26.3andBeyond

Pragmatic Idealist most days, pure idealist on others

[26point3andbeyond]

Eggs & stuff Start w/ 2 slices of your favorite/handy salumi - Quarter & lay 8 meat triangles on bottom of small pan - Shred ample Parmesan over meat until entire pan bottom is covered - Set 2 eggs atop the cheese, carefully so as not to displace cheese - Place pan on smallest burner, heat turned down as low as it will go, and set a timer for 20 minutes - Set up a larger sauté pan w/ a healthy dab of butter - When 5 minutes remains on timer, fire up the large pan, mediumish heat. Once butter starts to brown, place 2 corn tortillas in the butter pond, 1 atop the other - After 1 minute +/-, flip tortillas together & then take the tortilla on top & flip it over so it remains atop the other - 1 more minute & flip both tortillas again - Immediately move contents of smaller pan atop the tortillas- Allow to cook for another minute, turn off heat & use spatula to prevent tortilla from sticking to pan while allowing it to remain in the pan for another minute or two - Top w/ whatever you want - jalapeños & cilantro w/ s&p for me Eat w/ fork & knife or fold in 1/2 & make it a breakfast taco - Yolks are runny, Parmesan tuile is soft & chewy, meats are seared slightly but not crispy, & tortillas pliable yet sturdy. Pairs well w/ margaritas, racy rieslings & Santa Barbara Chardonnay- Diamond Lake Girls are embracing their Minnesota roots - braving the cold & windy weather to sail down the hill #cold4bears In his 21st Xmas, Alejandro (our Yucca Tree) got all decked out for the holidays. He asked for a tropical vibe, hence the hot pink lights. The Girls were ecstatic about the Princess get-up they got from Uncle Luther & Aunt Jodi - posing in front of both trees 🌲 🌴 2021 - it was real… & it was fun… but it wasn’t real fun 😐🥴😬🥃 Here’s to 2022 sucking less than the last 2 #diamondlkphotography #diamondlkomneity #eggporn #cookingathome #diamondlkbistro #diamondlkgirls #sunnysideup #parmesantuile @makin_it_with_margo #icook #sota #sledding #yucca #hotpink #tropicalchristmas #princesses #readyforwhatever #mplsfoodie #mplseats #mnfood (at Diamond Lake Bistro) https://www.instagram.com/26.3andbeyond/p/CYHmZn7lkhb/?utm_medium=tumblr

[26point3andbeyond]

Manhattan sans cherry w/ orange twist; not lower Manhattan, not the Upper East Side, not near MSG or Times Square or Hell’s Kitchen - #mpls #cocktails #crushedvelvet at Diamond Lake Bistro #happymanhattandays #diamondlkbistro #diamondlkphotography #nectarofthegods @georgedickel #kybourbon #manhattan #mplsdrinks #cheers #slainté (at Diamond Lake Bistro) https://www.instagram.com/p/CX2Os6OMlMc/?utm_medium=tumblr

[26point3andbeyond]

It’s National Cat Wrangler Day. I’m a cat wrangler/herder. It’s also my birthday… coincidence? 🤔 I think not. Thank you @oralemexicaneats for the birthday treat! Your eats are dynamite! #semperfi #catwrangler @casamigos #nicework #mplseats #veteranownedandoperated #family #anotheryear #anotherbeer & #tequila #happybirthdayme (at Órale Mexican Eats) https://www.instagram.com/p/CXhriPJh7fS/?utm_medium=tumblr

[26point3andbeyond]

Jesus cuts my hair Judas does my makeup The #chippendales #rescuerangers said they needed someone w/ a nice 6 pack & an ez smile - so I showed up w/ @dogfishhead 60 minute ipa & a little sparkle in my eye… I start Tuesday 😏 #livinthedream #diamondlkomneity #diamondlkphotography #diamondlkarts #likeacowboy #selfcare #mplscowboy #saturdaynight #ez #ootd #modeling #cowboyhat #diamondlkbistro (at Diamond Lake Bistro) https://www.instagram.com/26.3andbeyond/p/CXXZK3ys-Iz/?utm_medium=tumblr

