Hoarfrost Highway

A Saturday afternoon, interrupted I thought, turns into an unexpected unforgettable moment. A drive from Jordan to Maple Lake. Actually 90 moments there. And 90 back. Same estimated time freeway or back way…so back way it is. And leaving Jordan we have no idea what we are in store for. So a couple stops, and three times back home for the forgotten item, we head on down the highway.

Turns out to be the Hoarfrost Highway!

hoar·frost [hawr-frawst, -frost, hohr-]
Origin: 1250–1300; Middle English hor-frost.
— noun
Also called: white frost a deposit of needle-like ice crystals formed on the ground by direct condensation at temperatures below freezing point

One great thing is the rule for this ride: No iPod. No cell phone. Just talking. It’s me, and my teenage son. Turns out we never even turned on the radio.

So I have him grab the camera that I brought along (indented to take photos at the New Prague Library’s Historical Society Exhibit that I was planning on visiting when I get back to town).

And as we roam on down the highway, he snaps the photos. And along the way we talk!

After about 50 photos he says to me, “Can I stop taking pictures. And just experience the beauty?” Yes, my THIRTEEN YEAR OLD BOY says those words! It must be incredible scenery!!

So as we continue the ride… we share stories. Places we want to visit. Ghost story shows we’ve seen. His are better (scarier that is!) than mine. Great! I’m on my own for the return trip home.

For the return trip, I make many stops along the side of the road to take some close-ups of this frost. With so much surface on the frost, the light really has a lot of area to reflect light. Even on this overcast day, with only small moments of sun glowing through the haze.

You can really see the frost protruding like needles.

And after all this detail, I stop to see the forest through the trees. The large vision is gorgeous! And then my camera tells me: “Battery exhausted.” It’s done a fine job, over 100 photos hoping for that great one. And it’s done. And as I drive past that forest, the hoarfrost is done as well. It lasted all afternoon, but only out on that drive. From town I had no idea what was waiting to be experienced on the road.

Inspirational!

Cheers to Life in 2011!

Our family’s favorite toast: Cheers to Life! Inspired by a friend who takes a photo of her feet standing at a special place or event, we began to commemorate some special places and events with a toast. So here’s to 2011 ~ here’s to life!

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Thank you to all our guests for making 2011 our best year yet at the Nicolin Mansion. And wishing you the all the best in the year to come!

The Jordan Junker Just Might Have Your Jewel

Jordan attracts the antique seeker, and the antique dealer. Our latest addition is The Jordan Junker, and it certainly will not disappoint the antique enthusiast.

Jordan's Newest Antique Shop ~ The Jordan Junker

The shop is open as an occasional sale store, open posted days during the month with a constantly changing inventory.

Constantly Changing Inventory Creates an Eclectic Collection

During my visit in December, a focus on holiday decor and gift giving was a feature.

Santa Invites the Holiday Seeker

There are eye-catching treasures around ever corner in this shop.

Holiday Collection on Display in December

You Just Might Find the Perfect Find!

I set up a vintage tree in our middle parlor bay window, complete with vintage ornaments and bubble lights. These vintage wreaths were the perfect addition! Two of these went home with me.

I Just Could Not Leave the Store Without This Wreath (or Two)!

They look awesome in our middle parlor. Just might not be able to see them from the front street…a venture into the winter courtyard might be needed.

Finds from The Jordan Junker Find a New Home!

Be sure to watch their website and Facebook page for the schedule of their open dates.

The Jordan Junker
Entrance through Tri City Cellars – formerly Water Street Antiques
236 Water Street, Jordan, MN 55352
952-210-5188 (Heidi)
http://www.thejordanjunker.com/Home.php

Update 1/18/12:
The Jordan Junker has MOVED to a larger space! The new location is at 236 Water Street on the West side, in the same building as Tri City Cellars (formerly Water Street Antiques). NOW OPEN EVERY DAY (access store through Tri City’s entrance) with special events planned by the “Junker” monthly! The Jordan Junker will be open for business at the new location starting Wednesday, January 18th @ 10 am with a Grand Reopening Sale planned for March 9th.

