Thursday, January 31, 2013

YUM!


Taking photographs while riding in a moving car often yields surprises.  I captured these buildings as we sped by Louisville, Kentucky.  I was amused to see that I had captured the "Kentucky Fried Yum! Center," home of the University of Louisville sports teams.  Here is what Wiki says about it: The KFC Yum! Center is a $238 million, 22,000-seat basketball and multipurpose arena that opened on October 10, 2010, on the Ohio River waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, on Main Street between Second and Third Streets. The project is part of a $450 million project that includes a 975-car parking structure and floodwall. On April 19, 2010, it was announced that Yum! Brands would pay US $13.5 million for the naming rights and would sell the products of four of its chains—KFCPizza HutTaco Bell and Long John Silvers —in seven concession stands within the arena.

I have eaten KFC products in the past and would hardly describe it as "YUM!"


Wednesday, January 30, 2013

MORA # 7-Large Chest ABC WEDNESDAY "C"


I found this chest in the gift shop at the Museum of Russian Art to be extraordinarily beautiful!

To see more posts of ABC WEDNESDAY photographs, please go here.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Cairn-ABC WEDNESDAY "C"



A Cairn Marker
Far from Gaelic Scotland
Why on the North Shore?

Cairn is a term used for a man-made pile (or stack) of stones. It comes from the Scottish Gaeliccàrn (plural càirn). Cairns are found all over the world in uplands, on moorland, on mountaintops, near waterways and on sea cliffs, and also in barren desert and tundra areas. They vary in size from small stone markers to entire artificial hills, and in complexity from loose, conical rock piles to delicately balanced sculptures and elaborate feats of megalithic engineering. Cairns may be painted or otherwise decorated, e.g. for increased visibility or for religious reasons.
In modern times, cairns are often erected as landmarks, a use they have had since ancient times. Since prehistory, they have also been built as sepulchral monuments, or used for defensive, hunting, ceremonial, astronomical and other purposes.

To view more ABC Wednesday posts, go here.

Monday, January 28, 2013

MORA #6-Angel at the Table



Yesterday at Tea
An Angel at the Table
Now, Mind your manners!

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Tea Time? MORA #5


Delicate China
Perfect for Russian Tea Time
Sugar? One or Two?

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Camera Critters-Foxfire

DH's cousin has a beautiful lake home "Up North" named Foxfire with a taxidermy fox above the mantle. 

For more Camera Critters posts from around the world, go here.

Friday, January 25, 2013

MORA #4 Christmas Bulbs

Even with an after-Christmas price reduction, I did not purchase these lovely bulbs. Plus they wouldn't be part of my planned Christmas 2013 tree. (See yesterday's post)



Thursday, January 24, 2013

Post Christmas Sale-MORA #3


The painting below was on the poster outside of the Museum of Russian Art while Fechin's artwork was on exhibit there.  


Naturally we visited the gift shop at the Museum of Russian Art before we left the building and was delighted to see that Christmas objects were on sale.  I decided to decorate our tree next year in similar fashion to the one pictured . . . simple and elegant.  The skirt below it was a beauty of velvet and applique.


Wednesday, January 23, 2013

ABC WEDNESDAY "B"-BLOGGING BUDDIES


Leif Hagen from Eagan Daily Photo and I occasionally meet for coffee and pastries, but since our favorite cafe has just recently closed, Leif invited me to his office instead.  I was delighted to meet there because of the warmly decorated space, graced with pieces of art work that he has collected from various spots on the globe during his many travels. They also include beautiful objects given to him from friends he has made, starting with an after-college teaching stint in Japan, business travel and family vacations. Each piece has a story behind it, and I have urged him to photograph a few and post them on his daily blog, including the story behind it.


Visit Leif's blog and urge him to follow my sage advice.


If you want to see more ABC WEDNESDAY photos, go here.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

A Lake Superior Birch-ABC WEDNESDAY "B"


A battered young birch
Resists the pounding huge waves
Standing tall and proud.

To see more ABC WEDNESDAY posts, go here.

Monday, January 21, 2013

Amazing Artist-MORA #2

Amazing Art Work
Russian Who Lived in U.S.

Russia's Gift to us. 

Many years ago I first saw Nicolai Fechin's art work in a museum converted from his former adobe home in Taos, New Mexico.  Like many of the artists of his time he lived for a number of years in Taos with his young daughter, and his residence is now a museum. I was thrilled to learn that some of his drawings and paintings were on exhibit here in the Twin Cities, next stop Seattle.  Recently DH and I spent several wonderful hours at the Museum of Russian Art as our "Friday Field Trip"excursion.  Unfortunately we could not take pictures inside the museum, except for the gift shop, where I picked up an unusual pair of Baltic amber earrings. DH got a CD, featuring the Russian National Orchestra with solo violinist German-born, Julia Fischer. The first image above is the cover of a book, which was for sale in the gift shop. The woman in the photo was a Taos Indian...my favorite painting in the exhibition.
.
Go here to learn about Fechin and the exhibition.

