ABC WEDNESDAY-"T"-TERRIFICALLY TASTY PIZZA TREAT!! (Road trip)

Eating outdoors is always great when you have a tasty treat like this 10" pizza from Nelson's Cheese Factory in Nelson, WI.  We took one of our road trips along the Mississippi and always end up there because they have a great wine bar, delectable sandwiches and soups, these stupendous pizzas, and fantastic ice cream.  We've eaten there since they began as a cheese factory with subsequent remodelling and expansion.

To learn more about The Original Nelson's Cheese Factory which is over 100 years old and to see more photos, hustle on over here!

To see more ABC WEDNESDAY posts, go here.

Memorial Day-Family

Husband's Family Gravesite 

           FAMILY OF ORIGIN
 Frederick and Anna-Grandparents
 Frederick H and Cecelia-Parents
Arthur-Uncle and  Frances-Aunt

Another Platter

About two months ago I showed you some objects of pottery made by a former colleague of mine. This is my very favorite piece in his exhibit.  To refresh your memory, look again here and here.

More Neighbors!-Camera Critters

These hungry neighbors eat us out of house and feeder!

"The reason birds can fly and we can't is simply that they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings."

J.M. BARRIE, The Little White Bird

To see more Camera Critters, check this out.

Steeple Chase #2

This steeple is atop a very contemporary Catholic church building, the Lumen Christi Christian community, located in Highland Village.

ADDED LATER:  Blogspot is going to drive me to drink.  I could not access my blog all day on
Thursday, wasted lots of time trying to fix it, but now my access is operating only sporatically!  I'll visit your blogs as soon as this glick is repaired.

Beauty Everywhere!!

Our neighborhood library is always a vision in the spring because of its rows of blossoming trees that lead from the street to the entrance and line the parking lot. There are more overlooking the play area in the community center adjoining our fine library.  This makes the gloom of the loooong winter slowly dissipate...at least for a few more months!

ABC WEDNESDAY-"S" Steeple

There are many types and kinds of steeples atop churches throughout the city and this is probably one of the more attractive.  In addition to saving souls, it looks as though the Gloria Dei Lutheran church on Snelling Avenue is doing its part for modern technology, too.

For more ABC Wednesday photos, click here.

Art in Bloom #7

 Some of my photos of the art work to accompany the beautiful Art in Bloom creations did not photograph well but I would like you to see some of the bouquets.  This is my last post of this spectacular event until it occurs again next year!!

                                                                  

Art in Bloom #6-"Two Muses of Tavernelle (Niccoló?)

The two creators of this bouquet in their description said, "When selecting a piece of art for Art in Bloom, we only chose pieces created by women or featuring them.  Two Muses depicts Thalia and Melpomene,  two of  the nine goddesses of the arts, literature, and sciences.  We liked the brilliant colors and the challenge of interpreting the details."  I think that they did a masterful job by including carnations, Ming ferns, pansies, celosia, river cane and grasses.

After today I will show only one more photo from the exhibit, until next year! To see another Art in Bloom bouquet that I  have already posted, go here.

A Handsome CAMERA CRITTER with owner, Sue

Sue who has lived and worked in Minnesota her entire life relaxed with her 7-year-old dog, Neelix.
Starting out as a classroom science teacher,  she has moved into an entirely different field as a genetic epidemiologist at Mayo.  Well, that was a conversation stopper for me...not much time to learn on my way to the car!

Background image: Moi and my new silver moon-roof Rav4 (bought just before gasoline prices spiked...our choice was between a Prius and the Rav); not a smart decision but we certainly will be comfortable if we can afford to take road trips again!

To see more CAMERA CRITTERS, click here.

Patron of the Arts

Not all bouquets at the Art in Bloom's recent exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts were in vases.  For previous photos of the bouquets paired with pieces of art, click here and here.

