returned.  While we were in France my students had to listen to online lectures and turn in assignments via the internet.  I answered student questions each morning and then spent the afternoons grading assignments, emailing grades and feedback to each student individually.

Dusty would schedule meetings between 3pm and 9pm each day which most people might think would ruin their day but since Dusty and I spent most of the day together it wasn’t a problem at all.  Over the years I’ve grown accustomed to Dusty working long hours, often working until 1 or 2am (out or in the home) so having a Skype meeting at 9pm is no big deal for us.  We’d schedule dinner plans around when Dusty had a meeting and most of our sightseeing was done on weekends so we didn’t have any problems finding free time.

Fanta Zero – Dusty’s favorite soda while he worked.

On another note of thanks. I received an email over the holiday weekend from a student who I had a few semesters ago.  I thought it was nice message to pass along.  It also reminds me that I should be sending out messages of my thanks to others as well.

Thank you for each and every contribution that you’ve made to my life conciously as well as unconciously. I truly appreciate the guidance and knowledge you instill in me and other students with all that you have! I am grateful for people like you in my life and personally wish you a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving. Enjoy ( :