To see two pages of images of Fechin's paintings go here.  You won't be sorry! The second and third images above are from the link I provided.  Check it out to see his paintings!!
In 1927 Nicolai Fechin became embroiled in a messy and destructive divorce that necessitated his departure from Taos. At the urging of the Los Angeles art dealer Earl Stendahl, he moved to the Hollywood Hills. He also began traveling extensively, visiting Bali, Java, Mexico and Japan. In the late 1930s he attempted to live in Bali, but was driven back to the United States by the beginning of Japanese hostilities in the Pacific. He bought a studio in Santa Monica and became more sociable than was his custom. In October 1955, shortly before his death, a major retrospective of his work was launched in San Diego and La Jolla, at which Nicolai Fechin was able to see a number of paintings he had not seen for decades.








Sunday, January 20, 2013

A Gem of a Museum, MORA #1


A real city gem
Museum of Russian Art
Come along with me!



Saturday, January 19, 2013

Camera Critters-Moose or Cow?


I just inadvertently deleted the original post with all the comments,  but I am restoring the photo and quote again to provide continuity. 



“Hunters will tell you that a moose is a wily and ferocious forest creature. Nonsense. A moose is a cow drawn by a three-year-old.”


― Bill BrysonA Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail

To see more Camera Critters, go here.

Friday, January 18, 2013

Symbolic

Cornucopia
Symbolic of fruitful seasons
Simple Abundance






Thursday, January 17, 2013

Fisherman's Secret


               Ask the Fisherman
     Could it be wild or farm raised?
               One that got away!

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Ice Formations


North Shore in Winter
Cold Ice and Lichens Abound
Colours of Season

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Aubade-ABC WEDNESDAY "A"


A North Shore Sunrise
Aubade - 7:43
A New Day Begins

To see more ABC Wednesday photos posted by bloggers from around the world, go here.

Aubade
HARK! hark! the lark at heaven's gate sings,
   And Phoebus 'gins arise,
His steeds to water at those springs
   On chaliced flowers that lies;
And winking Mary-buds begin
   To ope their golden eyes:
With everything that pretty bin,
   My lady sweet, arise!
   Arise, arise! 

Monday, January 14, 2013

North Woods Walk


A Walk in the Woods
Surprising,  Art with Nature
The Sound of Silence

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Whimsy or Comfort?


A whimsical bench
But is it comfortable?
Try it for yourself!

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Rudolph?


Favorite neighbor
Always dressed for holiday
Unresistible

Several times I have posted a photo of this artistic cow that gets dressed up for important holidays.  To see a 4th of July photo of her go here and to see her spring finery, check this out!   Isn't she cute?!

Friday, January 11, 2013

A México Dream


I Had a Fine Dream
Was I Sitting on This Bench?
Yes, it was a Dream!

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Blocking the way


What's blocking the way?
It is hard to figure it out...
Must take a detour...

Wednesday, January 09, 2013

Playhouse?


Playhouse for adults?
Claims its a garden shed...
Neighbor's small retreat!

Tuesday, January 08, 2013

Tea time?


Tea Time Anyone?
A bit chilly I would guess,
A bit wet and damp.

Monday, January 07, 2013

Snack time


Snack time for the birds
Both empty within a day
Jim is the chief chef

Sunday, January 06, 2013

Budding artist

Very fine young man

Working hard to meet his goals
With dreams of his own.


Tyrice is a freshman at the Minneapolis School of Art and Design. While carrying out my groceries from Lund's market in Highland Park, he described his passion for drawing, design, and learning about art. I urged him to find a mentor in the field that would supplement what he's learning in school to help build on and develop his natural talent. One of the more talkative and self-assured students I've met while shopping.

Saturday, January 05, 2013

¡El Noche al casa de los abuelos!


Friday, January 04, 2013

Wise Words


Very good advice
Buy it or bake it yourself
You won't be sorry!

Thursday, January 03, 2013

Idyllic?


Please do not be fooled
It really looks idyllic
But, it's very cold!

My neighbor's decoration looks very elegant with a simple swag and pine boughs.

Wednesday, January 02, 2013

Holiday in Minnesota


Typical Season
Waiting for New Snowfall
Minnesota Winter

This photo is emblematic of the holiday season in Minnesota: wreath on the door, bow decorative trim but a snow shovel on the ready.  

Tuesday, January 01, 2013

January 1st, 2013 Anno Domini



Anno Domini
Best Photo Twenty Twelve
Cuban Abuela


Click here to see more CDP member posts for "Best Photo of 2012!"  Leave a note of appreciation  for Gerald England who set this up for us to enjoy!

This is a HAPPY NEW YEAR post for ABC WEDNESDAY!