I Guess She (Mother Nature) Told Me

I have lived in the North for almost my whole life. I've lived in the Adirondacks, the Catskills and the Allegheny mountains. I remember the Super Storm of 1993. I've lived in Minnesota for 10 years. So I'm not sure what I was thinking the other day when I let myself enjoy the crisp robin egg blue sky and the 40 degree temps. I let myself utter that sweet far off 'S' word: Spring. I thought no matter what, winter had to be almost over.

The next day...



Yeah. Mother Nature told me. I couldn't see two feet in front of me. I can usually see part of the skyline from here. It normally takes me under 15 minutes to get here and back home. Yesterday, it took an hour. We had a windchill today of -10.

On the other hand, if March comes in like a lion, it'll go out like a lamb. I'm hoping:).

A Wistful Christmas

As we ran to do a week's worth of stuff in one day before we left for the holiday, we realized we had a problem: snow. I had to do a few errands, including shipping a number of orders. I could barely see. And if it's bad in a metro, you know it's going to be horrific in lower MN and IA. So we stayed home and in for two days.

My husband and I spent some quality time together watching a bunch of DVR'd shows and the kids got to play with birthday and Christmas presents. While in the middle of all this, I caught myself staring out the window at this beautiful sight. I like to think that my poor artificial tree is slightly jealous of real evergreens. And I like being able to see real evergreens even though we can't have them in the house.

It's my kind of quiet Christmas.

Silver Bells, Silver Bells...It's Christmas Time in the City.

Big fat flakes fell last night and I couldn't resist drawing out my late night run for Coke (for sick bellies:() and getting some photos. These were both taken around Rice Park in St Paul. I finally feel festive...

A Jaunt in St Paul

I needed a break today, so took off up 7th St, tried to find Broadway Ave without a map (I did it! - For a rummage sale!) and finished up hitting some locally owned shops: a fabric store, a used book store and a nifty little lingerie/glove/girly place. I got a fantastic vintage copy of F Scott Fitzgerald's 'Tender is the Night'.

Just a few photos here...


This is on Broadway, right next to where they hold the downtown St Paul's Farmer's Market. Which I have never been to. I do go to the one on the Midway though. I also have no idea what this is or what it's supposed to be, but I like it.


One of the most recognizable St Paul landmarks: Mickey's Diner! I've never been to this diner. I don't really care much for eating in diners. But I like *looking* at diners!


Beautiful, brilliant autumn tree? Check. Huge, fat snowflakes? Check. Guy wearing flip flops in 35 degree weather? Check! You must be in the Midwest!