Homemade - Thematic Photographic

"That's the thing with handmade items.  They still have the person's mark on them, and when you hold them, you feel less alone."  Aimee Bender


THEMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIC

"Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up." - Pablo Picasso

"Creative Clutter is better than idle neatness." -  Anonymous

Spirited Game -

"We are all different.  There is no such thing as a standard or run-of-the-mill human being, but we share the same human spirit."  -  Stephen Hawking


SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY

Nothing can be too silly, but rather, significantly spirited.

JOY

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.  It's not!" - Dr. Seuss

WHITE

"Oh the things you can find if you don't stay behind."  Dr. Seuss

STRIPES

On stuff

Stripes!

"Why fit in when you were born to stand out?" -  Dr. Seuss

TREE

SHAPE

"You're in pretty good shape for the shape you are in." - Dr. Seuss

Are There Ever Enough

Twinkle lights? 

DO YOU 

HAVE ENOUGH TWINKLE LIGHTS

IN YOUR LIFE?

SIX WORD SATURDAY

"Dreams are the bright creatures of poem and legend,
Who sport on earth in the night season 
and melt away in the first beam of the sun-"

"Which lights grim care and stern reality on their daily pilgrimage 

through the world." - Charles Dickens

Never admire the lights and baubles so long that you miss the faces in your life!

Can you spot Mr. Gnome in the photo above and below?

He's there, ever gentle on my mind.

"Let us not curse the darkness.  

 Let us kindle little lights." 

- Dada Vaswani

Inside the Minnesota Governor Residence

Inside the Minnesota Governor's Mansion, just because.

It was a spur of the moment decision to tour the Governor's Residence on this day, a most phenomenal idea too.

There were exceptional pieces throughout the residence, and many vintage items too.  It offered pieces on loan from the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and the Minnesota College of Art and Design, as well as pieces from Governor Dayton's personal collection.  Note, that the majority of the artwork changes with each administration, so the decor is ever changing.  

Naturally, you'll only be seeing a small portion within this post, so if you get the chance to tour it yourself, I suggest you take it quickly.

My photos begin with my personal favorite, made from scratch simply for Christmas Decorating, situated in the lowest level.

My trusty sidekick, was very impressed with the decor in this room.  A  magical place for any cowboy with a Texas flair to it.

 Old world charm compliments any room.

You walk right by this lovely piece located in the lower foyer, on your way to a room masterfully designed with an easy to duplicate-it-yourself decor.  Most of these items could be obtained right from your own backyard, or neighborhood garden and antique shop.

Just grab and cut an old sheet, place a pine twig in the center of the bow and presto, what a charming chair you've created.

Do you notice the artwork over the fireplace mantel?  As mentioned much of the artwork came from various places, even some from the original owners and each piece was quite striking and memorable.

Close up of a Christmas stocking holder.

Delightful mix of old Minnesota memorabilia.

This was my favorite piece, surely a great story behind the creation of this.  If you look closely you'll see the reflection of another interesting piece, that I couldn't find anyone to explain the purpose of either.  For further study later.

You'll notice the reflection of portraits within this picture, reflecting from the wall of First Lady Portraits.  

I needn't explain this to any Minnesotan or fan right?

Moving along to the upstairs, and main level of the house this staircase below is located in the main foyer and leads to the second level of the mansion.

We begin with Herb, the house mouse!  Hehehe! A child's delight anyway.

You are now entering the Drawing room.

A wonderful treat was having the piano played and hearing it throughout the house.

Good to see fire extinguishers all about too!

This photo was taken in the Solarium, and just outside the window is a simple stone terrace.  Before the Solarium was enlarged, there was a vegetable garden and clothesline in that space.

This photo below is a favorite for every residence, right?  The Dining Room, which displayed an old familiar glow beginning from the white curved ceiling. 

The walls and folding doors are of Circassian walnut and the white stone fireplace with carved shields has a Tudor arch opening framed by a carved wooden mantle and is supported by decorative matching columns.  Also, in true Tudor style, the brass fireplace andirons with lion heads set the mood for fine craftsmanship from the period.

More festive and decorative ideas for dressing chairs.

Of course most likely it adds a tantalizing attraction for any house cat.

The china which is used mostly is the "State Seal" patterned by Pickard, which incorporates the official Minnesota state seal.

Teach children early the art of fine dining, and adorning place settings!

Why you ask? Because they may surprise you and add a few touches to your own evening meal!  Place setting design by Mason.

Leaving the dining room and within the hallway before entering the library is this lovely old relic!  Any idea what it is?

This is the telephone and call panel outside the Library door and is part of the original communication system that was installed as the house was built.  You could call any other station within the house, or even over to the Carriage House.  They could also place and receive outside calls as well.

The Library.  

Also inside the library is the table pictured below.  It's called the "Rent Table" with 8 drawers that were originally used by landlords, to hold the different leases for the various tenants.  The table dates from the 1800's and is of Regency style.  The top of the table turns 360 degrees.

Isn't that simple tree branch just adorable?

I leave you with this lovely angel playing a sweet remembrance of the day.

"Christmas doesn't come from a store, maybe Christmas means a little bit more....." - Dr. Seuss

"My idea for Christmas, whether old fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others.  Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?" - Bob Hope

Good Fences Minnesota Governor's Residence

Quite the gift it was in 1965 when the Irvines' youngest daughters, Clotilde Irvine Moles and Olivia Irvine Dodge, donated their family's 20 room English Tudor residence built in 1910, to the people of Minnesota to serve as the official residence of the First Family.

GOOD FENCES


Greetings from Minnesota Governor's Residence, 1006 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Along Summit Avenue, the wind passed through spruce trees like invisible Christmas Carols, spreading a cheery harmony all along our way.

Our Minnesota Flag flew proudly, as twinkle lights glistened their familiar "welcome" please do step inside.

This English Tudor has always reminded me more of a stately mansion one would stumble upon at the University of Minnesota, rather than nestled along the mansions located on Summit Avenue.

If you notice I had the most wonderful company joining me on this grey Minnesota afternoon.

"I'll take you along sweet Elmo if you promise to keep your laughter in your pockets and your eyes wide open!"

...and so he did.

I longed to show off more inside photos but-

I made a promise to myself, if there isn't a fence or fence post in it, I can't share it for Good Fences.

Special Note- out back, there are special gardens sculpted in honor of every child that ever lived in the Governor's Residence.  Too cold and snowy for it to be open this day, but perhaps this summer I'll snap those photos.

This photo is from within the property of the electric gate that one rarely gets to see from this side.

"Study the past if you would define the future." - Confucius

"Tomorrow hopes that we have learned something from yesterday." - John Wayne

...and just maybe better our today.

Animal Planet- Thematic Photographic

"All creatures are deserving of a life free from fear and pain." - Maura Cummings

THEMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIC

Carmi is requesting we unleash animals for our theme this week.

Animal Planet 



Live from Wild Rumpus Book Store in Minneapolis meet Booker.  Every time I visit he's up to something.  This day he was raging his brutal attack upon- suffering Skitter Critter, his catnip mouse for everyone's enjoyment.

"Meow" means "woof' in cat." - George Carlin

This last summer it was bear cub madness!

"When a pine needle falls in the forest the eagle sees it; the deer hears it,and the bear smells it." - An Old First Nation Saying

I see you!

Meet Francis

"I can't help it if I'm ridiculously good looking."



Of course while we're on the subject of animals, and flipping through my photos I can't resist sharing one of my own animals.  Meet my adorable little, Dashiell.

"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant