See More Photos of Main Street Antiques Products in the Southeastern Minnesota Photo Album

When Melanie and I visited Hutchinson, Minnesota, we underestimated the amount of time we should have given ourselves to see everything.  We just barely scratched the surface. 

We should have set aside a lot more time for Main Street Antiques, that's for sure.  What a wonderful place!  Melanie could barely get past the front entryway because of the quanitity and quality of collectibles there.

We saw marble collections, bedsets, records, musical instruments, postcards . . . it was overwhelming.  And the people who worked there seemed to be having a great time too.  I thought to myself, if I ever move to Hutchinson, this is where I want to work.

Melanie purchased the child sized pump organ in the photo above.  It really works!  It seems like every store you enter has a feeling to it, and Main Street Antiques in Hutchinson, Minnesota definitely has that come in and stay a while atmosphere.  I think we need to come back again someday to see what else this great town has to offer.

Kasey and I spent Christmas Day in Saint Joseph, Minnesota with Jojo.  We heard there could be some snowfall later in the day, but felt it was worth the hour or so drive from the Twin Cities in spite of questionable travel conditions later in the day.  We ate when we got there (of course), then took the boys sledding.

Saint Joseph has a wonderful sledding hill lined with hay bales at the bottom of the run.  And boy, did we need them.  It had rained the week before creating a layer of ice, and believe me, those sleds flew!

After we finished sledding, we ate some more and Jayvyn and Jojo crawled under the kitchen table in their long johns to play with some new toys.

We topped off the evening with a slightly nerve-wracking drive home on slushy highway 94.  All in all, it was a heart warming day and one of the best Christmases I've had in a long time.

Christmas Greetings

Reposted

This painting a bit of a departure from Arnold Kramer's typical subject of agriculture.  In the forefront, on the left-hand side of the painting, you see one of Arnold's brothers on his knee with a gun.  According to Arnold, the gun shot real arrows.  The boy is aiming the gun at a pull-toy in the shape of a dog that barked when it was pulled.  That was Arnold's gift on Christmas morning.  "I was being a big-shot," he told me, "so I told my brother to shoot the dog."  He did, and the dog never barked again.  "You know,"  he continued, " I was sorry I did it. It still hurts after all these years."  Arnold was in his 90's when he told me that story.

Melanie and I visited Hutchinson, Minnesota, about an hour west of the Twin Cities recently, and I was very impressed with the community.  This is not one of those small towns where Main Street is threatened by strip malls.  The downtown is hopping.  One of our first stops was the impressive Auxiliary Thrift Shop.

I was surprised by a rack full of brand new wedding dresses and veils donated by a local bridal shop.  They were gorgeous, and there is a large dressing room with a mirror to try them on in.  They also have brand new formals.  The shop has three levels and is organized and clean.

My very favorite part of our visit there, was when the Auxiliary president escorted me into the special collectibles room (no kidding, it says employees only on the door), and what should be sitting there, big as life, but a deck of Old Maid cards?  Boy, did that bring back memories.  The president of the auxiliary advised me that their efforts helped them purchase a second ambulance for their community.  Now that's money well-spent.

Melanie and I took the back roads to our destination in southeastern Minnesota and we were treated to the perverbial winter wonderland.

The frost lasted longer than usual, so we had lots of opportunities to record these natural works of art.

Waking up to a frosty morning is like a surprise gift of cut flowers.  They are both precious because you know you'll only have them for a brief amount of time.  I've posted more photos in the southeastern Minnesota photo album.

MORE VINTAGE POSTCARDS IN ANTIQUE POSTCARD PHOTO ALBUM

When Melanie and I returned to my apartment Saturday morning after having coffee with our good friend Marcie at the airport during a layover, we found this crowd waiting for their transportation to the theatre.  At first I thought the Red Hat Society was something unique to these women, but a little research on the internet showed me they are a world-wide phenomena. 

They seem to have a very good time together, and they look smart, to boot.  I mean, look at them.  They didn't stop at their hats.  Check out their shoes and purses. Now, I'm not sure I'm ready for the Red Hat Society yet, but I'm certainly going to keep my options open for possible admission at a later date.  My head is kind of on the smallish side, so I hope I can find a hat that will fit when I'm good and ready. 

These red-hatters understand the importance of appreciating the sites and experiences Minnesota has to offer.  They get that talking about a thing, and doing it, are two different things.

SEE ANTIQUE POSTCARD PHOTO ALBUM

I'm very excited about this collection of vintage postcards saved by Angie Bergen of Seaforth, Minnesota.  Angie's been gone for decades now, but her collection lives on.  To learn a little bit more about Angie, click on this link.

I cracked up when I looked closely at the postcards posted above and below.  It took me a moment to realize that the individuals in the photos are the very same people! 

These are exactly the kind of women I would have wanted to be friends with if they would let me.  I'll be adding more postcards when I get a chance.  I estimate between 150 and 200 postcards in this collection.

