Orthodox Brew & Spaetzle

I woke ahead of 8am hopeful that the snow/rain mix forecasted would end up being all snow. At that point, it was all snow, and by the eye test alone, it looked like 2-3” of fresh snow had fallen. I started coffee then sat down at my PC. Felt good not having to concern myself with work or class. Checked the weather forecast. Expecting snow/rain all day until about 4pm. At the time, the snow/rain dividing line appeared to be just south and east of Columbus heading up towards Cleveland. And at the time, the temperature was at or near 30 degrees.

The day’s plan called for Bella and me to go skiing at MRM while Mindy took Jacob to his basketball game and also prepared for her Ava Anderson open house on Sunday. Of course I prefaced our going skiing with the weather forecast. If it was raining I wasn’t going. Mindy was up around 9am. Just prior, I was working on our Xmas card design and ready to order them from Wal-Mart. Gotta love that one can create a Xmas card and pick it up in store an hour later. I wanted her blessing before placing the order. She liked the three photos I used to create the greeting. Of the thousands of photos I take each year, so few have all four of us in them.

After coffee, internet and stretching, I finally headed out for a run. By then, just as the forecast warmed, the snow had changed to a snow/rain mix. Ugh! I wasn’t looking forward to a wet run. Kenny was out snow blowing. I stopped to chat, sharing that I most likely wouldn’t be going skiing given the snow/rain mix. Last thing I wanted was to go skiing and end up cold and wet. Besides, I figured we could go up on Sunday instead when the forecast was calling for highs only in the mid 20’s. Kenny figured to still be heading up with his kids.

I ran the usual weekend route of 3 miles in the wet and packable snow. Footing wasn’t an issue. Back at the house and still warm and sweaty, I raised the garage door and shoveled the driveway, taking advantage of my opportunity to peel away the hard ice layer between our two cars that has been there for more than a week now. As I was shoveling the front stoop, Bella came to the front door asking if we were still going skiing. I pointed out the rain and told her no. She turned away in an instant. I knew she was disappointed. I felt bad, but it made no sense. Besides, we have so much Xmas shopping needing done. Figured I could take advantage of the weather and get some of that done.

Inside a few minutes later, Mindy shared that Bella was going skiing with Kenny and the girls. That made Bella very happy. Kenny was banking on the fact that MRM was further NW of the snow/rain line, and at the present only getting snow. I tinkered with the idea of joining him but held true to my instincts. Bella left with Kenny and the kids while I headed up for a shower. Mindy headed out too, hoping to complete a few Xmas errands before taking Jacob to his 2pm basketball game. And since she was stopping at Wal-Mart, she planned to pick-up our Xmas cards.

I had four stops planned: Krema Nuts, Giant Eagle Market District, Target and Kroger. However, before leaving the house, I once again shoveled the now loose ice on the edges of the drive, taking advantage of the Pilot being gone and the slightly above freezing temps. From the moment I left the house the precip was all rain, and fairly hard rain, too. No way I wanted to be out skiing in that!

As expected, Krema Nut Co. was crazy – packed! I patiently filled my goodie basket with all sorts of treats for friends and family. Next stop Giant Eagle Market District. At M.D. I picked up a cart full of beer rockets, wine, cheese, hummus, chips, etc. Some of the goodies were for Mindy’s Ava Anderson open house. Still raining. Ugh!

Headed across the river to the Mill Run Target next. There I picked up a few more things for friends and family. Talked with Mindy. Shared that she and Jacob were on their way to basketball. I had one more stop – the Cemetery Rd Kroger for some booze. Figured I would meet them at the basketball game. MY timing was impeccable. It was 130pm when I pulled in the Kroger, which is only a mile or so east of the middle school gym. Perfect. I got the booze I intended to get. There was another item I wanted but they told me they no longer carry it. Too bad.  Still raining. Got a group text from Kenny sharing that it was wet and slushy, but not raining at MRM.

Arrived at the middle school with five minutes to spare before opening tip. How about that? I took in a bag of gourmet kettle popcorn drizzled in chocolate and sea salt. Boy, was it ever delicious! Mindy was sitting at the far end of the bleachers with neighbor Evan, who was also along to cheer Jacob on. A few minutes into the game, Jimaken and Molly arrived. They waited until end of the 1st quarter to walk down and join us.

