A Visit to Vizcaya

I recently went to Miami and Miami Beach for a summer vacation. It was a really good time. I enjoyed myself quite a bit. There are so many beautiful places to visit in the area.

One of my favorite things I got to do was to visit the beautiful and awe inspiring Vizcaya. This gorgeous, historical house is something out of a fairy tale. Each individual room as eye catching and detailed as the last. I could not take pictures of the rooms, disappointingly. BUT I took pictures of the perfect and dream like gardens of this astonishing place. It was a trip to another world right here in our world. I also loved the recently remodeled gift shop and cafe. They had little gourmet treats and everything you could imagine with a beautiful mermaid on it.

Bits of Summer Geekery

Some pictures from my annual Geek convention. This was my 13th year in attendance. You should come next year. CONvergence It's a wonderful time.

Bonsai Trees

I took so many pictures at the Chicago Botanic Garden I left out a group of ones I want to share. They are some of the many, many Bonsai trees that were on display there. These little trees amaze me and I really would like to have one someday. They require a lot of care and when I have more free time, I'm going to get one.

Chicago Botanic Garden

I've mentioned before that I've been to Chicago about a dozen or so times. Each time I go besides visiting some old favorites, I try somewhere new. This time my new place was the Chicago Botanic Garden. And the way to describe it? WOW! I spent an entire day here and didn't see all of it. It was absolutely gorgeous, filled with one breathtaking sight and scent after another. Girly side note: the gift shop was DELIGHTFUL, I loved it and bought the cutest gifts for friends and myself a purple rose wristlet.

One of my favorite places.

My third visit to one of my favorite places and art museums. Many of the world's most famous pieces reside in the Windy City. If you have a day free when in Chicago and you love art, you should make it a priority to spend the day at The Art Institute of Chicago.

Chicagoland

Since moving to the Midwest some 13 years ago now, I find that I seem to visit Chicago about once a year. It's a place I really adore. There's plenty to see, do, smell and of course, eat. Here's some pictures from my trip this summer. I stayed at the Sheraton on the riverwalk overlooking the lake. I did have a wonderful view and the room was very nice.

A bit of Europe in Minneapolis

My dear friend just got married a couple of weeks ago and I just had to share with you the beautiful chapel the ceremony was held in. It's the chapel of the historical Lakewood Cemetery here in Minneapolis where people such as Paul Wellstone and Hubert Humphrey are resting peacefully. It is absolutely gorgeous. You can read more about the chapel here. 

There's no place like Madison

I've been to the captial city of Wisconsin, Madison, a couple of times now and I just adore it. It's not a very big city- only a few hundred thousand people but, it is lovely and full of the friendliest people I've ever encountered anywhere with the exception of New Orleans. There is always beautiful scenery and wonderful food. It's what we call a "college town" so, there's lots of colorful places to shop and plenty of veg-friendly food, if that's what you like.

History in Minnesota

I am going through many photos from the last couple of months that I want to share. Summer has been flying by and I didn't even notice because I've been doing so many neat things. I'm going to get through all these pics by the end of next week! I'll start with the Minnesota History Center visit I made in the middle of June to see the first official printing of the Constitution. As well as many other exhibits. It's a grand building and I am looking forward to visiting other historical Minnesota sites.

This great place is located in St. Paul, MN. our state's capital. I recommend a stop in during the day as it's not so crowded and gives you time to watch all the little videos. I will be going again! Have a great day in your state!

Treats from the Donut Cooperative!

One of the things I love to do is find new places in the Twin Cities(usually just new to me not actually new). I am a big fan of exploring my surroundings as much as possible. As much as I love to travel and try to do it as much as possible, I can't just sit at home all the time. I have to be out wandering and seeing and doing. That said, one of my new favorite little treat spots is The Donut Cooperative. It is a tiny little shop filled with yummy baked goodies and fabulous coffee. They frequently have many vegan treats as I try to keep my diet mostly vegan. They use as many locally sourced ingredients as they can and if that isn't cool enough: I understand they got their start through a kickstarter project. I think that's just super cool.

They have vegan treats everyday. Since they are a very small kitchen they do not have gluten-free items. They bake each day and it smells wonderful in there. Also, they have funny pictures in the bathroom. See above. Have a lovely day!

The Night Circus and The Hunger Games, lots of red.

I have been making many more book inspired pieces and listing them in my shop! I love etsy. It opened up a whole new side of the world to me. It's so wonderful.

Please visit my shop here: GirlyGeekChic

Minnehaha Park, one of the most beautiful places in Minneapolis

A couple of months ago the river was tumultus and churning as flooding from the north poured down through the cities. It's sounds awful and sometimes it can be for people. But, it is also very beautiful and breathtaking in it's own way. One of the ways to see this I learned back at the end of May is to go to a park here called, Minnehaha Park and see the falls there. And then to hike the mile or so long trail down to the Mississippi River. There are bridges along the creek and when I reached the final one, I found it mostly under water. This was pretty amazing to me. I made my way out to it and stood in the water that was covering the bridge and felt the river swaying the bridge. It was an unexpected and maginificent experience to feel how powerful the water is.....It's really cool to me to find these things in my city and travels. Here are some photos from the day. More Soon!

Have a picnic, ride a bike trail or hike to the river: Minnehaha Park

Happy Birthday J.K. Rowling!

I got to go to Harry Potter's Wizarding World on Halloween last year (2011). It is AMAZING! As a total book geek, an entire amusement park made out of a young adult novel is very cool!

If you get the chance to go to Universal Studios Islands of Adventure-Go Go Go! It's so fun!

Pink Legos, Edward Gorey and Pegasus

Lots of new pretties going into my shop!

PIRATES!

I've been a fan of pirate lore for as long as I can remember. So, I was pretty excited to read about the National Geographic tour of the exhibit Pirates coming to St. Paul at the the Minnesota Science Museum. One of the reasons I have been a fan of Pirate lore and history for so long is that pirate ships were one of the only places that different races and women were allowed to live as equals. Everyone got a vote and everyone worked. This is an unprecedanted collection of artifacts and on display is the ONLY pirate treasure EVER found. 

Can you imagine?? Finding real pirate treasure! 

This is a great exhibit and if you have the chance to see it, you should head right over and have a look.

I also recommend talking to the staff. They have hired people to work the exhibit who dress in character, speak in character and have LOTS of knowledge about everything you can think to ask. 

Roaming the Midwest

I have been running around like nuts. I have so many pictures to edit and projects to finish and all I want to do is be outside. Just got back from Chicago! I think it was trip #13 there!

I have lots to share very soon. I'm off to the Minnesota History Center this afternoon as they have the first official printing of the Constitution.  MNHC -have a look! 

Comic Books!!

Something I have done a few times is work at the Midwest Comic Book Association Spring Con(and Fall Con). I did this a few weeks ago and wow, did May fly by for me! It's already the end of the first week of June! Yikes! 

The convention is not huge but I love it and there's some cool things to see! Have a look!

A Very Green Post

One of the very best things about Minnesota is how green it gets here in the spring and summer. There are parks everywhere and people really love to garden. I suspect because the ground is frozen for so long you don't take it for granted when you can see something green and alive. I hosted a picnic for a friend recently at a park that I have been exploring by the name of Theodore Wirth Park. It was hit pretty hard by the toronado that touched down here last year but is recovering nicely. There is a lake, beach, flower garden, biking trails, hiking trails, golf and lots of picnic space. I haven't covered the whole park yet but here is some of what I explored on my last visit.