Turkey day!!

After months of planning and much anticipation...

it was finally time to put the platter to use and host our first Thanksgiving!

First we had to introduce our families. It was really tense.


Zachary and Megan helped break the ice by wearing matching track suits...and helped emphasise the height difference in the family.

The ladies from Edina flash the "E"

Even though she is pregnant with twins, Tara makes a guest appearance at the party!

The spread on the actual Turkey day was amazing! We only made the birds--

the family really stepped up!

There were crafts. Decorating sand dollars with paint, glitter, and stickers.

Some of the stickers were also for face decorating.

Chloe Naviv and Corrine Naviv--
Team Viv!

The beach was a big hit!

One dad gets to chill and watch the ocean for a minute...

It wasn't a challenge to find things in common

(I am pretty sure hunting is being discussed here).

Gernes' love the board games-- they even travel with their own!

Fishing was amazing! Such a beautiful day and such a great crew.

Oh, and we caught a few fish while we were out there.

Not pictured but some amazing memories:

Hanging in the pool with the Miller crew

Chole's awesome kids Jack and Isabel

The boys (big and little) playing football in the sand

Children's fight club that was established in our garage

The Miller boys all being together!

Overall, one fantastic turkey day!

Thank you all again for all the help and we can't wait to see you all again soon.

Sunday Afternoon on the High Seas

T: In our continuing education on all things Florida, we took full advantage of our friends offer to spend the afternoon fishing for King Mackerel on Sunday. It was an absolutely beautiful day, so we headed to meet Howard and Jen late morning armed only with sunscreen, pretzels, and 24 ice cold Bud Lights. As per usual, they supplied everything including but not limited to the boat, equipment, coolers, fishing tackle, and hilarious company.

One interesting component of saltwater fishing is that you typically catch your own bait before heading out to fish. This can be accomplished in numerous ways, including the skillful use of a cast net (as pictured below/left)...or the substantially less skillful use of a sebinki (as pictured below/right). Suffice to say Howard's work with the next provided 100% of the fresh bait used during the course of the afternoon's fishing. The gentleman on the right did manage to snag one saltwater catfish, which is the freshwater (and culinary) equivalent of a Mississippi River bullhead...

We had an absolute blast patrolling the Gulf beaches for Kingfish, but ultimately came up empty handed. Certainly not the first time that's happened to me, and more than enough reason to recall my father's time tested words of wisdom: "That's why they call it fishing, not catching."

Still, it was an amazing experience...made all the better later that evening as Corrine and I cooked up the Pompano (not pictured) that Jen caught that afternoon. A truly delicious little critter, which I'm happy to report is available at one our favorite local restaurants should any Minnesotans have an interest when in town next week. (Ask us about "Pepin" if you want more information).

Hopefully we'll get out on the water again sometime very soon. I would like to catch a Kingfish, and any number of other big game saltwater fare. Perhaps then I can further impress Billy (pictured below/left) who enjoys two things over all else: i) Auburn football, and the discussion thereof....ii) referring to Corrine and I only as "Yankee". Good times, these...

Swine Flu hits the first grade

The economy size of Purell couldn't keep the H1N1 out of my classroom. Last Monday I had only one student out...by Friday I only had 8 of 19 show up. Yikes. I thought I would escape unscathed but did end up with a sinus infection. Overall, not too bad considering, but hopefully it just means we will now be totally healthy through the holidays!

Good Eats

T: As the latest in a long series of new things that Corrine has introduced me to, I am pleased to report that we recently joined a local CSA operation. The group is named Sweetwater Farms, located just across the bridge in Tampa. We signed up for a half-share, which entails 2-4 full grocery bags of fresh organic produce every other week. Our first pickup was Saturday morning (at the weekly Farmer's Market) and we have included a picture of the results.

