Minnesota Monday-Snapshots around the City.

This is a collection pics from my phone from places I've visited the last couple of weeks. I didn't take enough pictures at each place to warrant a full post but they still deserve a mention. Especially since you can just see cool things in the most random of places or end up having a cocktail in a place you never go. Or sitting for an hour in the kids section reading storybooks with your friend.

The city is starting to thaw out. Here is Cedar Lake. On the horizon you can see a bit of downtown Minneapolis.

The city is starting to thaw out. Here is Cedar Lake. On the horizon you can see a bit of downtown Minneapolis.

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These two pictures are from the outside of Dreamhaven Books. A place I love but have not visited in a good long time. It used to be walking distance from my apartment and open everyday. It's a bit further away now in a much cooler space and it keeps unusual hours. It is full of books, comics and collectibles and most notably an extensive selection of Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean work.

Fellow comic addict Emily sits on the Batman bench outside the store.

Fellow comic addict Emily sits on the Batman bench outside the store.

A visit to the Barnes and Noble Calhoun with my friend Lindsey to do "research" on storybooks. Especially our favorite author Mo Willems.

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My favorite pizza at Punch Pizza, the Gigi. I love to have lunch here and wander around the shops a bit.

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I recently had my hair colored and cut at a new place and this was in the lobby of the Lyn-Lake Building where the salon is located. I like seeing things in unexpected places.

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More thawing on the lake. I am getting out and walking more now that it's not freezing. I love being on the look out for the return of birds and animals. I am dying to see some greenery.

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A beautiful light installation at The Living Room in the The W Hotel in downtown Minneapolis. I've had drinks here before and they are so very unique and well put together. It's not easy to find a perfectly crafted cocktail but they do good work here.

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A bit of a dark snap but you get the point of the impressive size of selection at the bar in the Monte Carlo in the Warehouse District of downtown. Definitely not somewhere I would normally go especially since I do not eat meat but I am glad we stopped in. The bartender was very nice and poured a great St. Germain cocktail and sidecar. 

Enjoy your week! I am going to keep an eye out and an ear open for seeing and doing things I don't normally do. It's always a very pleasant way to spend your days and evenings. Cannot wait to have some trees to sit under too!

Minnesota Monday, RAWR Edition!

So, the Science Museum of Minnesota is currently hosting the COOLEST dinosaur exhibit. It is called ULTIMATE DINOSAURS. Sorry about the capital letters but it is VERY EXCITING! There was only one dinosaur that I had ever seen before. They were all new to me which blew my mind. I used to be quite the dinosaur expert. NO more I tell you. The genus has changed completely with so many new and exciting discoveries. The world is such a wonder filled place. You really should see this exhibit if you can. Some of the discoveries are as recent as 1991.

Throwback Thursday, The Tower of London

As I am getting itchy for my next trip(soon!) I thought I would do a Throwback Thursday post from my visit to the Tower of London in March 2007. What a fascinating place. It was such an interesting day. Forgive the picture quality. I only had a point and shoot camera in 2007. :o)

Minnesota Monday, A Second Visit to MN Sea Life

I have posted about Mn Sea Life once before. I went on my second visit there and I decided it deserved another post because it's just so cool. I appreciate places like this because I would not get to see so many of these creatures nor learn about them and at this point in our world I wonder if these are the only places they'll get to live. They are so beautiful.

To Be Surrounded By Art

I had been wanting to check out the Third Thursday event at the Minneapolis Institute of Art and kept having plans on the nights they would happen. I managed to get to one last week and I just love going to the museum. I will probably post hundreds of pictures from museums in my life. Here are some snaps from around the museum as the celebration was for the Matisse exhibit that is in town.

Minnesota Monday, Northern Vineyards Winery

Our first winery trip of the year took place at Northern Vineyard Winery in Stillwater, MN. This one is different because you don't actually go to the winery. They have a store front on the main street of the town. It is a very cute place, the whole town that is-we tried the most wines we've ever tried in one place-11 different tastings. My favorite, Yellow Moccasin we also shared a bottle of with family while we were there. The hostess was very knowledgable and full of energy except she rushed everyone along. We ended up telling her we wanted to slow down because she was going really fast. Fine for most people but not for me. Stillwater is a wonderful little place, stop in for a glass of wine next time you are in town.

Girly Geek Chics

A few more customer photos of pieces I made ! Love getting pictures of them!