[26point3andbeyond]

Look at this Distinguished Gentleman - look at how he’s sitting, very distinguished, um hmmm Stems are dangerous - no one was hurt. The search for hor d’oeuvres is made more difficult if barbarous, but we’ll-mannered Noblemen sniff out the victuals first. Sophisticate Posh, not Spice, was the theme - wine & socializing & life (#vaccinatedandintoxicated - #wineanddine ) #photobomb #winetasting #winelover #wineparty @tradant - a lovely evening of socializing #merci #posh #wining #adulting #scene #distinguishedgentleman #livethelife #diamondlkphotography #diamondlkomneity (at Minnesota) https://www.instagram.com/26.3andbeyond/p/CXG_m5rl7as/?utm_medium=tumblr

[26point3andbeyond]

Gratitude & attitude Squirrel feast - furry beast @mileycyrus holdin’ it down Critters’ Thanksgiving at Diamond Lake Town Peanuts & squash 4 our little friends Pics from a day that had 3 ends Screw in the tire kept us in #sota #diamondlkgirls ready to go-ta Sconnie-tomorrow Thanksgiving belated w/ a touch of sorrow But just like a Badger, Forward Ever It’s take-2 for the Giving & defeated Never 😬 #diamondlkomneity #thanksgiving #diamondlkphotography #diamondlkgirls #squirrels #diamondlksquirrels #hannahmontana #animallover #diamondlktown #lilbadgers (at Diamond Lake Bistro) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWvkWBKlF_7/?utm_medium=tumblr

[26point3andbeyond]

Life at Diamond Lake Bistro is a never-ending adventure of shenanigans & food follies. While making tuna melts, on @kowalskis_markets delish English Muffin bread, the girls worked on adhering some @scotch sticky squares to a stool 😶. This was after a long weekend of partying &, wait… no, cleaning the house. It was a major milestone for us; @margomuschamp & I spent several hours cleaning/working around the Bistro-House & the girls played in the playroom 😳 that’s never happened in 3 years! We celebrated w/ @scar_of_the_sea #pinotnoir - what a beaut🤩 very Santa Barbarin stylistically but w/ pale pinches of terroir complementing the fruits. Watched some geese & ducks at Bde Maka Ska, as the sun was brightening the day. Got takeout burgers from @heathers_mpls - I didn’t overhear anyone say “What’s your damage, Heather”, so I guess it’s a little more upscale than I was prepared for. And the burgers were 💯 🔥! That teal-emerald bar backsplash is something out of a dream sequence in a Disney mermaid thriller 💚💙 - speaking of thrillers, the @brackmountain #loliveto #pinotnoir was a real treat while waiting for those delicious burgers (& chocolate sea-salt cake, cookies, & pizza rolls for the littles) Speaking of Disney, someone’s ready for a role in a Disney remake of Titanic 😬 #myheartwillgoon Last 2 shots are #wineglasses - reflecting the gilded age @tradant wine tasting & flowering geranium framed in a @riedel_official stemless #burgundy glass. Maybe this is the beginning of a new chapter… or maybe an anomaly. #whatevs #everforward #diamondlkomneity #diamondlkbistro @makin_it_with_margo #diamondlkgirls #tunamelt #foodporn #bdemakaska #sota #mpls #mplsfoodie #cityoflakes #cityofflourandsawdust #riedel #diamondlkcreative #heathers (at Diamond Lake Bistro) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWpMQAwsIeP/?utm_medium=tumblr

[26point3andbeyond]

