CONVERGENCE!

For 14 years now I've been attending CONvergence. A sci-fi/fantasy convention here in the Twin Cities. It's sort of amazing to look back over the years and reflect upon all the things I've done and seen there. I've hosted huge room parties (I'll have to post about that later), I've seen shows, met writers including Neil Gaiman, Emma Bull and Will Shetterly, gone to panels with fascinating people, danced till the wee hours of the morning. CON is bigger than it's ever been. I'd go as far to say it's outgrown the hotel it's currently in. Which is both wonderful as the acceptance of geekery has really grown and somewhat bittersweet as I am fond of the hotel it's in: DoubleTree, as it holds many happy memories for me. I want to see CON continue to grow. The Geek Scene, as it were, here in the Twin Cities deserves more note then it currently recieves. The cities are filled with writers, artisits, film makers, scientists, gamers, cosplayers, etc...of every imaginable and unimaginable world.

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It's always over the Fourth of July weekend. Of course, that meant a British Invasion theme sooner or later. 

And since, Dr. Who has never been more popular it seems like it was good to happen this year.

Underwater Adventure

Perhaps the last place you'd think to find sharks and sting rays is probably a mall. And if you did think they might be there you might think they were stuck in some awful, small place. Now, it's true they don't have the whole ocean to be in anymore but, many of these animals are rescues and they are brought to their new home at the Mall of America in Minnesota of all the places in the world! I was taken here for a friend's birthday and was pleasantly surprised by how well-kept and extensive this place is- it was really a cool experience. It sits at the very bottom of the Mall of America. The place, MN Sea Life, offers great deals for exploring too. If you find yourself at the mall which, honestly, when you live here doesn't happen often, you should stop in. Leave yourself about 90 minutes to get through and explore. It was nice to be reminded that even though the mall might seem sort of silly sometimes it still offers some unique places to visit.

Woodland Hill Winery

I've decided to explore all the wineries in Minnesota. I've been to two now. So I'm just at the start as there are over 40 in the state. The one I just went to Woodland Hill Winery out in Delano, Minnesota was a really nice and relaxing experience. We spent a couple of hours out there just tasting and drinking wine as well as wandering around the grounds. It is very well put together and has been open for almost 10 years. They host private events too. They had two dogs running around whom I adored. Syrah spent sometime with me after we made friends. 

I have found that I always like the strawberry wines. I'm sure that's not "sophisticated" but well, what are you going to do?

Fairy Tales and Science

I thought I would share with you a few new pieces available in my shop. Please stop by!

Wisconsin Adventure

Something I've learned about myself recently is that I enjoy being in the outdoors quite a bit more than I thought even just 4 years ago. I really like hiking. I like being able to stop and look around where I am and of course, take lots of pictures. I love rocks, trees and flowers. I love the animals and water. A few weeks ago I went into Northern Wisconsin to stay at the Four Seasons Island Resort. A very pretty place that opened in the 20's that has been remodeled. I just loved the Gatsby feel of it. It's on a little island with a one lane bridge in the midst of beautifully forested land. In the few days we were there we hiked to 9 different waterfalls in the area. We saw a black bear, birds, fish, deer(including a fawn), frogs, butterflies and a snake. It was a pretty amazing experience. I learned a lot about the area that is known as the Marinette County Forest. One of my favorite things I learned was that the rocks in the area are some of the oldest in the world because there's been nothing to erode them away. I had no idea! I'd like to also say that the drinks at the bars in the resort are GREAT and the staff was VERY friendly. We had a whirlpool tub in our room and after an eight hour hike, it was wonderful to sit in. NOW for A TON OF PICTURES!

THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS!

They Might be Giants might very well be the ultimate in GEEKY music. I adore them. I went to their show here in Minneapolis a few weeks ago. I've seen them before it's always lots of fun and of course, singing along. Pushing Daisies is one of my favorite shows ever and who could forget this: Birdhouse in Your Soul. Here are some little snaps from the show!

