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

So long...

This will soon come down

The last vistage of Christmas

Farewell 'til next year

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!!

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!!

Heavenly Sounds

Imagine the Sounds

Coming from This Pipe Organ

For Church Holidays

Discounts?

I have a feeling

That wreaths will be discounted

After a few days!

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.

How many of you

Can really say you've been here

In Seventh Heaven?

Oh Tannenbaum!

Believe it or not

Owner Decorates the tree

Every inch himself!

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.

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.

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.

If You're a Packer Fan...

No Laughing Matter

A Dark Night in Seattle

The Worst Call Ever!

Tribute to Newtown, Connecticut

And Jesus Wept

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!!

Pretty as a Picture

A Mantle of Snow

Is Pretty as a Picture

With Holiday Lights

"V" Vibrant Bird and Berries

Snow Storm's Visitor 

A Vibrant Red Cardinal

Eating the Berries

To see more ABC WEDNESDAY posts, go here.

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.

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.

An Holiday Wish

Peace for Peoples of the World

Happy Hanukkah!

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.

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.

Tribute to Dave Brubeck

RIP

A Giant of Jazz

Jazz Musician Without Peer

BRUBECK...MY HEART WEEPS

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.

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.
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December is birthday month in our household, Happy Birthday, DH 

Minnesota Holiday Wreath

State Fair Red Apples

Could This be Used as a Wreath?

Ready for Christmas!!

An Experiment

Moon experiment

Can You Clearly See Branches?

A Dark Moonlit Sky!
******************

PS.  Happy 11th Birthday, Olivia!

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!

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.

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.)

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.

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.

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!

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.

Our Feathered Friends

Some birds in a cage
Pretty at rest or in flight
Content and happy

Some people might not like to see birds in a cage rather than flying free, but these birds were in an incredibly clean and attractive enclosure.  Since we have birds in our house, a parrot and a cockatiel, I do not find this offensive. I saw them while visiting a friend at Carondelet Village in Highland, a recently constructed and beautiful community for retired people that already has a loooong waiting list.  

To see more Camera Critters, go here.

Mimes in Old Havana

Need to Make Money
Entertainment on the Street
Supplements Income

Thanksgiving Day Meals on Wheels

Teacher Leaves Her Mark

They Can Still Work Together

Love Staying in Touch

Incredible as it may seem, Jim, my DH, still sees his second grade teacher.  Over the years, many of the boys who were taught by this remarkable woman occasionally take her out to lunch. During this Thanksgiving season, Jim and I volunteered with "Rosie" on one of her many pet projects, Thanksgiving Day Meals on Wheels. For several weeks beforehand we and others met at the founder's home, which is equipped with many phone banks to take orders from families.

A brief history of Thanksgiving Day Meals on Wheels in the Metro area:  The many volunteers prepare meals consisting of turkey, dressing, potatoes, vegetable, cranberries, rolls, and pumpkin or apple pie for families in need and delivers those meals to their homes on Thanksgiving Day. The founders, Bill Foussard and Barb Aslesen, work together with 2,000 volunteers who prepare and deliver the meals on Thanksgiving Day. The organization has grown from preparing 24 meals for 3 families on Thanksgiving Day in 1970 in St. Paul, to preparing 16,000 meals delivered to over 3,000 families last year. This year 19,000 meals will be delivered on Thanksgiving Day morning in the Metro area. It's a huge task but merchants and volunteers make this day successful. A big thank you to Bill and Barb who began this tradition so many years ago! 

And, thank you "Rosie" for staying in my husband's life!