MEETING DULUTH

I mentioned earlier this week that I had never been to Duluth, Minnesota, until last weekend.  Given that I’ve lived in Minneapolis for almost fourteen years, that seems especially surprising (Duluth is less than 3 hours away), but circumstances never worked out that way until now.

The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down.

A lovely view of Lake Superior.

Last weekend my friend Andrew invited me on a day trip to Duluth and it was amazing!  There was a lot packed into the day, and I’ll try to give an overview here.  Andrew picked me up early that morning and after a stop for some much needed coffee to go, we headed out of town. 

It's a tradition to stop for caramel rolls at Tobies Restaurant on the way to Duluth.

Oh so good!

When my friends heard that I was finally going to Duluth, they each gave me the same piece of advice.  They all said that I MUST stop at Tobies Restaurant, in Hinckley, for a caramel roll, and they were definitely right.  I posted earlier this week how awesome those caramel rolls were, and I certainly hope that I will be able to enjoy them many more times.

"The Gate" by artist David von Schlegell.

Enough said.

Some spectacular views of Duluth.

As we approached Duluth we stopped at a visitor’s center located on a scenic bluff overlooking the city.  The view was breathtaking!  I grew up in Iowa along the Mississippi River, with many beautiful bluffs overlooking the city and the river, but nothing compared to this view.  It was the perfect introduction of what was to come.

The beautiful and historic Romanesque styled High School.

Majestic Lake Superior.

Duluth's weather was about a month behind the Twin Cities, 

and the lilacs were just now blooming.

Beautiful Glensheen Mansion.

Once we reached the city itself, we took a quick drive through the downtown, on our way to Glensheen.  Glensheen is the mansion and estate of Chester and Clara Congdon, Duluth’s premier and wealthiest citizens at the turn of the last century.  Their fortune was made in iron ore and their home reflected their social status.  A large portion of our day was spent touring the home, grounds, and outbuidings of Glensheen, and I will be featuring more on the estate in a future post.

Grandma's is one of the most famous Duluth eating establishments.

The decor was fun and eclectic.

Stuffed animal heads adorned the walls.

The beautiful stained glass panel over the bar.

After spending several hours at Glensheen, we traveled back downtown for an early dinner.  Our choice for dinner was Grandma's, a Duluth landmark, and the food was delicious.  The decor was also fun, with its carved wood, vintage advertisement signs, and stuffed animal heads on the walls.  This combination made for a delightful dining experience.

The lighthouses.

Andrew couldn't resist a stroll down the boardwalk, which provided 

amazing views of both the city and the lake.

Good thing we were warned earlier not to feed the seagulls.

As we left the restaurant it started to rain, so our after dinner exploring was limited to the boardwalk, and the two piers with their lovely lighthouses reaching out into Lake Superior.  Old ship’s anchors dotted the shore providing photo opportunities for tourist, and resting perches for the seagulls, all in the shadow of the famous Lift Bridge.  The entire area was charming and beautiful, but as it started to rain harder, we decided to head back to the car and begin the journey home, brining an end to a busy and fun filled day. 

Old ship's anchors dotted the shoreline.

The light at the end of the pier.

I love this lighthouse.

Very good advice.

More good advice.

The impressive Lift Bridge towers over the waterfront.

It had taken me almost fourteen years to finally meet Duluth, and I have absolutely fallen in love with it.  I'm really thankful Andrew invited me.  The city was fantastic, and I’m anxious to return there and explore it further.  I only hope my next trip there will be much sooner, and that I won’t have to wait another fourteen years.

***Have you ever taken a trip to Duluth?

THROWBACK THURSDAY FORMAL

In honor of my trip to Duluth last weekend, this Thursday. we're throwing it back to the early 1900's, when Duluth millionaire, Chester Congdon, purchased most of his clothing from the premier men's clothing store, Brooks Brothers.

Chester Congdon's top hat, tails, and cane.  Note also 

the detachable cuff to the right of the cane.

