A Capital Evening

Yesterday my husband and I were in Indianapolis (or Indy) to watch the Bloomington High School South football team play at the home of the Indianapolis Colts, Lucas Oil Stadium. But more on that in a later blog post.

First, we had to officially celebrate my dear husband's nomination to receive the 33rd degree of Scottish Rite Free Masonry.

So I made reservations for two at McCormick and Schmick's in downtown Indy.

That was the easy part. Then we had to drive up there and find a place to park, some where between the stadium and the restaurant and then walk to the restaurant before our reserved time. Oh, and as it happened, this was also the weekend of the MotoGP race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) this weekend, so motorcycles of all sorts were cruising or racing through the streets of downtown.

The web site assures us that each restaurant is individually tailored and decorated to suit the tastes of the locale. Since this is the only one I have ever visited (and this is my first visit) I wouldn't know. Guess I'm just a rube.

The friendly waiter informed us that the menu is printed each day according to what is available. At the end of the meal I asked for a copy of the menu and he happily complied while cautioning me that the next time the menu would be quite different. That's okay. I think I grasp the concept.


After some thought, I finally ordered an 8 oz. glass of Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling, Washington.




My husband ordered a Whiskey Sour.

After perusing the daily menu, we both opted to start with a garden salad in an edible salad bowl. I ordered balsamic vinaigrette while my husband had bleu cheese dressing with his.

A hunk of freshly baked bread also arrived at the table.

Then our entrees arrived. I had ordered Maine Lobster from Boothbay Harbor, Maine. It's always nice to know where my food comes from. *Wink, wink*

At any rate, I chose to have the Caribbean Pan roasted Lobster Tail with Tropical Rice Pilaf. This also came with two skewers of pineapple (hush, I didn't think they were Caribbean either), red onion and green peppers. This was very good and somewhat spicy. Am I complaining? Nah. I can live with this kind of heat.

My husband ordered the Atlantic Salmon from Nova Scotia, Canada. This salmon was stuffed with Crab, Oregon Bay Shrimp and Brie and was oven roasted and finished with a lemon butter. Mashed potatoes and sauteed vegetables rounded out the plating.

Hm, the bill reminds me why we only do something like this once in a blue moon. Oh well, how often does one's husband get nominated for such a high honor?

Well, we dilly-dallied long enough and it was time to head down to the stadium. That didn't mean we couldn't enjoy the sights along the way, though.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please observe this fine edifice before you. This is the current home of the Indiana state government.

Mr. Morton was an important person. Why? I don't know. Perhaps if I had edited these pictures inside rather than out on my deck I would know, but hey. Outside won. So some things will remain a mystery (at least until I go back inside and look at my pictures or do some research).

Maybe you'll have more luck than I and can read this inscription. And by the way, I apologized to the wedding party who were standing around while waiting for the photographer for making them move so that I could take this picture. But I did tell them that they looked nice. That has to count for something, right?

I'm guessing that the Civil War figures in here somehow?

Seems likely.

One of the things I have always found interesting is that both Ohio (where my husband and I are originally from) and Indiana were settled from the south up; meaning that the settlers came from the Ohio river and moved north into the territory. Thus, Indiana's first capital was originally in the southern part of the state before it was moved to its current central location.

Don't you just love government buildings and their monuments?

Let's see what this one is, shall we?

Lady with a book. Check.

Lady with a sword. Check.

Don't mess with her.

Ah, now we get to the heart of the matter.

Aha.

Gotcha, got to give credit where credit is due.

Yep.

What, me irreverent? Or is that irrelevant?

A tree. Why a tree? Because a tree. That's why a tree.

A solemn moment.

The south side of the Capitol building.

George, George, king of the jungle. Oops, wrong George. My bad.

Some important and life-changing inscription.

There's that Masonic emblem again. Hm, didn't that have something to do with why my husband and I were out celebrating earlier?

Wow, and another inscription. Too bad I can't read any of these out here on my deck. Alas and alack. Yeah, right.

And we're walking. Across a busy intersection in downtown Indy and I'm taking pictures. But that's just me.* Got to love that huge structure that straddles an entire intersection, though.

*Do as I say and not as I do, kiddies. I am a professional stunt blogger.

Next post: the big game at Lucas Oil Stadium

Up in the Clouds

We had a Holiday party on Saturday to host for my husband's Scottish Rite Lodge Line officers and guests. But first things first: I taped Sandra Lee's Semi-Homemade Holiday Party and we watched the comedy unfold before getting ready for our own party.

My cat seems to think I need to be saved from the horror that is Semi-Homemade with Sandra Lee. Sandy seems to disagree.

This is our destination. We will be hosting our party at the Skyline Club on the 36th floor of the One America tower.

After signing in with security, we walk to the express elevators. I wonder how many lights are on this huge tree in the atrium?


Chef Jeff and his family created this gingerbread village for the lobby of the club.


The staff took excellent care of us and served Hors D'oeuvres of Chicken Kabobs and Mini Quiche and a dinner of Mixed Greens Salad with Dried Cherries and Bleu Cheese Crumbles and Sherry Vinaigrette, either Black Angus New York Strip Steak or Roasted Grouper, Sauteed Fresh Vegetables and Mashed Potatoes, Fresh Baked Rolls and Butter and a decadent dessert of White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake.

By the way, it is not that easy to pick out a menu that will appeal to everyone and fall within the prescribed price points. Enough of that, enjoy the sights...





Looking out towards the northwest from the 36th floor.




Lovely views all around. The Scottish Rite Cathedral was visible from our room, but it was difficult to see through the fog of the evening.

Looking south towards the rubble of the RCA Dome and the new Lucas Oil Stadium. The State Capitol is visible in the bottom left corner of the picture.

Soldiers and Sailors Monument and Memorial Circle have been decorated for the season.

Happy Hanukkah to my Jewish friends!

A Day on the Road - Oh, and Family

My uncle contacted me recently with the wish that the remaining members of my father's family could meet and just generally have a good time. Unfortunately, several circumstances have conspired to prevent much anticipated family gatherings. You know, all that business about schedules, travel time and a cost/benefits analysis.

So, today was the day. We met at The Olde Richmond Inn in (surprise!) Richmond, IN for lunch. There were about 30 of us (and we had a few missing due to sickness), so my uncle had rented a banquet room for us. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed meeting with them.

Once, several years ago, my uncle arranged a family get-together and then had a surprise for us: a private tour of a private multi-million dollar car museum. I am talking the actual cars that won the Indy 500, the Indy 400, etc. And, wouldn't you know... in the grand scheme that is life, I had no camera with me that day! Arrgh. I think that was the day I resolved to never be without camera again.

Anyway, we had a great time and I was able to connect with my remaining cousins (I lost one to a motorcycle accident 12 years ago and another to brain cancer 7 years ago.) And hey, it was somewhat okay for my cousins to be grandparents, but now I'm gonna be a grandmother? Say it isn't so!

The future Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN.

Another view. This is for you, MissOrchidgal.

I took these pics for my daughter, the wannabe first female coach of the NFL. You go, girl!