Easter Desserts

Featuring gluten-free coconut cupcakes (I just added an extra egg, 1 cup shredded coconut,  and a little vanilla & almond extract to a gluten-free cake mix. Frosting is butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and coconut.)

Photo: Francesca Davis DiPiazza

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

"EVERYONE kISs SOMEONE"
Altered signboard at Simpson United Methodist Church (28th Street & 1st Ave.)

Photo by Marz Haney

Santa Reflecting

A mysterious Santa glowing in the dark.

Photo:  Jo Ann Musumeci

The Morning After

After Halloween
Photo: Marz Haney

One Month Late

 Thank you to  Madeline Douglass for e-mailing us this photo of the Bardwell-Ferrant house at 2500 Portland in West Phillips decorated for Valentine's Day.

She sent it for Feb. 14, and I only now––one month later––rescued it from our pile of e-mail.

Valentine's Day

Lips like a heart.

Photo: Francesca Davis DiPiazza

Year of the Dragon

We began this blog last year on the Lunar New Year, February 2, 2011, the beginning of the Year of the Rabbit.
We've decided to continue on into the Year of the Dragon. 

Considered the luckiest sign in the Chinese zodiac, the dragon is flamboyant, innovative, energetic, and optimistic.
In 2012, the Lunar New Year (aka Chinese New Year) fell on January 23rd. It ends on the full moon 15 days later (Feb. 7). 

Photo: Francesca Davis DiPiazza
(I bought this box of dragon matches in Spain this summer.)

New Year's Morning

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

Photo: Francesca Davis DiPiazza

Thanksgiving Baking

Photo: Francesca Davis DiPiazza

Another Robust Witch

This one really looks mean.  She needs to go to MIA for some stress-relieving art, maybe the Edo Pop exhibit of Japanese prints.

Photo; Jo Ann Musumeci

El Dia de Los Muertos

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El Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a Mexican holiday to remember the dead. This altar is filled with offerings and items that celebrate the memories of a loved one who has passed away.  With this celebration, Mexicans are showing the community that they are not in denial of Death, but are, in fact, jeering at it, kind of accepting it and challenging it at the same time.  There is a photo of the departed near the top of the altar, and the obligatory skulls (or often decorated skeletons) on 3rd tier down.  This one is a the Midtown Global Market.

Photo: Jo Ann Musumeci

Preparing for Trick-or-Treaters

5 PM: Jenise puts up last-minute decorations to welcome the incoming hordes of treat seekers.

Photo: Francesca Davis DiPiazza

Ghouls and Dolls

I think Halloween is great fun, a chance for all of us to be kids again.  I reaally enjoy looking at how people decorate their houses and yards.  This one shows off severed hand, foot and head.

Photo: Jo Ann Musumeci

Flying witch

Where's she off to now?  Maybe your  house will be next.  Be ready for Halloween fun.

Photo:  Jo Ann Musumeci

A Sweet & Juicy New Year

Denise cuts up apples to eat with honey, per tradition, on Rosh Hashanah ("the head of the year," in Hebrew: ראש השנה‎), in hopes of a sweet and juicy year ahead. The holiday marking the Jewish New Year began at sunset last night and ends at sunset September 30.

Photo: Francesca Davis DiPiazza

Red, White, and Blue

Walking down 28th Street on the Fourth of July

Photo: Francesca Davis DiPiazza

Day of the Peeps

Jer at Bob's Java Hut, 27th St. & Lyndale Ave S. 

Photo: Francesca Davis DiPiazza

1. New Year's Eve

Peach blossoms, for good luck, and chrysanthemums (lower left) for long life, in a Vietnamese grocery on Nicollet Ave., closed for the Lunar New Year's Eve.

And so, we begin our neighborhood 365 project!

 

photo: Francesca Davis DiPiazza