Artsy Mini-Golf!

Something I've wanted to go do during the summer the last few years was to go play the Artist Designed Mini-Golf at the Walker Sculpture Garden. I've always missed it. This year I finally was able to go and I had a lot of fun. Some of the holes are super hard and make you laugh as you try to make it under par. It's also apparently in it's 25th year. I had no idea! I love that summer seems to bring out so much creativity in Minnesota. It must be that we finally see the sun a bit!

The Wonderful & Tremendous NORTHERN SPARK!

This is the 3rd year of Northern Spark and I had not been able to make it to the first two years, much to my disappointment. But I went this year and oh my, I loved it. I didn't make it till sunrise but I'm going to try again next year. All the projects and people and food and positive energy!  Snacking on the railroad tracks, listening to the river, launching glow in the dark water balloons....eeeeeeppppp! It was so much fun! I didn't get nearly enough pictures!

A Misty Visit to the Falls

Something I am trying to make a tradition is going to Minnehaha Falls here in Minneapolis each spring. It is such a beautiful place and the walk/hike to the river is enchanting. Last year the bridge where the creek and river meet was under water. You can see those pictures here: Minnehaha Falls. The next thing I need to do is go for a visit in winter. I've seen some amazing pictures of the falls being frozen.

Take in the beauty of the waterfall. Walk the path, see a tiny fairy forest, make tiny friends and even see a gnome mushroom house on your way to the mighty Mississippi River. Go Visit!

Art in Bloom 2013 Part II

A second round of photos from the Minneapolis Institute of Art, See Here. The Art in Bloom event is wonderful. The whole musuem is really. Check out their website and follow their instagram for daily inspiration.

Art in Bloom 2013 Part I

A few weeks ago I went to my fourth Art in Bloom at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It's such a beautiful place and well-put together. It gets bigger and bigger each year. 

Art in Bloom is an event in which local florists come and create arrangements inspired by the pieces in the museum. There are always a lot that I adore so, I'll post photos twice from this event. ENJOY!

Passage to India Flower Show

The last four years or so, I've gone to the Macy's flower show that happens in the Spring time. It usually means spring has begun. Well, even though it was beautiful and temperate in the show it was snowing outside! It was a nice, little escape.

The Orchid Garden

Orchids are some of my favorite flowers.

I took these photos at the Orchid Garden in Hawaii on the Big Island. It was so lovely and everyone was so happy. It's finally warm here today which, I imagine is lifting everyone's spirits. Have a great day!

Ice Castles

We had another winter storm here yesterday. This is just nuts to me. May is in 8 days! Since the White Witch won't move somewhere else, I decided to share these pictures I took back in Feb. There was an installation here called, The Ice Castles. I thought it was pretty neat. Especially the day I went and the sky was so grey you couldn't tell where the ground met the clouds.

Loving the 90's. Garbage!

I went to see a long time favorite band of mine a couple of weeks ago at the venue Mill City Nights.  The venue is dreadful but Garbage was AWESOME. Shirley Manson has aged perfectly.

Pretty Drinks

As the temperature is slowly inching up(it might be in the 50's next week!) I am looking for hosting ideas. I love to have potlucks, intimate dinners, cookouts and cocktail hours. Birthday parties are also a very big deal around here. I've been trying to recreate some of the lovely drinks I had in Hawaii. A Lava Flow, Blue Hawaiian, Orchid Lemon Drop.

And if I could recreate the sunsets.....

Combating the Gloom (complete with waterfall)

A Better Phrase for Bucket List?

So, I'm looking for a better phrase than "Bucket List." Something doesn't work for me about that one. However, I am very in favor of the sentiment and would like to share something I got off my list in Hawaii and that was to go Whale Watching. It was so breathtaking and when I saw the baby Humpback whale it made me cry it was so wonderful. I truly hope everyone can do this and I hope I can do it again in another part of the world. Have a GREAT DAY!