Monday, February 28, 2011

Her husband is amazing!

I wonder what she means by that.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Icy (cream) weather

Grand Ole Creamery has closed for renovations. Even when we are in the grip of winter, the place always seems to be busy so I bet there are more than a few waiting impatiently for them to reopen.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Kids' delight

It's been a while since I've been to the Mall of America. The Lego store was closed for renovations then, but they've reopened and it makes me want to be a kid again.

Friday, February 25, 2011

The brew that grew...

Can anyone finish that phrase? Kate will be able to, you can count on it. This is on St. Paul's West Side which is geographically located to the south of downtown but on the west side of the Mississippi. It is so typically old St. Paul. The corner store in a turn of the century brick building with apartments above. There are dozens like it all over the city but this one is in especially good condition.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Eagle Parkway stoplight

OK, you Twin Citians out there. Where is Eagle Parkway? Now that this guy has changed the bulb on the traffic light you don't have to worry about getting stuck at this intersection.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Silhouette

There used to be a whole fence near my house made of these sculpted columns. Seen from the right angle the fence looked a row of assorted neighborhood characters keeping a watchful eye on passers-by.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

When will it end?

My snowblower gets clogged up in the snow drifts. I think February needs to be even shorter than it is.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Caffeine for coping

I guess the musings about spring from a few days ago were a little premature. Snow bookends our winter from its first wet arrival in November to Presidents' Day. Too bad the kids get today off anyhow because it would be another snow day.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Foggy Mississippi

On a recent strangely warm winter day, the river was free of ice and shrouded in fog.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Ramsey House

Yesterday's view of the Alexander Ramsey House was pretty limited. I was more interested in the melting snow on the lacy wrought-iron fence surrounding the property. Here's a more complete view - dirty snow not withstanding.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Melting!

I caught this drip in midstream, one of many along the wrought-iron fence in front of the Alexander Ramsey House.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Muddy puddle

It may just be a muddy puddle to many of you out there, but to us Twin Citians it is the first glorious sign that the end of winter is in sight. Compare this to what I posted in December from the same spot.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Railroad Island

A little corner of historic St. Paul that I didn't know existed - across the railroad tracks from downtown. This brick house, now overlooking the 21st century city, was built in 1856 and you have to turn off Payne Avenue to find it. Not something most people would do.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

The 46 Baguette

I don't usually post a photo from the same location two days running, but this basket of baguettes at Patisserie 46 must be calling. Too bad it's so far from my house.

Monday, February 14, 2011

I ❤ chocolate

I went to Patisserie 46 in south Minneapolis recently for coffee and a very authentic croissant, but also admired these pastries in their display case. Happy Valentine's Day to all lovers.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Light up your day

The Blair Arcade on Selby and Western is lit by a series of delicately decorated chandeliers. If not original turn of the century fixtures, they sure do a good job of pretending.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Advice on Selby Avenue

This speaks for itself - I guess. Not sure what the ballplayer has to do with anything, but he's ready to make things better...

Friday, February 11, 2011

Skiing the dog

Much more fun than walking - for dog and dog owner. Might even convince me to get a dog... Naw!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Chicken or the egg

Another chicken-themed art exhibit. This one at Minnesota Book Arts just finished, but am I obsessed with chickens?

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Sunbird

Did they know what they were getting into when they came north for the snow?

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Breaking news

Back at the Open Book the news banner proclaims far more interesting flashes than those coursing through Times Square.

Monday, February 7, 2011

River Road North

Up above St Anthony Falls and the first lock and dam, the Mississippi is frozen, but the changing color on the Guthrie Theatre sign attests to activity along the winter face of the river.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

You are being watched

Remember the book artists exhibit at the Bloomington Arts Center? Well, it's still on and if you don't show up for the book signing on Feb. 8, there will be trouble to pay - cluck, cluck!

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Keeping toes warm

I guess if you're going to be tramping around the ice sculptures and doing other Winter Carnival things it pays to dress warmly. Love that Hudson's Bay blanket coat.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Nature REALLY morte

We all gotta go sometime, but this was just a little disconcerting to discover a squirrel in rigor mortis while cross-country skiing on Highland golf course.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Around the world with a book

I was at a function at the Open Book Literary Center in downtown Minneapolis recently and loved this bookish globe. Can you see how each section is actually a book with the "North Pole" pages starting to get dog-eared? Must be from the melting ice cap.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

F. Scott at the carnival

He watches over the ice sculptors in Rice Park and the revelers disembarking from the MetroTransit buses. For another blogger's take on the Winter Carnival, see Kate's Visual St. Paul.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Theme day: Fountains

Of course, this photo, taken in Irvine Park just west of downtown St. Paul, was not taken recently. But we can't wait until this ornate fountain with the spouting gargoyles is flowing again now, can we?

Click here for thumbnails of other theme day photos.