I would remind those who were fans of the 70s, & those who weren’t, that the 2nd coming of that era/style/sound is only 48-49 years away, if not sooner. Some of the styles, tight fitting clothing, music w/ a certain feel, & men wearing long hair, are already making comebacks. And, I think Abba dropped a new album, so I believe we’re destined to relive a lot of this decade, but hopefully w/out another Tricky Dick running for office. Silver lining - bell bottoms & butterfly collars are still hot 🥵 #ilovebaltimore #diamondlklife #diamondlkomneity #70shair #dontcallitacomeback #thathairtho #70sstyle #fashionmodel #fashionmatters #tightshirt #ratstagram #goodhair #sweetjesus #covidhair #curlsfordays (at Diamond Lake Bistro) https://www.instagram.com/p/CV9OXsxMAVv/?utm_medium=tumblr

[26point3andbeyond]

Our Sweet Girl 😢 - she left this world 29 October- cancer, once again, stealing another of our family. Fuck cancer. Kumakichi was born May 2008, in the back of 506 S. East Ave, Highlandtown Baltimore. She enjoyed a carefree childhood, w/ her siblings, protected from the rats & other elements by MamaCat, the best Cat Mom ever! She was sweeter than salt & would occasionally snuggle up on @margomuschamp ‘s head & sleep for hours, purring & nuzzling & giving love ❤️ No better guard cat - claws sharper than a Japanese Chef’s knife & teeth to match. But she was also gentle & kind & loved flowers & random wild animals that would wander through the yard (squirrels, possums, raccoons, turkeys, & crows); a true nature lover spending countless hours lolling under the peonies or amongst the grape vines. A ray of bright sunshine every morning, giving a Good Morning swat to anyone that came near. Kumakichi did not tolerate fools & kept everyone in line when the shenanigans we’re getting too wild. It sucks to say Goodbye but she left us with many happy memories & for that, we are grateful 🥲💜💚❤️‍🩹 #diamondlkcats (at Diamond Lake Bistro) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVz--tPLamh/?utm_medium=tumblr

[26point3andbeyond]

I haven’t forgotten how to play w/ food, I just don’t get to do it as often. But when the stars & planets align, & Mercury retrograde is in decline, Sunday Brunch at the Bistro can get kinda wild. What we have here is a @bakerswifempls pumpkin cake donut, smothered in a French toast batter & pan fried in a healthy dose of butter. Scrambled egg resides in the donut’s hole (& around) & it’s topped w/ a mixed berry compote, #folczyks #maplesyrup & fresh raspberries. A side of roasted sweet potato fries, seasoned w/ ample spice, a smoked sausage, & paired w/ a @dogfishhead #punkinale - the Bistro’s Pumpkin beer of choice. The spices used on the sweet pot fries are pictured, sans nutmeg, the nutmeg was hiding in the cupboard, next to the pink sprinkles 🦄 #yummy #diamondlkbistro #sundaybrunch #pumpkindonuts #frenchtoast #playingwithfood #sweetpotatofries #analogbeerforthedigitalage #cityofflourandsawdust #diamondlkomneity #diamondlkphotography #foodporn #cooking #sota #mplsfoodie #mplseats (at Diamond Lake Bistro) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVeZyD_M2sl/?utm_medium=tumblr

[26point3andbeyond]

The 1st time I tasted Chardonnay was at a training at the Original @houlihans On The Plaza, in #KCMO (Hess Select Chardonnay) - fresh out of the @marines & diving into the restaurant biz, headfirst. I told my manager it was horrible, & I stand by that today. It was like drinking oak bark, which might be good if one is a termite… Fast-forward 22 years & I’m drinking #hessselect & finding it to be greatly improved. It’s still reasonably priced & now the flavor profile includes baked apple, poached pear, oak (a lot but not so overwhelming) & the ability to pair well w/ breakfast for dinner - omelette w/ onion, jalapeño, sharp cheddar, & @spambrand… & I don’t hate it. . #diamondlkbistro #chardonnay #montereycounty #winepairing #diamondlkphotography #diamondlkomneity #winepics (at Diamond Lake Bistro) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVUKp-MMWHj/?utm_medium=tumblr

[26point3andbeyond]