I thought I'd throw a fun photo into the mix to take a little break from the holiday scene.  One day while Kasey and I were driving along the Lake Harriet Parkway in Minneapolis, we saw this impressive display of TP-ing.  I honestly thought the results were like a work of art.

I don't know if it was a celebration or punishment, but I was so impressed, we had to go around the block twice just to truly appreciate it.  Back before I had common sense, I helped toilet paper a yard and it was very fun and gratifying, but probably not a very nice thing to do.  Sorry.  In a day or two the whole works disappeared.  Isn't that just like life?

When Melanie and I walked into Flowers: Naturally of Prior Lake in downtown Prior Lake,I was stunned by the displays.  Clearly, the proprietor has put a lot of thought into her shop and the arrangement had a truly wonderful impact.

There is nothing quite as good as visiting a flower shop and feeling the life-force of all those living things.  This little shop was a treat for the eyes, the nose, and the soul.

The proprietor was very busy filling holiday orders, so we just showed ourselves around.  I will be returning once we are in the dead of winter so I can find a little pick-me-up to bring home with me as a reminder that sooner or later Spring will be waiting right around the corner.  Until then, we'll let the poinsettias show off a little bit.

Since I'm not a big shopper, Melanie knows she can lure me along on a gruelling day of shopping by offering me coffee and sweets.  Coffee is an event for me, so it is important to have the perfect bite to go with it.  And if we can find a lovely setting to enjoy it in - well, all the better. That's what we found in downtown Prior Lake, Minnesota.

The Eidelweiss Bakery has a broad variety of candies and baked goods.  I'm not being nice.  The variety is impressive and beautiful.  Melanie bought a bag of spritz cookies and I had these little heart-shaped pastries that reminded me of elephant's ears.  We sat in the back by the fireplace and counted our blessings there.

The name Eidelweiss brings back memories of grade school when I learned the song by that name.  Believe me, no one ever sang "Eidelweiss" more beautifully than I did - at the top of my lungs playing out in the grove on the farm.  I think my performance was only topped once when I did a rendition of "Oh Holy Night" for the kitties.  I made myself cry I was that good.

I think it's pretty easy to stick to the malls and franchises when Christmas shopping, but I'd suggest a little detour to Main street in most small towns to find those gems that go largely undiscovered.  Melanie and I stopped in at Home Accents, Etc. in Prior Lake and found wonderful gifts.

I am a do-it-yourselfer, but not a serious one, so the tools above would be perfect for me.  (Santa, are you listening?)  On the other hand, this little store also has a nice variety of things to make a girl feel pretty.

Don't forget about Main street this holiday season!  Stop back sometime to hear about a couple other great little places Melanie and I visited in Prior Lake.

I like the intersection at 44th and Beard near Linden Hills in Minneapolis.  It has a small-town feel to it and the shops are charming.  There is currently a Christmas tree lot which I see in the evenings on my drive home from work - doing a brisk business.

Brown and Greene Floral is on the corner ( I've always gotten a kick out of that name), and next to them, looking just as lovely, is Victory.

On the corner across the street you'll find The Turtlebread Company, and a little farther down the block is the Meyer Violin Shop.  This neighborhood looks like a storybook in the snow.  If you're looking for a way to get in the Christmas spirit, you need look no further.

Kasey and I eat lunch at Qdoba in Saint Louis Park, Minnesota at least once a week, and last week was no exception.  It was pretty chilly out, and who should we see waiting at the door to get in, but two of Park Nicollet's most brilliant and attractive employees, Sarah and Sue.  Well, I say they're brilliant, but I'm the one who came up with the idea of knocking on the window so the staff would know we were out there and unlock the door.  We may have been a tad early. 

Sarah recommended the pesto bowl, but Kasey and I stuck with our favorite - chicken Mexican gumbo.  You get to choose the type of beans and how hot the sauce is, so we have ours tailor-made.

Qdoba is bright and clean, but it is the staff and management that keep us coming back week after week.  They think of the little things for us regulars, like making sure if you're buying a delicious chocolate chip cookie, you get one that's still warm from the oven.

Kasey and I may never be as pretty and smart as Sarah and Sue, but as long as we eat lunch at Qdoba, we can count on being as well-fed!  And you've got to admit, that's something.

Our first stop after I got settled into the Sheraton in Duluth was the Pickwick Pub next to Fitger's Brewery.  Melanie and I were walking along the sidewalk talking about where we should get something to eat, when an attractive young man who was standing outside the Pickwick suggested we eat there.  "It's great.  You'll love it."

It turned out he was an employee there, and probably biased, but who can pass up a personal invitation from a handsome stranger?  So we went in.

He was right, of course.  The Pickwick is fabulous and the employees were great.  They gave us a tour of the restaurant and I wish I would have paid closer attention to what they were saying, but I was captivated by the architecture and spirit of the place and it seems like I can only do one thing at a time.

I want to go back during the day and sit in the dining room where I can look out on Lake Superior while I dine.  This place is jam-packed with history revolving around prohibition.  And the food is great.