What to Eat Wednesday, French Meadow Bakery and Cafe

Truth be told I don't go here very often, I would say once every 3 months. BUT every time I do I am very happy with my visit. French Meadow Bakery and Cafe has been in Minneapolis for some time. It is one of the first places I ever had vegan food here. The food is so good. The quality is really unmistakeable. The breads are hardy, the coffee is top quality and the Vegan Rose Cake is one of my favorites around town(THE FROSTING!) It gets very busy on the weekends so I try to visit during the work week. I love the Classic Vegan Breakfast with hemp toast. I adore vegan breakfast so I'm pretty particular about how I like mine. They do an excellent job. It's an earthy breakfast with thick vegan sausage patties, hashbrowns, toast (with homemade style preserves) and tofu. It is a little more expensive than some of the places I visit but the food is really very good quality.

Minnesota Monday, Fairy Gardens!

Another little report on happenings at one of my favorite places the MN Landscape Arboretum. They currently have fairy gardens on display in the main building. The shop is chock full of adorable things to make your own garden too. Look at all the adorable!

Forgotten Passions

I've spent the last few weeks cleaning out my office from top to bottom. Folders, nooks, crannies, over stacked piles. As I've been doing this I've been finding fun things I forgot about. One of these things is my sketch notebooks full of clothings designs. I haven't done this in a long time and having come across my drawings (from 1997-1998) I am thinking to start designing again. Just for fun. I don't have any plans to do anything with them but I certainly have a lot of ideas nonetheless. Here are some of my first sketches from so long ago.

What to Eat Wednesday, Modern Times Cafe

Sometimes I am late to the party. That is for sure. Such is the case with Modern Times Cafe. I don't know how long it's been around but I sure wish I had been going there for as long as it's been open. It's not a very big place and the first time I went there were only two seats open at the bar to eat. No big deal. I have been twice. Once for breakfast and once for lunch. Both times my food has been out-of-this-world. For those of us with diet restrictions this is a great place because everything is clearly marked. The staff is very friendly and most importantly-Great Iced Soy Mochas. My breakfast of Tofu Scramble with seitan and kale cooked in tamari and garlic was so delicious that it made me want to eat kale all the time. The garlic fries that you can get with your lunch sandwiches are the best fries I have had in a long time. They don't stay open for dinner which is a shame but get there if you can, you will not be disappointed.

Girly Geek Chics

The first time I knew of someone writing about something I made was very exciting. Here is a link to the lovely Hannah's blog musing about the earrings she bought from me. I've recently been collecting photos from friends who have purchased things from me and I love seeing my pieces on them. Have a peek at these beautiful ladies. (Some photos by me, others taken by customers)

Minnesota Monday, My First Time Snowshoeing

I have to admit that I really hope this is the last time I have snow pictures to post on my blog until December. But with Minnesota weather you just never know. I went snowshoeing for the first time a few days ago. Something I've been wanting to try for a while. It's quite the workout but I enjoyed it a great deal and I will be doing it again when there is more snow. Which there will be! At least it's above zero, we must appreciate these things here in the Frozen North. The MN Landscape Arboretum has both groomed trails and ungroomed trails for snowshoers. I did both. They also have trails for cross country skiers. If you need to get outdoors, this is a good place to do it. I love the Arboretum. I can't wait to go back in a couple of months when it will be filled with flowers.

Your Weekly Meow

Things are slowly getting back to normal with the cats around here. Lots of giving of meds, diet monitoring and general grumpiness with the furry ones has been the standard the last month. It really does seem like Feburary is the worst month no matter what, doesn't it? With March here and the temperatures slowly rising maybe, just maybe the air of winter crabbiness will blow out to sea.

What to Eat Wednesday, One Pot Pasta

I don't make a lot of pasta. I tend to cook a lot of curry and Thai food because they are my favorites. I decided I wanted to find a few easy to make pasta dishes and came across this One Pot Pasta recipe on the A Beautiful Mess blog. I like to read this blog but truth be told most of the projects on here are not my taste nor is the decorating my style and most of the food is not vegan. That said I still like to read it. I do pull a few things from it plus I find it inspiring that these two women made their own careers out of being creative. You should take a look at it. 

Now back to the pasta. There was a storm for about the billionth time and I made the pasta for dinner that night when we were stuck inside and waiting for the snow.

It was really easy to make vegan by buying vegan pasta and leaving out the cheese. It's funny because you'll feel very skeptical that this is going to taste anything but mushy. It however, turned out great. And the leftovers I threw in a baking dish with crumbled bread crumbs on top and warmed it in the oven for lunch. Also, delicious. I'm going to try another one of their recipes soon and also make it vegan. Until then, Ciao!

Your Weekly Meow

This is a bit of a smaller post of cats. It's been a long week with cat care and it's not over yet. My poor little cat Charlotte had to have a mass removed from her side and we are currently waiting on the test results to see if it might need further treatment. How crazy attached we get to these little creatures. She is pretty much acting like her old self already. In fact, I'd say she's recovering better than I am. Send positive kitty vibes please!