Tis My Favorite Time of Year....

...The Great Minnesota Get Together!  One visit down, at least 2 more to go.  Enjoy Minnesota, enjoy.

Count Down!

Who's getting excited???? 

Coldplay

Excel Energy Center had the roof blown off it last night.  Amazing, amazing show!  Kellogg Blvd.

Go Vintage

Had a blast poking around this shop with my niece and sister! 

But I don't know if I can abide by this advice!

There were TONS of old clothes and accessories.

Selby Avenue just east of Snelling.

Penseys, Ltd.

I sometimes wonder how certain places stay in business.  Like this spice store on Grand Avenue called Penzys Ltc.  But they've been around for years so they must be doing alright.  The space used to be an old grocery store back in the day and there's still the old usable sliding ladder so you can access things on shelves.  It's pretty awesome.

I bought all the fixings for a Panch Phoron, which translates to 5 Seeds or 5 Spices in Hindi.  I used the blend when making red lentils.  It's so good!

Paws on Grand

There was a lot of butt sniffing action today as Grand Avenue businesses threw open it's doors for it's canine clientele. 

Longfellow

The Longfellow Grill.  Serving up some serious deliciousness.  Where Marshall becomes Lake at the Mississippi River.

Can't we all just get along?

The place to exercise your opinion is at the polls people.  Go vote!  Boycotting businesses and defacing public property are just bad form.  Oh, and whining or raging on Facebook and Twitter won't get you anywhere either.  Jefferson Street exit off southbound Ayd Mill Rd.

Standing Together

 The block where I live is very opposed to limiting the freedom to marry whom you choose.  So we are doing something about it!  These signs are popping up all over Saint Paul. 

All Inclusive

Saint Paul has fun activities for ALL its people.  Even its Godless heathens. Fairview and University.

P.S. Don't get your knicks in a twist!  I just thought this billboard was funny.  Lighten up people!

If you can't take the heat......

...get out of the kitchen.  Let someone else sweat it out cooking your dinner.  Woodfire oven at Punch Pizza.  Grand Avenue.

Ding Dong

Think the Avon Lady gets confused at places like this?? 

Summer Rain

 The view of The Cathedral of Saint Paul is somewhat lost in the rain and mist today. 
Bring it Mother Nature. I love a good summer rain!

Schmidt Brewery obscured by rain on a window.

Meow!

If only my lazy cats would do something useful like learning to repair shoes, I might have more respect for them.  Actually, I take that back.  I sort of wish I could be them.  Seems like a pretty sweet life.  Sign in the window at George's Shoe and Skate Repair.  Grand Avenue.

 

Ding!

Found another bike shop in Saint Paul.  This one is on Selby Avenue.

 

I guess a city with as many bikes as we have needs a lot of bike shops.   I'll ring my bell to that.

Changes.....

I just learned that Ramaley's is under new ownership.  It has a new name and consequently, they will be CHANGING this sign.  That makes me a little sad because I adore this sign.  But on the plus side, they will only be changing the front facing to reflect the new name.  The rest of the sign is getting spiffed up with new neon, etc.  Grand Avenue

Segway Situation

Today, while on a bike path, taking a lovely bike ride, minding my own business, a squad of segways sauntered by.  A history tour of sorts.  I've seen them before.  But they still freak me out every time.  Surreal.  Segways.  Mill City Ruins Park.

Just a swingin'.....

Kettle bells at my new gym.  Crossfit Saint Paul.  Cleveland Avenue.

Yes please.

Deep fried macaroni and cheese balls at the Groveland Tap.  Ah. Mah. Gah.  St. Claire Street.

Discarded

 Do you suppose this is the fireworks version of  The Walk of Shame?  Left behind in a parking lot, abandoned, no longer desirable?  She gave them everything she had, they enjoyed the show and then just walked away. 

Random parking lot.  Saint Paul.

Hungry for the law???

Dig in!  A Declaration of Independance CAKE!  Happy 4th everyone.  Grand Avenue Kowalski's

i like you

I fell in LOVE with this old key rack on display as decoration at a store in.....shhh, don't say it too loud....Minneapolis....called "i like you".  They sell items created by local artists.  Pretty cool store.

501 1st Avenue Northeast....shhhhh.....Minneapolis, MN 55413

Mushrooms

Big fat mushrooms growing in the city.  Portland at Griggs.

Painted Advertising

Sometimes, when a building gets torn down, it reveals lovely surprises,

like this painted advertising for.....paint.  Selby Avenue at Dunlap.

An oldie....

...but a goodie.  Church of St. Mary at 94 and West 7th.

Anchor Paper Co.

I simply ADORE this sign.  It's just a staple of the downtown Saint Paul skyline.    I really love this close up shot, but for those of you who are from out of town, here is the complete shot.  Enjoy.

I want to.....

....ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike.  So glad I live in one of the best biking cities in the country!  We duke it out with Portland, OR each year for the #1 spot.  They won it in 2012.  I'm hoping we get it back in 2013.

For Kate...

...because she missed me.  :)  Neighborhood lending library.  Hague Avenue.

Trashed.

When a hundred thousand people show up to your party, sometimes the trash gets a little full.  Grand Ole Day, Grand Avenue.

The 3 Bucketeers

Best thing I saw all day. Grand Ole Day.  Grand Avenue.