ADDED LATER:  I just discovered from Irina's Moscow blog that yesterday was International Museum Day. I must remember it for next year!  I try to do my bit to honour art, in all its forms.  This is what Wikipedia said about the day:

The International Museum Day is a celebration that is held each year on or about 18 May. Each year, the Advisory Committee of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) defines a specific theme for International Museum Day.

“	The event provides the opportunity for museum professionals to meet the public and alert them to the challenges that museums face if they are to be — as in the ICOM definition of museums — 'an institution in the service of society and of its development'.

How to Get in Touch

As I pulled up into this parking lot, the man and young girl were pulling out, so I pulled out my camera and managed to get a few snaps.

Cycling and enlightenment....great combination!!

ABC WEDNESDAY-"R"-RHODODENDRONS

After our long, bitterly cold and snowy Minnesota winter, I didn't think I'd ever see blossoms emerge again, but my lovely rhododendrons finally burst into bloom at the beginning of May. 

ALLELULIA!!

Click here,  to see more ABC Wednesday posts.

Fresh New Beginnings

If I had a room and wall large enough for this painting by Minnesota artist Pamela Sukhum I would snap it up in a minute. I am awed by her work.

To see left photo credit and more of Sukhum's paintings, check her own weblog.
"Pamela Sukhum's paintings are characterized by rich colors and textures, and warm, radiant energy. Her use of both broad, sweeping lines and delicate, intricate details give her work a depth and dimension truly unique to the art world. Fueled by spiritual and human connections forged during her journeys around the globe, from the monasteries of Tibet to the refugee camps of Eastern Chad, Pamela's mission is to bring beauty and light to the world through her paintings.

Formerly a researcher in Cardiovascular Health and Electrophysiology, Pamela left the biomedical field in 2003 to pursue her true passion: Painting. With barely enough money in hand for the first month’s rent, she moved into her downtown Minneapolis studio space to begin her new journey. Five years later, Pamela's paintings are featured in the most prominent fine art galleries in North America, both reigniting the fire of seasoned art connoisseurs, and sparking a new generation of fine art collectors. In 2007, she was awarded the Director’s Choice Award at ArtExpo New York.  

Sukhum, an avid traveler, has studied and deepened her creative spirit in Thailand, Nepal, Tibet, South America, and Africa. Most recently, Pamela brought her “Beautiful Project” to the Gondje refugee camp, along the border of Chad and the Central African Republic, where she worked with child refugees – helping them use art as a healing and transformational force in their lives."  Webpage of Pamela Sukhum: Credit

Mystery Paintings

If you like these paintings, come back tomorrow and I'll tell you about this remarkable Minnesota artist!

Our New Neighbor-Camera Critters

Soon our neighborhood population will increase. No birth control pills needed here!

To see more Camera Critters posted by bloggers from around the world, click here.

Condo or High Rise?

On a very cold, windy and rather nasty day last Sunday we ventured out to visit studios open to the public on the St. Croix Art Tour.  As we left a potter's home with a lovely deck overlooking the river, I noticed several birdhouses but this one caught my eye. A well-stocked two-story!

Art in Bloom #5-"Crouching Lion"

Florist Linda Callan paired her arrangement with this sculpture from Greece, and she explained, "I love the strong form of this ancient feline.  The floral interpretation I saw in this piece became a modern, simple form with monochromatic colors."

To learn about the photos I've posted for the Art in Bloom annual exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, click here.

ABC WEDNESDAY-"Q": Quirky Mother's Day Hats

Moi, granddaughter Olivia and daughter Kati

Part of our Mother's Day Celebration was to wear a hat we decorated ourselves.  Even some of the males celebrated with us.  






DH Jim with feathers in his hat from our parrot Sadie


 Friends, Jennifer and Julia


Olivia won the prize!


Click here to see more ABC posts from bloggers around the world.

Art in Bloom #4-"Cologne Cathedral, Oskar Kokoschka

Shauna Moore and James Fleming "intended to evoke the painterly texture and colors of the Expressionist painting and the sweeping Gothic arches and curves of the cathedral." To create the desired effect they used cymbidium orchids, kiwi vine and greens.

