travels with toby

It’s time to recap the year in photos. Even during a pandemic I found things to photograph. But before the pandemic we went to the Marjory McNeely Conservatory at Como Park for the annual winter carnival orchid show, usually held the third weekend in January every year. Do check out my post to view some gorgeous orchids and other plants and flowers as I’m only including a few in my gallery below. I’m going to guess that there won’t be an orchid show in 2021. I will have to revel in past years’ photos and wait for next year’s show.

This year I created posts about our cat Frankie, a summer visit to Itasca, one of my favorite state parks, a fun art project called Roseville in Bloom, our kitchen remodel and a socially distanced visit to the Minneapolis Institute of Art. I also took advantage of the University of Minnesota’s retirement incentive and I’m including photos of some of my parting gifts. An interesting year, to say the least!

Please enjoy this gallery of photos from my 2020 which includes other photos not previously shared here on my blog as well as some of my favorite seasonal photos.

early lockdown brunch(pre remodeled kitchen)

yummy brunch

I got back into coloring during lockdown

bleeding hearts

crab apple tree blossoms

group of dark pink bee balm

bee balm up close

milkweed

double blossom?

Showy Lady’s Slipper at Itasca

small group of lady’s slippers at Itasca

healthy, growing garden!

cucumber flower

sunset at the cabin in June

Roseville in bloom

Roseville in bloom

Roseville in bloom

birthday boy enjoying oysters at Stella’s Fish Cafe

kitchen completed! v1

kitchen completed! v2

St. Paul Viola Ensemble outdoor, socially distanced concert

SPVE-break time

SPVE guest artist with Irish bagpipes

SPVE-cash donations went to a food bank

backyard socially distanced jamming

George Floyd artwork

George Floyd artwork

Bell Museum

Bell Museum

Bell Museum

Sunset at the cabin in August

retirement card and part of gifts

a sweatshirt blanket, love it!

one of my favorite new mugs

Mississippi River

Willow Pond path

Sunburst – Chihuly, Minneapolis Institute of Art

Baboon and young – Picasso, Minneapolis Institute of Art

The Clockermaker – Ivan Vasilievich Kliun, Minneapolis Institute of Art

the artist with his pumpkins

Socially distanced (and out of focus) trick or treating

Frankie likes to help wrap presents

we always light the Hanukah candles

Red velvet crinkles

Snicker doodles

we four at Christmas

the tree with the bows

To close, here are a couple of sunrise photos that I especially like. Happy new year! And may 2021 bring us peace and health and an end to the pandemic.