Friends and Food in Duluth

During the first full weekend of October, I headed up to North Dakota and Minnesota. My first stop was Minot, North Dakota. My GPS said the drive was 17 hours, but between stops for gas, food, bathroom breaks, and little snoozes along the way, I was in the car for nearly 24 hours. Oy.

Finally!

Thankfully, the show was really fun and it made the sleep deprivation/back problems from my drive melt away.

I didn't get any pictures from the show (I have to get better at that), but I did take one of this cool flyer.

The following day, I woke up bright and early to get on the road to Duluth. PS What the heck is this, North Dakota? I am so not ready!

I drove as the sun rose, and saw a lot of this out my car window:

When I arrived in Duluth, I immediately went to my friend, Tim's house. Tim helps with the sound at Dubh Linn's Pub (the stand-up venue in town), and we met several years ago when I was playing there. We immediately hit it off and have been really good friends ever since. Every time I go to Duluth, I always stop by Tim's house to hang out with him. 

Oh, and did I mention Tim is one of the best cook's I've ever met? After I got to his house, he made us vegan bruschetta before heading to the Dubh Linn's.

The shows were a lot of fun, and like my show in Minot, I couldn't even feel how tired I was!

I do all my oath-taking while on stage.

Although, after getting back to Tim's house, I fell right asleep.

When I woke up on Sunday, Tim made lemon pancakes with real maple syrup. They were amazing!

After breakfast, we hung out in his garden and picked beans, cucumbers, and squash. And then, he taught me how to can!

French-cutting the beans.

The finished product! My beans were quite humble.

I've always wanted to learn how to can. I am quite in love with my slow cooker, and sometimes I daydream about making everything homemade in my kitchen. I should note that these daydreams don't last all that long as I usually remember Taco Bell exists and then quickly abandon them.

But, on Sunday, my homesteading dreams were in full effect.

After we canned, Tim's daughter, Emily, came by and I got a chance to hang out with her and meet her new boyfriend. Emily works at a bakery, and she came bearing vegan cupcakes. Wow, oh wow!

For dinner, Tim made a maple lentil loaf that, like everything else, was out of this world. We then made a fire in his backyard and ended the night by chatting over homemade wine (Tim and his girlfriend even make their own wine!).

It truly was a wonderful day. 

I am so thankful for stand-up comedy, not just because it's allowed me opportunities to see parts of the country I never thought I would, but because of the people I've met. Tim is an absolute gem, and I am so lucky to call him a friend. He and his daughter always show me such an amazing time, and I'm pretty sure I saved, like, 13 children in a former life to deserve the friendship of these two.

I just wish I could've stayed longer. But, early Monday morning, I began the trek back to Michigan. And for dinner, I made one of the acorn squashes I helped pick. It was deeee-lish!