We are thrilled at the quality and volume of the produce, and are also looking for to the "challenge" of learning how to cook so many fresh seasonally harvested food that we have little or no experience with in the kitchen. I realize that many of the Gerni have been taking part in CSA for some time, and I'm glad to be part of the group. It seems to be a great financial value, and will also help in our renewed quest to eat a healthier overall diet. We will keep everyone posted as we continue to move further into this strange new world, but at the moment I need to get back into the kitchen and see what magic I can make happen with a giant bowl of mustard greens. Cross your fingers...

Countdown: 29 Days

T: It is officially less than a month until Thanksgiving, and Corrine and I could not be more excited to see everyone! The menu is coming together nicely (thanks to a huge amount of assistance from everyone) and the turkey platter is safe and sound, while being guarded round-the-clock by a team of trained professionals. Provided my local tailor comes through with my skin-tight, custom-fitted "Kiss the Cook"chef's apron we should be all set...

We will get another 'update' e-mail out to everyone in a few days so that we can finalize the menu, and open some discussions related to all the other fun things to do in the area when you are in town. I foresee no shortage of beach time, and will also make myself fully available for any ideas associated with other local site seeing ventures. There will be plenty to do and see when you are here, and we cannot wait to see you all! Take care, and THANK YOU again for all of your help with the wonderful food! Very exciting!

A Whole New World

T: After several months of 90-plus degree weather, I am pleased to report that the temperatures in the greater Tampa-Saint Petersburg metro market PLUNGED into the 60's over the weekend. Corrine and I were ecstatic to engage in certain of the following crazy activities: i) open our windows and let actual fresh air into the house, ii) wear shirts with sleeves on them, iii) fire up the crock pot to make an enormous batch of pulled pork. I know it sounds crazy, but we went for it. We even acted in reckless fashion by throwing an extra blanket on the bed the last two nights. It was a good time. It was a simpler time....

But like all good things, this recent 'cold snap' must come to an end. Temperatures are back in the 70's today, and will revert to the mid-80's for the remainder of the week. It was great to have a sneak peak at this "winter's" coming attractions...and I also want to reassure all the Minnesota resident who might read this post that we should have a healthy dollop of warm sunny weather when you are in town next month for Thanksgiving....

Farmer's Market

So, here in the south, the harvest season is a little different. On Oct 3, when most of the markets up north are shutting down for the year, ours just opened up. Yup, yesterday was the first day of Saturday market in St. Petersburg. We bought a ton of fresh produce and sampled one of the local treats: a mini key lime pie.

We also learned that the end of October is the time to plant tomatoes and start your garden. Huh. Who knew. There is also a farm share outside of Tampa that we might join...

pretty excited!

Weekend in AC

I was back in Brooklyn for about an hour last weekend en route to a bachelorette party in Atlantic City. It was good to see some of my girls, and I was very glad that the men at the 'male review' were well behaved. The bride-to-be (center, wearing penis headband) had an amazing time and we all got out on the dance floor. It was a whirlwind of a weekend, but I was very glad I went! Ladies...all the ladies!

While Tom was in Canada...

I took full advantage of the things that make Florida...well, Florida. I went scalloping with Jen and Howard. This was purely for research, which was good because we only found 2. But it was fun because you got to just snorkel around in the middle of the bay where the water is between 3-5 feet deep and about 80 degrees. This project was a part of Florida conservation where they go to different parts of the bay to see how the scallops are thriving, or not thriving. Our section was not so thrivy.


I also went to a BBQ where they served Gator! Yes, the guy in the picture killed this 8 foot gator with a bow, skinned it and served it for dinner. It was breaded and fried, and I thought it tasted kinda like chicken, but Howard said it tasted more like frog. Huh. That would be a hard comparison for me to make... but Howard promises to put that on the menu soon.

The Great White North

T: And here you have it: the current front-runner for cover picture on the 2010 Ontario Fish & Game Regulations Guide. I don't think anything speaks more clearly to the beauty and wonderment of the Canadian outdoors than a 6'4" Polack with a cowboy hat drinking whiskey from a 64oz plastic mug. With a nod to the good people who crafted the Old Milwaukee ad campaigns of the early 80's...it just doesn't get any better than this.

