Week of January 11th

I’ve never been to Minnesota so research was definitely in order. The truth of the matter is we had quickly decided what our celebration would be since the Vikings had a play-off game this weekend and we all looked forward to watching it. Actually not all of us, but good tailgating eats would also be planned so everyone was in. Minnesota supports professional teams in all major sports so a tailgate party seems perfect for a Minnesota celebration.

But first, I did do my research and have some interesting facts to share:
• If you’re in need of office supplies, Minnesota is the home to the popular inventions of the stapler and masking & scotch tape.
• Minnesota is called the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" but it actually has more like 12,000 lakes.
• Shopping’s good there as Minnesota is home to the nation's first indoor mall and it’s largest, the Mall of America.

Minnesota is home to several art museums, one of which is the Walker Art Center that houses the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. One of the snow globes I have for Minnesota is a replica of the Frank Gehry sculpture “Standing Glass Fish” which is installed there. It’s a fascinating sculpture with an interesting story attached to it. Apparently Gehry created the sculpture to commemorate all the carp that his grandmother brought home, put in the bathtub and then killed several days later to make gefilte fish. Such is a memory which stays with you.

Anyhow, back to the tailgate. Minnesota is headquarters to several companies that are perfect for football watching snacking, General Mills, Pillsbury, Old El Paso and Hormel.
Although M&M Mars now has its headquarters in Virginia, the Milky Way bar was created in 1923 by Frank C. Mars in Minneapolis.

So with beads in shades of purple & gold, a Viking helmet centerpiece and the obligatory “Bad Call Ref” doll, we gathered to watch some good football and partake of the tailgating feast. I think we covered all the Minnesota food companies with an Old El Paso taco bake, Tortino’s pizza, Chi Chi’s chips & salsa, Chex mix, Milky Way bars and several flavors of Pillsbury cookies.

Even though we didn’t get to use the “Bad Call Ref” doll, the Vikings did what they needed to do for the Minnesota celebration and convincingly beat the Cowboys 34 – 3. Can they repeat this weekend against the Saints?

Color in the “North Star” state with Viking helmets and purple foam #1 fingers and travel way south to our 1st territory – Puerto Rico. 12 down - 40 to go.