#366project

DECEMBER 12, 2016 - 347/366
THESE SNOWFLAKES, FROZEN IN MID-AIR

It was so nice to see the sun today, especially early this morning, when all the branches were covered with a fine coating of snow. 

DECEMBER 11, 2016 - 346/366
THIS WINDSHIELD WIPER SALUTE

I have nothing else to add.

DECEMBER 10, 2016 - 345/366
THIS PEACEFUL PLACE TO WATCH THE SNOW FALLING

Who says park benches are only for the summer?

DECEMBER 9, 2016 - 344/366
THE ICE CREEPING ONTO CEDAR LAKE

I love how the cold makes the water calm and white.

DECEMBER 8, 2016 - 343/366
THIS GINGERBREAD CITY HALL

Today I stopped by Norway House to see the Gingerbread Wonderland exhibit, which consists of buildings in the Twin Cities all made out of gingerbread. The whole thing is super cute; you can see First Avenue, the Capitol, Mill City Museum, the Stone Arch Bridge, Saarinen’s Christ Lutheran Church, and so many more. Plus it smells delicious inside. Exhibit ends January 8th.

DECEMBER 7, 2017 - 342/366
HAVING A BEER WITH FRIENDS ON A COLD NIGHT

Sometimes there’s a lot of bad news in the world, in your region, in your state, in your city, in your neighborhood, and in your life. Those are the times you need to rely on your friends and family to help you get through it. Tonight I met up with some people who are dear to me, and felt a lot better for it. Thanks, guys.

DECEMBER 6, 2016 - 341/366
THESE BRANCHES, SWAYING IN THE WIND

It’s grey and windy today, and as I looked out my window I couldn’t help but notice how much the trees were getting blown around. Their trunks stay solidly rooted to the ground but the further up the tree you go, the more the branches bend. It’s actually kind of mesmerizing if you watch for a little while.

DECEMBER 5, 2016 - 340/366
THE ATRIUM AT THE DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS LIBRARY

There are so many things to like about this space; there’s a lot of natural light that comes in; there are great sight lines between levels; and the mixture of old-fashioned columns with modern steel and glass. Every time I walk in, my eyes immediately go up to the ceiling and the walkways.

Designed by Cesar Pelli, this library opened in 2006. 

DECEMBER 4, 2016 - 339/366
THIS GIANT BRONZE BUNNY, DECORATED FOR THE HOLIDAYS

If you’ve ever biked, run, or driven on Minnehaha Parkway near Portland Avenue, you probably saw this giant sculpture by Wisconsin sculpture, Jeff Barber.  

I actually don’t love the sculpture as much as I love seeing how kids react to it. Their eyes get big, and they clamber up on top to strike a pose, waiting for mom or dad to get their phone out. It’s the kind of bunny that everyone wants to have their photo with.

Entitled “Cottontail on the Trail,” the sculpture is a gateway to three Minneapolis neighborhoods: Hale, Page, and Diamond Lake.

DECEMBER 3, 2016 - 338/366
THE LAKE HARRIET BANDSHELL

The bandshell at Lake Harriet is an iconic place in Minneapolis, even though the current structure isn’t actually that old. The very first entertainment pavilion was built on this spot in 1888, and over the years they kept burning down, until a “temporary” bandstand was erected in 1925 and lasted for 60 years. The most recent iteration was built in 1986.

There are many things to love about this structure, but my absolute favorite is that the architect, Milo Thompson, designed a series of windows at the back of the bandshell, so that you can look beyond the entertainment on the stage to the lake. It’s a simple and ingenious idea, and it adds so much to events held there.

DECEMBER 2, 2016 - 337/366
THE MAIN POST OFFICE IN MINNEAPOLIS

Anytime I need to mail a package, I always go to the gorgeous post office in downtown Minneapolis. Completed in 1933, the building is a great example of Art Modern style. The main hall, pictured above features a 350 foot bronze chandelier, which dominates the space. It’s fabulous.

