Rapp Strategies Rundown – November
What we did, read, watched and thought about this month.
Todd R.: The Wild have turned a rough losing streak into a solid winning streak, so everything is a little warmer and brighter as winter approaches. Took a second tour through Oppenheimer and it was as good as it was the first time, plus watched Anatomy of a Murder for the first time — what a cast! Saw the Eagles and Doobie Brothers as their tour hit the Xcel Energy Center, and of course these are just greatest hits tours, but the addition of Vince Gill and the Tao of Joe Walsh made this a very fun concert. Otherwise, with the arrival of grandchildren, there is no question what December is about!
Rich: Early November was dominated by my work in the Minneapolis City Council elections. The results kept the status quo as 11 incumbents were re-elected and newcomers filled the two open seats to elective politics. The balance on the Council is probably six or seven progressive members and six or seven moderates. Time will tell how this plays out, but we know that all important matters before the Council will be debated and decided by thin margins.
The rest of the month flew by. I was busy at work and with my work at Crescent Cove, the non-profit that provides respite and hospice services to children with life-shortening diseases and their families. It’s a wonderful organization doing incredible work. Of course, Thanksgiving arrived which was a wonderful family holiday (my favorite holiday). I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. Here comes December!
Todd S.: We recently added a new member to the Stone family, an 11-week-old kitten named Lucy. A neighbor took in her mother, who was a stray, only to discover she was expecting. Lucy is adapting well to her new home. She plays hard, loves shoelaces and climbs on just about everything. She sleeps in laps very effectively, too. Even the dog seems to like her.
Jodi: November featured my favorite holiday, the return of the Spicy Mocha and the start of soup season. A new recipe for pumpkin chili turned out to be quite delicious and comforting. I relived the early 1990s by seeing Liz Phair at the Palace Theater performing the entire Exile to Guyville album and a few other fan favorites. Jim and I spent Thanksgiving visiting relatives in northern Georgia. We explored Amicalola Falls State Park, the southern starting point for those brave souls who hike the Appalachian Trail. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson is an excellent read on walking the 2,100-mile journey. This season’s Great British Baking Show has prepared me for my annual holiday baking weekend with my mom. The classic Spritz cookie will make its return, alongside many other varieties of cookies and candy, that literally results in thousands of sweet treats to be shared with family and friends.
Sean: November flew by in the Oyaas household, with one event after another and an ever more mobile baby keeping us on our toes (as he learns how to utilize his). I didn’t have “lowering the crib” on my bingo list for events that would make me shed a tear, but I suppose parenthood is all about surprises!
While our evening walks with the dog now include about 20 extra minutes of layering up, we’ve survived the initial cold nights and welcome the brisk air. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, splitting the day up between our annual football game, the first meal at Rosie’s and the second meal with the Oyaas/O’Rourke family – somehow the baby outlasted the parents, who were clinging on for dear life by the end of the night. We were even able to get our tree up before December hit (a new record for us).
Now begins the annual re-watch of the Harry Potter franchise in between Xmas movies and far too much eggnog. December will start busy, but we’re hoping for a relaxing end of the year to spend with family and friends over the holidays. I’m gearing up for a snowboarding trip in the middle of the month, so I’m just hoping my pictures in next month’s rundown don’t include images of me in the hospital or using crutches!
Anna: Owen is still the cutest baby I’ve ever seen, so no change there, but our house is looking cozier and more festive with our tree up. We spent a lovely day eating Thanksgiving goodies with my family, and Owen discovered the magic of pumpkin pie and whipped cream. Ike and I had a scrumptious meal at Malone’s Bar and Grill, as we continue eating our way through Maple Grove on date nights. I highly recommend the chicken wild rice soup made from scratch and the burger with goat cheese, fig spread and arugula. YUM. My sister and I saw For King and Country perform at Target Center, which has officially launched me into the Christmas spirit. We also dedicated Owen at our church – a special day that affirmed our commitment to raise Owen to know Jesus Christ.
Meredith: Though November weather usually leaves something to be desired, the month itself is one of my favorites. From birthdays and baking to delicious food, time with family and festive traditions, we stay busy in the best way. This year we made it back to Iowa to celebrate my grandmother’s 87th birthday and help decorate her willow tree with large ornaments. We also made it back to Ohio for the annual Thanksgiving meal and molasses Christmas cookie extravaganza that has been happening for over 100 years! Over the course of the month, we took one plane ride, celebrated two birthdays, saw my three siblings, learned of four new babies joining the family, saw family from six states, and brought home seven pieces of furniture/antiques from my great grandmother/namesake!
Oh – and we got a kitten! Hange is a sweet little barn cat who loves cuddles and pets and is a purr machine. Originally, I thought this would be a December update, but she came to us a few days early. All in all, it’s been a great kick-off to the holiday season.
Cullen: Our tree is officially up and I’m still working through Thanksgiving leftovers. Bring on the holidays. While in Minnesota for the holiday, Lauren and I toured and picked our wedding venue, which has turned the excitement up a notch. I saw The Ballad of Songbird and Snakes which turned out to be one of those pleasant instances where the movie is as good if not better than the book. We also finished the second season of Only Murders in the Building and are nearing the end of Shadow and Bone. On my drives to and from Minnesota I’ve been chipping away at audiobooks for Demon Copperhead and Know My Name, both of which are stellar so far.
Kaylee: November brought a welcomed slowdown and cozy times. Multiple friends and I all seem to have craved the same thing: home-cooked meals. So, many of my evenings were filled with good food and deep chats. Our Thanksgiving celebrations also took on a quieter form this year as we celebrated primarily with my immediate family. I’ll be honest, Thanksgiving is a minor holiday for me, so I’m really just excited that it’s out of the way so I can officially begin enjoying the Christmas season.
Colette: The month of November brought a Thanksgiving celebration with family and a week-long visit from Dylan, both of which brought cheer and good times. Attending a Wild game against the Colorado Avalanche brought out my competitive side, while visiting the European Christmas Market at Union Depot in St. Paul turned my attention to the holiday season, complete with an authentic German Bratwurst.
The month topped off with my birthday celebration, where Dylan and I enjoyed a dinner at Yumi Sushi Bar in St. Paul, finished out with my favorite white chocolate raspberry cake topped with cream cheese frosting and candles.
Alex: November flew by as quickly as I demolished three different Thanksgiving meals. It’s always a pleasure to catch up with family and friends while indulging in delicious foods. This year’s winner of favorite food has to go to cheesy potatoes.
I spent one of my days off watching my two-year-old nephew who is currently obsessed with Paw Patrol. I have to say I am not a fan of the show, but don’t tell him that. Unfortunately for me, he wasn’t a fan of A Goofy Movie, which I am pretty disappointed about.