Jacob’s team won. Crushed the opposing team winning something like 42-16. Mindy and I agree that we very much prefer watching his basketball over soccer. For one, they go really fast. Only 24 minutes of actual play time. Mindy asked that I take Jacob and Evan home with me so she could continue on with Xmas shopping and errands. At home, after carrying in all the stuff I picked up on my four stops, I shoveled what remained of the old packed ice on our driveway. Inside, Jacob and Evan asked if they could order a pizza with their own money. Sure, why not?

It was quite humorous watching them fumble with finding the correct Poppa John’s to order from. Sad! Really sad. After 5-10 minutes of that, I suggested we partake in the shrimp and crab tray I picked up from Giant Eagle instead. They both agreed. In addition to the cocktail sauce that came with the tray, I melted some butter and garlic salt. Yum! Pretty good treat.

Mindy intimated that she had three or four stops to make. I figured this an opportunity to work on one of her Xmas gifts. I had it all sprawled out on the livingroom floor when all the sudden I heard her locking the Pilot. Dang it! I scrambled like a mad man to mask what I was up to, and once she entered the house I curtly insisted she stay out! I worked on the gift for the next 90 minutes, more than once reminding her not to come in or near. So much to do and so little time to do it. Made decent headway.

Near 5pm, Mindy and I discussed evening plans. Tossed around the idea of going to CBC or simply staying home relaxing. Of course we didn’t know what time Bella would be home from MRM. I sent Kenny a text shortly thereafter. Much to my surprise, they had just arrived home. Mindy really wanted to go to CBC. She called down and talked with Bella. She wanted to have dinner with the neighbors, so Mindy asked Chrissy if she could stay there while she and I ran out. At the time, Jacob was down at Evan’s playing basketball and or football in the snow. He only asked that we bring him home something good.

We freshened up and left for CBC near 620pm. Somewhat surprisingly, my mom called just as we were getting on 70E. Odd time for her to call. I worried that something was amiss. Nope. She just wanted to tell us that she would in fact be coming to stay for Xmas. From the sounds of it, she’ll be staying two nights, Xmas eve and then Xmas night. Cool!

By then the rain had pretty much ended and the temperature peaked out around 39 degrees, which was a couple degrees warmer than what was forecasted. Arrived at CBC around 640pm. A sloppy, slushy, slippery walk down the slope from the Kroger parking lot to the restaurant. Happy to find plenty of available seating at the bar. We opted for our two favorite stools looking out through the patio. Vince and Emily were tending the bar. Much to my chagrin, they were out of Bohdi.  Not to worry, though. Recently, they’ve added a few guest taps, and two options from Columbus’ own Actual Brewing – Orthodox – a strong, roasty winter ale that was more like a porter with only a slight hint of spices. Yum! I had a couple of those.
Mindy went another direction. She opted for the Actual Imperial Stout, Fat Julian. It was bolder, roastier, heavier than the winter ale. Vince soon brought bread and then later some risotto balls. And just as they did on Wednesday, there were chunks of carrots and parsnips in them. Both Mindy and I concluded that we don’t really care for the extra texture in our balls. 

Mindy planned to drive so she only had the one beer. We eventually settled on dinner, sharing something we hadn’t previously tried, the kielbasa and spaetzle. Yum! It was good. We didn’t plan to stay too late. After all, we had kids to get home to. Shortly before we left, Dennis & Mary Ann came in. We hadn’t seen them for maybe two years. We met them at CBC, oh, I don’t know, four or five years ago. Good to see them. Still look the same.

Before leaving for home, Mindy placed a to-go for Jacob – their new Buffalo chicken sandwich. We also picked up a gift certificate, two CBC coffee mugs, and requested a growler of beer to-go. Later, when they brought us our check, we were told that our meal and beers were comp’d – on the house! Wow, what a pleasant and thoughtful gesture. Thank you, Vince – CBC!

Arrived home ahead of 9pm. Jacob was already there and eager to eat his dinner. Mindy phoned the neighbors and requested Bella come home. She joined shortly thereafter. I poured Mindy and I pints of the beer we brought home – Orthodox. It might be my new favorite winter ale.

We didn’t stay up too late. I’m thinking that we were off to bed by 1030pm. If all went as planned, me and the kids would be skiing the following day.