Two of Chester's ties.

Congdon, who made his fortunate in iron ore from Minnesota's Iron Range, would go on to become the second wealthiest man in Minnesota.  Second only to James J. Hill of St. Paul.


***What are you wearing for Throwback Thursday?

TEA FOR THREE

It’s been almost a year since my friend Donna died, and I still really miss her.  She touched the lives of so many people and there was a huge void left with her passing.  I’m thinking of her especially now, because two weeks ago several of us gathered at her home to choose a memento to remember her.  There were so many things available, but I ended up choosing the perfect item that spoke to me.

This cup and saucer set was the perfect memento from my friend Donna.

Tucked away among the knick-knacks and odds and ends dishes, was a simple cup and saucer set.  It was white china with a lovely floral pattern, and seemed to carry her energy.  I’m told that in her younger days, she took great pride in her beautiful formal flower garden, although as she aged, the garden was left to fend for itself.  I didn’t know Donna at that time, but this cup and saucer just seems to represent that part of her life for me.

This set belonged to my Step-Grandmother and is one of my most cherished possessions.

Another reason this was the perfect keepsake, is that I already have two other cup and saucer sets that I’ve inherited as remembrances.  The first of these is a very ornate pink floral set that belonged to my Step-Grandmother.  My paternal grandmother died several years before I was born, and my Grandfather remarried.  His second wife was the only Grandmother I knew on that side of the family and we were very close.  This beautiful cup and saucer set keeps her memory alive for me in a special way.

This lovely set, inherited from my Mother, is very dear to me.

The final set was inherited from my Mother.  It’s a very simple floral pattern in fall tones, and balances out the more ornate set.  My Mother was known for her hospitality, and this cup and saucer set just seems to say, “Come in for while and enjoy a soothing, warm beverage.” 

These cup and saucer sets remind me of three very special women who have touched my life in profound ways.  I’m filled with fond and loving memories each time I see them, and I am grateful that these lovely ladies were part of my like.

***What are some of your favorite mementos from loved ones?

TOBIES RESTAURANT

When I would tell friends that I had never been to Duluth, they would look at me with a dazed, confused stare as if there must be something “not-quite-right” with me.  I'll admit I moved to Minnesota fourteen years ago, and that is a very long time to have never been to Duluth, but circumstances just never made that happen.  That all changed this past weekend.

My friend Andrew and I took a day trip to Duluth over the weekend, and I will be unpacking that for you through a serious of posts here over the next week.  Although the trip was short, it was spectacular, and I must say I have fallen in love with Duluth.

The display cases are filled with pastries to tempt even the strongest of willpowers. 

Sadly that is butter and not frosting.  What can I say, I love butter on Caramel rolls.

When I told friends that I was finally going to Duluth, every single one of them told me that, on the way, I had to stop at Tobies Restaurant in Hinckley for a caramel roll, and boy, were they ever right.  In fact the whole experience of Tobies was so much fun.

The crowd of people just kept coming!

The restaurant has its roots in a little cafe that began in the 1920’s, but it wasn’t until 1947 when it was taken over Mr. and Mrs, “Tobie” Lackner, and the name changed to "Tobies," that its notoriety began.  Nineteen years later, in 1966. the restaurant would change hands for the last time and relocate near the freeway.  It continues to operate from that location to this day.

Andrew got a caramel pecan roll.

Given that I was unsuccessful in finding a donut the night before for Donut Day, 

I celebrate that morning with a delicious lemon donut.

The experience of Tobies is truly wonderful.  The large, expansive display cases of caramel rolls, cinnamon rolls, caramel pecan rolls, and donuts of every variety, catch your attention the moment you walk in the door. Conveniently located between the gift shop and the restaurant, you can‘t resist trying their signature caramel rolls, which definitely live up to their reputation.

My friends were entirely right when they said that no trip to Duluth is complete without a stop at Tobies Restaurant, and I hope this was the first of many such stops in the future.