DECEMBER 1, 2016 - 336/366
THIS JUMBLE OF TREES

At Rockville County Park, near Cold Spring, Minnesota

NOVEMBER 30, 2016 - 335/366
THE BRACKETT ROCKET

There’s a fun sculpture in Brackett Park, in the Longfellow Neighborhood in Minneapolis, which looks like a rocket taking off into space. Here’s some background on this fantastic piece, taken from the Minneapolis Parkswebsite:

The 35 ft. Return Journey sculpture was originally installed in 1962 and is now a signature landmark to the park. The Brackett Rocket was a children’s climbing structure symbolic of the entrance of the United States into the “space race.” The Rocket was partially closed in the late 1990s because it no longer met safety standards. In 2004 it was removed as part of park renovation.

The community, led by the Brackett Rocket Boosters, rallied to bring the Rocket back to the park in October 2007, culminating a two-year process that included fundraising and promotional activities. The Rocket was modified and transformed into public art to preserve its original symbolism by Minneapolis resident and artist Randy Walker. Poised for takeoff above an oval of boulders and smoke-colored shrubs, the sculpture is surrounded by 84 steel cables that give the appearance of a space liftoff.

NOVEMBER 29, 2016 - 334/366
THIS PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE ON THE MIDTOWN GREENWAY

Just north of the Midtown Greenway, between the avenues of Aldrich and Girard, there’s a 6-block pedestrian path that didn’t exist 11 years ago. Envisioned as a connector between Lyndale and Hennepin, the first stretch of this promenade was built in 2005, and because 29th Street has no sidewalks, it’s a popular place for people to walk in the neighborhood. 

The prettiest stretch of this walkway is a delicate pedestrian bridge between Dupont and Emerson. It’s lit beautifully in the evening, and it’s in constant use. As I was shooting this photo I saw a half-dozen people walking their dogs, a woman running with her yoga mat, a guy carrying a 12-pack of beer, and many other people talking or texting as they hurried across this bridge. Just another night in the neighborhood.

NOVEMBER 28, 2016 - 333/366
THIS BRIEF GLIMPSE OF THE SUN

We had some crazy weather today—it was warm, with high winds and lots of rain—so I was happy to see the sun for a few minutes right before it set. And then, about 20 minutes after I shot this, it started hailing. #insaneweatherfornovember

NOVEMBER 27, 2016 - 332/366
THESE FISHERMEN IN THE FOG

As seen at Lake Calhoun this morning.

NOVEMBER 26, 2016 - 331/366
THIS GRACEFUL ARCH

Today was the first time I went inside 100 Washington Square, by Minoru Yamasaki (who also did the nearby Voya building, and, of course, the World Trade Center). The interior is understated and elegant, and it carries over some elements from Voya, notably this catenary arch. It’s an unexpected gesture in an otherwise boxy building, and it made me smile when I saw it.

There’s a new coffee shop inside this building (Penny’s) so you can go in for a latte and admire Yamasaki’s light hand.

NOVEMBER 25, 2016 - 330/366
THESE NEW GLASSES

I loved my last pair of glasses so much that I didn’t want to get new ones. But the prescription was 5 years old, and I finally admitted to myself that I couldn’t see the crossword puzzle anymore. Last week I got a new pair with my updated prescription, and I love them so much. Look out crossword; here I come! 

NOVEMBER 24, 2016 - 329/366
THIS THANKSGIVING DINNER

Today I am thankful I was able to have dinner with my parents, sister, and husband. I’m thankful we had plenty of food to eat, and that we were able to enjoy each other’s company. I’m thankful to have people in my life that I love and care about, and who love and watch out for me. 

I hope you were able to have the same type of day. Happy Thanksgiving. 

NOVEMBER 23, 2016 - 328/366
THESE SNOW-COVERED BRANCHES

As seen at Lake Harriet this morning.