Anderson/Hatgidakis/Nelson/Metcalf: Newsletter

Old news: February 2013

Back to Newsletter

Gary
2/27/13
A note to all you puzzle fans (and I know you're out there): There are permanent links to the jigsaw puzzle page (Jigidi) and yesterday's cool site crossword game on the links page. For your convenience!


Emily
2/25/13
Jack enjoyed doing the Oscars too, he is already planning out a better strategy for next year! :-)
Emily
2/25/13
Thanks for posting the Oscar results Gary! We had Chinese food for our Oscar viewing party last night. I started out doing better than usual, but certainly didn't keep up that way.... will have to try for better next year, congrats to Mark!

Sorry you didn't bring the trophy home, Emily. I was rooting for you! ...Well, I guess I was rooting for you to come in second, after me... :-) --Gary


Gary
2/25/13
Oscar results are posted. Congratulations to the winners, and thanks to everybody else for playing along. Hope you all had fun!
Amanda
2/24/13
Maybe 6 we'll head over? We can't stay too late- school tomorrow & Ryan drives to KC early on Mondays. See you soon!

Yeah, I plan to be there by 6. See y'all! --Gary


Amanda
2/24/13
What time does the Oscar party begin?

Sorry I didn't see your note earlier -- just had a nice long nap! :-) The actual show starts at 7:30. Some time before that we're just going to order some pizza, so there's no sit-down supper. (Grandma couldn't find the right kind of beluga lentils, so she is skipping the whole Oscar menu thing.) Come over any time! --Gary


Amanda
2/23/13
Grandma-- head down to 45th & Y on Sunday and you'll see the results of Ryan, Tristen & I's flocking! We'll disassemble it Sunday night so be sure to catch it!
Karen
2/22/13
Boy we got a lot of snow, seeing now why we have the day off. Looks like at least 9 inches. Just finished shoveling the driveway. #@$% snowblower wouldn't start, luckily it is a light fluffy snow. Did Lincoln get much more? I assume you are all back to school today. Hatgidakis -- did you get any of this? Oh, Marsha -- did you ever a card from Emily and Jack? Several are still missing....

I think our snow topped off around 4-6 inches. The main part of the storm apparently missed us. --Gary


Karen
2/21/13

Wow, 9pm and school is cancelled for tomorrow. So Em and I will have the day off. Erika's night class was cancelled and she was pretty happy about that.

Have a great snow day, y'all! --Gary


Emily
2/21/13

Yay for a Sioux City snow day, and 3 day weekend!
Karen
2/21/13

So did Lincoln get much snow today? We had a full day of school. I was just walking out to the car after school when it started to snow here. It's really coming down now, have maybe an inch on the ground. Maybe a late start tomorrow.....

We've got maybe 3 or 4 inches or so on the ground, and at the moment it is not snowing. I saw the Weather Channel guy on a few TV spots, standing at the corner of 10th and P, and he seemed a little disappointed. He kept talking about a "dry slot" -- a break in the storm as it swirls around -- and he looked like he wished he'd gone to Wichita instead, where they've gotten 14 inches and counting. (Clearly he is staying at the Embassy, as his reports have all been within a block of it.) Snow is supposed to pick up again tonight, but I think overall it is less of a storm than they were expecting -- here in Lincoln anyway. I was hoping to get two days out of it, not just one... Start flushing those ice cubes, Teghan! --Gary


Gary
2/21/13

Still not a flake here early morning Thursday, but sometime overnight the University declared it a snow day. So it's official! Snow is expected to start in the next hour or so and get really heavy in the afternoon. Stay inside, everybody, and enjoy the snow day!
Gary
2/20/13
Not a flake here yet (as of 9 pm), but Lincoln Public School has already declared tomorrow a snow day. Good for them and good for all you Lincoln scholars. (The ice cube magic worked again, Teghan!) The University is taking the "wait and see" approach which, as I said, will make everyone drive in and then back through the snow. Except for me! I have already declared it a snow day too! :-)
Karen
2/20/13
So is everyone ready for snow? Looks like Lincoln will get more than we do, but still hoping for a snow day.....