2 things: 1) these @frootloops “jumbo snax” are only jumbo if you’ve spent your life living w/ fleas - there’s nothing jumbo about this snack, @kelloggsus . 2) & of greater import, I figured out why we have a shortage of microchip material 😐 the government bought up a lot of those natural resources in order to produce the microchips they put in the Covid vaccine 😳 so now @generalmotors & @ford & @apple are experiencing supply chain/production issues 😐. Maybe if more people move to Antarctica, which doesn’t allow Covid to enter its airspace nor cross its land border (though some folks are trying to use penguins to smuggle it in) we can reduce the frequency at which the virus spreads, & get microchips back to their rightful place. (at Diamond Lake Bistro) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVRenTbM7l-/?utm_medium=tumblr

[26point3andbeyond]

I believe we’ve gotten to that point in climate change when zones need reevaluating - Central #Sota might be more of a 6A - which means we can try planting #tobacco next year & maybe coconut trees in another decade. These cherry maters are fresh off the vine on 19 October - day 292 of the year 😳- I guess with climate changing & sea levels rising, Minnesota might soon be a coastal destination 😕 #diamondlkgardens #diamondlkphotography #diamondlkbistro #diamondlkomneity #cherrytomatoes #zone4b #readyfortobacco #farming #cityagriculture #globalwarming (at Diamond Lake Bistro) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVOtVy7s-tu/?utm_medium=tumblr

[26point3andbeyond]

When that train whistle blows - Spotted this the other morn while delivering Shay to her preschool- I didn’t catch the Engineer’s name, but I’m thankful they slowed down in order that I might capture this scene. #sunrising #diamondlkphotography #diamondlkomneity #sota #pinksky #trainspotting #hollywoodstudios #stpaul #railyard #diamondlkcreative #trains (at Saint Paul, Minnesota) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVJh4PiMEqN/?utm_medium=tumblr

[26point3andbeyond]

The feast of St. SipSop took place the other night. She is the Saint of Adobo & all things garlic related (& also a close friend of St Timothy). We payed homage to both Saints as Celebrity Chef @margomuschamp prepared chicken adobo & I paired it w/ a delicious Riesling, from the Alsace region of France - it shows the characteristics associated w/ more aged rieslings, strong nose & pallet of petrol in addition to candied apricot & something like buckwheat honey. It wasn’t as racy as a lot of Alsatian whites but there was enough zip to stand-up to the richness of the adobo… & the #adobo chicken was 🔥 - great depth of flavor and falling off the bone tender. Bella did not want adobo, she wanted to play one-on-one 😐 #diamondlkbistro #diamondlkwinesteward #diamondlkphotography #diamondlkomneity #chickenadobo #riesling #alsace #diamondlkgirls #ballislife🏀 #strikeapose #feastofstsipsop (at Diamond Lake Bistro) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVFxOdcrzfu/?utm_medium=tumblr

[26point3andbeyond]

It is w/ great excitement & much anticipation that I announce my new venture/quest/endeavor - I’m going to be the new hair double for Fabio. I’ll be doing most of my work over @zoom but on occasion, I’ll get to travel to exotic locales, to include @edinamn @cityofwayzata @visit_duluth & @discoverstillwater - I’m stoked! Thank you to all of the professionals who have supported this hair journey, it’s a dream come true! #hairstyle #fabio #longcurls #seriously #whoisthatguy #dreamscometrue @aveda #hairproducts #modeling #fiveoclockshadow #sota #diamondlkphotography #diamondlkomneity #diamondlklife #burberrycoat (at Diamond Lake Bistro) https://www.instagram.com/p/CUY0xRjs-D9/?utm_medium=tumblr

[26point3andbeyond]

Robert E Lee is no hero. The South’s not gonna do it again. Anyone who believed/believes in “the cause” is straight trash. Slavery was wrong. The Civil War was about slavery. Black Lives Matter. Pro-Confederacy folk are Nuts. Don’t be Nuts. #blacklivesmatter #roberteleewastrash #robertelee #confederates #trash #proudboys🌈 #donthateappreciate #thecivilwarwasaboutslavery (at Minneapolis, Minnesota) https://www.instagram.com/p/CUEOlDis0zZ/?utm_medium=tumblr