So now that it's been two full days since my return from Eagle Lake, Ontario I thought it would be a good time to get back in touch with our infant blog. Corrine has been carrying the team over the past two weeks, but I am officially back in action. Well rested, and ready to share some pictures of the recent fishing trip. There may be some additional pictures coming at a later date as all the participants work to coordinate the sharing of our various photo libraries. We might also have to wait for the fish story telling (referred to as "lying" in some parts) to die down a bit as well. But fret not, you will only receive the God's honest truth from me...at least this time....

While the weather was something short of cooperative, I am pleased to report that a good time was had by all. We caught a ton of fish, had shore lunch every day (with the exception of the final day when we were rained out), and even have a new walleye champion to boast. My uncle Joel took top honors (and the traveling trophy) this year with a 29" beauty. Special thanks to John "Miss Congeniality" Mitchell for putting on a strong second place performance at 28.5". And while I don't believe this guy placed in the top five, I'm sure he has caught more fish than any of us in his lifetime. (You might have to look closely, but this bald eagle was maybe 20 yards away at most when I snapped the picture)

For my part, I did ok. My two largest fish were 26.5" and 26" respectively, and I caught my fair amount of lunch as well. Regardless of the final standings, it is always an absolute blast to drop off the map for a week and spend some quality time in nature. I have been making the trip to Eagle Lake every year save one for the past 15 years or so, and yet I always find myself blown away by the beauty of it all. The eagles, the high rock walls, and the wildlife (although we did not see any moose this year).

I even had the pleasure of seeing BOTH sides of a rainbow for the first time in my life, as it stretch a couple of hundred yards across a channel that is very near the lodge that where we stay. So absolutely, postively no complaints on this end.

It is very good to be home, but there is a small part of me that is already looking forward to the trip next year...which leaves me roughly 50 weeks to regale the boys with promises of taking the trophy back to its rightful home above my mantle. At which point I will need to buy a house and construct a mantle.

Florida Wildlife

The spider who made this web is friends with the other one million spiders who weave our yard into enough webs to catch Tom when he mows the yard.



There is a rumor about the abundance cockroaches in NY. I saw exactly 3 in all 5 years that I lived in the city. I have seen more than that in the 2 months that I have lived in FL. One, as mentioned before, tried to attack me from, yes, inside the dishwasher. (I slammed the door back shut and ran it on extra heat. After the cycle, removed the carcass, reloaded soap and ran for a third time on extra scrub and heat. Ewwwwwww.)



I have also been introduced to:

The Gecko.

I am absolutely sure that they out number the people in Florida.

There are also these really creepy black worms that look like an innocent piece of black string on the floor until you step on one and they come alive and wriggle around like a snake!! So far, I have stepped on three. They freak me out more than the cockroaches. For. Real.

Then you have your usual ant infestation, misquotes, and some kind of mysterious bug that the Floridians call the "No-see-ums" Because you really don't see anything but suddenly your feet and ankles look like a pock outbreak and itch to holy hell.

I have also been warned that, "With all those citrus trees in your back yard you should really watch for citrus rats." and "Gators can be anywhere you know, they can hide in a bush or under your car."

Under my car?? Really?? Is this really something that I need to be aware each morning as I leave for work? Crap.

Suddenly the crazy singing lady on the subway does not seem that bad.

First Day Follow Up...

(My new school)

The woman who knew Dad, her name is Meg, said she called her sisters and told them that she ran into Father Gernes' daughter. They were SO pleased they just squealed and then reminisced about that old town priest...

I also told her that I had talked to dad and he remembered her family very well and was sorry to hear her dad had passed away. This news touched her so much she nearly cried. Seriously.

She then told me that me and my boyfriend were now a part of the adopt-a-Minnesotan program and we were welcome at her home to have dinner with her and her husband anytime. She gave me her info and told me to call with any questions about the area...did I need the name of a good dentist?

