Minneapolis and a Heavy Suitcase

After my Chicago adventure, I headed up to Minneapolis.   We lived in Minneapolis for three years and we really loved it.  We have so many fond memories and so it was like coming home.  I love the crisp air, the familiar skyline, all of the green and the pretty lakes.  And it's good I visit in the fall because that is my favorite season.  I did NOT take as many pictures as I should have and I am still irritated.  C'est la vie.  

I was greeted with this fabulous clutch when I got to my very own suite in the basement of my friend's house where I was pampered and spoiled.  Oh it was blissful.  I slept in.  I read.  I got ready at my leisure.  What a visit.  I wasn't sure I wanted to go home.

The next morning we went to the Idea House in Minneapolis. It's a house that they redo every season.  The same basic kitchen cabinets, flooring, etc. stay the same, but they change paint, accessories and furniture.  It is so fun and as the name suggests, they always have plenty of great ideas.  There is even a shed and garage that are decked out as well.  I snagged a few pictures but mostly oohed and ahhed and enjoyed myself and my friend's company.  I loved the old tires turned into chairs and the fun wall displays.  After our perusing, we shopped and ate lunch and shopped more at some of our favorite little spots and wandered and it was just lovely.

Later that night, my friend and I went to a small theater for a production called The Church Basement Ladies (I gather it's a series).  It was so hilarious.  I laughed, and then I laughed so hard I cried.  What a treat.  It was so fun.  Just right up my alley.

On Saturday, my day was clear full of shoots.  We had a fabulous location and a lot of great families.  It was a beautifully crisp day and the leaves were just starting to turn.  I admired lakes and beautiful scenic spots.

After our shoots, my hosts took me to Psycho Suzie's for dinner.  We had some Potluck Pickle Roll-ups (also known as Minnesota Sushi), onion rings and some tasty pizza.  Definitely an experience.

After that, my friend and her daughter and I headed to The Mall of America and shopped and shopped.  It brought back memories and it was so fun.  Then I had to be very creative in packing my carry-on.  I somehow managed to squeeze it all in.  I didn't have much room to begin with and with my two trips combined, I ended up with 5 books, 2 mini artificial plants, 2 small white pumpkins, 1 parasol from Chinatown, 1 bag of chocolate fortune cookies, 1 sock-trout (like a sock monkey), 1 package of caramel puffed corn, 4 soaps, some fancy caramels and candies, 4-5 necklaces, 2 bracelets, 1 monogrammed mini canvas, various small toys for the kids, 1 set of stick colored pencils and 1 mini cake pan.  I left out my Sunday high heels to wear on the airplane and to free up space in my luggage.  I did buy a larger purse and left my old one in Chicago, so that helped too I guess.

The next day was my last and on our way to the airport, we decided to stop by Minnehaha Falls.  When I came last year, we tried to check out the falls and due to some technical difficulties and losing part of our party, we ran out of time and got to the park but didn't see the falls before we had to rush to the airport.  This year, my lovely hosts were excited to set things straight and we left in plenty of time.  Once there, we all piled out and went to enjoy the view...only to find that there was not much falling...in fact it was only a couple of trickles.  So we are hoping that next year will work.  Third time's a charm, eh?!  Still can't believe it.  But we did get to walk around and enjoy nature and the pretty colors and let the kiddies play.

And so I said goodbye to this sweet miss and her siblings and boarded my plane home with my disgustingly heavy suitcase.  I swear it weighed 1,000 pounds.  I had to heave it to the back of a seat and then on up to the overhead compartment.  But I made it.  With all my goodies.

Can't wait for next year!