Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Hello December
Just like that the end of the year is here! Amazing how fast time goes. Sure is nice to see the sun upon us if with the bitter windy coldness. I just came in from a wonderful 3 mile walk around the Arbrrrretum...Not to much acivity outside there yet! The 3 mile loop is now closed to drivers and not one other soul passed me on the walk, peaceful it was. Something about getting bundled up in snow pants and only baring my face gives me flashbacks of being little and playing in the snow. Even at the bus stop just now picking up my girls their friend said, "you are wearing snowpants." lol If I had a choice between hot and cold I would have to say hot. I feel like every organ in my body just tenses up with stress when it is cold out. Well girls just opened their Candy Calendar that they have been anticipating for weeks now, pure joy watching them open the door to a little piece of chocolate today had a train on it! Too Cute. Then just like that they were all bundled up after a snack and off to the neighbors down the road for a play date. Better get to picking up, enjoying my classical music and the sun setting over the farm!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Saturday Started Off On The Right Note
A morning of relaxing, cleaning and packing my daughters sleepover bags gave Derek a chance to find just the right thing to do for date nite. I was sooo looking forward to it. We dropped Emily off in the early afternoon in Waconia. she was gonna be going to Safari Island which is a very nice community pool and boy was she looking forward to it! After the three of us braved Target in Waconia and was fortunate to not come into all the shoppers...it was unbelievably slow. We picked out just the right birthday present for Breanna's friend and headed home for we only had an hour remaining til Date Night. Breanna was lucky to be the only friend going to Mall of America's Nickelodeon Universe for thrilling rides. Well with Derek scoring tickets to Santaland Diaries for date night we would be going to Hennepin Stages Theater in Minneapolis. We were ready for laughs. The afternoon turned into a day just full of spontaniety until showtime. I had gotten tickets to the Foshay Towers at the library the day before and had with good heart intended to stick to the plan of going. With never having the experience of Minneapolis Skyway I was in for a treat. All I kept thinking to myself when we first got downtown was "I am not gonna be walking around in this bitter cold for hours." Well I didn't have to! From the moment we parked in a heated garage we used the designed for any weather Skyway System. I was loving Winter! We walked and walked through all of Downtown Minneapolis like Hamsters and enjoyed the easy access to everything. The Bells were ringing downtown with people nesting their spots for the Holidazzle Parade 2 hours ahead of time to capturing all the Sparkling lights that graced every corner. Not even an hour into our date night I was in heaven. After going through Macys, Target and Saks Fifth Avenue we came upon the cutest little Santa Shop in the IDS building, which happens to be Minnesota's Largest, and I was quickly taken in by the joy of the season. I was ready to go see the Foshay Towers which meant leaving our warm skyway, only for a block and a half, and immediately my ears were freezing. Oh Jaywalking I was glad there were no police around but I ran for cover in the Foshay Building. Once in I immediately loved and sensed such a warming aura. There is something about a doorman that just spells New York to me. Taking it in and realizing we are now standing in a popular and sentimental landmark of Minnesota which was built in 1929. The only building in the world modeled after the Washington Monument built by Wilbur B. Foshay. It had been restored into the W hotel in 2008 and it sure looked enticing to get a room. But we ventured on up the short elevators to the 30th floor to the museum and the observation deck "outdoors" for a panoramic view of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Well Derek took in the whole 360 degree view I kept it to 180 I had that little visitor upon me FEAR. hahaha! Something about windows I like you can see through. What was Wilbur thinking then! ;)) He should have had me in mind. Turns out I am not the only one who can't brave the height without hugging the wall or almost dropping down to your knees, I am glad to announce others experience that visitor too! Anyways the view from my side was a Breathe of fresh air and you can really sense the pioneer behind such a innovation. He built a View to Kill. The museum "indoors" has a wealth of information and visuals/audios that we listened to. Greatly impressed and definitely bringing the girls next time.
