Visual St. Paul

My Backyard

mura.kate@gmail.com (Kate) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 06:01:00 +0000

I do believe that procrastinators live in this house!

Have A Seat!

mura.kate@gmail.com (Kate) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 06:01:00 +0000

During my long walks, I often rest on this bench as I slowly trudge back home. Not during the recent snow fall, though!

Waiting for Mr. Postman!

mura.kate@gmail.com (Kate) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 06:01:00 +0000

"...been standin here waitin here mr. postman
So-o-o patiently
for just a card,or just a letter..."

So far we've had two rounds of snowstorms that rapidly followed one another. This is a snapshot I took when I went out for a walk on Christmas eve morning. Several more inches fell Christmas Day...wetter and heavier. The snowplow blocked our driveway with a 3 foot high bank of wet, heavy and chunky snow. The snow blower was too tired to handle that, and it took dear husband 3 hours to clear the driveway and snowbank. Apprehensively I watched, hoping that he would not become another heart attack statistic. The commercial snow removers weren't even answering their phones. And this was the year that I thought I'd skip Mexico! Not a good decision! Going to Santa Fe, tho...going from snow to snow, but their weather is a piece of cake next to this!!

Christmas Day Celebrations!

mura.kate@gmail.com (Kate) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 06:01:00 +0000

Each year we have a different national menu for our holiday meal, which makes the festivities even more interesting. Last year we had a French Christmas dinner with this delectable dessert. Our German meal this year has a dessert still unnamed as of this writing, but, never fear, I will come up with something reasonably close to the recipe supplied by JB of Mainz, Germany. May your day be joyous, whether or not you celebrate this holiday. Peace to all around the world.

For those of you who do celebrate...
   God Jul...Buon Natale...Joyeux Noel...
Nollaig Shona...Feliz Natal...Feliz Navidad...
    Nadolig Llawen...Nadelek Lowen...
    Veselé Vánoce...Vrolijk Kerstfeest...
Kala Christougenna...Mele Kalikimaka
   Frohe Weihnachten...Merii Kurisumasu...
Souksan Van Christmas and, of course,

MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE AND
                                 ALL!!

The Noche Before Christmas

mura.kate@gmail.com (Kate) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 06:01:00 +0000

My sister's holiday tree. Very ornate and beautifully decorated!

The Noche Before Christmas

Author unknown

Twas the noche before Christmas and all through la casa,

not a creature was stirring – Caramaba! Que Pasa?

The niños were tucked away in their camas,

some in vestidos and some in pijamas.

While hanging the stockings con mucho cuidado,

in hopes that old Santa would feel obligado.

To bring all children both Buenos y malos,

a nice patch of dulces y otros regalos.

Outside in the yard there arose such a grito,

that I jumped to my feet like a frightened cabrito.

I run to the window and looked out afuera,

and who in the world do you think that it era?

Saint Nick in a sleigh and a big red sombrero,

came dashing along like a crazy bombero.

And pulling his sleigh instead of venados,

were eight tiny burros approaching velados.

I watched as they came and this quaint little hombre,

was shouting and whistling and calling by nombre,

“Ay Pancho, ay Pepe, ay Cuco, ay Beto,

Ay Chato, a Chopo, ay Macuco, y Nieto!”

Then standing erect with his hands on his pecho,

he flew to the top of our own techo.

With his round little belly like a bowl of jalea,

he struggled to squeeze down our chiminea.

Then huffing and puffing at last in our sala,

With soot spread all over his red suit de Gala.

He filled all the stockings with lovely regalos,

because none of the children had been very malos.

Then chuckling aloud and seeming muy contento,

he turned like a flash and was gone like the viento.

And I heard him exclaim, and this is verdad,

Merry Christmas to all, and Feliz Navidad!

ABC Wednesday-"W": Winter Wonderland

mura.kate@gmail.com (Kate) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 06:01:00 +0000

The image says it all. No caption is really necessary. How many more months of this?

To see more ABC posts from around the world, check this link: http://abcwednesdayround3.blogspot.com/

Does this really need a title?!

mura.kate@gmail.com (Kate) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:26:00 +0000

Clowning at the Cafe-100 Strangers #16

mura.kate@gmail.com (Kate) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 06:01:00 +0000

I met Tim at a local cafe after sitting at a table with him and a mutual friend. After a pleasant chat, Tim clowned around for my camera.

Camera Critters-Saturday and Sunday "Baby, It's Cold Outside!"

mura.kate@gmail.com (Kate) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 06:01:00 +0000

When do we leave for Mazatlán?

To see more CAMERA CRITTERS from around the world, click on the link
http://camera-critters.blogspot.com/

WIN! WIN! WIN!

mura.kate@gmail.com (Kate) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 04:48:00 +0000

The JV basketball teams from Central High (a St. Paul's Public School) and Minnehaha Academy (a Minneapolis private school) Battle to Win.

Sitting behind the Central High School team's bench we were close enough to see and hear their coach (in black) instruct them when they came out of the game. He is low key without the need to curse or shout...a good role model. Despite a close game, the Central's team won by 4 points!

ABC WEDNESDAY " V"-VIOLIN, VIRTUOSO

mura.kate@gmail.com (Kate) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:01:00 +0000

Can a young person be considered a virtuoso? If s/he plays like this 12-year-old sixth grader, I think the answer is a resounding "yes!"

