Last evening, it was 34 degrees, very mild for December 15, and perfect for standing outside to watch a parade. Only normal winter clothing is needed, not snowsuits.
I don't know if other states have parades in the winter months, although it isn't officially winter yet, a week yet to go, but there is snow on the ground, enough to have to shovel and snowblow, so I'm going to say it's winter, but we sure do...we have a winter carnival too!
Each year, starting the day after Thanksgiving, to the the 23rd of December, Thursday through Sunday, Minneapolis has a winter parade down Nicollet Mall, from 12th Street to 4th Street, with illuminated floats and storybook characters. Each night, different people volunteer to bundle up in warm clothes and get fitted with an illuminated costume and depending what costume get, they will either be strapped into a harness on a float, or walking with others. There are marching bands in red and choirs with stars around their necks, way up high on a float. Santa always ends the parade, riding in his sleigh, waving and Ho Ho Hoing to the crowd.
You might think people would be crazy to stand out for more than an hour in the cold and the down drafts from the tall buildings to watch a parade, but the Holidazzle draws a crowd of about 300,000 a year, and it's great business for all of the stores and restaurants.
We are Minnesotan's...we live in the frozen tundra and we are a hearty bunch, don't cha know!
Outside my window -
The sun is just starting to rise, showing off with pink and orange streaks of beauty
I am thinking -
I really need to get the rest of my windows cleaned so I can close them up for winter.
Last week's weather was so beautiful, but not quite long enough for me to complete the job
In the kitchen -
The dishes that were drying in the rack are all put away and fresh coffee has been made
I am wearing -
Grey print knit pajama bottoms, a pale grey tank top and a brand new, soft grey Hane's zip up hoodie
I am creating -
A colored pencil name drawing for a work friend's baby girl
I am going -
Shopping today for a pretty sweater to wear with a black velvet dress I bought at the thrift store,
a pot for a plant that needs help and a can opener to replace the one that just broke
I am wondering -
Should I make door draft stoppers for Christmas gifts as long as I'm making a couple for myself?
I am reading -
Nothing at the moment...I need to get this name drawing done first, once I start reading, I just don't
want to stop
I am hoping -
That I am able to get in a nice long walk and maybe see my eagle
I am looking forward to -
Soaking in my claw foot tub
I am learning -
To see light and form and how I want my photographs to look...and to realize that just because
some bloggers have a lot of followers and get a bunch of comments, it does not mean I am less
than they are (that's very difficult)
Around the house -
Dust will be banished, carpets vacuumed, bathrooms rid of germs, laundry washed, dried, folded
and put away
I am pondering -
Why some bloggers participating in Linked 52 only comment on a few of their fellow participants
posts and don't or won't take the time to visit and comment on all of them, even though they are
all posted on time...
A favorite quote for today -
In a world where YOU can be anything...Be Yourself!!!
One of my favorite things -
I love to go for drives away from the city...old white farmhouses, red barns and silos, cows, sheep,
chickens, buying fresh brown eggs, eating a picnic lunch in a park, talking, and most of all, open,
rolling hills...sigh
A few plans for the rest of the week (I'll just say next week, seeing as how this is Saturday) -
Put up some Christmas decorations, take my mom to see the two blue lighted bridges here in Minneapolis, that she hasn't had a chance to see yet and play with my new camera
family, the one I was born into and the one that I helped make
friends
eating turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, broccoli, jello
not eating stuffing, dinner rolls, green bean casserole
mom's pumpkin chiffon pie and leaving the crust
arguments, can't get away from them
laughter, always lots of this
talking, usually hogged by two
gazing off into space after eating too much
gabbing with my sister while washing dishes
letting her know I'll take mom christmas shopping
looking through the black friday ads
taking turns talking to kira on the phone
skyping with andy
loving that my children are adults, yet missing how they were when they were little
looking toward the future
loving that my mother is still with us
wonderful co-workers
a pretty okay day at work
gorgeous sunrise yesterday
even more gorgeous sunset
64 degrees and joggers in shorts on thanksgiving eve to 23 degrees and snow on thanksgiving night
my sister not drinking
all of us pulling together and not drinking with her
a glass of wine when I got home
son and his girl off to find some deals
hubs starting a fire in the stove
falling asleep on the sofa because of that fire
all in all a wonderful thanksgiving 2012
Please leave me a comment...be sure to see what gathering means to them.