Perron’s Sul Lago ~ Italian Bistro on the Lake ~ Prior Lake that is

Our guests tend to dine at restaurants in Jordan for their evening meals. And though some venture anywhere from Excelsior to downtown Minneapolis or St. Paul, the majority dining outside of Jordan do so within 10 miles in the surrounding communities of Shakopee, Chaska, Belle Plaine, New Prague, and Prior Lake. So Kevin and I thought we would visit and review some of those restaurants in the surrounding communities. We begin in Prior Lake, at Perron’s Sul Lago.

This is a fine dining restaurant near a pond between Lower and Upper Prior Lake. The atmosphere is stylish and inviting.

The seating is warm and inviting, available at the bar, and at a variety of tables in cozy sections.

We start our Perron’s experience with an appetizer. Among the choices of Brushetta, Calamari, Prosciutto and Fresh Mozzarella, Baked Polenta, and Mussels, we choose: Stuffed Mushrooms ~ mushrooms stuffed with sweet sausage, fresh herbs, roasted garlic, and smoked provolone. Delicious!

The entrees on the menu include steak, duck, chicken, risottos, pastas and gnocchi. I’m partial to gnocchi, so I chose the Scallops Gnocchi ~ seared sea scallops, smoked bacon, onion, sweet peas and cream. Melt in your mouth deliciousness! I also chose the Sauteed Baby Spinach with Prosciutto as a side vegetable. Loved it!

Kevin’s absolute favorite is salmon, so he chose the special of the day featuring salmon over gnocchi. Perfectly presented and prepared.

We had a fantastic experience at Perron’s Sul Lago. So after you’ve already visited everything Jordan has to offer during your stay at the Nicolin Mansion, venture 12 miles east to experience Italian dining on the lake.

Perron’s Sul Lago
Open
Tuesday – Saturday: 5 pm – 10 pm
Sunday: 5 pm – 9 pm
Bar: Tuesday – Sunday 5 pm – Close
Closed Mondays
16154 Main Avenue SE #135
Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372
952-490-1411

http://perrons-sul-lago.com/

Halloween at the Mansion

Trick – Or – Treat

Follow the Sign for Treats or Creeps...

Dare to Grab Your Candy

Courtyard Cemetary

Do You Dare?

Crofut Winery Grape Stomp

While watching Jordan’s local Heimatfest Parade Saturday morning from Nicolin Mansion’s front porch, I turn to our innsitter, Cindy Nevins, and make an offer: you clean the room that’s checking in this afternoon while I finish my computer work and we’ll go on a Nicolin Mansion Fieldtrip to Crofut Winery for the annual Grape Stomp. Deal!

Innsitter Cindy and Innkeeper Terri

So we finish our jobs and head to the winery, about 7 miles from the inn. The parking area has been updated since the last time I visited (I haven’t been since last season…) which was very nice and easily handles a lot more cars. Nicolin Mansion pays for admission ($5), it’s a working fieldtrip of course, and off we go. First we see our Chamberlin guests we just checked in, and I catch Rob just as he’s about to take a picture of Kat – alone – in the grape bunch face-in-the-hole picture spot, and offer to take their picture together. He was seconds away of getting out of that one, but as an innkeeper, I’m always ready to help out whenever I can. Just to keep it fair, Cindy and I both posed for our own face-in-the-hole pictures.

Cindy Stomping Grapes

I’m next, and Cindy finds the blond stomper for me to pose in. Sure, I’m game…

Terri Stomping Grapes

Our first stop, wine tasting – it’s a grape stomp, it’s all about the wine, right? So we join a tasting table to taste them all and pick our Wine du Jour. They are sampling 6 wines today.

Wine Tasting List

Today’s temperature hit about 90, so the whites were refreshing even though I tend to be a red wine gal. We were joined by another friend from Jordan, and chose the Prairie Blanc for our wine of the day.

Tasting Toast

We head into the barn that serves as the usual tasting room and gift shop to buy our bottle of wine.

