Village Detour

Minnesota wasn't sure what season it wanted to give us this past week again. There was rain and even a few snow flakes a couple days. Really cold mornings, that turned into fine nights, and then we had yesterday, sunny warm and appeared to be scripted for a spring Saturday. Both my daughter and I should have been more productive on the home front than we were, but after tidying up the living spaces, a little laundry, and lunch of the leftover soup from last week and hummus on toast, we collected a friend and made an afternoon detour. 

I live in a nice small town nestled right on the Mississippi river. Not far, and part of the broader community is where the Mississippi and St Croix River meet. The St Croix River valley is home to several picturesque small towns and little villages that are perfect for a  wander. While DH and I regularly are in Afton for wine club, we rarely have had any of the kids with when we've stopped there. On route is a regional park that  the high school uses for cross country training and for their meets. In the fall, we have a selection of orchards that we pick apples and pumpkins from, but their not quite as far up the valley as Afton. I decided to take the twenty minute drive along the forested winding St Croix trail rather than the slightly faster county roads. All total, we spent less than three hours out and about, but it feels like much more of a get away. Here's our spring Saturday detour in (rather poor) pictures. 

Afton has several boutiques and upcycle repurposed shops, with an eclectic mix of old and new, artisan made items, and a variety of textiles. I feel a little bad as I look for an eye as to what could I try to do myself, if I dedicate to the time, as opposed to actually shopping and buying.

 

 









There was an impromptu string trio setting up next to a day spa. Both the girls are violinist so stopped and listened a bit. 

Then the girls spotted a "secret garden" behind a fence, so maneuvered their phones to capture a shot or two. I knew the real secret was that it was part of a publicly welcome garden (just down the block a bit), and a garden center. 

 
I found three bulb pots of hostas and crossing my fingers that these will survive the rabbits.

 Complimentary tea for visitors and what little quaint village is complete without a a spot for foodies to get their share of local sauces, jams, salsa's and chutneys.

Just two boats docked at the publicly available slips. No slipped boats in yet, but people everywhere painting boats, and starting to get them ready to put back in the water. 

 April can be hit or miss. This is the St Croix on a calm day, ice free. Little dots of green are emerging across the and up the shoreline.

More Travelling the World from My Own Home

My daughter and her friend spent a couple nights at my house and are off to see other parts of the midwest. R is the lovely girl D met in grad school in London. They joke that they are international twins, and I saw it. They'll be back later in the week before R heads home, taking in more events and activities in the cities. We went out to our favorite Mexican restaurant last night. The food is delicious and they have these cute glasses with dancing jalapeno's on them wearing sombreros. I thought R should have one, and my niece offered to smuggle one out in her bag. Being the honest soul I am, I asked if I could buy one for our English friend, and the manager just said to take one for her.

The sweet girl came with full hands, and UK treats a plenty. For DD#2, a couple bags of jelly babies, a la Doctor Who, and some little piggy gummy's. For DH and I,  there was a chocolate bar from Marks and Spencer, and a jute bag with tea and biscuits (cookies to we Americans) from Fortnum and Mason. Now Marks and Spencer I know a little about, but I had to learn more about F&M. I decided to go travelling the web to learn about the company, "the most luxurious store in the world."

This is why I am a complete Anglophile. Everything about their web site sucked me in. First, the  Fortnum and Mason site is beautifully photographed and arranged with crisp pictures of baskets, and tea's and canisters of biscuits that scream, "You're in London." Then there are the teacups and saucers. I love tea cups and saucers and have a whole bunch of individual sets, gifts from people, ones from my grandma, the only things I have from her, and from DH's grandmother, so very precious to me. I keep them in my large kitchen window sill, and they help make doing dishes a little less like drudgery. 

Then there is the history and story's of the company.  F&M was founded in 1707, a three hundred and nine year old company. I live in one of the first settled towns in Minnesota and I doubt we have trees that old. I got caught up reading posts on the journal section, such as the short history of afternoon tea.  The sites full of yet more features and fascinating background on the products, and information on the artisans the company works with are included.  Visiting their website is not just virtual window shopping, it is a trip to all things Great Britain. 

I haven't broken into our gifts yet. I want to savor the pretty packaging for a while. I feel very blessed that my daughter had the opportunity to study abroad, and develop lifelong friendships with such lovely people as R. When I do treat myself, I'll smile in appreciation. I will then sit back at precisely 4:00, having heated the water to exactly 100 degrees celsius, using my finest tea cup and saucer, plate of biscuits along side, and begin my trip across the pond,  if only for the afternoon.