SOLO SHOT SATURDAY: 

PILLARS OF THE COMMUNITY

I founds these gems in the Dinkytown area of Minneapolis.


***How would you use these pillars?

ANOTHER RAINY DAY OUTFIT

***What outfits cheer you up on rainy days?

COAXING SPRING FLOWERS

They say, "April showers bring May flowers," and I'm hoping that phrase is true. April has been a fairly rainy month for us, and I'm really ready for sunshine and beautiful flowers. As a way of helping to coax those warm days our way, I decided today to wear this sunny yellow tie, covered in flowers, from Mill City Fineries. Their wonderful ties always brighten my day, and I'm certain they will brighten our weather as well.

***What do you wear to brighten a rainy day?

COLD WEATHER TOPSIDING

You can never go wrong with Sperry Topsiders. Even on cold, cloudy, rainy spring days in Minnesota.

***When do you Topside?

DANCING INTO THE WEEK

I received so many compliments today on this pinup tie from The Bow Tie Shoppe. I'm letting these girls dance me into a great week!

***How is your week starting out?

SPRING MADRAS

While running errands this afternoon, several people stopped me to say how much they loved my tie. Thank you Renee Larson and The Bow Tie Shoppe for making such quality products.

***Have you worn your Madras yet this year?

GUARD BIRD

This is the Peregrine Falcon that lives in the tree outside my front door. He just moved to our neighborhood this year.

***Are there any birds of prey in your neighborhood?

PAISLIES, PLAIDS, AND STRIPES, OH MY

Bright colors and fun patterns are the perfect solution to a rainy day!

***How do you brighten up a rainy day?

TIME IS WELL ANCHORED

I wasn't in the market for a new watch strap, but found this great one today at Fossil, and couldn't resist it. It's perfect for spring and summer by the lakes.

***Let me know what your favorite summer watch straps are?

STONE CITY IOWA, LATE 1980'S - EARLY 1990'S

Nestled along the banks of the Wapsipinicon River, is the historic village of Stone City, Iowa. While most people know of this town from its depiction in the painting, Stone City, by Iowa artist Grant Wood, the community actually has a rich history. Founded in 1850, the town was originally set up as a company town to house the workers for the nearby stone quarries.

The famous painting of Stone City by Iowa artist Grant Wood.

The Blacksmith Shop.

St. Joseph Catholic Church.

The Dearborn home.

In the late 1800’s John Green, Henry Dearborn, and John Ronan, each opened limestone quarries in the area, and with the westward expansion of the railroad, large shipments of limestone made their way to neighboring states. From 1859 to 1895 alone, over 150,000 railroad cars of limestone were shipped out of Stone City.

This stone barn housed the draft horses used in the quarries.

The quarry office.

The Ronan house.

The water tower on the Ronan property.

From the turn of the century to the 1950’s, the use of stone in construction decreased drastically with the production of Portland Cement, and the thriving little community of Stone City started to decline, and many of its beautiful stone buildings were torn down. Fortunately, through the vision of George Nissan, many of the stone structures were developed and converted into private homes. Todsy most of the town’s building are listed on the Historical Register.

The front of St. Joseph Catholic Church.

The Green mansion was destroyed by fire in 1963, 

and the ruins were torn down in the 1990's.

The General Store.

The Schoolhouse. 

In the mid 1950's, stone production experienced a revival, and the quarries once again saw a boon in business that has continued to this day. Nowadays, Stone City limestone may be found not only throughout the Midwest, but most of the country as well.

***What fun historic villages are in your area?

FOUR COLORS

Celebrating Sunday with four color panels!

***Do you have a favorite Sunday Bow Tie?

SATURDAY SWAG

It's finally warm enough to bring out the shorts and lose the socks!

***Have you started wearing shorts this spring?

AHOY FRIDAY

The reversible Sailor bow tie from The Bow Tie Shoppe is the perfect choice for Bow Tie Friday. Renee Larson has really outdone herself, and truthfully, who doesn't love a nautical themed bow tie!

***Do you have any sailor inspired clothing/accessories?

ON WEDNESDAYS WE WEAR ORANGE

Is orange part of your wardrobe's color palette? 

SPRING GREEN . . . AND PINK

What are your favorite spring colors?

SAYING OUR GOODBYES TO NYE'S

Last weekend Minneapolis said goodbye to Nye's Polonaise Restaurant.  Nye's had been a Minneapolis landmark since 1950.

There was a long line to be seated, but it moved quickly.

Al Nye purchased the 1880's building and originally opened it as a bar, and being a machine shop foreman himself, he knew the importance of keep the business close to it's blue collar roots. The bar was successful and in 1964 Nye purchased the building next door to add a dining area, and thus the Polonaise Room was born.  Over the years the restaurant would expand into two additional spaces. Fortunately most of the original decor has stay the same over the years.

The old light fixtures were amazing.

Even the vintage wallpaper was fun.

The restaurant was famous for it's Polka Bar, and for it's Chopin Room which included a piano lounge complete with a curved piano bar and a portrait of Chopin on the wall behind.  As the restaurant grew, so did it's clientele as more and more people came to love the Polish food selections on the menu (the restaurant also served non-Polish offerings as well).

The cabbage rolls were delicious. 

The Polish sausage was so it good it didn't have a chance.

When I moved to Minneapolis fourteen years ago, one of the places I was told I had to visit, was Nye's.  Unfortunately I never at the occasion, so I was happy to have had the chance to eat there last weekend before they closed. While I LOVED the restaurant, the experience was bittersweet. On one hand the food was amazing, while on the other hand, was the reality that they wouldn't be here after that weekend. To say I was sad that I hadn't found my way there sooner is an understatement. 

The Polka Bar.

The Chopin Dining Room, complete with a curved piano bar.

Nye's has always been a gateway location to Northeast Minneapolis, but soon it's 1880's building will be replaced by new, modern designed, apartment building. I always feel a little sad when unique old building are torn down to make way for new.  I always feel that a bit of history is lost.  

I was a very satisfied customer.

Nye's Polonaise closed last weekend, and for sure a bit of Minneapolis History has been lost.

***What landmark restaurants have closed in your city?

BOW TIE DU JOUR!!!

Tie:  Mill City Fineries

Shirt:  Polo Ralph Lauren

Sweater: Brooks Brothers