12-12-12

November Afton Visit

Noel and I visited Afton yesterday. We stopped by the Afton House Inn for lunch and then stopped by Squire House Gardens where Martin was holding his annual holiday open house.

Bosco and Bruno were banished outside as they had been trying to eat the cheese and crackers that Martin had set out.

It was a beautiful and unseasonably warm November day. Sadly, there are still some empty storefronts including what had once been a bookstore and also Lerk's Bar. Noel's mother used to spend time in Afton as a little girl and would often talk about Lerk's.

We also stopped by Chelsea Rose Antiques. A charming Englishwoman runs it and sold us some very beautiful greeting cards.

October Afton Visit

Noel and I visited Squire House Gardens in Afton a few weeks ago. It was a beautiful fall day.

The gardens looked beautiful.

Bosco and Bruno were in good spirits. One of the women who works there calls them the welcoming committee.

Martin always provides such friendly service. I bought a lamp that I just love.

Southdale Part 2

Southdale Part 1

Today I went out to Southdale and took care of getting some back to school shopping done. I know I'm a little early but there are lots of sales going on so I decided to take advantage of that. The mall is just a shadow of its former self despite some of the renovation that is underway. The only store that is still there from when I was a kid is J.C. Penney. Mom used to get lots of our clothes there. From the outside it still looks the same.

Stillwater, Minnesota

This past Saturday our friends Mike and Charisse had us out to their boat on the St. Croix. After cocktails on the river we ate at a restaurant in Stillwater called Osaka. They served the best sushi I've ever had. Mike and Charisse were curious as to whether Stillwater can support a sushi place. Time will tell...

Photos:
1. (top) Stillwater in the distance as seen from the St. Croix River.
2. Mike and Charisse's boat in their marina just outside of Stillwater.
3. Mike and Charisse's marina just outside of Stillwater.
4. Dale at the marina.
5. (bottom) Mike and Charisse's marina just outside of Stillwater.

Minnesota's Greatest Generation - More Photos

More photos from the exhibit Minnesota's Greatest Generation at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul.

Minnesota's Greatest Generation

Stopped by the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul yesterday to see the exhibit Minnesota's Greatest Generation: the Depression, the War, the Boom.  It was all very well done, especially the stories about World War 2.  A simulated plane ride to D-Day was particularly moving. The references to pop culture were fun.

Squire House Gardens in Afton

Noel and I made a trip out to Afton yesterday and stopped by Squire House Gardens. The high was 80 degrees and buds were appearing on trees and shrubs. We had a lunch of corned beef and cabbage at Current. How appropriate for St. Patrick's Day.