A purple residence

Many of my neighbors have a green thumb, and I enjoy their gardens each year. One woman a few houses down from me includes other items in her landscape that adds more interest to her yard.

A Lavender Farm

I thought that I might continue the purple theme for a few more posts! I LOVE this lavender farm and cannot wait 'til our annual trip next August to listen to the two week music festival on Washington Island, Door County, Wisconsin so I can hear and see these lavender delights at the same time on this beloved island!

The Island Lavender Company is located in the heart of Washington Island at the Historic Island Dairy, where acres and acres of lavender fields are farmed and hand-made lavender products are produced. The Island Lavender Company carefully harvests each bundle of lavender during the "Blooming Season" from July though mid-August. Each bundle is gently dried in our aged wooden lavender drying barns to protect the vibrant colors and aromatic scent of the fresh cut lavender. After drying, the buds are removed from the stems in our exclusive "Lavender Spooler" and rigorously cleaned in our custom "Lavender Bud Centrifuge". After extensive cleaning, the lavender buds are inspected assuring the highest quality. At the end of the summer growing season each plant is carefully harvested and trimmed by hand for our specially designed "Lavender Steam Vapor Boiler", to separate the aromatic lavender oil through a copper condensation cooling tower that stands almost 8ft. tall, producing our lavender essential oils and lavender infused waters. The Lavender Buds and Lavender Essential Oils are prepared for culinary, personal care and home good products. Even the dried lavender stems are available and wonderful to use in BBQ and wood fires, filling the air with the intrigue of aromatic lavender. Fair Trade Prices and Quality Farm Local Products. 

Linked to Our World Tuesday

Theme Day, May 1, 2019-PURPLE

A photographer at the June Jazz Festival in St. Paul, Minnesota in 2014. Every year she has been present, taking official photos for the annual event that is held downtown in Mears Park.

My archives are filled with photos containing the color purple, mostly beautiful flowers. I debated between this one and a field of heather on a Door County, Wisconsin farm, but this one won because it truly is a Minnesota event. Click here to see other City Daily Photo entries for this month's special theme, the color PURPLE!

Litle Italy in Saint Paul

This Italian market, pizzeria and restaurant is an icon in St. Paul, Minnesota.  A family business begun in the late 1800's , read on to learn its history:
Our Story

n the late 1800’s a young man named Michael Cossetta came to St. Paul from Calabria, Italy, and settled in a little Italian neighborhood in St. Paul called the Upper Levee. By 1911, he opened a tiny food market called Cossetta’s, which drew customers from everywhere who appreciated his quality foods and genuine hospitality.

Since 1984, Cossetta’s has been known for its award-winning pizza, homemade sauces, handmade Italian sausages and welcoming staff. After recently celebrating Cossetta’s 100-year anniversary, the fourth-generation family decided to expand the tradition to include all the Old World sensations and offerings a customer might experience in Italy without actually traveling there.

The New Cossetta Alimentari

Our Pizzeria & Eatery has the same hustle, bustle, aromas and flavors of the past, but with more authentic products and old world charm.

Our new Italian Market now has more quality Italian products to shop for, including hard-to-find imported ingredients and an expanded line of house-made Cossetta-brand sauces and foods to take away or prepare at home.

The Pasticceria will more than satisfy the sweet tooth in everyone with authentic Italian pastries like Panettone and Pandoro, several flavors of gelato, plus other delicacies you might only find in the small pastry shops of Italy.

Linked to signs, signs

Our Neighborhood Icon

How many times have I posted this favorite icon? MANY times! The last time she graced my blog, this lovely Holstein cow was preparing for Easter, but today she looks like she is getting ready to celebrate Mother's Day. A pick-up stopped at the curb as I was taking her picture, and the driver asked if I had grown up on a farm since I seemed to be interested in the cow. (No, I didn't but loved visiting relatives farmsteads as a kid). During our conversation he mentioned that the main body of this animal is a 265 gallon oil tank that had been used as the primary heating source in this neighborhood of small bungalow houses. One of these days, I am going to knock on the door to interview the owners of this animal, whom many kids anticipate and watch for her rotating retire. I should be welcome here!!