***Who wants to join me for caramel rolls at Tobies?

IN LOVE WITH EROS

Throughout Minneapolis you will find pieces of art in the shape of large heads.  I thought this was really odd when I first encountered them, but now it’s a fun surprise every time I come across another one that I didn't know about.  Minneapolis now hopes to have a new addition to this genre and I couldn’t be happier.

The Minneapolis Institute Of Arts (MIA) is celebrating it’s 100^th Birthday this year, and in honor of that milestone, they are inviting the community to help them raise the funds to acquire the colossal outdoor sculpture, Eros, from Polish artist, Igor Mitoraj (1944-2014).  Currently the 7’ high x 12’ long x 9.5’ bronze sculpture is on display in front of the museum’s entrance, but eventually it would be installed on the Museum's lawn.

I love this piece because it has an air of the great classical sculptures of the past, combined with a contemporary sense that will carry it far into the next 100 years.  MIA is inviting people to contribute to its purchase - any donation, large or small, is accepted - and the purchase of this piece affirms that this truly is the “people’s museum.”

Visualization from the Minneapolis Institute of Arts' website 

of the proposed installation of Igor Mitoraj's Eros.

I must admit that I am in love with Eros, and hope MIA is successful in adding it to their permanent collection.  More information on how you can help be a part of this may be found here.  Remember no donation is too small to help.

***Have you ever helped a museum to acquire a work of art?

THE STABLE: TOP 20 WORLD BIKING CITIES

The Copenhagenize Index of the top 20 biking cities in the world was released this week.  Minneapolis, ranked 18, was the only U.S. city to make the list.  While I'm not a bicyclist, many of my friends are, and so I'm pretty proud of this distinction.


***How bicycle friendly is your city?

BOW TIE FRIDAY FLASH BACK 3

For Bow Tie Friday and Flash Back Friday, I'm featuring this great tie from Social Primer and Brooks Brothers.  This 100% silk reversible tie is from about three years ago and is one of my favorites in my rotation.  

One side displays green stripes on a field of purple, while the other side is orange with a repeated "1818" pattern (1818 was the year that Brooks Brothers was founded).  I love this color combination, but what I like most about this tie is that it pairs up two of my favorite companies, Brooks Brothers and Social Primer, making it perfect for my collection.


***Do you have any reversible bow ties in your collection?

WELCOME TO THE PORCH

“Welcome to the Porch.  Wave hello, sit, read a book, chat, hang a flag, relax, smile, listen to the birds, sip lemonade, enjoy the weather, watch the sunset.”

                                                                           - Unknown

***Who wants to join me on the porch?

CHANGING OF THE GUARD: 

SPRING TO SUMMER

One of my favorite things about spring is when the lilac bushes begin to bloom.  Their beautiful blossoms appear in late April or early May, and fill the air with an intoxicating fragrance, that floods my mind with thoughts of years gone by, proving once again that certain smells really do trigger certain memories.

The first lilacs appear around the middle of April each year.

All throughout the city, lilac bushes, large and small, stand guard over homes, gardens, and business, reigning in splendor for a mere three weeks or so, and then dying away until the following spring.  During those few weeks though, their beauty and fragrance fill me with immeasurable joy and delight.

Even the smallest lilac bush stands guard regally.

By Memorial Day bridal wreath blooms have beautifully taken over from lilacs.

As Lilacs blooms begin to die away, leaving their beautiful green bushes behind, they make room for their successor, the lovely bridal wreath blossoms.  These elegant blooms cascade out from the bushes like a bride’s bouquet, and announce the "changing of the guard" into the early weeks of summer.

This bridal wreath hedge is truly lovely.

This transition time, from lilacs to bridal wreath, is one of my favorite times of the year.  As the “guard” changes each year, we are treated to the beautiful blossoms of my two favorite flowering bushes. making spring and early summer a truly wonderful time of year.

***Do you have a favorite flowering bush or shrub?