Skip to main content

Blake Goes to Mayowood (and MOA)

I finally talked Blake into coming down to visit us. Really he just wanted to take advantage of my Minnesota Historical Society Membership. Only most sites don't open until after Memorial Day.

Along our trip to Appalachian country we picked up a cast iron stock pot for Blake for his birthday.

For breakfast I made ricotta pear toast.

Before we could head to Rochester we needed to get to a seedling sale in the neighborhood.

I gave Blake a few options on where we could go this weekend. While the Mayowood Mansion wasn't part of my membership it won out on places we wanted to go.

When we got here, we were confused as to where we should go. Was the mansion closed?

We almost went into a private residence. It wasn't very clear where to go.

Perhaps we should just go where the row of luxury automobiles are.

On our tour I embarrassed Brooke and Blake by asking questions and pointing out that some chandeliers were totally out place. Maybe I shouldn't go on mansion tours with these two.

Yea. Scott was that guy on the tour. 

On the other hand, they are not embarrassed by taking a photo in front of some dead rich persons house.

No photos were allowed inside so outside would have to do. We always get a photo by the front door.

Actually, embarrassing.


The grounds were pretty palatial.

Too bad it was so rainy.

We decided to eat lunch somewhere that wasn't some chain in suburban sprawl Rochester and settled on the Grand Rounds Brew Pub. A bar crawl was going on, which meant we had to wait for a while, but it ended up being worth it.

I went with a Ruben, yum.

The waitress thought my ribs were too small. So, she made me up another order. Nice!

Lately Meadow prefers boxed mac and cheese only. Real mac and cheese is "too cheesy".

She didn't eat anything.

Me:"Mmmm...ribs." Blake: "What a pig."

Meadow noticed we were near the "American Mall" and we asked Blake if he wanted to check out Nickelodeon Universe. He was super excited.


We had to see Lego Land first.

Meadow's awfully picky about what rides she'll go on. This swing is not one of them.

The Bubble Guppie ride is the best deal for the money.

I tried riding next to Meadow, but some ride operator told me the unnecessary seat belts have to be worn. I was not going to fit it. Nope, not ever.


Even Blake got to enjoy a ride.

Whenever Meadow wants a drink from the bubbler and can't reach, this is how I help her. Apparently Scott didn't know we did this.

Before heading home Meadow noticed the Disney Store.

She wanted to try on all the overpriced dresses.

We then went home and watched some animated movie.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Yardwork, Ikea and Pumpkins

My new parents-in-law got us a dehydrator for the wedding. Knowing we were going to be cleaning up the garden and going to farmer's market, we took a gander at our millionth kitchen device during breakfast.   Scott added granola to his oatmeal.  The oatmeal was rather bland, just the way Brooke likes it.   Scott was actually cleaning up so I had to take a quick photo of him as proof.  Scott told me he was, "putting a blanket down for Peanut," while singing. During the winter months peanut needs a warm place to peer through the window. Seeing as it was nearly November, I setup his blanket for him. Seeing as the farmers market season is dwindling down, we headed to the market...once again. The close proximity to the cities central farmer's market has to be one of the best assets of living in NoMi. We were both amazed by the bounty of produce still on sale. We quickly filled up our first bag and took it back to the car....

Tuska Brothers' Packers Weekend or How We Ate Our Way Through Green Bay

My rad brother hooked us up with a pair of Packers tickets at Lambeau. We've been talking about doing this for years now and it was finally happening! A Tuska Brothers' Packers Weekend. We met up at the bar at Kroll's West where he was already noshing on a sausage and black olive pizza. Are we even brothers? Doesn't he know that sausage always goes with green bell peppers or spinach? We got the cheapest hotel room in town at the Bay Motel and Family Restaurant . It looks straight out of the 50s and I don't think its trying to be cute. To be honest the place is just nice. After settling in we got beer over at Badger State Brewing. Our friend Jordan , who we just met up with a few weeks back in Seattle, designed some of their newest cans. So we had to stop by. That's so cool. After a couple of beers we drove up the bay to Club Chalet in Benderville for an authentic Wisconsin Supper Club experience.

Work Trip: Flushing Queens, Chinatown and Buffalo Briefly

Well, you didn't think I was done traveling for work, did you? I swear I had a shoot in rural in Bradford, PA. But you'll never know it. I got there late and had to leave straight for Buffalo to fly out to NYC for a shoot on Long Island. I did manage to briefly stop in Western New York State's Ellicottvile. I managed to get back to Buffalo with just enought time to stop for a Beef on Weck at Charlie the Butcher's Kitchen . While I quite liked Baltimore Pit Beef, I think Beef on Weck is even better. An unsung American sandwich hero. It's really about that bun. A cross between a kaiser roll and pretzel bun. Amazing stuff.