Monday, December 31, 2012

Remodeled Cossetta's








The last game of the season
Snacks during the game
Came from Cossetta's


Trying to get photos while focusing through plexiglass is not always the best, but the activity at Cossetta's just before kick-off between the Packers and Vikings was brisk and fast-paced. The newly remodeled market and restaurant has been expanded with new facilities and the same Italian comfort food, with the addition of a new upscale third floor restaurant.  I'm not as crazy about the pizza as are my grand-kids but it is a convenient place to go (a legendary family restaurant) for take-out, too. The chocolate covered cannelloni was divine! The market is terrific, and I much prefer shopping there.

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Loyal Fan!


A Big Game Today
The Packers vs the Vikings
Who'll Blow Who Away?!

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Snow Critter

Camera Critters
Can include This New Neighbor
... Around for Awhile

To see more photos of camera critters, click here.

Friday, December 28, 2012

Good Advice...

Best Advice I've Had All Year!!



“A gourmet who thinks of calories is like a tart who looks at her watch.”
~ James Beard

Thursday, December 27, 2012

So long...


This will soon come down
The last vistage of Christmas
Farewell 'til next year

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

On's Kitchen

 Shrine at On's Kitchen
Colorful Unfamiliar Symbols
To my Western Eyes


Before attending a Candlelight Service on Christmas eve, DH and I decided to eat a light meal at On's Kitchen, our favorite Thai restaurant where we are always treated like royal guests. I found it quite ironic that we were on our way to a religious service yet I knew nothing about the shrine that symbolized On's religion.  Next time I'll ask her for an explanation, but she's always busy in her kitchen!! If you live in the Cities, go there for the best Thai food in the area and tell her that Kate and Jim sent you!!

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Christmas Eve Morning


Last Minute Shopping
Woulett's Old World Bakery
Popular With All! 




This was the scene at 10:00 a.m. on Christmas Eve morning as shoppers waited at this fantastic Grand Avenue bakery to get ready for the Christmas Day festivities, buying cookies, cakes, stollens, buche de noels, fruitcakes, pies, pastries, rolls, and bread. Num!

We're probably enjoying the cookies and Gingerbread Boys as you are reading this. What! Me bake cookies?! Get serious.  Cooking is my game...not baking!!
Bon Appetit, Chef Kate

Enjoy your day!!

Monday, December 24, 2012

Heavenly Sounds



Imagine the Sounds
Coming from This Pipe Organ
For Church Holidays

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Discounts?

I have a feeling
That wreaths will be discounted
After a few days!

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Snow and Lexie

A romp in the snow
Lexie loves it more than I ...
Is that a squirrel??!!



To see more Camera Critters, go here.

Friday, December 21, 2012


How many of you
Can really say you've been here
In Seventh Heaven?

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Oh Tannenbaum!


Believe it or not
Owner Decorates the tree
Every inch himself!


Wednesday, December 19, 2012

The Witch Tree-ABC WEDNESDAY "W"

If You Wish to See
Two Versions of the Witch Tree
Look at These Paintings


I recently introduced you to an exhibit by artist Hazel Belvo, which was held at St. Paul Academy's wonderful Gallery. Hazel has been painting various renditions of the WITCH tree, and these are two that were part of her recent show.
The Witch Tree as it is commonly known, also called Manidoo-giizhikens, or Little Cedar Spirit Tree by the Ojibwa Indian tribe is an ancient Thuja occidentalis growing on the shore of Lake Superior in Cook County,Minnesota. The earliest written records of the tree by Europeans in the Americas are by French explorer Sieur de la Verendrye in 1731, who commented on the tree as a mature tree at that time, making it at least 300 years old today.[1] The tree is held sacred by the Ojibwe, who traditionally leave offerings of tobacco to ensure a safe journey on Lake Superior. Due to its sacred nature and vandalism problems in the past, the tree is considered off limits to visitors unless accompanied by a local Ojibwe band member.
The tree is small for a mature conifer, as it is growing out of bare rock on the shoreline. Its gnarled, stunted, and twisting branches have been the subject of many photographs. (CREDIT: Wikipedia)
Go here if you would like to see more ABC WEDNESDAY posts.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

The Wicked Witch-ABC WEDNESDAY "W"

My Wicked Witch Friend
Persuades Me To Buy
Items I Do Not Need

My very good friend Syb recently persuaded me that I deserved to buy a Cuisinart Food Processor to replace my old worn-out one which I had used for years and loved.  Although I really do not need one now, I was nonetheless convinced that it would be a most wise item to enjoy again in my kitchen.