We then decided to check out the 27th floors Prohibiton bar which used to be Mr. Foshays apartment and I immediately fell in love. The ambiance was like no other with knooks and crannies of just feeling like you just stepped into the 1920's. Oh I wished I had dressed the part. Next time for sure! I love costumes!! We had enjoyed one cocktail and just took in the elaborate view. As we were leaving and back in the lobby wouldn't you know there was a door to the Skyway...we didn't afterall have to step outside to get there. Hello Skyway I'm using you again. Simply a master design I have to read up on the engineers behind it! By now once nearing Nicollet Mall Dr. many more people had found their nesting spot for the Holidazzle Parade to soon light up and dazzle downtown. With the timing of our play we didn't have enough time to enjoy it but for sure we will be going and now I at least kind of know where I want to stake my real estate in the Skyway. :0)
Just like that we
We then decided to check out the 27th floors Prohibiton bar which used to be Mr. Foshays apartment and I immediately fell in love. The ambiance was like no other with knooks and crannies of just feeling like you just stepped into the 1920's. Oh I wished I had dressed the part. Next time for sure! I love costumes!! We had enjoyed one cocktail and just took in the elaborate view. As we were leaving and back in the lobby wouldn't you know there was a door to the Skyway...we didn't afterall have to step outside to get there. Hello Skyway I'm using you again. Simply a master design I have to read up on the engineers behind it! By now once nearing Nicollet Mall Dr. many more people had found their nesting spot for the Holidazzle Parade to soon light up and dazzle downtown. With the timing of our play we didn't have enough time to enjoy it but for sure we will be going and now I at least kind of know where I want to stake my real estate in the Skyway. :0)
Just like that we
My Black Friday aka Pajama Friday
Ahhhh, can't complain...No Turkey Coma for me...I made sure not to stuff myself so I could blast into Black Friday. No better way to do it than avoiding eager shoppers, lines to no end and going to work in my Pajama's for 3 hours! Bonus is my daughters get to spend the morning with mom at Lifetime Fitness....Couldn't get them to partake in Pajama Day but I know they had fun anyways because when it was time to go...I got the "it only felt like we were there only 1 hour" Go figure, I sure felt the 3 hours lol! So came home had lunch and pulled all the blinds to watch a Christmas Story.
My Favorite Part....The Japanese Guys Singing "Falalalalala, Falalala" Love it!
So with the movie over and really not enticed to go shopping...we head to the Chanhassen Library for a couple of hours! My girls just love going there. The children section is wonderful and amazingly we basically had the whole section to ourselves...hahahaha Shoppers missed out on the peace! Just kidding! But the three of us buried our noses in art, crafts and joke books and laughed with joy at some of those funny jokes. Like: What should you give your dog when he does a good job? A Bone-us and we love Tongue Twisters like: How many times can you say this in ten seconds? A well-read redhead. I just love laughing...such good medicine and it comes without a bill and a dr's prescription! :0)
In the meantime while enjoying my quiet time I managed to get tickets at the library to The Foshay Towers & The Minnesota History Center to go see their Chocolate Display, and the nice thing is you have a week to use them! I also while surfing the net found that Excelsior's http://www.excelsiorchristkindlsmarkt.com/ was going to have a Childrens Candlelit Parade that evening at 5:30. Got home and had a play date come over so we could go do it and got voted out...so turned into a playdate watching movies one that we had gotten from the Library, American Girl Dolls Charissa. Derek had started on a wonderful feast for dinner and my friend Maul Lee came over which turned out to be a fun Girls Night In with ringing in the end to Black Friday!
My Favorite Part....The Japanese Guys Singing "Falalalalala, Falalala" Love it!
So with the movie over and really not enticed to go shopping...we head to the Chanhassen Library for a couple of hours! My girls just love going there. The children section is wonderful and amazingly we basically had the whole section to ourselves...hahahaha Shoppers missed out on the peace! Just kidding! But the three of us buried our noses in art, crafts and joke books and laughed with joy at some of those funny jokes. Like: What should you give your dog when he does a good job? A Bone-us and we love Tongue Twisters like: How many times can you say this in ten seconds? A well-read redhead. I just love laughing...such good medicine and it comes without a bill and a dr's prescription! :0)
In the meantime while enjoying my quiet time I managed to get tickets at the library to The Foshay Towers & The Minnesota History Center to go see their Chocolate Display, and the nice thing is you have a week to use them! I also while surfing the net found that Excelsior's http://www.excelsiorchristkindlsmarkt.com/ was going to have a Childrens Candlelit Parade that evening at 5:30. Got home and had a play date come over so we could go do it and got voted out...so turned into a playdate watching movies one that we had gotten from the Library, American Girl Dolls Charissa. Derek had started on a wonderful feast for dinner and my friend Maul Lee came over which turned out to be a fun Girls Night In with ringing in the end to Black Friday!
Thankful For a Wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday
Last Wednesday in the early afternoon a Wintery Mix of Snow and Ice came down on us around the Metro area leaving myself and many wiery of what havoc would come to travels for Thanksgiving Day. With a little blessing from Mother Nature the weather subsided and road conditions turned out wonderfully.