Brent and I just got back from Omaha. Had to take the day off to get him to the doctor for some tests. He has been having some issues for about 6 months and the doctors here can't seem to find the problem. Saw another doctor in Omaha last month and said to have some more tests. We left after work last night and stayed at his sisters house. Got to the hospital this morning, had the procedure. Doctor was out to talk with me in less than 10 minutes. I thought it was good news until I noticed he wasn't smiling. Seems he has a blockage and the scope couldn't go in. So....... we get to make another trip to Omaha next week and have yet another procedure. In the meantime the poor guy is suffering. He ended up going to ER last week because the pain was so bad.

Dang, Brent, get unblocked and feel better soon! As to the snow, I just heard that the Weather Channel guy who you always see in a slicker in the middle of a hurricane -- Jim Cantore -- is in town. Not good. I'm planning to take a snow day tomorrow whether the University declares one or not. The University has a bad habit of letting people drive all the way in and then, when the storm is at its worst, telling everyone they should all go home. Not me, this time! --Gary


Amanda
2/19/13
Hey Tuesday night dinner attendees -- we have to leave at 6:30-6:40 tonight because Tristen has a game performance at 7. Just wanted to give you a heads up!!
Gary
2/18/13
Thanks for the Oscar votes, everybody. There are 16 of us playing this year, so -- other things being equal -- we each have about a 6-percent chance of winning!

The tally sheets are in the mailbox. Meanwhile, here's how we voted.

Anyone who finds him- or herself in Lincoln on Oscar night is welcome to watch the show at Grandma's. As you know, every year she prepares an exact duplicate of the meal that Wolfgang Puck serves to the Oscar winners at the Governor's Ball (menu below); I know she was out on Saturday shopping for truffles and matsutake mushrooms.

Good luck, everybody!

Tray Passed Hors D'Oeuvres
Spicy Tuna Tartare, Sesame Miso Cone, Pickled Ginger, Bonito Flakes
Mini Kobe Burger, Aged Cheddar, Remoulade
Vegetable Spring Rolls, Sweet & Spicy Dipping Sauce
Smoked Salmon Oscars, Dill Creme Fraiche, Caviar
Vegan Pizza with Pesto and Grilled Vegetables
Caprese Cone, Basil Flowers
Shrimp Fritter, Spicy Coconut
Steak Tartare, Parmesan Toast Sandwich
Duck Wonton, Orange Mustard
Kombu Chip, Edamame Guacamole
Smoked Salmon "Pizza" Cones

Sushi & Shellfish Station

Cocktail Platters
Truffle & Parmesan Grissini, Black Truffle Aioli Dip
Winter Fruit "Caprese"
Bacon Wrapped Dates
Rosemary Spiced Nuts and Pineapple

Small Plates Cold
Japanese Baby Peach Salad
Chinois Chicken Salad, Wontons, Chinese Mustard Dressing
Kale Salad, Grilled Artichoke, Lemon Vinaigrette
Tuna Nicoise Style, Green Olives, Fennel and Caper-Anchovy Vinaigrette
Farro, Apple, Beet, Spiced Walnut

Small Plates Hot
Chicken Pot Pie, Black Truffles
Chestnut Tortellini, White Truffles
Snake River Farms New York Steak, Matsutake Mushrooms
Baked Potato & Caviar
Steamed Red Snapper, Thai Spice
Truffle Macaroni and Cheese
Lobster with Black Bean Sauce
Slow-Braised Lamb Shank "Shepherd's Pie"
Beluga Lentils, Cauliflower, Baby Vegetables

Desserts
Cherry on Top:
Chocolate Pudding, Cherries, Chocolate Crumble, Vanilla Cream
Mango Crumble:
Mango Brunois, Passion Mango Cream
Bon Bons:
Raspberry Lychee, Milk Chocolate Marzipan, Violet Truffles
Snowball:
Ginger Meringue Dome, Cassis Sorbet, Yogurt Whip, Lavender Macaron Confetti, Blueberries
Baked to Order Chocolate Souffle Cake with Shaved Espresso Ice
Huckleberry Macarons
Ribbons of Shaved Ice with Frozen Grapes
Chocolate Creme Brulee with Raspberries

Cookies, Candies, Chocolates and such...
Pistachio and Marzipan Pave
Everyone's Oscar Favorite Peanut Butter Chocolate Pop Rock Pop
Caramels
Violet Velvet Truffles
Chocolate Shortbread
The General Lee Cookie: Milk Chocolate Chip with Candied Walnuts
Yuzu-Lemon Bars
Concord Grape Pops


Emily
2/16/13
Can't wait for the Oscars, Gary! I think it might finally be my year! :)

It has been a long dry spell for you, and also a long time since the trophy was in Sioux City. I always think the Oscar trophy has pleasant memories of Sioux City because Erika made him a suit of clothes. :-) When I had him he just sat on the shelf in my office. The thing I like about the Oscars is that it's a live event that everyone watches and no one really knows how it's going to turn out. There aren't many events like that in our lives any more; the closest thing is the national election, but even there the extensive polling lets you know what to expect. The Oscars are more exciting in comparison. Anyway, good luck! --Gary


Gary
2/15/13
Last last last ultimate absolute final closing concluding once-and-for-all ultimate final last chance for Donna, Lindsey, Lori, Olivia, Paul, Ryan, Sean, and Zachary to win this! If you're going to play, your Oscar picks have to be in this weekend because first thing Monday I print off the forms and stick them in the mail.

The other players are lined up and ready to go -- except for Marsha who I just noticed forgot to pick the Lead Actress category. If you know of Marsha's whereabouts, please direct her to the Oscar page. (Marsha, you don't have to make all your choices again, just the Lead Actress.)

So, once more, good luck to everybody! But especially me.


Gary
2/13/13
Who are the three latest Oscar players? Tristen, Teghan and Gary. And who are still out in the cold? Donna, Lindsey, Lori, Olivia, Paul, Ryan, Sean, and Zachary. I need those ballots by Sunday night, because I'm going to mail out the forms on Monday. Good luck, y'all!
Grandma
2/12/13
Yes, Teghan, there will be a baby in a cake again this year! If you guys can make it, we'll be happy to have you. Soup and sandwich supper.
Amanda
2/12/13
Tuesday night dinner question from Teghan-- Will there be a baby in a cake again? :-) She remembered last year! :-) Tristen & I might possibly be there for dinner too, I'm finding out we aren't required to go to the meeting tonight.
Gary
2/12/13
And the Oscar race heats up as Amanda, Grandma, and John complete their picks. If you are Donna, Gary, Lindsey, Lori, Olivia, Paul, Ryan, Sean, Teghan, Tristen, or Zachary, don't wait too long! Your picks have to be in by Sunday night.
Gary
2/11/13
The Oscars are coming up fast, and Anna, Brent, and Jack have heeded the call -- so now eight of us are vying for the trophy.

That means Amanda, Donna, Gary, Grandma, John, Lindsey, Lori, Olivia, Paul, Ryan, Sean, Teghan, Tristen, and Zachary have one week to go to the Oscar page and click 26 times. Time's a-wastin'!

Congratulations to Sioux City for being the first city in with all precincts accounted for!


Karen
2/7/13
Amanda, the recipe for marshmallows is on its way. They are surprisingly easy to make. Day off for me today -- not even really sure why -- but no school. Hope to get lots done.
Amanda
2/7/13
Karen, we'd love some of those homemade marshmallows, or we'd settle for the recipe! Teghan loved them & I have to divert her attention when she sees them at grandmas so she doesn't eat them all!
Gary
2/6/13
Attention Monopoly players and cat lovers (and I know some of you are both): After more than, what, 80 years(?) the Monopoly set is getting a small make-over. That piece that nobody ever wanted to be -- the iron -- has been dropped from the game, and a new piece added in its place. Meet the new Monopoly piece.

In other news, Karen and Samantha have now joined the ranks of Oscar players. It just got a little harder to win....


Gary
2/4/13
Happy Monday morning, everybody -- and happy February. Over the weekend, the groundhog predicted an early spring, so that's a good thing. And if you're a Ravens fan, you're happy today -- pretty good game last night.

Two announcements: First, thanks to Marsha for two new recipes. Always something interesting happening in the Hatgidakis kitchen!

And for anyone who wants a shot at winning the Oscar trophy this year, you have two more weeks to make up your minds. Three people have already done so: Marsha, Emily, and Erika. One of those three is a guaranteed winner! (If no one else plays, that is.) And of course, even Marsha, Emily, and Erika have the next two weeks to change their minds and send in a new ballot if they wish. So...are you ready?