Grandiose Gate

There are many lovely homes on Summit Avenue in St. Paul, but not many have a fence and gate such as this.  To the right there is another identical gate that opens to the driveway and garage. A bit ostentatious for a urban area?

Linking to Good Fences

Culinary Queen-ABC WEDNESDAY "C"

I began buying Laurie's culinary products  at the downtown St. Paul Farmer's Market many years ago.  Despite being busy at her herbs and spices fine food Grand Avenue store, The Golden Fig, she manages to be at her vendor booth on Saturdays.  I posted photos of her visit from President Obama on my June 27th post.  If you missed it, take a peek here to see what Obama took back to the White House from Laurie's store.

Linking to ABC WEDNESDAY

Rooster-ABC WEDNESDAY 'C'

Cock-a-Doodle-Do!!

A plate I fancied at the Art Fair at St. Kate's

Linking to ABC Wednesday

Summertime!

Summertime, and the livin' is easy!!

Hush!  Listen carefully, and you can hear Ella Fitzgerald singing .  .  .
To see and hear a video of Sachmo and Ella go here!

"Summertime"

Summertime, and the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high
Oh, your daddy's rich and your ma is good-lookin'
So hush little baby, Don't you cry

One of these mornings you're gonna rise up singing
And you'll spread your wings and you'll take to the sky
But 'til that morning, there ain't nothin' can harm you
With Daddy and Mammy standin' by

Summertime, and the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high
Oh, your daddy's rich and your ma is good-lookin'
So hush little baby, Don't you cry

One of these mornings you're gonna rise up singing
And you'll spread your wings and you'll take to the sky
But 'til that morning, there ain't nothin can harm you
With Daddy and Mammy standin' by

Birdhouse for Birdman

Whenever I see a birdhouse I think of our fellow blogger, Birdman.  I think he needs a new profile photo and believe that this object would certainly be appropriate, don't you?

Creative Playthings-Camera Critters

The entrance to Creative Playthings on Grand Avenue in St. Paul is whimsical and certainly a purffect way to invite the kiddies into the store.  

Linking to Camera Critters

Harley

Slightly different bike

Than ones seen yesterday

Yellow is mellow

Utilitarian Fence

Many good fences

Are used in different ways

Stand strong and useful

Linked to Good Fences

Beautiful Birch-ABC Wednesday "B"

Nature changes over the years. There are places along the North Shore where there are patches of dying birches being replaced by brush and grass. The landscape has changed by logging, fires, disease, and development of homesteads, lodges, townhouses and roads. Because of these changes that have occurred over the centuries, the North Shore Forest Collaborative, which includes local landowners, public land managers, and nonprofit conservation groups, is trying to plan and plant the forest of the future.  (Credit: Minnesota Conservation Volunteer: New Vision for the North Shore)

The birch above is a healthy tree on a relative's property located midway between Lutsen and Grand Marais.

Linking to ABC Wednesday

Bonsai Trees-ABC WEDNESDAY "B"

Today I am beginning my career as a volunteer interpreter in the Ordway Gardens at Como Park in St. Paul.  This area includes the Japanese Garden and the Pavilion and Terrace for the collection of Bonsai Trees.




I am thrilled to be a part of this  Como Park volunteer program because Como, which is one of the few FREE parks and zoos in our country, is a gem in our city.
The Bonsai collection is fantastic.

I'll occasionally give you a few lessons: In Japanese, bonsai literally means "tree planting" or "tree in a pot." Generally an overall Bonsai shape should be a triangle with unequal sides with a rounded top.

The English Ivy is a formal upright with a straight truck from the base to the top but the other two are informal uprights with trunks that have gentle curves.

Linking to ABC WEDNESDAY

Kokopelli

Kokopelli is a fertility deity, usually depicted as a humpbacked flute player (often with feathers or antenna-like protrusions on his head), who has been venerated by some Native American cultures in the Southwestern United States. Like most fertility deities, Kokopelli presides over both childbirth and agriculture. He is also a trickster god and represents the spirit of music. (Credit: Wiki)

Great Paintings

At last week's Art Fair on  St. Kate's campus Evan Abrahamson from Waconia, Minnesota had a display of vividly colored and large bold  paintings.  Check out his website: www.paintingsbyevan.com

Splitrock Lighthouse

Shipwrecks from a mighty 1905 November gale prompted this rugged landmark's construction.  Completed by the U.S. Lighthouse Service in 1910, Splitrock Light Station soon became one of Minnesota's best known landmarks.  Restored to its 1920's appearance, the light station offers a glimpse  of lighthouse life in this remote and spectacular setting.

(Credit:  Minnesota Historical Society)

Skywatch-St Paul

Linking to Skywatch Friday

Shoreline: water, rocks, and lichen

Rocks along the shore

Water, blossoms, and lichen

Peace and harmony

 Information:  The sign of the Wordless Wednesday's post yesterday is placed at the entrance to the Japanese Tea Garden in Ordway Gardens at Como Park.  Translated it means "Plum Beautiful Garden."

Wordless Wednesday-Signs, Signs

Linking to Wordless Wednesday and Signs, Signs

Fiber Art-ABC WEDNESDAY "A"

Last Saturday I attended the outdoor annual St. Kate's Art Fair.  Hundreds of artists displayed their paintings, jewelry, pottery, photography, metal work, stained glass, wood, leather, and fiber products. I am always drawn to textiles and these handsome rugs caught my eye because of the beautiful craftwork and colors. If you are in the area, you can visit the weaver, Colleen Tabaika in St. Paul, tabaikadesigns@gmail.com
Linking to ABC Wednesday

Cohabitate

Lichen on Lake Superior rocky shoreline

Lake Superior Shoreline

The weather along Lake Superior is often unpredictable.  It can change from sunshine to overcast skies and fog seemingly within minutes.

Gate to Tea House

This is the gate that leads to the Tea House in the Japanese Garden in Como Park in St. Paul

The gates are a memorial to Dr. Mitsugi Iwanaga who was very active in the Rotary Student Exchange program.

Musicians and Dancers

A few more photos to indicate the enthusiasm small communities demonstrate when there is something to celebrate!

Bamboo Fence-Good Fences

This is a bamboo fence located at the Tea House in the Japanese Garden in Como Park in St Paul.

Linking to Good Fences

Border Signs

Wordless Wednesday

Linking to Signs, Signs; Wordless Wednesday

Independence Day-Tofte, Minnesota

Small boys watching the minnow races in Tofte, Minnesota

The 4th of July in small town-USA

Independence Day

Happy 4th of July

Going to the North Shore for a few days.  See you next week.

Don't worry; I'll be back!

Strong current

A strong, sturdy fence
Onlookers safe from the creek
Wild downstream current
Linking to Good Fences

Condos Downtown

Looks ideal to me
No mowing or shoveling
I could live here!












I have been watching the World Cup non-stop, which explains why my comments on other blogs have been so infrequent.  The USA team lost to Belgium, and although I feel badly, it was a great game and Tim Howard was awesome.

Celebrating Summer: Theme Day, July 1, 2014

Summer's Best by Far

Celebrate Farmers Market

The Best Time of Year

Click here to see more photos for theme day.