Brother and Sister, 7-weeks old.

Big Sister, 2 and 1/2 years-old with Dad

At the request for more information from another blogger:  These are the grandchildren and son-in-law of neighbors; cute as they are, they are not part of my clan!

The theme for September for City Daily Photo bloggers is "Pink."  To participate, link your post on September 1 to the CDP theme day page.

The Mounted Police

The Mounted Police and their horses came to our neighborhood block party, too.  They and the Canine Squad are masters of public relations!

The theme for September for City Daily Photo bloggers is "Pink."  To participate, link your post on September 1 to the CDP theme day page.

Linking to Camera Critters 

FOOD, FOOD, FOOD

 Neighborhood Block Parties should happen more than once a year!

The theme for September for City Daily Photo bloggers is "Pink."  To participate, link your post on September 1 to the CDP theme day page.

Getting ready

Getting Ready for the Neighborhood Block Party

The theme for September for City Daily Photo bloggers is "Pink."  To participate, link your post on September 1 to the CDP theme day page.

Favorite Statue

Probably my favorite statue in the Sunken Garden in the Margery McNeely Conservatory in Como Park. This is the third time she has appeared on my blog, in different seasons with different flowers. Go here and here for different perspectives of this lovely female.

Linking to ABC WEDNESDAY


The theme for September for City Daily Photo bloggers is "Pink."  To participate, link your post on September 1 to the CDP theme day page.

Ferns

I think I'm jumping the gun because I usually go to the Margery McNeely Conservatory during the winter when I am tired of ice and snow.  It's hard to resist anytime of the year, tho.

Linking to ABC Wednesday

Added later: While researching the internet to answer Lowell's question, I looked at a Como Conservatory images site and found one of my photos, used without permission (but with a small attribution) of a Hmong child in tribal dress who was visiting the conservatory with her family. Not very nice, is it?!

Lily Pads

If only summer would remain in the Twin Cities all year round~

Bonsai-Korean Hornbeam

Bonsai is a Japanese art form using miniature trees grown in containers.  The Japanese tradition dates back over a thousand years, and has its own aesthetics and terminology. The purposes of bonsai are primarily contemplation (for the viewer) and the pleasant exercise of effort and ingenuity (for the grower).

Meet Chico, St Police Police Dog

 Chico, a 7-year-old German Sheperd originally from Bulgaria,  has been in the St. Paul Police Force for six years and came to our annual Neighborhood block party, much to the delight of children and adults alike.  Chico played tug-o-war with the kids, but despite his strength, he was very, very gentle.  Very obedient; he obeyed  commands immediately.  Most of the police dogs in our city come from breeders in eastern Europe, the Czech Republic especially. Officer David Pavlak has trained Chico very well and had a delightful way with the children.  He answered their questions. instructed them how to approach strange dogs (first asking their parents for permission), and playfully involved them in approaching Chico. Having a dog that large and powerful around so many children would have made me a bit nervous but the officer had complete control. I felt a little apprehensive as Chico stared and then barked loudly at my camera, thinking it was just another toy (according to Pavlak).

Linking to Camera Critters

Bench in Sunken Garden

The Sunken Garden changes its appearance with the changing seasons.  It is a real visual treat, and can be visited year round in the Margery McNeely Conservatory in Como Park in St. Paul

Japanese Garden Como Park

The Charlotte Partridge Ordway Japanese Garden is a living symbol of the peace and friendship that exists between Saint Paul and its sister city Nagasaki, Japan. A renowned landscape designer in Nagasaki, Masami Matsuda, created the garden according to time honored Japanese design principles using plants and trees that are hardy in Minnesota. Infused with true Japanese design, the garden is meant to delight your senses. The Japanese Garden is open May through September. 

The garden’s design was a gift from the people of Nagasaki to the people of St. Paul, and it was designed as a peaceful retreat. Mr. Matsuda, however, gives credit to nature for the garden’s creation. Funds were donated by the family of Mrs. John G. Ordway. It was opened to the public in 1979, and completely renovated in 1990-1991 under Mr. Matsuda’s direct supervision.

End of WWII

On August 14th, 1945,  it was announced that Japan had agreed to surrender.  I recently visited the Japanese Garden at Como Park in St. Paul and was impressed by its serenity and beauty and found it difficult to believe that so much blood was shed and so much sorrow endured because of this terrible conflict.  Above is one of the lanterns in the garden, and I prefer to think of this image rather than any of the others of the war.  It is a peaceful oasis, and I am so happy that our nations are now friends.

Linking to  ABC WEDNESDAY.