Linking to Saturday Critters and Camera Critters

The New J

The JCC on St. Paul Avenue has undergone extensive renovation and remodeling, and the results are spectacular.  I especially like the art exhibits as well as the art work and signs  creatively scattered throughout the renewed building!

Linked to Signs, Signs

Sunset!

As I am sitting here watching "first light," I am reminded of the spectacular sunset last night!

Linked to Our World Tuesday   

A Tranquil Place #2

Yesterday I posted one of the two larger murals I found on a building on Selby Avenue in St. Paul.

Linked to https://sami-colourfulworld.blogspot.com

A Tranquil Place #1

A Tranquil Place" by Dim Media is a collaborative mural created in 2012 as a part of the Irrigate Arts Placemaking program.  Originally intended for installation along the Metro Green Line, "A Tranquil Place" was displayed on the Kellogg Square Building in downtown St. Paul for two years. In early 2014, the building changed ownership, necessitating relocation of the mural. Today the mural finds a new home here at the Transforming Community Building and is a key public art piece on Selby Avenue.

Shriner's Hospital for Children

Shriners Hospital for Children in Minneapolis, which provides free orthopedic treatment, is developing plans to move away from hospital care and focus instead on same-day surgeries and outpatient services, according to a statement issued by its board chairman.

The 95-year-old hospital nearly closed in 2003 as part of a systemwide restructuring, but a local spokeswoman said that the facility is in no danger of closing and will continue to provide same-day services, which represents the bulk of its care.

“We are changing with the times and with orthopedic services in general,” said Erin Jurkovich, director of professional relations at the Minneapolis Shriners’ facility.

In a statement to the Upper Midwest Shriners’ community, Roger Robinson, chairman of the board of governors, said more efforts will be made to reach children throughout the region, including the use of telemedicine and affiliating with other health care organizations.

“We are not closing the Twin Cities hospital,” Robinson said in the statement. “The only change is for the inpatient procedures, in which case we will shift them to other partnering facilities just as we are currently doing in some cases.”

Advances in orthopedic procedures have reduced the need for patients to remain hospitalized for observation and monitoring.

Our Holiday Cow

Even on a chilly, dismally gray day last Thursday when I photographed our neighborhood cow, she assured me that she is getting ready for Easter. For another view of this favorite icon, click here.

Exercise Class

To get ready for the sunshine that is sure to come. . .eventually. . .our great leader established a "sunglass day" for our exercise class. Now we can await the summer sun with confidence!

At Last! Things of the Past!!

I guess we won't need these for awhile.  Hoorah!!

Snow has melted, and the temperature is forecast to climb to the 60's!

The Groomsmen

A Perfect Place to Have Your Dog Groomed!

Linked to A Colourful World

The promise of spring!

At Unity Unitarian church in St. Paul, floral arrangements are often donated by a parishioner to celebrate or recall a family event.  This Sunday the flowers and trees remind us that spring definitely is on its way despite the snow and low temperatures for this time of year.

They are Still in the Woods!

Since our current weather is not cooperating for camera shoots, I am raiding my archives. I took these photos last June, but the harsh light does not mar their beauty. I love that property owners choose to have sculptures made of trees rather than merely destroying them.  These wood sculptures ae in front of a local coffee shop on Randolph Avenue in St. Paul.

Linking to Saturday Critters and Camera Critters.https://viewingnaturewitheileen.blogspot.com

Meet Francesco Cantú

On April 3rd I went to the University of Minnesota campus to hear the featured speaker at the Provost Lectures held at the Hubert Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Earlier I had read Francesco Cantú's well-crafted book about his experiences during his years as a border patrol guard between México and the United States.  Cantú did not disappoint; he was articulate, personable and informative.

If you haven't read his book, I suggest that you do; it is very timely topic, especially because of the current immigration situation in our country.

