« Older SD Transplant Newer »

It’s A Beautiful Day!

Saturday, May 3rd, 2008 by Alyice

It is a beautiful day here in South Dakota. The weather reader in my car says its 45 degrees Fahrenheit but with the sun beating down on us it feels more like 65 degrees. The wind is strong today which makes a light coat a necessity but I can’t complain. It sure beats the snow!

When we left our home state nine years ago I really wanted to move to Seattle, Washington but my husband felt the constant rain and gloomy skies would play havoc on my depression so we moved to Wisconsin and spent a year in Tennessee before settling on South Dakota. Little did we realize what gloom and doom awaited us during the winter months.

The first two years in South Dakota were a refreshing break from Wisonsin’s long, harsh winters as winter started late, ended early, and was by all accounts mild in comparison. But things changed this year for the residents of South Dakota. This winter has been incredibly difficult and very isolating. It started early, is ending late, and the in between time has been filled with lots and lots of dark, dreary skies and months so cold that going outside was often difficult.

It is winters like this that make moving back to the warmth of the west coast so appealing—but luckily that feeling passes as soon as the snow melts and the sun begins to shine.

It truly is breathtaking to drive along the country roads with nothing but pastures, prairies, farm lands, country animals, and blue skies. There’s just something utterly calming about the whole experience. I could bask in the view for hours as I listen to the wind rustle through the trees, the birds sing, and the cows moo.

I guess that’s why I long so much for a farm of my own—it would be like owning a little piece of heaven on earth.

Until next time…

Posted in SD Transplant | Comments Off

Loving The Rain

Friday, May 2nd, 2008 by Alyice

It’s raining here in South Dakota. As I type this I can hear the pitter patter of the rain as it falls from the sky onto the ground near my basement window. There’s something about rain that just calms me. I can watch the rain fall from the sky all day long. I love to watch it dance as the wind takes it to and fro. It seems to move effortlessly throughout the land—only to stop when it has reached its destination.

I also love the smell of rain. It reminds me of my childhood and brings back good memories. It also causes me to pause and appreciate life. I love to take deep breaths, filling in my lungs with what feels like the freshest air on earth, and then just lose myself in the moment as I daydream about what was, what is, and what could be.

You could say that rain is my natural tranquilizer. It’s a free de-stressing mechanism that only comes around every few months and one that I will always cherish—just so long as those scary thunderstorms and tornados keep their distance.

Until next time…

Posted in SD Transplant | Comments Off

Red Rossa Napoli Pizza

Wednesday, April 30th, 2008 by Alyice

I love to eat out at places that cook foods I cannot cook or foods that taste better than what I make at home but I cannot stand eating out at places that offer foods I could have easily made at home—for cheaper—or at places with poor customer service and lousy food which brings me to my first entry and the reason I chose to start this category—Red Rossa Napoli Italian Pizza.

We’ve lived in South Dakota for three years now and every few months my husband suggests we try Red Rossa but the majority vote has always sent us eating elsewhere—that is, until this Tuesday, April 29, 2008 when I finally caved. You see I am not a huge pizza person. In fact, I’d rather not eat pizza because the grease and sauce just doesn’t sit well with me. But my daughter is a HUGE pizza fan and my husband wanted to treat her to a real Italian experience, or so he was hoping…

The Red Rossa in Sioux Falls, South Dakota is located on the corner of a little strip mall across from Scheel’s and the $3 movie theatre so your first reaction is to think, “Fast food, how great can it really be?” Even entering the establishment, where you order and pay at the counter, has you thinking “fast food” experience. But that’s where the entire “fast food” mentality ends.

The staff, having realized it was our first time to Red Rossa, took the time to tell us all about their wood fired and roasted pizzas, answer our questions about various ingredients, and allow us to sample the various mushrooms available as well as their sorbet.

After ordering The Roman Pizza without green peppers and substituting spinach, the Margherita Pizza, The Chop Chop Salad (large), and drinks we sat down to await our meal. It was then that I was truly able to observe the staff and the ambience they set.

One gentleman hand-tossed pizza dough as he softly spoke to the two children inquisitive about the entire process. The staff worked together in complete harmony, with smiles and laughter, as they prepared one pizza after another—some for take out, some for dining in. Then as our meals were delivered the wait staff thanked us for coming and hoped we’d enjoy our meal. They even indulged in a little chit chat.

That’s when I heard something I haven’t heard in a very long time. My daughter, with a genuine smile on her face, said, “They’re nice. They make you feel welcome. It’s like they want you here and so they treat you special.”

As for the food, I just have to say: “I have finally found a pizza that I will eat!”

The Roman Pizza was fabulous. The bread was slightly toasted, the cheese perfectly melted, and the ingredients fresh. I especially enjoyed the combination feta cheese and smoked mozzarella. The pizza was light and airy. It didn’t feel heavy or greasy.

And that large salad easily served four people as a side dish. And unlike those chain restaurants that simply chunk some lettuce on a plate with a piece of tomato and a cucumber or two, this salad was packed with fresh ingredients like smoked mozzarella, thin strips of salami, chunks of rosemary-sage chicken, freshly diced tomatoes, whole garbanzo beans, shredded parmesan cheese, and a wonderful balsamic vinaigrette.

The food was presented so beautifully that it actually felt like you were sitting in a gourmet restaurant instead of what, by all accounts, looks like a clean fast food joint. In the words of my husband, “It’s fine dining at a budget anyone can afford.”

If you’ve been contemplating checking out Red Rossa Napoli Pizza, I highly recommend it! Just drive to 3412 S. Western Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57105 or call 605-339-3675 for a pick up!

Until next time…

Disclosure: I paid for this attraction. This is “my opinion”. I was not paid to give a positive review.

Posted in SD Transplant | Comments Off

Pages: Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Next

AlyiceEdrich.com
I'm a freelance writer, mixed media artist, SMVA, and the owner of The Dabbling Mum.

Copyrights

All material on this blog belongs to Alyice Edrich, unless otherwise noted. No project, artwork, or text may be reproduced or displayed elsewhere without the consent of the creator. That includes making derivative works for resale. Please use project tutorials for personal use and/or gifts only.