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Milly's

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Tonight, we were headed over to a dinner party at our friends' place after hanging at a circus pool party. But they had to reschedule at the last minute, so we pulled a place off our "to check out" list and headed to Milly's Wine Bar . It could not have been better! We both got the tastings where you get two half-glasses of wine and need to tell which was which. I got the "Dirty Dancing" (likely inspired by all the watermelon kids brought to the pool party), and guessed correctly which was French and which was Italian. Patrick had two rosés that went head to head — a Tavel, and one from, of all places — Barret Minnesota, which held up very well. He guessed correctly too. The bill even came in a cute book where you could write a note. I'm totally smitten with the place and will meet you there anytime!

Living a Lifetime (cr. Patrick Rhone)

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I seem to find myself with something in my eye a lot lately. But then, so does Patrick. https://www.patrickrhone.net/living-a-lifetime/

Two Things You Must See!

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This afternoon we all went to see the Hadestown pro-shot.  Those of you who know me well know that it might be my absolute favorite musical. I was an original stan for the concept album back in the early 2000s. In 2019, based on listing to the concept album one night, we decided to got to New York for spring break so we could see the show as it opened on Broadway; seeing Eva Noblezada, Reeves Carney, Amber Gray, Patrick Page, and Andre de Shields in that show was absolutely transcendent, and Beatrix still has her carnations from stage door.  Last year, Saint Paul Academy did it as the spring musical and so we clearly saw it several times. I was unsure how I felt about seeing the pro-shot, but I am really glad we did. It does not stand in for seeing it live, but it enhances the experience. I'll confess I was in tears. It was originally supposed to run through July 29, but I think it's been extended a little. See it if you can! --- It was a weekend of circus, with Circus Juvent...

You've Gotta Have Art!

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After a day filled with a lot of spreadsheets, I was happy to get some art in this afternoon! Tonight was a celebration of the nest steps for Springboard for the Arts , and the exciting new future coming up for them. Their amazing director, Laura Zabel, is headed off to be the Founding Director of the   Creative Change Coalition , taking with her Jun-Li Wang and Sara Sawicki. I'm honestly not the hugest fan of change right now, as we prepare to be empty-nesters, but this is the kind of exciting change I can totally support.  Plus it was great to see and talk to some of the amazing arts leaders in the Twin Cities. We are so very fortunate to hav the kind of passionate arts community we have. On the way there, I stopped at an Arts and Crafts swap hosted by the City of Saint Paul. Public Works has had several of these lately, such as a clothing exchange and a tool/yard implement exchange, and I think they are great. Just the kind of out of the box thinking I love. I picked up a f...

Swamped

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I am pretty sure that this might be the moment that broke us as a state, after being so strong for so much. And knowing that, of course, people matter so much more than things — but that values might ,after more than people. Last week, my BFF's friend daughter K, who was a counselor at Widji, posted photos of the fires they evacuated from. More compellingly, though, she posted one called "And down they go!" showing how the wooden canoes (woodies) were deliberately swamped in order to save them as camp was evacuated, in order to save them. I don't have K's photo anymore, but here's the one by Anthony Souffle of the Star Tribune, and here's the article : This all hit me like a ton of rocks. Every Widji camper knows that that is theoretically what you do if the woodies are threatened, but I've never actually seen it have to be implemented before (the article says it's the first time they have done it).  I've gone on trail with Widji canoe #1 befor...

Cows, Colleges, and Contentment

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Yesterday, we headed down to Northfield for a mini day-trip. I have to admit that, though I think that Sarah Lawrence is the perfect place for Beatrix, it would be really nice to have her down in Northfield! We did a little shopping (we loved The Boho Peacock !): Met a friend for dinner and drinks at Loon Liquors (we had not been since they relocated). Went to my cousin's son Edward's final concert for Lutheran Summer Music (the concert was INCREDIBLE). It was a really nice day, at a time when the days seem to slip by too fast.

Lawns to Legumes at Ashland

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Ximena got a Lawns to Legumes grant for the backyard at Ashland! The back bed by the garage had gotten slightly, but not extremely, better since last summer when we were painting it: Before By the end of last summer (and even some of that did not come back) So the other day Patrick and I headed over to OutBack Gardens and took advantage of their 30% off 30 or more plants sale: We realized we had enough for the side garden as well, which was looking a little rough: Tuesday night, after I met my friend Roddie for Cozy Hour, I got to planting. Tonight, I finished cleaning up and mulched. (I had also grown plants from seed in milk bottle greenhouses, but I had left those literal months too long, so those did not make it).   It's a little hard to tell with the mottled sun, but I think it looks MUCH better. We'll be moving back to Ashland a little earlier this year and I am looking forward to spending some nice time out there. There's more to do in the front yard at Ashland and s...