Cheese Curds and Pronto Pups

No, I didn't eat cheese curds, but I did have two Ponto Pups at the Minnesota State Fair.  Each year, we enjoy many of the same attractions and food on our usual route around the State Fair.  The crowds were huge on Sunday and it was a bit hot, but we had a great time.  We were tasked with checking out Mom's winnings in the baking division at Creative Activities.  This year she won a blue ribbon for ice box cookies and several other ribbons for pies and coffee cake.  People-watching was especially entertaining this year!

When Wrens Attack!

Look out for dive-bombing wrens if you get to close to the wren house in our yard!  It is amazing how such small birds can be so aggressive in defending their space.  They will take on much larger birds such as woodpeckers.  I even saw the wren drive a squirrel away several times, sending it running across the street into the neighbor's yard. 

We had one successful brood and now, another pair of wrens has a nest.  Hopefully, we will hear the babies chattering soon.

Progression of Peonies

Peonies are one of my favorite flowers.  Each year when they begin to emerge from the ground, I know it is warm enough to uncover my roses.  Some of my peonies date back decades to my grandmother's garden.  We lovingly transplanted them each time we moved to a new house.  This spring there were very few ants crawling around on the buds.  When the peonies bloomed, they were bug-free and ready to bring inside for a dramatic bouquet.

 

 

 

A Wonderful Walking Tour of Boston

I took my first trip to Boston recently.  I was pleasantly surpised to find most of the historical sites I wanted to see were within a relatively easy walking distance from the Waterfront in the North End.  I followed most of the Freedom Trail over two days, ending up both days at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.  After a full day of walking, I took a cab back to my hotel in the North End.  I would highly recommend exploring the Massachusetts State House.  Both the House of Representatives and Senate Chambers were open when I was there.  I kept thinking about how many of the great leaders of this country have walked these very same halls. 

Lu Ann Sidney Explores Mantorville Minnesota

For those who would like to take a day trip to southern Minnesota, I would highly recommend heading to Mantorville.  I recently spent an enjoyable Sunday afternoon at the Mantorville Theatre Company production of "Love, Sex, and the IRS" at the historic Mantorville Opera House.  Following the play, we ate at one of our favorite restaurants, the Hubbell House, located a block away.  Try the steak!  You won't be disappointed with either the quality or the price!

Lu Ann Sidney Finds Kauai's Junglefowl

There are an astonishing number of chickens (junglefowl) roaming around on the island of Kauai.  For first time visitors, this can be somewhat of a shock.  Ever since Hurricane Iniki let loose the chickens in September 1992, they have seemingly increased in numbers.  They can be found along the highway, in shopping center parking lots, at tourist attractions, and on hotel grounds.  I found the best ones for photgraphing at the Kokee Lodge up the Waimea Canyon road. 

Kauai's Garden Preserves

I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of plants and birds we encountered at both the Limahuli and McBryde Gardens on Kauai.  The most interesting of the plants was the alula.  These plants look like small cabbages on top of a small palm tree trunk.  Once thought to be extinct in the wild, botanists were able to save seeds by climbing down the cliffs on the Na Pali Coast.  Successful propagation has led to alulas now being available at Lowes and Home Depot!

Both gardens had alulas.  We happened to snap a photo of a very vocal shama thrush at the McBryde Garden.