Wine Tasting Barn & Gift Shop

There’s also this fabulous iron piece outside the door that I’m convinced would fit perfectly in our courtyard, but of course it’s not for sale.

This belongs in the Nicolin Mansion Courtyard!

After purchasing our bottle, we were off to the arts and crafts tent. The artists’ selections are great: from jewelry to outdoor art, from candle holders to wine holders, the creativity is terrific!

Hands-free Wine Glass ~ A Must Have!

The Most Luminescent Globes I've Seen

But this is the Grape Stomp after all, so we find ourselves a table under the tent and sit down with our wine and a cheese plate to enjoy the festivities.

Tent-Side Seating for the Big Stomping Event

The groups of stompers start out a bit tame…

The Stomping of the Grapes Begin

Then the grapes start sailing instead of just stomping…

The Grapes Start Flying!

Finally reaching full grape assult!

Until Full On Grape Battle (These Shirts Started Out White!)

A definite must-see event! Stomping spots are snatched up pretty quickly, so reserve your spot early. If you miss getting to stomp, it’s definitely still worth it to stay, sip some wine, and see the stompers in action!

Don Crofut, your Vineyard Host

Crofut Family Vineyard & Winery
Open April – December (Check website for exact hours)
Friday: 2 pm – 8 pm; Saturday 11 am – 6 pm; Sunday 12 noon – 5 pm
21646 Langford Avenue Jordan, Minnesota 55352
952-492-3227

http://www.crofutwinery.com

Suzette’s: Fine European Cuisine by a Cambodian Chef in Small-Town Jordan, Minnesota

Suzette’s is likely the most popular dining destination for our Nicolin Mansion guests. And it’s likely the most unexpected in our quaint town.

The restaurant in located in a very unassuming building, an old Bridgemann’s,  along Highway 169 about a mile out of town. We’ve heard people drive up and think they are not at the right place – so we usually tell our guests beforehand to go, sit down, and order – you will be amazed.

We refer a lot of guests, but we usually dine at Suzette only about once or twice a year. The funny thing is, every time we are seated (with maybe one exception) we get the same table! Do they know we’re coming and save it for us? Who get’s it the other 363 days? Anyway, I digress.

So Sunday night, we’re here to celebrate – we survived the grand opening weekend of Kevin’s other project, the Minnesota Harvest Apple Orchard. Our waitress, Kati, greets us and explains tonight’s specials. We simultaneously exclaim “OK!”

But while Kati’s off getting our soup, we actually look at the menu and realize we haven’t ordered an appetizer. Bummer! So, she holds our soup so we can have our Portabella with Chicken Mousse and Brandy appetizer first.

Our enthusiasm continued through the appetizer, as I forgot to take the picture before we ate three-quarters of it! Sorry. Just imagine a full portabella cap. Other appetizer choices we had (and have had in the past) are Escargot with garlic butter and onion, and Crab Cakes with dill cream sauce.

We finish our appetizer, and now Kati can actually bring us our soup. We both ordered the Shrimp Bisque. Lovely! Kevin ordered extra rolls, which were warm and crusty, and awesome dipped in the soup. The other soup of the day was Cream of Broccoli (I know, we should have ordered one of each to report, but neither of us were willing to give up Shrimp Bisque).

And now for the main event – the specials of the day. I ordered the Ribeye - my family are not huge red meat eaters (and I even abstained for years until I was pregnant with my second son), so whenever I go out for dinner I tend towards the beef specialty. And I was not disappointed. It was enormous, and I got to enjoy it for lunch the next day in my cubicle, and even more unexpected setting for fine French cuisine. Other beef choices on the menu are Steak Cafe de Paris (Grilled New York Strip topped with garlic butter) and Chateaubriand (beef tenderloin topped with bordelaise sauce). Suzette’s also offers pork options of Pork Suzette (twin medallion of pork tenderloin topped with shrimp and swiss cheese) and Cranberry Pork (sliced pork tenderloin topped with fresh cranberry sauce). I’ve had Pork Suzette and can highly recommend it. Suzette’s chicken options include Chicken Fettuccine, Chicken Marsala, and Chicken Wellington (chicken breast stuffed with a blend of mushrooms, wrapped in a pastry shell). These are also representative of some of the Italian offerings of that Fine European Cuisine. I’ve never tried the Lamb, a New Zealand Rack of Lamb, but I think that will have to be my next choice (in October for our anniversary).