Spring in Minnesota: April 11, 2019

I don't think any commentary is necessary! 

My Spanish Tutor

Now living in St. Paul, this beautiful woman from Mexico is patiently trying to teach me Spanish.  

I couldn't ask for a better or more patient tutor!

Linking to Sign Signs,  ABC Wednesday

Mural #2

As promised, here is the entire mural, part of which I posted yesterday.  

A Monday Mural

This colorful mural is on a wall outside the Seward Community Coop

Tomorrow I will show you the full mural; or perhaps I will wait 'til next Monday to show it to you!

Can you wait that long?!

Linking to Sami's Colourful World https://sami-colourfulworld.blogspot.com

Native Son

Common Good Books on Snelling Avenue has a wall behind the cash register that is covered with quotes, posters and this painting by Duncan Hannah.  F. Scott Fitzgerald is still a huge presence in Saint Paul!
Aside: I've been to my Mazatlán and back, without any photos to share.  I was having such a good time that I didn't have time to use my photographic skills, such as they are. I have been absent from the CDP scene for a few months, but I hope to be back on a regular basis again. Missed all of you during that period.

¡Adiós Amigos!

!I am leaving on a jet plane! I'll be in México for just one week, but I will be so happy to get there.

While I am away, visit me at my Mazatlán blog.

Therapy Pets at the Library!

Wendy was one of 10 dogs that went to college Thursday night!  St. Thomas University on the St. Paul campus provided space and treats for therapy dogs (plus rabbits and cats in a different area of the library) during mid-term and final exams to give students a little down time during the exam period. Happy faces on humans and canines abound!

Truly a Winter Wonderland

My world today is truly a winter wonderland.  I awakened before daybreak and was rewarded with a white landscape of unbelievable beauty!

International Women's Day, March 8, 2019

Yesterday was so much fun! Polar Explorer Ann Bancroft (standing behind me) was the speaker at the annual Women's Day program at St. Thomas University in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Students, staff, and community (me!) volunteers representing the Luann Dummer Center for Women on campus are gathered above to celebrate the day. Ann's address that featured videos and photos of her explorations was well-received by a full audience. Not only an intrepid explorer, Ann Bancroft is an environmentalist, writer and teacher. "No Horizon is So Far" is the book of Liv Arnesen and Ann's extraordinary journey across Antarctica. Buy the book; it's an inspiring read!!

Monday Mural of the Mississippi

A mural seen in the lobby of St Joseph's Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota with one of the many bridges spanning the Mississippi River.

Without the use of my good camera the overhead light marred the concrete support arch of the bridge,  but the scene captured the interest of the young people. I thought it an unusual mural in a hospital setting.

Linking to Monday Mural, https://sami-colourfulworld.blogspot.com

The Wonders of Winter Wonderland

Earlier this month, I lamented the lack of moisture this winter because of the negative impact it could have on the farm families and agriculture. After the last few days, my worrries are over.  I wonder what tomorrow will bring to the Midwest?

Guest photographer, son Karl took our photo.

Warming up after a romp in the snow! Wild Wendy is the BEST Therapy dog!

Through rain, sleet, or snow!

 "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds" 

See what you are missing, Snowbirds! Jim, our mailman had one day of rest last week, but carried on the rest of the time.  Yesterday was a bit challenging!

A Sojourner in Life

I took this photo several weeks ago before Minnesota winter weather arrived. I love it because both he and I share the need for a walking stick as we traverse the terrain. I find that the staff's length offers greater stability over unsafe or rugged ground.  Which reminds me, I haven't
 been on a good hike for a long time.  Time to get moving if I want to  become a sojourner in life!

Red tailed Hawk; Favorite Photo of Previous Year, 2018

I saw this beauty looking like a statue on a neighbor's fence post.  Investigating by leaping out of my car to photograph the bird, it allowed me to get within 5 feet as it watched while I slowly advanced, snapping photos. I was thrilled to make its acquaintance!