“A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit and a violin; what else does one need to be happy.” Albert Einstein

Winter Wonderland?

mura.kate@gmail.com (Kate) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 06:01:00 +0000

I'd rather be in Mazatlán!

It's that time of year again!

mura.kate@gmail.com (Kate) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 06:01:00 +0000

Two games a week...what's a grandmother to do?! Grandfather and I are loyal fans, and we're in the stands for almost every JV game. I wish that I had the power to give the same opportunities to all the children of the earth: clean water, nutritious diet, good health care, education, and community and family support. Is that too much to ask, citizens of the world?!

HEALTHY COMPUTERS = HAPPY BLOGGERS

mura.kate@gmail.com (Kate) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 06:01:00 +0000

Why did I not take my sick computer in earlier? Getting it back Saturday was like getting a new one. Thanks to the guys at Chipheads, I couldn't be happier! George took my order (he wasn't available for a photo when I had my trusty camera with me), and Ian who doctored my Dell laptop and young Griffen who patiently answered all my questions and advised me on future behavior were WONDERFUL!! Plus they helped me save some shekels because I don't have to buy a new computer.

Ian on the left and Griffen
on the right are magicians!

My Sick Computer!!

mura.kate@gmail.com (Kate) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 06:01:00 +0000

MY LAPTOP IS VERY, VERY SICK!! THE COMPUTER DOC THINKS THAT A TUNE-UP SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM, UNLESS SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE HARD DRIVE. I'LL FIND OUT FRIDAY IF I'LL NEED A NEW COMPUTER OR NOT. IN THE MEANTIME, I'LL JUST ENJOY YOUR POSTS. SEE YOU SOON, I HOPE!!

Minnesota Workers

mura.kate@gmail.com (Kate) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 06:01:00 +0000

These two are among the many wonderful employees at Broder's Pasta Bar in Minneapolis, Mn where DH and I usually eat every other week-end. The well-established restaurant that started as an Italian Deli in a building across the street (and that original deli is still flourishing there) has received many awards year after year. It really does have the BEST pasta in the Twin Cities. The risotta is "to die for!"***

Time to Celebrate!

mura.kate@gmail.com (Kate) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 06:01:00 +0000

December is a big month at our house; another birthday to celebrate. Jim has given me lots of his time and it's time to celebrate!

A Room of My Own

mura.kate@gmail.com (Kate) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 06:01:00 +0000

I recently converted a small room into "a room of my own," and I couldn't quite believe how happy I could be with it! After stripping wallpaper that had been on the walls for 20+ years, I had to scrub down the walls four times before I could get rid of the paste. I painted the ceiling eggshell, the walls ice blue, and will bring in a blue and white oriental rug after the cleaners get through with it. When I find lemon yellow curtains I'll hang those. The large watercolour painted by a friend of mine is the pier on Lake Superior in Duluth. I got the Captains chair as a reward after 25 years of teaching English at St. Paul Academy-Summit School, which I still miss! The 3 etchings on that wall were the first pieces of art my DH bought for me when we lived in Chicago, all scenes from that great city, which I still love.

Wishful Thinking!

mura.kate@gmail.com (Kate) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 06:01:00 +0000

The play of light on the rug brings out and enhances its colours. I wish that I could bring it home with me!

¡Mi corazón!

mura.kate@gmail.com (Kate) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:01:00 +0000

¡Feliz Cumpleañons, Olivia!! She changes and she grows...mi corazón.

Waiting at the Ordway Theatre

mura.kate@gmail.com (Kate) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:01:00 +0000

For years this wonderful man has been a familiar sight, waiting to open the door for concert and theatre goers at the Ordway Theatre in St.Paul. What a pleasure to see his smiling face and welcoming greeting.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

One of Each Please!

mura.kate@gmail.com (Kate) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

I would NEVER brave the crowds and go shopping on Black Friday, a huge shopping day after Thanksgiving in the US. Merchants rely heavily upon sales on that big day, and consumers race from store to store looking for bargains. Some even camp out overnight to get special deals, especially at electronics stores. This year one of the WalMart stores had to close their doors when a fight broke out among shoppers who wanted the same merchandise. Madness!!

Despite refusing to join the hordes, I made my way to a Rug Cleaning establishment that was offering 30% discount on that day only so I brought in an area rug that I want to use to spiff up my new "room of my own." The highly reputable shop also sells oriental rugs, and, of course, they were on sale for Black Friday. In addition to salivating over the rugs I decided to take some photos. Not the best light, but you get the picture!!

Minnesota's Wild!

mura.kate@gmail.com (Kate) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

These two guys had their tickets to the Minnesota Wild's hockey game against Colorado and didn't have to look for theirs on the street as did the man I showed you yesterday. I hope that he found someone with an extra ticket! (Wild-5, Colorado-3!) We left the morning St Paul Chamber Orchestra concert about 12:30, and the streets were alive with people going to the hockey game that started at 1 pm. A slightly more festive crowd than the one we had just left at the Ordway Center where the concert had taken place!

Need tickets!

mura.kate@gmail.com (Kate) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

I met this man on the streets in downtown St. Paul on Friday, November 27. Can you guess what tickets he wants? I'll tell you tomorrow.

Bass Lake, Wisconsin

mura.kate@gmail.com (Kate) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

Yesterday I introduced you to my friends; today I want to introduce you to the view of Bass Lake from their deck. Nice, isn't it?