Excellent Bakery

Probably the bakery with the best croissants in St. Paul, located on the corner of University Avenue and Grotto. Eastward from Lexington Parkway especially, University should be renamed Asian Avenue because of the plethora of Oriental businesses, including restaurants, manicure parlors, and grocery stores.  Check it out for yourself but be sure to stop at Trung Nam, and hurry because they close at 1 pm every day.  Go early because their stock is rapidly depleted each day.  Best croissants in the world!!

Linking to ABC WEDNESDAY

ADDED LATER: Because of some viewers' comments, a little clarification is in order. St. Paul has one of the largest communities of Hmong and Vietnamese people in the United States.  This bakery is owned by Vietnamese immigrants that must have been influenced by the presence of the French in their country before the Americans arrived.  Remember that conflict, right?!!

A Volunteer

Meet Karin who has been a volunteer at Como Park since 2009. A woman of many talents, she has been interested in visual arts since childhood. After a satisfying career in graphic arts, she decided to refine her pottery skills and now gives clay lessons to children, seniors, and various other groups. She spoke so lovingly about the Japanese Garden where I had gone on a photo shoot and with her encouragement, I just filled out a volunteer application. Perhaps we'll be able to volunteer together, if I am accepted into the fold!

A Florist Shop

The Garden of Eva, a florist shop on the corner of Snelling and Marshall Avenues always has the best looking hanging baskets.

Camera Critters

Who has more fun on these animals. . . 

big kids or little kids?

Linking to Camera Critters

A winning smile

Young and old enjoy the St. Paul  Farmers Market.  This sweet young woman with a winning smile cheerfully posed for me.

Urban Design

A parking ramp on the outskirts of downtown St. Paul

Delicious

Delicious and Delectable

Linking to ABC WEDNESDAY

Demolition on Schedule

Demolition of the Fuller Building is on schedule for the building of the Lowertown Ballpark



The Lowertown Ballpark will be the official home of the St. Paul Saints and will also host youth and amateur baseball teams from across the region.  The ballpark will be about more than just baseball – the facility will host more than 100 non-baseball events annually.  The approximately 7,000-seat ballpark will be owned by the City of Saint Paul and operated by the St. Paul Saints.

Linking to ABC WEDNESDAY

Dedicated to Randy

I guess I'm trying to make myself feel better!  Randy posted lamp posts and hanging baskets for his August theme day photo.  Yes, we do have similar objects, with ONE major difference, this scene does not have the wonderful ambiance of the Santa Fe Plaza. Can't measure up to your landscape, Randy!!

Come see me at my Santa Fe blog, too.

I'm Back!

Although I love my city, I am so very sad to have left Santa Fe and the friends I have there. For another week, I'll still be posting on my santa fe-kate blog. I invite you to visit both blogs during this time.

My first breakfast after I returned.  Looks good, but there was no "zip" to it. . .very bland.  It'll take me awhile for my taste buds to stop craving green or red chile!

COME SEE ME IN SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO

I am now in Santa Fe and LOVING IT.  No more photos from me until August.  Please come visit me at my SANTA FE BLOG!

St Paul Farmers Market

Now that I'm safely esconced in Santa Fe, I won't be posting here until I return on August 1st. The Farmers Market in SF is also marvelous and a visual treat! Soon I will show photos on my Santa Fe blog that I will take there.

Keep in touch with me by going to my Santa Fe blog.

Art Images

 Images on car

Artwork drew my attention

Boy's Mom teaches art

Although I won't drive and enjoy this   remarkable automobile, I'm on my way to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and will be visiting this magical  city for the rest of the month.

Come to my Santa Fe blog to see what I will be photographing there.

The 4th of July!

Happy Birthday America!
Adoption of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

Happy Birthday, Maggi 2001-Born July 4, 2001!
Adoption by Mura/Neher Family 

Tomorrow I will be flying to Santa Fe, NM for the rest of the month.  Come visit me there to see what pictures I am taking of one of my favorite cities. 

Mickey's Diner

A different kind of landmark than that I had posted yesterday.  Mickey's Diner is a legend in downtown St. Paul.  Oh, I could tell you stories I have been told by people who have grown up in St. Paul.  Since I was not here then, I can't check the veracity of the tales, but they certainly are interesting.

Mickey’s Diner was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 and was one of the first diners to be a registered historic place. The designation helped preserve the diner during urban re-development within the city of St. Paul.

Mickey’s Dining car has been operating 24 hours a day 365 days a year for nearly 70 years. Spanning three generations the diner has remained family owned and operated. (Credit: http://www.mickeysdiningcar.com/history.html  To see some vintage photos of the interior of the diner, go here.  Please come see my Santa Fe blog today, too!