Little Tijuana and Black Forest

I've never looked at these two main-stay neighborhood restaurants from this view before.  They add vibrant color to the street scene.

Photo:  Jo Ann Musumeci

Nordquist

Photo: Michael Wright

Frozen at the park

Lost lunch box

Wild turkey tracks?

Photos: Nadine Stodolka

Onion Dome

I love this building so much.

Photo: Michael Wright

Winter Night With Moon

The sky at dusk and lit up building present a sense that something special is going to happen.

Photo:  Jo Ann Musumeci

Sliders

Lake Street White Castle.

Photo: Michael Wright

lights of christmas

despite it being almost February we still have the winter lights, hurrah!

Photo: Michael Wright 

Doric Columns

This building, on Stevens Ave., with the Greek doric columns around the sides, must be emulating the old main entrance of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts on 24th Ave.  See PhilWhit365 blog on 6/14/2011: http://phillipswhittier365.blogspot.com/2011/06/rainbow.html

Photo:  Jo Ann Musumeci

Jorsan Stop

Good year so far?

Photo: Michael Wright

taxes yet

is it taxes time yet?

Photo: Michael Wright

loved the tree in this one.

Photo: Michael Wright  

PEACE Sign

This PEACE sign really stands out in the newly fallen snow.  I took this with my cell phone.

Photo:  Jo Ann Musumeci

Inside Reflections

Once again, i'm inside the Art Institute.  I can just walk there and see world-class art.  This is a window from inside the lobby where you are looking north towards downtown Minneapolis.  One can reflect literally and figuratively.

Photo:  Jo Ann Musumeci

light trails

Another late night impressionistic one, this time of more xmas lights.

Photo: Michael Wright  

The Tropics Are Sprouting at the Art Institute

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts is offering you a chance to beat the (finally) cold weather by adding a faux tropical garden and lounge seating in the lobby.  The chairs sound like gongs when thumped on the floor.

Photo: Jo Ann Musumeci

Push for Heat

After a freakishly warm winter, this week, January temps are making us push the button for heat in bus- and train stop shelters.

Photo: Francesca Davis DiPiazza

Red Solo Cup

 Saw this and thought of the song "Red Solo Cup" currently on Country Western radio, by Toby Keith. 

Very topical lyrics:

"A red solo cup is cheap and disposable, 

And in 14 years they are decomposable, 

And unlike my home they are not foreclosable: 

Freddie-Mac can kiss my ass... "

Photo: Francesca Davis DiPiazza

The Edge of Phillips

On the Lake Street light rail station, facing Hiawatha.

Photo: Francesca Davis DiPiazza

Inside the Midtown Greenway Coalition

Soren Jensen, Executive Director, and Rebecca Spurr, Lutheran Volunteer Corps Administrative & Outreach Coordinator, take a break from their work at the office of the Midtown Greenway Coaltion, right down on the Greenway next to the Freewheel Bike Center, and across from the Midtown Global Market.

See www.midtowngreenway.org for information about Greenway activities. 

Photo: Jo Ann Musumeci

New Kid on the Block

Meet Jasper, from Midwest Wire Fox Terrier Rescue.

Photo: Francesca Davis DiPiazza

Crows

Again, a bit of nature in the K-Mart parking lot on Lake & Blaisdell.

Photo: Francesca Davis DiPiazza

Purple Wall Mural Puzzle

Eyeballs, hearts, pets, flags?  What's your interpretation of the mural?

Photo: Jo Ann Musumeci

Making Marmalade

Stewing up Seville oranges, available now at the Wedge coop for 99 cents/lb.
These wintertime Spanish oranges are too bitter and sour to eat, but make the best, tangiest marmalade.

The recipe takes some time but is super easy: basically, just boil oranges up with sugar.
Orange peel and pips (seeds) contain pectin, so you don't have to add a thickener.

Seville Orange Marmalade Recipe

1. Place whole oranges in pan and cover with water. Boil for 2 hours.

2. Cut cooled oranges in half. Scoop out the innards, and return the pulp and pips (seeds) to cooking water. Simmer another 30 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, thinly slice orange peels.

4. Strain pulp and pips from orange water/juice. (Seville oranges are full of pips!)
Squeeze as much pulp as possible through the strainer back into the water, to become marmalade.

5. Add orange peel and sugar (to taste---it takes quite a lot of sugar!--almost equal parts orange/water and sugar) to water/juice.
Simmer gently another 30 minutes or so, until marmalade starts to thicken. (Will thicken a little more in fridge.)

6. Cool, and pour into jars. Store in fridge.

Photo: Francesca Davis DiPiazza

For Lease

Lake Street is feeling the effects of everyone having no money.

Photo: Michael Wright

Garage Door Art

This painting on the garage door is across from MCAD.  People just can't help being artistic in this neighborhood.

Photo: Jo Ann Musumeci

Double Flats--A Play On Words

I wonder if this whimsical, clever sign and apartment name attract musically inclined people.

Photo:  Jo Ann Musumeci

openarms

Open arms on Bloomington.

Photo: Michael Wright  

late night mural

I love this mural, and the late night traffic in front of it adds to it.

Photo: Michael Wright  

Left Behind

A roll of insulation or similar material on a bank west of 35W, next to Stevens Ave.  Or maybe it's a tent?

Photo:  Jo Ann Musumeci

East Lake doorway

 

Photo: Michael Wright 

New Year's Morning

A New Year's Eve reveler rests on last night's icy precipitation.

Photo: Francesca Davis DiPiazza