Two other Minnesotans also work at my school and were eager to connect with other MN's. One was from Anoka but had been living in FL for nearly 30 years, she is the gym teacher at my school and offered to help out in my classroom on the first day. So, we love her.

The other one was an older lady who said that her uncle used to own the A&W stand in Winona-- Dad? Sonia? You might remember such a place? I think it is where dad used to buy the root beer which he would then spike with booze bought over the border (in Wisconsin).

I was also invited to a "ladies night" happy hour in a few weeks, and made friends with another teacher who lives in St. Petersburg (the school is in Tampa) so all in all it was probably worth it to be a little late! No pretenses here. hee hee

My frist day of school...

First faculty meeting of the year. All 55 staff members present. Meeting started in the library at 8:00 sharp. I am sure that the head of the school spoke, and I am sure that all of the new faculty were introduced, but I can't be 100% sure because I arrived at 8:30. Niiiiiice. That's the way I like to start the year.

As soon as I found a seat and tried to conceal how much I was sweating, the head of school asked me to stand and say a little bit about myself. Which was fine actually, since everyone was already staring. I explained that I got off on the wrong exit (there were a few "thank goodness" from the crowd-- I guess they were a little worried about me).

Then I gave a brief into, something like: I am Corrine Gernes, and I am originally from Minnesota yeah, you betcha (a few laughs from the crowd), but I've been in New York...blah blah blah.

So after the meeting one of the teachers came up and said that she thought that she knew some of my family. She explained that she was also from Minnesota and she asked, "Do you know Norbert Gernes?"

After explaining that he's my dad she stopped the head of school to tell him what a small world it is, "Her dad was the Catholic priest in my town when I was growing up!"

Um, I was going to wait for more than a day to break that story at my new Episcopal school, but that's cool.

The rest of the day included a flood in the first grade bathroom, the 'low air pressure' light going on in my new car, and a cockroach jumping out of the dishwasher and scaring the crap out of me.
Good Monday. Solid.

Baseball

Tom has a friend who has these tickets, and they are pretty sweet. Of course we are surrounded by season ticket holders who are not thrilled when we are more interested in the snacks than we are the game. Apparently Florida is actually football crazy and never really cares about the Rays, so stay tuned when football season starts. Go Gators?

After a few beers stadium nachos are amazing!!!

So was the burger...and it is a turkey burger! I swear. Tom still does not believe it.

We are cute and all...

But everyone loves our friends Howard and Jen.

Thank You Milwaukee..

...for introducing us to the heaven that is the bacon bloody mary.

It makes every brunch a happy brunch.

And a special shout out to the Milwaukee Gerni for this authentic glassware --

it always reminds us where the bacon bloody mary came from.

Sand Dollars

V: On our previously mentioned boating adventure in the gulf, we stopped for a while at a sand bar. It was really beautiful, shallow enough for us to touch, and home to about a million sand dollars.

The native Floridians had a great idea: they suggested that we collect a bunch and then when our families were here for Thanksgiving the kids could decorate the dollars and we could use them to decorate our Christmas tree!

So with their help we collected a ton of these little guys, took them home and per florida directions bleached them and put them out in the sun to dry. Here they are chillin in the hammock. See how excited we are for family to visit? We already have crafts planned!!

Kitchen Plagues

V: The following are excerpts from dinner preparation the other night:

V: "Babe, there's a fire in the oven."

T: "Hon, can you come here? There is a flood under the sink."

Later we did go lay in the hammock and counted about 8 little frogs jumping around the back door it just make you start to wonder...

Boatin'

This weekend some friends took us out on thier boat-- it was amazing to be out on the water! I kept calling it the ocean, and was corrected several times-- this is the gulf --

and it is beautiful...

Ladies up top while Tom is at the wheel

Snacks were provided

Good times were had

Show us the way home, Jeff