We laughed about her wicked influence on me and decided to post these photos of her to show what happens to those who exert evil influence on their friends.  About a year and a half ago in the dark, Syb stumbled on  a ragged piece of turf in her backyard, taking a bad tumble, falling on her face and losing consciousness.  Fortunately there were no broken bones nor concussion but she looked pretty beat up for several weeks.  The top photo shows her wounds when she was well on her way to recovery. She wore her glasses the day we visited Birchbark Books and the Cafe next door in Minneapolis.

To see more ABC WEDNESDAY posts, go here.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Frattalone's Ace Hardware Store-Monday Mural

Frattalone's Store
A Very Historic Scene
Not the Same today


To see more Monday Murals, go here.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

If You're a Packer Fan...

No Laughing Matter
A Dark Night in Seattle
The Worst Call Ever!



Saturday, December 15, 2012

Friday, December 14, 2012

Earlier--Later


Last Sunday I took the photo of our neighbor's tree about 9 a.m. when I decided to take a walk in the falling snow.



I took the second  photo of the same tree at approximately 3 p.m. The accumulation of 10 inches of snow was well on its way... what a difference a few hours makes!  I probably should have taken a third picture the next morning, but I didn't care to venture out then.  Perhaps I'll do the same the next time around!!

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Pretty as a Picture

A Mantle of Snow
Is Pretty as a Picture
With Holiday Lights


Wednesday, December 12, 2012

"V" Vibrant Bird and Berries


Snow Storm's Visitor 
A Vibrant Red Cardinal
Eating the Berries

To see more ABC WEDNESDAY posts, go here.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Visual Delight-ABC WEDNESDAY "V"








Sunday Morning Snow
Soft and Silently Falling
A Pleasant Surprise



And, it was a  BIG one.  I loved the silence as I walked out into the falling flakes early in the morning.  It snowed all day, and parts of our metropolitan area got 16-19 inches of snow. I think our neighborhood got about ten inches.  

 Our snowplow service did not arrive until after midnight, but then the city plows came through this morning, and the end of the driveway is again impassable!

To see more ABC Wednesday photos, go here.


Monday, December 10, 2012

Another Decade? Monday Mural


Another Decade? 
Mural from Another Age
Humphrey and Jimi

I saw this rather battle-scarred message on a wall by a parking lot in Dinkytown near the University of Minnesota campus.  Although the mural has seen better days, it harkens back to a different period of time, although the message, "Give Peace a Chance," and "Make Love Not War," are dreams of major importance.  

To see more Monday murals, go here.

Sunday, December 09, 2012


An Holiday Wish
Peace for Peoples of the World
Happy Hanukkah!

Saturday, December 08, 2012

Second Chance Rescue Adoption-Camera Critters


Second Chance Rescue
Maggi, The First Foster Dog
10-years in Our Home

When we had to part painfully from Odin, our first adopted shelter dog, after 12 happy years in our home, we decided that we couldn't "go through" this again.  Losing a beloved pet was too painful so we decided to provide a loving home for orphaned animals until they were adopted.  We went through a foster parent program and after successfully graduating, Maggi was our first foster dog.  She stole our hearts immediately as she bounded (literally!) into our car.  Well, Maggi was adopted immediately by us, and we haven't regretted it for one minute!

For more Camera Critters, go here (of course you won't find one as wonderful as our Maggi!)

To check out Second Chance Rescue, click here, and be sure to visit the "Adoption" link to see some of the cats and dogs available.

Friday, December 07, 2012

Another moon experiment

Wonderful Dawn Light
When it's Great to be Awake
But then it'll be "Good Night Moon!"


Here I showed you my first moon experiment when I discovered it's great fun to try my
 previously-neglected tripod.  I'll have to use it more often now.

Thursday, December 06, 2012

Tribute to Dave Brubeck
RIP
A Giant of Jazz
Jazz Musician Without Peer
BRUBECK...MY HEART WEEPS

Wednesday, December 05, 2012

Unbelievable Talent


 A Pair of Editors

Twin Cities' Book Reviewers
Lucky to have Them!

