Minneapolis to Duluth...

 Since I posted out of order last time...I thought I better put these in...this is the trip from Minneapolis to Duluth...

 Some of these were taken from a moving car...I didn't realize this one was this blurry til now...oh well...

 We stopped at a casino in Hinkley to eat lunch...I think this was the best BLT I have ever had...it was the bread...wild rice bread...wonderful!

 This was a memorial to the big fire in Hinkley that killed over 400 people in the 1800's...a grass fire...

 Something about the water towers in this part of the country...I love them...we don't have these in my neck of the woods...so I took pictures of them all!

 Getting closer...

 Less Fall color this far north...

 Don's cousins helped me clean off and around my Grandparents grave and marker...this is Terry and Lulu...they drove us around the first day and took us out to dinner...

 Canadian geese...boy are they messy!!

 Don and Terry...first cousins...their Dad's were brothers...

 A small lake near my Grandparents grave...

 I love all the leaves and Fall color...

 This is a look out tower on Sky line drive...it's been there as long as I can remember...I climbed it as a young girl ...and the last time I was in Duluth...they have a new look out area now...

 It's so pretty up there at Skyline Park...it is at the top of Duluth...

Here's the view from the new look out...Lake Superior starts after the sand strand straight ahead...

I hope you are enjoying my vacation with me...I need to catch up on some of the days...I have taken so many pictures that it's hard to chose what to post...well...it's late and I'm off to bed...more to see tomorrow...I can't wait!!

Until next time...enjoy your day!!!

We're in Duluth...

 After I posted all these pictures...I realized that I posted out of order...I totally forgot to post the pictures from the day before...oh well...this is Duluth Minnesota...home of my father's side of the family and close to Don's family...both sides...in fact we met up with one of Don's cousins here as well...more about that tomorrow since I forgot to post those pictures...I guess I'm tired after a very long day of traveling and site seeing...

 Here we are in front of Lake Superior in Leif Erickson park...I just noticed what a bad look I had on my face...horrible...oh well... 

 The shore line is so pretty...the Fall colors are beautiful...

 This is such a nice park...it was a bit nippy though...about 48 degrees and a little windy too...but we loved it!

 The picture doesn't even come close to how purple these bushes were...I wish you could see them!

 Here's Leif...one of my Norwegian ancestors...the way he got around...he could be one of yours too!!

 More Fall color...I can't get enough of this...

 This stage was neat...both of us got up there and made silly poses...they came out a little too dark though...but it was fun trying to be an stage actor! Maybe they use this for concerts too...

 What a relaxing view...

 This bridge...I forgot the name...I really should write this stuff down...is the only one of its kind in North America...instead of splitting apart like other bridges...the bottom half goes up to let the ships through...Iron Ore is mined up on the Grange and then sent by train to Duluth and then shipped all over...we heard most of it goes to China now...

 I told you I couldn't get enough of the color...we don't have this at home...not like this anyway...

 This is the Duluth Angel of Hope...

We were in a little museum in Procter...outside of Duluth and this bottom picture caught our eye...four of the players in this picture are related to Don...in fact...one is his Dad...the other three are his Uncles...pretty cool we thought...we're having a great time...it's chilly...downright cold for this California girl...but I love it!! I could easily get used to this part of the country...it feels so homey!

I am a couple days behind in my blogging...but I will try to get caught up...I hope you enjoying going with us on our trip...

Until next time...enjoy your day!!!

We're here...

 So we are officially on vacation...it feels wonderful....we took off Tuesday morning...

 flew over the Rockies...headed northeast...

 But then the clouds cover was too much to see down any more...we arrived in Minneapolis after dark...tired, but excited to see our cousins and looking forward to seeing everything we could...

 Hank and Sally took us to Minneapolis...they live in a suburb outside the city...sally works for the Twins...so we headed over to Target Fiels...which is right in the middle of town...

 You can't see it here...but the wall is made of little metal rectangles that hang down and move in the breeze...which they told us is always there...it is really pretty when they move...it almost looks like clouds moving by...or a light show...see the trees are turning...actually they changed color a week or so ago...it's so darn pretty here...

 Of course I had to sit in the big mitt!! Notice all the layers of clothes...I had capris and a t shirt on when I landed the day before...not any more...it's t-shirts under sweaters under jackets...this California girl was cold! Even Don wore his jacket!

 Giving a high five fist to a great all star!

 Minneapolis is a beautiful city...I was so impressed...clean and friendly!

 We even saw Mary Tyler Moore...actually this is the exact spot where she was filmed throwing her hat up for her TV show...

 This is where Prince got his start...It is still popular...

We had a great time in Minneapolis...next stop was Duluth...I'll show you those pictures later...meanwhile Don is fast asleep and I had better get to bed myself...I am trying to used to the time change...the weather change...and sleeping in strange beds...but I am having a wonderful time...

Until next time...enjoy your day!!!

A busy weekend...

 This past Saturday we had our booth at the Piecemakers Harvest fair in Costa Mesa...we set up our booth and were ready to sell! 

 There were wagons...

 and wheelbarrows full of pumpkins everywhere...even a hay ride...

 I didn't get a chance to take many pictures...just these few early in the morning...

There were all kinds of booths and we met some very nice people there...some vendors we have been with before...and some new ones...it was Don's first time selling his woodwork...he did pretty well...he even got some orders...

This morning we took off early to go to Pasadena...we are thinking of getting a booth at the flea market at the college there...we love that flea market and I think we could do well there...we got the information...shopped a little and came home quite tired...Tomorrow we are off to San Diego to see our sons...do a little thrifting...you never know what we'll find...we got some interesting things today...I'll show you what we found later...it was too dark to take pictures of our finds...but there were deals to be had!

The more shows we go to...the more we learn...so many great people out there advising us...we have had some great experiences at these shows...I'm exhausted now...so...

Until next time...enjoy your day!!!

We're getting ready...

 Don's putting the last minute touches to his display of tote/coat racks...

 He's been working hard making all of these for our booth at the Piecemaker's Harvest Craft Show...

 I want them all...but I just don't have the wall space...

 How could anyone resist such cute little birds...

 And gorgeous reclaimed cedar...I love all the imperfections...

 I told you we've been busy...

 I finished this hipster yesterday...wouldn't it look cute on a hanger...

 I almost forgot to show you the pumpkins Don made...I have to have these...sssh...don't tell him I snuck some out...

I tied little raffia bows on them ...Don can sure make them...but he's not so good with the bows...

Anyway...if you're in the Costa Mesa area on Saturday...come see us...We'll be at Piecemakers General Store on Adams...there will be music, food, and tons of home made goodies...I will be doing a bit of Christmas shopping myself while I'm there...as my kids say...

too much good stuff!!

I guess I better get back to my sewing...I think I can get a bit more done before Saturday...at least I hope so!!

Until next time...enjoy your day!!!