In my opinion, this is by far the ugliest building in St. Paul. I call it The Bathtub Building because the outside of it looks like the inside of a hideous, industrial bathroom. I believe it's mostly offices but it also houses an Applebees. Fitting, I think.

Porky's on University

Straight from the Citysearch editorial:

The Scene
The sign, with the tall top-hatted pig, stands as a defiant porcine reminder that the drive-in will never die. This place seems like it should have carhops, but instead, patrons either motor through the drive-thru or stroll inside and order at the counter. On weekends, classic cars and Harleys hang out here.

The Food
The menu is back-to-the-basics 1950s drive-in fare: burgers, fish sandwiches, chicken, fries, rings and shakes. If you want a bit of everything, get the Cruiser's Combo--a single burger, two pieces of chicken, three big onion rings, an order of fries and a cup of fresh-tasting slaw. The chicken is dark-battered, crumbly and peppery, but the Twin burger, Porky's version of the Big Mac (double burger with cheese, lettuce and the slightest slick of dressing) is a favorite. Ask for extra ketchup and mustard with the twin--it's good, but you'll want to juice it up

A summer storm is rolling into St. Paul and the sky looks amazing!!!!

Stogies on Grand

I believe this may have been my first trip inside a real humidor. Pretty impressive even though, like a typical girl, I find cigars stinky and intrusive. But the guys working there were really nice and helped my husband find just the right cigar for him; being that he's not a big cigar smoker.

The Vulcans on Grand Old Day

The Vulcans are at every St. Paul parade.








Here a Vulcan pledge (who will remain incognito until the unveiling during Winter Carnival) paints a V on a parade goers face.

Grand Ole Day

Beautiful day. Enormous crowd. Spectacular people watching.

This festival is 33 years old, and one of the largest festivals in the midwest. There is live music, beer gardens, a variety of booths and a parade.

The Blair Arcade

The very heart of the Selby and Western intersection is The Blair Arcade. It hosts apartments and a variety of businesses including a coffee shop, a restaurant and my favorite salon!

This unique paper and gift shop is on the corner of Selby and Western.

Costello's

One of the last places standing you can still light up after the smoking ban laws went into effect. Notice the big ciggie on the side of the building. Smoke 'em if you got 'em.

Axel's Bonfire Grill on Grand

This giant bull hangs from the ceiling at Axel's. I like it because I don't believe I've ever seen a giant bull wearing hockey gear, but this is Minnesota, so there you go. But every time I go to Axel's they try and seat me under this giant hanging bull. I don't enjoy sitting under things that could potentially fall and crush me. An irational fear, I realize, but a fear nonetheless. And every time they try and seat me there, I ask to be reseated. They must love me.

89.3 The Current

Today was my last day at work. Monday I start a new job. My friend Leesh won 2 tickets to an in-studio performance at The Current and decided to treat me to the performance in honor of the occasion. The artists was a band called Gomez. It was fabulous. The tiny amphitheater was a great setting to listen to the band. My lunch "hour" took 2.5 hours and I loved every second of it.

Moscow On The Hill

Among the melting pot of cultures that make up St. Paul, there is a small population of Russians. This restaurant serves up traditional rich Russian foods in a warm atmosphere. It is located on Cathedral Hill on Selby Avenue.

This former train station is now offices, a hotel and a medical clinic. There's also a really cool model railroad museum with a model train track complete with mountains and tiny villages.

Minneapolis International Airport

This is the lightrail that takes you from Humphrey to Lindberg teminal. I always feel very metropolitan when I'm traveling from the parking ramp to the airport via the lightrail. It reminds me of being in NYC, except it smells much better!

Have Truck Will Travel

This truck must be new to the neighborhood because I've spotted it at least 5 times in the last month. I've always wanted to get a picture of it and today I got my chance. It was pulling out of a parking lot when I struck. I just love the paint job!

Gold Medal Flour

Minneapolis used to be the largest producer of flour. There are still several active mills where flour is made. This is one.

Welcome, Beirut

Thanks to Paris Daily Photo for welcoming Beirut, Lebanon! I went to check them out and who is linked to their site? None other than Picture St. Paul. To me, that is amazing. Someone in Beirut is looking at my pictures. Crazy, man. Crazy.

Pots

Spring has sprung and folks are on the prowl for new pots to house their plants.

The Weisman Art Museum

Behold! The Weisman Art Museum!

Okay, okay. Technically this museum is in Minneapolis. (Forgive me Voix?) But I mean, come on! That gorgeous shot deserves to be posted. Here's a description from the museum website.

Housed in a striking stainless steel and brick building designed by architect Frank Gehry, the Weisman Art Museum offers an educational and friendly museum experience. The museum's collection features early 20th century American artists such as Georgia O'Keeffe and Marsden Hartley, as well as a diverse selection of contemporary art. A teaching museum for the University of Minnesota and the community, the Weisman provides a fresh, engaging arts experience through an array of programs and a changing schedule of exhibitions.

Concrete Cherubs

Another gorgeous spring day!

We've been amazingly blessed with fabulous weather the past few days and today, we took advantage and went for a nice, long ride on the moto. Here's a view of Minneapolis taken from one of the many parks along the Mississippi River.

Gerten's

Everyone has a happy place. This is my friend H's happy place. We went there together today and strolled around for an hour. I took a zillion pictures. H coveted a zillion plants. It was fabulous!

It's Spring When A Young Man's Attention Turns To......

Prom? I saw this sign on Larpenteur and thought it was so cute!

Minnesota Rollergirls

If you haven't been to a bout yet, I highly recommend it! Fast roller action, girl on girl fights, PBR in cans! What's not to love?

Lock and Dam #1

Because of the Ford Plant, the Mississippi River is dammed to provide power. The lock and dams are built to provide passage for barges and pleasure boats. It makes for a lovely outing on a warm spring day.

What a sap!

My next door neighbor Rose has two big maples in her yard. Every spring another of my neighbors, John, taps her maples for the sap. Sometimes, I get jars of homemade syrup. Yum!

Robert Street Red Cross

Charles Schultz, the creator of the cartoon Peanuts, was from St. Paul. For several years in a row, Peanuts characters were purchased and adopted by a variety of groups and businesses. The statues were decorated and then put on display around the city. The practice was eventually discontinued, but you can still find statutes dotting the city. This Lucy nurse stands sentry outside the St. Paul Robert Street Red Cross Clinic.

Two sure signs of spring

Tulips pushing their way up and...........

street sweepers on parade!

Back to the Library!

I couldn't help it. It is just so gorgeous there I had to post another picture.

Applause!

The sister store of Cheapo Discs is Applause! Located directly across Snelling Avenue from Cheapo, Applause carries classical, bossa nova, jazz, blues and a variety of international artists. The sales people are knowledgable and friendly. Shawn picked up Herb Alberts Whipped Cream & Other Delights; Re-wipped and we are enjoying it thoroughly.