Laurie Hertzl (on the left) is the book reviewer for the Minneapolis Star Tribune while Mary Ann Grossmann, writing for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, publish several book related articles during the week.  Both are read avidly by bibliophiles in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. I recently took a course on Minnesota writers, and both of these talented women were the speakers at the last meeting. Earlier without realizing who she was, I stumbled upon Laurie's personal blog and was delighted to have finally met her!





To see more ABC Wednesday "U" entries, click here.



Tuesday, December 04, 2012

Uncommon Good Books

Uncommon Good Books
Typewriter in the Window
Garrison's Bookstore
******
Garrison Keillor's bookstore is a popular spot for book purchases and author readings.  I can't tell if the typewriter displayed in the window is or isn't an Underwriter that belonged to him.  Guess I'll have to go to the shop and ask him.

To learn more about the store in its new location, go here.
To find out how to meet Garrison, go here.

To see more ABC WEDNESDAY "U" photographs from bloggers around the world, go here.
********************************
December is birthday month in our household, Happy Birthday, DH 

Monday, December 03, 2012

Minnesota Holiday Wreath

State Fair Red Apples
Could This be Used as a Wreath?
Ready for Christmas!!

Sunday, December 02, 2012

An Experiment


Moon experiment
Can You Clearly See Branches?
A Dark Moonlit Sky!
******************


PS.  Happy 11th Birthday, Olivia!

Saturday, December 01, 2012

On the Street Where I Live, December, 2012 Theme Day


A bedecked lantern
Lights the Way Every Season
Holiday Greeting
Many creative people reside on the "street where I live," including my next door neighbor who decorates her front yard with some delightful seasonal images.  I love this light she often hangs on a tree with candles to illuminate the lantern.  I just might use this for a holiday card!

If you click here, you will see other posts with the theme "On My Street," and if you leave comments, many bloggers will appreciate it!

Friday, November 30, 2012

Carondelet Village


Several weeks ago I toured Carondelet Village while visiting a friend and was impressed with both the apartments and common interior areas as well as one of the outdoor spots.

To learn more about Carondelet Village, go here.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

James J. Hill Mansion

Summit Avenue
The Biggest House on a Hill
A Palatial Home





The James J. Hill House, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, was built by railroad magnate James J. Hill. The house, completed in 1891, is near the eastern end of Summit Avenue near the Cathedral of Saint Paul. The house, for its time, was very large and was the "showcase of St. Paul" until James J. Hill's death in 1916. 
Rear view of the house
It is listed as a U.S. National Historic Landmark, operated by the Minnesota Historical Society. (Credit: Wiki-go here to learn more about this house and its owner.)


Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Two Paintings-ABC WEDNESDAY "T"


Here are Two Paintings
Are they of the same subject?
Ask Hazel to know.



Yesterday I introduced you to Hazel Belvo, artist, writer, mentor, and former colleague. The Gallery at St. Paul Academy-Summit School, where we both used to teach, is currently exhibiting some of Hazel's work, a 4-year retrospective of her paintings.

To see more ABC WEDNESDAY for the letter "T" go here.


Tuesday, November 27, 2012

The Spirit Tree

Painting by Hazel
Artist, Writer, and Teacher
A Former Colleague


The Spirit Tree by Hazel Belvo

This and other paintings by Artist Belvo currently are on exhibit at St. Paul Academy-Summit School where she once was a beloved art teacher and head of the fine arts department for many years.

Watch Hazel at work here on a YouTube video (3.35 minutes).

To see more ABC WEDNESDAY photographs, go here.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Modern Ballet


Modern Dance Troupe
Many Twist and Turns Delight
Audience Enthralled

A few weeks ago a modern ballet company gave several free performances at O'Shaughnessy Auditorium on St. Kate's campus.  What a treat!

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Hasta La Vista, Baby!


¡Si, Viva Cuba!
¡Hasta la Vista, Baby!
¡Cuba is Unique!


Today is my last photo from my Cuba trip. After reading all the comments from my fellow bloggers on "Obligations of Membership"listed on the Facebook CDP page,  it seems obvious that most members believe that photos should generate only from one's chosen city.  I don't agree since my travels are part of who I am with a desire to share cities that I visit, but I will bow to the wishes of the majority. I wrote a detailed explanation on the FB CDP thread, giving my reasons for straying which seemed logical to me.  I can't promise, however,  that I won't stray here and there on occasion in the future, but I'll try to stay within the original guidelines.

I have many other photos of Cuba, a country that I love, but you'll just have to go there yourself to see the city through your very own lens!  I recommend it; you won't be sorry. I want to go again.