Kevin’s entrée choice was the Stuffed Salmon special – no surprise if you know Kevin, salmon is his all time favorite. And he loved this, stuffed with crab and scallops (Awesome! I tried some off his plate). The Seafood selection is the largest on Suzette’s menu: Seafood Manicotti, Crab Cake Meal, Salmon Dill Beurre Blanc (salmon broiled and topped with dill white wine cream sauce), Marin Grivois (shrimp, scallops, chopped onions, garlic and linguini - I overheard Kati tell another table this was her favorite – Kevin will have to get that in October), Petite Fillet with Shrimp (beef tenderloin with large broiled shrimp), Shrimp Provencal (gulf shrimp sautéed with olive oil, onion and garlic), Sea Bass, Seafood Mix Grill (gulf shrimp, scallop, and petite lobster tail), and Suzette Mixed Grilled (petite lobster, beef tenderloin, and pork tenderloin – I’ve heard a common favorite of our guests). And there is a Vegetarian choice of assorted vegetables served with mushroom cream sauce and your choice of pasta, rice or pastry shell.

We are feeling completely satisfied, and Kati comes out with this Fruit Napoleon compliments of Chef Ban! Beautiful! For a split instance we thought of boxing it up and bringing it home to the kids, but quickly decided to have Ban cut it in half and share with another table, our Chamberlin Room guests sitting across the room from us! It was perfect. Another dessert favorite of ours is the Creme Brule.

Chef Ban (formally Banrith Yong) joined us at the table for a moment, as he usually does, to chat a few minutes about all our ideas of bringing this beautiful small-town’s offering to yet another level. He also likes to joke about bringing Kevin back to Cambodia and starting a band – we’ll make lots of money he says.

Speaking of the kids – they do have a kid’s menu: Spaghetti and Meatballs, Chicken Fettuccine, and Pizza ($4.95 each). Our boys keep asking us to take them to Suzette’s and we keep disappointing them by only going there on our date nights. I guess it’s time for the Mama to take the Boys out for our own date night at Suzette’s.

Suzette’s Restaurant
Open
Tuesday – Friday: 11 am – 2 pm & 4:30 pm – 9 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 4:30 pm – 9 pm
Closed Mondays
20251 Johnson Memorial Drive (Highway 169)
Jordan, Minnesota 55352
952-492-2422
http://www.suzettesrestaurant.com/

Update: October 11, 2012 (Our 15th Wedding Anniversary)
As promised, we did finally take our boys to Suzette! And it lived up to all their impressive expectations.

We’ve entitled it a night to celebrate, and indulge, in all the best Suzette’s has to offer. Starting with the appetizer: Escargot with garlic butter & onion.

Noah’s choice is Marin Grivois ~ Shrimp, scallops, chopped onions, garlic and linguini sauteed with herbs and spices.

I’ve been promising to try the duck, and I’m in luck with tonight’s duck special! Too perfect!

Kevin loves the fish at Suzette, and is satisfied once again with tonight’s fresh fish special.

And since we are indulging, and it’s our boys’ first Suzette experience, we can’t turn Jesse down for his choice of the Seafood Mix Grill ~ Gulf shrimp, scallop and petite lobster tail, served with garlic whipped potatoes and vegetables.

We are blessed once again with a dessert gift from Bahn ~ this night a beautiful cheesecake. Thank you Bahn!!

Satisfied, our boys have finally had the Suzette experience. Cheers to Life Suzette’s!!

Update: February 11, 2011
Suzette restaurant gets a mention in the article Let’s Go: Unexpected eats