Wednesday night though with the Mix upon us it blanketed Minnesota into a Pretty Wonderland. I just love fresh snow. It turns the trees into glistening beauties, the fields into sparkling diamonds and warms the spirit! I ventured out that evening to Victoria's Fresh Seasons for the necessities Dr. Pepper, TP & Klondike Bars....What would you do for a Klondike Bar....Not let a snow storm stop me! :0) Then I picked up Maul Lee and came back home to create my little Pilgrim Hats made of Marshmallow, Chocolate Striped Cookies and Chocolate Morsels...If I would have known about this sooner this would not have been the first night to have about a dozen handsome Pilgrims over The Night Before Thanksgiving. ;))) We all loved them...Who could resist to Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Day, I rose early only full of gratitude and thankful for many, many blessings my family is fortunate for. I went to a stuffed Cycle Class at Lifetime Fitness, now I know what it would feel like to be stuffing in a turkey ; ), and the music and blood rushing was a great way to start my Thanksgiving not only was it an hour of pulsating cycling that class led into the next hour of Total Conditioning that was even more stuffed. The great Ops people of Lifetime turned two basketball courts into the stage for all of us eager fitness hounds and Jeff the Instructor turned the volume up on a heart pounding class. Whew, 2hours down. I DID IT! Hooray! :0)
Home and showered we were off to Apple Valley to Derek's parents for what turned out to be a nice relaxing afternoon visiting, looking at sales ads, snacking on herring & crackers and drinking yummy Mimosa's. After my morning workout I was ready to feast! The early dinner was wonderful. :0) Other family had came later for desserts I had one taker on my Pilgim Hat, she knows who she is, and the leftover Pilgrims came back to our house...Smart Guys! :0)
Once again a Thankful Day indeed!
Wednesday night though with the Mix upon us it blanketed Minnesota into a Pretty Wonderland. I just love fresh snow. It turns the trees into glistening beauties, the fields into sparkling diamonds and warms the spirit! I ventured out that evening to Victoria's Fresh Seasons for the necessities Dr. Pepper, TP & Klondike Bars....What would you do for a Klondike Bar....Not let a snow storm stop me! :0) Then I picked up Maul Lee and came back home to create my little Pilgrim Hats made of Marshmallow, Chocolate Striped Cookies and Chocolate Morsels...If I would have known about this sooner this would not have been the first night to have about a dozen handsome Pilgrims over The Night Before Thanksgiving. ;))) We all loved them...Who could resist to Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Day, I rose early only full of gratitude and thankful for many, many blessings my family is fortunate for. I went to a stuffed Cycle Class at Lifetime Fitness, now I know what it would feel like to be stuffing in a turkey ; ), and the music and blood rushing was a great way to start my Thanksgiving not only was it an hour of pulsating cycling that class led into the next hour of Total Conditioning that was even more stuffed. The great Ops people of Lifetime turned two basketball courts into the stage for all of us eager fitness hounds and Jeff the Instructor turned the volume up on a heart pounding class. Whew, 2hours down. I DID IT! Hooray! :0)
Home and showered we were off to Apple Valley to Derek's parents for what turned out to be a nice relaxing afternoon visiting, looking at sales ads, snacking on herring & crackers and drinking yummy Mimosa's. After my morning workout I was ready to feast! The early dinner was wonderful. :0) Other family had came later for desserts I had one taker on my Pilgim Hat, she knows who she is, and the leftover Pilgrims came back to our house...Smart Guys! :0)
Once again a Thankful Day indeed!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Minneapolis Skyway System
If you have a chance to get downtown this holiday season, parking in a garage for as low as five dollars on a weekend, and never having to step outside in the blistering cold is a must to use the never ending connecting Skyway System. http://www.minneapolis.org/page/1/skyways-minneapolis.jsp We parked last night in a heated garage on Hennepin and never outside of choice would have had to step outside to get anywhere downtown. We followed the endless well mapped out Skyway System through Macy's, Target, Saks Fifth Avenue, a Awesome Christmas Store, the Tallest building in Minnesota The IDS building and just took it in as if I were a hamster in a Hamster Cage! People were lining up early in the Skyway over Nicollet Mall Drive to Catch the Holidazzle Parade 2 hours before Showtime...It was a pleasure seeing it and now I got to Map out Where I want to park it with my family to watch the Beautiful Christmas Lights Dazzle Downtown! The bonus of this Parade is it is Nightly on these dates 11/26/2010 to 11/28/201012/2/2010 to 12/5/201012/9/2010 to 12/12/201012/16/2010 to 12/19/2010 and you can brave the Minnesota Elements at 6:30 at night which is COLD and perhaps With a Forecast of "Cloudy With a Chance Snowballs" lol or enjoy the warmth indoors snuggled in a blanket drinking hot chocolate from one of the many Skyway Coffee Shops!
Showing Off MinneShowta!
What you May Ask is MinneShowta? I'll tell you and Show you! MinneShowta will be everything and anything related to Minnesota! The place I have called home for close to three years now! I am married to a Minnesotan born and raised which sure does help on the Chauffering part as I would be much behind if I had to learn my way around. Who has time for maps! ;) This is something I sure wished I started blogging about since we have been here because our family does do a fair share of enjoying the wonders and abundance of Minnesota! From adventure, arts, sports, shows, festivals, and the many events around Minnesota one could never go bored. The nice part about it is getting from point A to B is usually very travel friendly! We really enjoy all four seasons of this great North Star State...who could not! Presently, one could walk out, hesitate, and breathe in crisp, cold, clean Minnesota air! Ahhhh!
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