Ella Cerulean, Throwback Thursday

My throwback Thursday is my book launch party from this past July. My book Ella Cerulean was published this year and I am working on my second one! Some snapshots from the party.

Millner Heritage Winery

I have now been to 11 different Minnesota wineries. A couple of them I've visited more than once. I'm not an expert but I do have a little experience. Well, back at the start of November before all the holiday insanity hit me I went to the one that I believe has been the best so far. The name of the place is Millner Heritage. The tour I was taken on was over an hour long and I learned more about wine than I had in all my previous visits. Everyone working was knowledgable about the product which has not always been the case at other places. We were greeted immediately when we walked in the door and offered a glass of mulled wine which I had never had before (I did enjoy it a great deal). I tasted 15 different wines and liked a great many of them. The whites were quite standout and I bought six different bottles that I served throughout the holidays. I really cannot say enough about what fun this place was and how everyone there seemed to be having a good time. I am really looking forward to going back when it is warm and I can walk around the grounds.

Snap Shots

Bits and Pieces of my shop's holiday!

GirlyGeekChic 2nd Annual Open House

I did not get accepted to a craft show that I applied to be in this year and was pretty discouraged. But with some help of one very supportive helper elf, I hosted a 2nd Open House this past weekend and I am so glad I did. It went even better than last year and I feel so happy and grateful for the support of my little shop, GirlyGeekChic. Here are some photos from my 3 day event. Have a great week!

What to Eat Wednesday but on Thursday, The Vegetarian

A few years ago there was an Indian restaurant in Columbia Heights, MN. that I just loved. A few months after my "discovery" of it, it caught fire and burned down. I was very disappointed. Fast foward a few years and earlier this year I find myself out in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin visiting a winery only to spot a place by the same name, The Vegetarian. However it is closed. Boo. I don't get to see the VEGAN FOOD sign too often so I always want to investigate when I do.

Earlier this fall in October, I took some friends out to the same winery for a visit as it is a neat place, Chauteau St. Croix Winery and found the same little place open for dinner this time. We did not hesitate to stop in and was so happy to find that it was the same place that had caught fire! How terrible for them but now so great ! The food is as amazing as I remember. Dark, scented teas, fragrant dahl but the real stand-out dish is the Paper Masala Dosa. Not a dish you find easily in the Midwest. This one melts in your mouth. They also make the food spicy. Midwest spice can often lack and you usually have to ask for the melt-your-face-off flavour that I like. Your best bet is Indian and Thai food for hot, hot, hot. The only catch for me is this place is pretty far from home. It is however, near many wineries and as I continue to explore them I will also have to eat. Let's not pretend that wine does not make you hungry. It most certainly does and as such you can be glad to eat warm, comforting Indian food in tiny towns in Wisconsin.

Franconia Sculpture Park

I've been on a mission to see the odd, wonderful things in Minnesota and the surrounding states. I've found and visited some places I had no idea were here and oh-so-cool. One such place is the Franconia Sculpture Park. In mid-October I went here as the sun set to explore. I was only there for an hour but next time I want to go longer as I didn't get to see everything. What I did see was so neat. Minnesota is full of creative people and this is one more great example of their work. Oh and I took lots of pictures.

Minnesota Monday, Wild Mountain Winery

In continuing to tour the Minnesota Wineries, a trek was made out to Wild Mountain Winery. It was a bit of a drive but the land around it is quite beautiful. The same day I spent part of the day in the town of Taylors Falls, Minnesota. Taking a boat ride and shopping in a great beads and gems store. The stop at the winery lasted a couple of hours most of the time spent exploring the grounds. We did a tasting as well and there was a wine on the menu that tasted just like lettuce. No kidding. It was quite odd. I do so enjoy a great deal of the Minnesota whites and here was no exception. The one thing I'd say as with some of the other ones I've been to, they really rush your tasting and that gets a bit tiresome. We usually end up asking for them to slow down so we can savour and enjoy what we have. Regardless of this, visiting the Minnesota winieries is turning into one of my favorite things to do.

Flashback Friday, NASA Vehicle Assembly Building

One of the best things I've ever had the privilege of doing is getting to tour the NASA Vehicle Assembly Building. It's no longer open to the public as it closed to prepare for work on getting to Mars. When I was there (About 3 years ago) it had not been open since the 70's and we were apart of the second group to get to go in. I was besides myself with glee. What's more is the Endeavor shuttle was inside waiting to be prepared for her final stop at the Smithsonian. I got to stand about 10 yards from a real space shuttle. Yes. Geek Girl Ultimate.

What to Eat Wednesday but on Thursday, The Chicago Diner

This is one of my favorite places to eat when I get to Chicago. I just love it, love it, love it. The food is so yummy. There was only one location of The Chicago Diner the last time I was there two years ago but now there is a second one. We drove straight to the new Logan Square location as soon as we got into town. It's a fancier location so it would make for a decent dress up dinner. The food was still so perfect. I love the diner building in the Halsted neighborhood but, boy does it get crowded. Of course, seeing so many people willing to eat veggie makes me pretty happy. I cannot recommend the breakfast food enough and if you're feeling decandent- definitely get a shake. The Vegan Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Shake was to die for...and I had a vegan poutine which I've never had before...wow! Certainly this wonderful eatery is only safe for me as vacation food. As I would probably eat far too many of these things otherwise. Best keep the 400+ miles between me and this magical place.

Lake Michigan

It is gloomy here this election day. So I was looking at pictures from my visit to Lake Michigan in Chicago about 6 weeks ago. It was a nice, warm fall day. I really love visiting the Great Lakes. I've been to Chicago many times at this point in my life. It's a place I like a whole lot. I have old favorite places to visit but I also always find something new each time I go. You can never be disappointed by Lake Michigan and this particular day was no exception. Have a great day!

Drinks in the Sky

Had a little visit to the Hancock Tower about 6 weeks ago. I had never been there. I enjoyed watching sunset from the deck a great deal. I highly recommend stopping by one of the great observation decks in Chicago. I have been to the Sears Tower a few times as well, though it's not called that anymore. I'm old school.

Taylors Falls

Some pictures from my day trip to a great town called Taylors Falls. I took a paddleboat ride on the river and walked around the main street. It's such a pretty area and a lot of people were out and about(these pictures were taken in the middle of August). There is a good deal of geological history in this part of Minnesota. Without earthquakes nor major erosion some of the rock formations in the midwest are millions of years old. You'd never know how much history is around here as Minnesota is a very polite and unassuming place. Mostly.

Pretties for the Holidays

I am adding more than 50 pieces of jewelry to my shop over the next few weeks. I have been making things like mad. Gifts for the holidays, pieces for an open house, things for ETSY. I would love it if you stopped by!

Wisconsin, Minnesota's Naughty Cousin

I've been to Madison, Wisconsin a few times. Most recently before going to see the Dita Von Teese show in Chicago. It's a fun town, full of good food, friendly people and great shops. I always enjoy stopping in. The food is ridiculous. A favorite breakfast place is Monty's Blue Plate Diner. The owner always stops by and he told us a very naughty joke this particular morning.

TC VegFest Celebrate Compassion 2014

I went to TC Vegfest last year and had a great time, this year was even better. I knew more what to expect and got there early- 
though it was super crazy busy this year. From vegan donuts to vegan gyros, I ate the best food, got lots of freebies and even bought the cutest pair of earrings.  I already can't wait to go again. I am so glad it was so busy. I appreciate so much people improving their relationships with food and animals.