The Holidays – Looking Back

A lot goes on around our place when the holidays arrive. Certainly more than I can depart upon you right now. However here are a few highlights just prior to the ‘big day’ itself. (Christmas of course)

There is the shopping!

Shopping for us just a few days before Christmas is not really meant as ‘shopping’, we never really get anything done then. It is more for fun and enjoying the holiday decorations…’inside’ because it is usually frickin’ cold outside. :)

Looking back it seems that trying on silly hats takes precedence over actually buying something….though that too sometimes happens.

There are other things we do as well and getting there is half the fun.

For instance going to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts to spend the afternoon looking at the period rooms and roaming the halls.

Parking in the ramp for the MIA is also an ‘artful’ experience as the supports for the ramp are colorfully painted in preparation for the lovely art within!

The Children’s Theater is attached to the MIA and we were pleasantly surprised to find there were still some very good rush seat available for the yearly performance of  ‘Cinderella’.  Of course couldn’t take photos of the performance but got a quick one of the stage while we were waiting. This is a riotous play full of wonderful wit and humor. It plays well on child and adult level. Funny stuff!

Of course then the Mall Of America is a place we go to see the lovely decorations and to just walk around and go into the amusement park area.

Last, but definitely not the least is the music. While we are out we often enjoy being serenaded by the finest musicians the Twin Cities have to offer. :)

Looking back, we all have a pretty good time and enjoy a lot of things during the holidays even though so much of it flies by before we even get to savor any of the ‘good times’.

I hope you all have lots of good memories too and will make more great memories of the year 2010 as it gets into full swing.

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An Amazing Morning

I was excited to see the big guy land and hang around as long as he did. He is a Pileated Woodpecker and though we see them in the area from time to time, usually their stay is too fleeting to catch with my camera.

This morning the camera was at hand and he stuck around long enough for me to get a few shots through the window.

He was not interested in drilling holes in this tree but wanted to drink from a fountain in our yard. The fountain runs all year, though it does freeze in the winter there is always a trickle running no matter the temperature for the winter birds to drink from.

Another very nice happening this morning was seeing the old (though not all that old) and the new coming together.

Yes, they are becoming friends quite quickly. It was good to see Fidget and Lemme sleeping together. It was the first time and at first I thought they were in a rowel again, but then noticed no one was moving and they’d fallen asleep together.

The camera woke Lemme up and he changed positions, but didn’t venture off from his new buddy, Fidget.

Right now, as I am writing, Lemme has spread himself across my arms and Fidget is fast approaching, probably looking for his new brother.

The bliss of harmony at last. It is that time of year isn’t it? Peace on Earth and goodwill to all.

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The Day After

The day after Thanksgiving we generally find ourselves downtown Minneapolis to see the Christmas presentation in the Macy’s (used to be Dayton’s) 8th floor auditorium. Each year it usually changes, however this year, for some reason, was much the same as last year’s. It did not matter for it was the road to Santa’s lap and we had a 2.5 year old with us who had some very important business to conduct with the Jolly Old Elf.

Here are a few shots of some of the scenes you see as you walk through a maze of assorted delights.

Smiling faces and small ones filled with awe are found everywhere.

Whimsy and wonder are the tone as we are looking at a day in the life of Santa’s Elves preparing for the big day.

Then finally it is time for some serious matters with the *Big Guy*. Man to man, Santa does understand what is needed…wanted.

Then the photo op and the deal is sealed!

This calls for some ‘big’ celebration! Look at the size of those cookies!

Green frosted nourishment is important while seeing the latest Santa has to offer.

Then on to the Crystal Court in the IDS tower to enjoy the sights.

Yes, these are photos of the same child! The sugar rush has set in and we see the switch from angelic to COOKIE MONSTER! ;)

BUT this is what we were looking up at, Spiderman maybe?It is just a man working on the top windows of the Crystal Court.

Minneapolis has many skyways to keep folks traversing the city warm in the harsh winter temps,and to just get around easier. The next two shots were taken while crossing through one of those skyways.

Someone was pretty tired. It was only Noon…and we had miles to go.

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Camden

Fall colors at Camden State Park, Minnesota

Greyhounds Renner and Scooter enjoying a lovely Fall hike.

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The Patient Greyhound and Friend

A young cardinal has found a very patient friend who allows him a resting place by the little pond in our backyard. In the background you can see that fallen leaves are now the major landscape surrounding our home. Yesterday most of them were raked up (for the third time as oaks are a bit slow in losing their leaves) however, leaves are left in the wild areas of our property.

Ever faithful this greyhound provides a resting place to any and all creatures who are in need regardless of even the harshest weather conditions.

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A Day In The Life….

Ahhh beautiful sunrise…the beginning of a new day – so much promise.

Then there is the actual day – yep….look at Fidget’s orange friend, that pretty well describes the day.

Or even this….

And then by the evening it is kind of like this….

That is pretty much a day in the life….

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Sights In Uptown and Maple Grove

Seen and photographed while I was out running errands.

It’s ‘That’s My World Tuesday.’

Even Kids for sale! :)