Glitter Gold Laces big hit at School Today.

A young friend of the Poppy Blog decided to lace up a pair of sneaks today with these striking gold laces.  My pal checked with his mom to see if she thought first grade schoolmates would approve, and she said: go for it." And he did. And the kids in his class thought he (and laces) were awesome.  

Helms Olympic Bread - My Fave Store in Los Angeles.

Sonoma Vintner Carolyn T. happy to meet a 2016 Wiener-mo-Beel.

Our pal Carolyn and hubby James take a gas station break from work on their vines in Sonoma.  Spotted at the center island pumping high test:  a 2016 model Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.  As if by magic old TV jingle danced through her head:  I wish I were an Oscar Mayer wiener, wish I were an Oscar Mayer wiener ..... 

At Common Roots - orderly attention to detail at the side bar assures that what comes out of the espresso machine is of highest quality. And it is (does).

When the condiment side bar is as orderly as this, you simply know the coffee products rock. And that they do at Common Roots. Just saying ... 

Pillsbury 'A' Mill Stuns in Late Afternoon Sunlight.

For seventy years "Bohemian Flats" was home to wave after wave of immigrants pursuing the American Dream. Quite a story, and I'm sorry it's taken me so long to come upon it.

Roasted Fresh Daily.

I'm getting quite the stare from this passerby, don't you think? All I'm doing is sipping an iced skim latte, reading the Strib, and snapping an occasional foto through the front window at Dunn Brothers. Maybe I should have offered this pedestrian a coffee drink in return for letting me frame the picture?  

Can't seem to sit still around here this week. Lots of action to record and report.

Great looking young people brave snow in Missoula, MT while posing for a family Christmas card. I recognize nieces and nephews in this foto, and marvel at how beautiful and handsome they've grown up to be 👫 Happy holidays to their parents Cash and Molly 👏💋

You saw this one up-top.  Briefcase is making its inaugural appearance at Harvest Moon Co-op this week.  The journal? From the Poppy Memorial Library, and contains all manner of wisdom, reflection, speculation and other gibberish.  How 'bout the fountain pens?  My eclectic faves:  a yellow Pelikan with a red ink cartridge installed;  green Lamy with turquoise ink;  and a red Schaeffer calligraphy-nibbed pen with black ink.  Coffee cup likely contains a remaining sip or two of Peace brand small batch.

No one ever accused me of being a good cook.  But I have ventured lately into "egg in a basket" creations, something my Mom used to fry up when we kids were screaming for breakfast.  I added half a ripe avocado to the dish, plus a couple of dollops of homemade pesto (a neighborly gift from our friend Liz).  I literally inhaled the goodness of this dish. 

Bone Broth is all the rage they tell me.  Can't imagine what it must taste like -- chicken, turkey and beef.  Bone broth. Ugh. The Epic brand on sale in my co-op is joined in the refrigerated case by sister products like Beef Tallow, Pork Lard and Duck Fat.  These things surely can't be good for you 🙈🙉🙊 But they are for sale in the co-op and we all know that health food store food is, well, healthy.  What do YOU think? 

My dear family-ites  surprised me this afternoon with a new cold weather ski cap.  Temps in the Twin Cities are headed south to single digits next week, so this baby should come in handy.

The Patagonia ¼ zip pullover? I'm in my 4th straight day of staying warm with my Patagucci, so I'm grateful for this thoughtful, practical Christmas present.  

Last but far from least:  senior management at Common Roots Cafe on Lyndale and 26th in Minnie, work up my iced latte.  You might think that I'm awaiting change for my twenty, but my loyalty card was punched full, and the drink was on the house.  And it tasted even better 'cause it was free 🙏😇👍

Vignettes from the day: weather-worn window and sill, and new socks for the whole family from Santa.

On the way out of Dunn Bros. downtown you can't help noticing weather-worn wooden windows and sills. Come Spring you'll likely see paint scrapers, sandpaper, caulking, glazing points, primer, brushes and overcoat, and the painting contractors who'll bring this classic window back to life.   

Santa Claus likely stopped his sleigh at Target this holiday season to do some sock shopping for these lucky feet. Wonder if any new shoes came down the chimney along with the socks? 

Open just three weeks, (Whole)sum Juice and Coffee Bar serves "Smoothie Bowls," brand new taste sensation for the Poppy Blog.

(Whole)Sum Kitchen owner Evan Tepper greets customer and well-wisher this afternoon at just-opened shop on 50th and Bryant in Minneapolis.  Speciality of the house:  Smoothie Bowls, whiich surprized and delighted the Hoyt tastebuds.

Menu hangs on wall to left as customers enter the shop.

Fellow Customer enjoying his iced latte.

Tepper and staff have done a smart, industrial-strength (and -style) job with design and accents of (Whole) Sum. The place looks clean and bright, and even feels healthy!

Our Friend Anna - another great reason to shop Wilson + Willy's in Mpls.

Such a lovely lady, this Anna. She makes shopping at Wilson + Willy's a breeze.  And while Anna didn't talk us into buying that surfboard, we did purchase a number of Christmas gifts for loved ones for the second year in a row. Special store, special person. Get to know these folks if you don't already.

Low Country Living, Dunellon Edition

Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt strike a Dunellon Pose -- Low Country Gothic comes to mind. Beautiful home, beautiful country, and decidedly a beautiful couple. Now, here's something to give thanks for.

Climbing the Steps to Deeper Love and Understanding. Unitarian Universalist Church of Minnetonka, MN

The kids poured out of Sunday school last week, pastel-colored chalks in hand. Parents encouraged these young ambassadors in their expressions of peace and justice, love and neighbors. Love trumps Hate. Keep America Kind.  Value our Somali Neighbors.

The younger generation is our hope and salvation. In a world rife with anger and meanness, where hate has become the norm, Unitarian Universalist worshipers really do carry the inspiring message.  

Thank you, thank you. 

165,005 page views on the Blog as of today.

Wow. I am so pleased that my blog has racked up more than 165,000 page views as of this morning.  Please keep coming back.  And, with your continued comments, let me know what kinds of posts you like best.

Custom Velo at MIA, built in honor of the '38 Tatra (Czech classic 4-door sedan) on permanent display on MIA 4th floor. What a beaut (not old Poppy). I

I think "Handsome Cycles" was commissioned by MIA to design and build this special bike. Aerodynamic features match pretty well the flow ot the '38 Tatra (from Czechoslovakia) on permanent display in the museum.

You're not supposed to touch ths baby, meaning you could never take her out for a spin.  So you pretend to get in the drops, and hope some MIA staffer comes along who agrees to take a foto of you "in action."