To see previously posted Art in Bloom photos, click here  and here.

MOTHER'S DAY-Art in Bloom #3, "White Plumes," Henri Matisse

Heidi Olson who designed and created this creative  floral arrangement was inspired by Matisse's painting, "White Plumes." She said, "The centerpiece is the lady's elegant hat.  I will try to suggest its general shape, and with my arrangement, express the grace and fluffiness of the hat."
                         ********************
At our own Mother's Day brunch all participants, male and female alike, will have to wear a hat which they decorated. We'll vote for the "best" hat and the winner will receive a prize!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY 

Camera Critters-Minneapolis Institute of Arts

Want a dog but allergic to pets?  Ask artist Yoshitomo Nara to craft a smaller fiberglass canine for you like this one at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, which measures 72x51x108 inches.

To see more Camera Critters, click here.

Art in Bloom #2 "Bronze"

The floral arranger, Gloria Miller, indicated, "The first time I looked at this painting, I saw red flowers.  I have no idea what the artist is trying to portray, but that is what I saw.  I like the softness, but also the 'explosive' feeling of the colors and the entire painting.  It  has a very vibrant look to it."

Unlike many of the other floral arrangements in the show which tended to be somewhat large, I was struck by the contrast of the huge painting accompanied by the smaller traditional bouquet of peonies, alstroemeria (red) and eucalyptus.  

To learn more about the Art in Bloom show, the MIA had extended an invitation to the public on their website:

SPECIAL EVENT

Art in Bloom

April 28-May 1, 2011
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

museum-wide

Join us for Art in Bloom, a four-day festival of fresh floral arrangements and fine art, presented by the Friends of the Institute at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. This spring celebration highlights the talents of more than 150 floral artists, whose work will be on view next to the works of art that inspired them. From Thursday through Sunday, you're invited to experience the floral fragrance throughout the museum, enjoy a lecture or demonstration, attend a party or free docent tour, and browse in the Art in Bloom Shop.

Art in Bloom

For the 28th year the Minneapolis Institute of Arts again held the Arts in Bloom exhibit.  The objective is to have florists and floral arrangers pair a creative bouquet with a work of art which is on exhibit in the museum.  My favorite this year is an arrangement with "Frank," a portrait by Chuck Close.  The bouquet consisted of curly willow, rose petals, moss, pincushion portea, calla lily and pom poms.  Irene Harnett, the creator, said, "The hair was my inspiration for choosing this work of art, I like using curly willow and thought it would be fun to twist and turn it into his head of curls.  The vivid colours from the pincushion protea make a great beard, spikey  and beautiful..."

I'll post a few more pieces of art and bouquets in the next few days.

ABC WEDNESDAY"P"-Planned Parenthood-Protest and Counter-protests

On Good Friday, April 22nd, two groups protested in front of Planned Parenthood on Ford Parkway in St. Paul.  Police officers patrolled the area in front of the building; traffic was limited to one lane on either side of the boulevard.  The pro-life people marched with posters and religious icons while singing inspirational hymns.  The pro-choice people held up their own posters and hailed the passing motorists.  I was surprised at the number of marchers for both sides that showed up on a dreary, rainy day.  The assembled people on both sides were non-violent, thankfully.

For more ABC WEDNESDAY photos from around the globe, click here.

Mid-Life Crisis?!

Denise and Cathy, two fun-loving women, were having a quiet coffee at a local cafe when I walked up and asked if I could photograph their bikes.  The women posing with the bikes definitely enhanced the photo.  They labelled the bikes and their pleasure in travelling around the neighborhood with these colourful cycles as "a mid-life crisis" but I tend to differ with them.  I think that these two are wisely enjoying life, drawing attention to their great spirit,  and living in the moment. You go, girls!!

May Theme Day, 2011-Chantecleer

I posted this rooster mailbox on May 16, 2007,  but I think it deserves another viewing!

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants