Painting the Town

Take a nap on a giant Lily pad, flutter with the butterflies, stroll gently on the Japanese garden path, chat with the animals and take a break for lunch...all in a days worth of adventure filled with endless possibilities at Como Zoo and Conservatory in Saint Paul.

This zoo and conservatory shouts "PICNIC LUNCH" but if you're short on time the Zöbota Café is a great alternative. This indoor café, located in the Visitor Center, features chef specials, hand-tossed salads, unique grilled sandwiches, Muddy Paws Cheesecake and Caribou Coffee. Zöbota Café also offers a free wireless Internet connection to their customers. We enjoyed the black bean vegetarian burger.

Auntie Kelly took Nishad on the Merry-Go-Round; Which he always looks forward to going on when we visit Como. This was the first time he sat on his own horse, without me holding on to him. He did great! Kelly and I had fun breaking out in song from the instrumental music that played on the Merry-Go-Round. "Rain Drops Keep Fallin' on My Head" and "Down-town." Now, that's good Merry-Go-Round music!

Our visit to the zoo and conservatory was part two of our birthday celebration for Auntie Kelly! Though her birthday was in May, we wanted to celebrate her trip around the sun in person. Our morning began with a visit to The French Meadow Bakery and Cafe in Minneapolis. Auntie Kelly and I had the vegetarian breakfast burrito and Nishad had the organic (vegetarian fed) scrambled eggs and toast, made from bread without yeast in it.

After we were fueled up, we had a slight detour. A Chicago native, I have issues with all the numbers associated with the freeways in Minnesota. Can't we just give them all names? Maybe I should start naming them? It would be so much easier!

Green Carpet Sore-dom

After contemplating buying a goat (so we would haven't to mow our lawn as often as we do), I realized that we would rack up way more expenses in caring for the goat. While mowing the lawn, I felt the ache in my legs from walking up and down the side slopes of our house. Sometimes I just can't fathom all my legs use to dance. Seventeen hours a week teaching, plus school and my personal dance classes...I recall how I would come home from teaching all wired and dance some more! With one eye on the mower and the other eye on the kids, I prided myself in straight rows of carpeted green- trying to divert my attention from my aching feet. I'm sure the weight that I'm having difficulty with doesn't help the situation. I'm sure the ice cream I ate today doesn't help either.

Roots and Wings

The two most important things you give your children; roots and wings (Jonas Salk). I came across that quote and it has been an inspiration to me as a mother. So much, that it was the theme of my latest garden adventure.

Why roots and wings? The two almost appear to contradict one another. However, without roots, one can not take flight. Like the gardner, we learn patience, trusting the natural process. We strive to give our children roots- stability, a strong sense of belonging and nourishment (body and spirit). We prepare them to take flight to one day leave our 'nest', giving them responsibilities early on, confidence and encouragement. Thus, "Roots and Wings."

My wonderful husband received a phone call while I was in route on my way back from the store, with a bird bath in tow, complete with butterflies etched on it. Along with the bird bath- flowers of course. Deep shades of purple day lily's and corn flowers representative of the richness the boys bring to our lives and the roots we so hope to give them.

I admit though, I'm struggling with the idea of 'wings' lately- Or maybe the idea that my babies are growing faster than I prepared myself for. I know that they have to grow to evolve and in order to grow, we need to give them room to fly. However, this sometimes overly protective Mommy sees all that could harm her precious babies. In many ways, the boys are teaching Ashish and I how to fly.

Despite our 'spat' that he knew nothing of my plan or idea for our newest weekend project for the yard, we made up, became one with the soil and did what we do best- collaborate.

Imprints: While growing up in 'Chicagoland' my mother's garden had a seahorse bird bath. Purple Phlox surrounded it. I would love to import that cement bird bath up here, and appreciate it as it should be. On my last visit to my childhood home of 28-years, the garden that I maintained and cultivated after my Mother's passing in 1992, was no more. Though, despite the weeds that have spread everywhere, tulips that she planted when I was about 9 or 10 years old, still continue to thrive. There has to be a moral in that.

Duluth

Off to Duluth for some Haute and Ashbury type culture on the lake shore. We stayed at the Inn on Lake Superior while in Duluth on Canal Park. We had a fantastic room- the manager that booked our room didn't disappoint! Our room was a main level suite, lake view, with a door that lead out to a patio and we could come and go as we pleased from our own hotel door. Every night at 8PM the hotel had bonfires complete with all the fixins' for S'Mores- complementary. In the morning, they had a complementary breakfast of champions. Tiger (aka Arun) made sure we didn't miss those beautiful views of the sunrise either! He and I took a walk at 5:30AM on Canal Park. I'm glad too... There are two pools at the hotel as well. A roof top pool that is kept at 82-degrees year round. It was actually too hot for us to swim in, believe it or not! Duluth is not for it's warm weather. We were right in the middle of a ton of restaurants and shops. We didn't drive the car the entire time we were their, which was perfect! Especially when you have kids! We took the boys to the most amazing Railway Museum we've been to yet that included tickets to the Duluth Children's Museum. We purchased tickets for a 90-minute train ride to Lester River. We sat in the open car on the train- beautiful. Nishad *loved* the museum and the ride. The Boys enjoyed watching international ships come to port and the famous Duluth bridge lift. I really look forward to returning to Duluth and this hotel. Next time, perhaps we'll stay a day or two more! Duluth reminds me so much of Morro Bay, California. I could live in Duluth, if they didn't have the winters they do!

Commissioner Beverly

I'm proud to be a P & R commissioner. The Park and Recreation Commission acts as a liaison between the community and city government. We advise the council on maintenance, improvements, developing parks, programing, regulations and hold three free events per year (Pumpkin Patch, Santa Day and Egg Hunt) that we coordinate and run. Recreation rocks- as my Aunt Bev once said to me (yes, my namesake commented), who works for parks and recreation...albeit, another state. I have made a few good friends on P & R as well...Which really made Minnesota feel like 'home'.

Park and Rec. is just as important as community schools- You're city is only as good as the schools that are there and the community within. Parks encourage and bring a sense of community. Schools are always the hub when tragedy occurs or issues arise. Though our boys will probably never attend the school district here, Ashish and I still support it. As a matter of fact, last August I was asked to be a tri-chair for our last school campaign...which I was proud to be a part of.

We are fortunate to have a great view of one of our beautiful city parks from the comfort of our deck. We have a creek that runs through our property, and a pond on both views from our deck. Most days it's like a bird sanctuary back there! We have fish in the creek, frogs, cranes, a loon and mink that love to play in the mornings.

I am also very fortunate that my husband values me and what I find important enough to volunteer for. Being that one of us are always with our children I consider my volunteering to be his volunteering as well.

http://www.nrpa.org/

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/index.html

Birthday Cake & Cookies

If you Give a Mouse a Cookie, chances are he WILL want a glass of milk...

In the morning we went to Jada's 4th birthday party and had a ball. Jada's party was a Carnival theme, though this Mommy had her own princess theme in mind. With two little boys, it's fun to shop for pinkalicious things every so often!

By 12:30 we headed off to the Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis to see "If You Give a Mouse A Cookie." In the lobby, before the show, staff had mouse ears for the kids to decorate along with self face painting. They wanted everyone in the audience to be a mouse.

We were front row, center- and literally 'in' all the action! I've never seen such excellent children's theatre before. Not only was Nishad laughing, but I was right along side him giggling away! The actor that plays the mouse has a super-hero amount of energy! I can see why one of their shows went to the Tony's last year. Bravo! Nishad seems to be really enjoying the theatre productions we've been to this summer.

Ashish worked from home on this day and took care of baby Arun. This was a special Mommy and Nishad day.

Kolacky & Hoska

When ever I mention that I am craving a kolacky, people in Minnesota give me a bit of a confused look. "Did you say Kolacky?" Yes, but not any kolacky- a Vesecky's Bakery kolacky back in Berwyn off Cermak Road. When I mention houska, it instantly gets another funny expression from people.

As a mater of fact, when I was pregnant with Nishad I was craving a strawberry kolacky (my favroite...I only like the cheese and strawberry) so bad that I found a bakery in Minnesota, New Prague, that make kolacky. *Lau's Czech Bakery: 121 Main St W New Prague, MN*

Ashish and I took a day trip (2 1/2 hour drive to get there from our house) only to find that the bakery was closed. Devastation! While scouting the town, we noticed the plethora of Czech references. I immediately said to Ashish, "With so many Czech's settling here, they are bound to have kolacky in their local grocery store!" I waddled in the grocery store and headed directly to the bakery department, which...had kolacky! However, they were the ones that were covered (not the open round ones). Disappointed, I left empty handed.

When I went back to Chicagoland for my baby shower, I stocked up and brought a dozen home along with two houskas. While driving back on a very hot summer day with my two friends, Vicki and Kelly, there was a "POP" in the car that startled us all. Vicki immediately said, "It's the bread!" :)

Yes, houska is bread. It tastes similar to Hawaiian bread in the sense that it is a bit sweeter, but it has raisins and nuts on top. It's great in the morning with a little butter on top accompanying with a cup of French Roast- Caribou beans, of course!

I have yet to find a "real" bakery in Minnesota. I now realize now how spoiled I was growing up in such a cultural mecca like Chicago. Being that Vesckey's still operates as I imagine it did 40-years ago, they don't ship bakery anywhere. Yes, they still package your bakery in little white boxes with string wrapped around them. However, I did find this place online, Zicha Meats, that ships their bakery for them. I haven't ordered via Zicha, so if anyone does, let me know what your experience is like.

The Real Football!

Mommy's little soccer player! I always knew you had a strong kick, Nishad! (Trust me!) Our friends, and neighbors (Krista and Presten) organized a tot soccer class this past June. They did a great job! It was such a hoot to see all the little ones out on the field together. My how they all grow over the winter!

The class was held every Monday for 30-minutes, right in our backyard- the park! What a great way to utilize the park...

Nishad *loves* "Kiss-ta" and even calls her on his cell phone. "What'cha cookin' for dinner, Kiss-ta? When are you comin' over?" Jaxson, their son (who was born in August a few months before Nishad), is very high on Nishad's list of VIP's!

Father's Day

The joys of being a Daddy! We celebrated Father's Day by staying downtown in Saint Paul overnight. We had dinner and then Nishad took Daddy to see "Walking With the Dinosaurs" at the Excel Energy Center. Nishad came back to the hotel roaring like T-Rex. Ashish said that the BBC production was well done. Mommy made sure they had awesome seats too- they were 7 rows back. Nishad knew that the dinosaurs were puppets, a new favorite past-time of his! http://www.dinosaurlive.com/



The following day we walked across the bridge to Harriet Island. There are no coconuts there. We boarded a cruise down the Mississippi. I refrained from supplying the entertainment for the 90-minute boat ride in fear passengers would make me walk the plank after hearing my version of "Oh Man River."

Fastback

Nishad shows off "his" car. Somehow he inherited it before his time. He digs the mustang and asks to ride it in. Car seats and fastbacks aren't a successful combination.

I can see he and his brother in future years, cruising' around. There's something about an antique classic that gives you an instant appreciation and respect for the past.

I've had this car since I was 19 years old. My Dad restored it for me and I drove it every day. Windows wide open, hair flying around...nothing like a ride in a mustang on an open road! Amazingly enough, despite my lead foot, I never once got a ticket while driving this car. I met officers, yes...but never a ticket. One even waved at me as he suddenly 'appeared' from a corn field on my way back from visiting my friend Kelly who was then at school in Macomb, IL. I waved back and eased my foot off the gas.

This car has made it's journey form Chicago to Minnesota...I'm not sure if we ever will sell it now.
http://www.mustang-fastback.com/

Fire Pit Craving

Last summer, while I was about 7- month pregnant, I had an idea that became obsessed with. "We need a fire pit- and we need it now!" Well, I didn't quite phrase it like that to Ashish, but needless to say, we loaded up Nishad and ended up at our local chain home and garden store with a 10% off coupon in hand. I 'supervised' as Ashish made a circle of bricks in the isle that was exactly what this pregnant woman needed. No, I didn't crave pickles or ice cream, but a fire pit.

After numerous trips from the car to the backyard (which Ashish earned his cardio workout for the day as we have a walkout basement- so it's not an easy task), I began digging and clearing a section in our yard for our pit. Yes, we have rock star plans for our yard, but we've always agreed it will come in phases. This was just one of those phases- with odd timing. Being that I wouldn't stop until it was done, I waddled in around 9PM that night. Though I couldn't really admire my work from our deck, I knew it was out there- And that was enough to give this pregnant lady a sense of satisfaction that I could dream about.

This Spring we continued on with DYI phase two of our fire pit. We added a seating area and landscaping. We had our first bonfire last month. I came prepared with S'More fixin's in hand. Ashish doesn't like them and Nishad only likes the chocolate bar. At least we were all able to enjoy the fire pit together. *This picture is from May, 2008.

Norhwoods

This is our 4th annual summer trip up north to Bemidji. We have rented a cabin on Lake Bemidji from June 3rd until June 9th. Steps away from the beach and all the comforts of home. It takes us 4 hours to get here, but it's worth the r & r.

There was actually a tornado warning and we had to go to the main lodge, where we spent about 20-minutes in the boiler room with other resort guests. We went in town and played miniature golf, visited Babe and Paul, ate at a great organic restaurant, and visited the Bemidji Historic Railway Depot/Museum (Don't waste your money or time as there are only pictures of trains and a model train!).