Roasting Muggsy's Beans

Have you ever wondered who roasts your coffee beans? Or who roasts the best organic, fare trade coffee beans around? The answer is Muggsy of course. Muggsy has been roasting beans for years but I have never had the opportunity to witness the process. Before you look at the pictures, if you could brew a lovely pot of coffee that would help. The smell upon entering is divine, like a perfectly brewed dark roast. The process starts with the quintessential bag of raw coffee beans in burlap bags.

I had never seen raw coffee beans before, I am not sure if you have. Before they become wonderfully scented puffy brown bean they are heavier, green and lacking the obvious line down the middle.

Muggsy pours the raw beans into the hopper and begins roasting and waiting.

Shortly after the first pop (sounds like popcorn) the beans are ready.

Along with the steam comes the beautiful beans and delicious smell.

Again reminding me of popcorn, only a popcorn maker in this case, the beans are turned slowly until cooled.

Lookout below. . . at Quarry Park

I am a little embarrassed to admit this but here I am telling whoever is reading this. I have lived in St. Cloud for 10 years and I had never been to Quarry Park. I have heard about it. It has always sounded like fun but truth be told, I didn't know where it was and apparently did not feel the need to look into it until recently. Well, I am glad that I did! It is so great and it is only $14 for a year round parking pass. I talked two great gals, Maria and Amber, into coming with me.

Maria and Amber had been there before but it was many years and I would say a completely new experience for us all. We picked up a map and started walking. I wasn't sure what we would find but the walk was enjoyable.

Maria claimed that she had been swimming here and so we were all ready but I don't think I was quite prepared for what I saw. I imagined something less grand than this. I guess I was also thinking that there would be a graceful way to get in but no. We just had to jump in. It was great! Maria was the bravest of the three of us today. She opted to jump from one of the greater cliffs while Amber and I cheered her on. I am vowing to myself to get the courage before the end of the summer. Did you catch that? I am going back and taking quests:)

Jule's Bistro

Imagine the most amazing pizza you have ever tasted, and I promise you, the three cheese pizza at Jule's Bistro is even better. I admit that the rest of the food there is also great but I have a difficult time ordering anything else because it is so good. The ambiance at this great little place downtown St. Cloud is great. It is intimate, quiet, formal and informal at the same time and always filled with great art from local artists. The owner, Jules, is a former special education teacher in the St. Cloud district. I also have learned that she helped to start the St. Cloud Art Crawl. If the food and ambiance wasn't enough to love this place, Jules is. If you find yourself looking for a great local place to eat and enjoy St. Cloud, I vote you go here.

Freedom to enjoy for Free

Of course, one of my favorite things about St. Cloud, MN is the ability to celebrate the 4th of July for free! The fireworks show start at 10 pm on the Mississippi river. I think it is best to get there early and enjoy the festivities and people watching.

Monday night Jazz

Monday Night Jazz has become a semi-regular part of my life and of course I love it. I don't know of any other city that offers jazz music created by such an interesting and loveable group of guys. The best part is that I get to enjoy it with my great friend, Maria! If you enjoy jazz music, people watching, beer, wine or a cocktail and good company, check out Monday Night Jazz at the Veranda Lounge.

Project: Falling in Love with St. Cloud

I just back from Greece and was surprised that I felt artistically uninspired and restless. After meditating on the problem, the solution hit me. I love living in St. Cloud. It is a great place to live but I realized that I may not be experiencing or appreciating all the amazing, unique and fun things to do around here.

This is where the new project comes into play. The project is titled, "Falling in Love with St. Cloud". My goal is to re-experience St. Cloud. I plan on visiting places and events that I have loved since I moved here 10 years ago as well as exploring new venues. I have started to come up with a list but I am looking for more. I am asking for any places you love to eat, places you love to bike, hike, swim, etc., any artistic events, historical sites, and anything else you can come up with.

This is the list so far:
1. Munsinger gardens
2. Quarry Park
3. Jules Bistro
4. Lake George- music, paddle boats, splash pads
5. Baseball
6. Skating at the Mac arena
7. Art crawl
8. Hula hooping
9. The Red Carpet
10. Monday Night Jazz
11. Paramount
12. Frisbee golf
13. Kayak the Mississippi
14. Library
15. Stearns County History Museum
16. Riverside Park
17. Rock climping
18. Air Max
19. SCSU
20. Walk at St. John's
21. Powder Ridge
22. SummerLand
23. Beaver Islands Trail
24. Lake Wobegon Trail
25. St. Cloud State University's Outdoor Endeavors
26. Molitor's

I have received more suggestions or ideas and am adding them to the list: 27. Cold spring bakery 28. St. Cloud Auto car show and swap meet 29. Bernick's Pepsi Arena- Sartell (open skate) 30. Territory Golf Club 31. St. Cloud Stake Place 32. A & G Produce- St. Joe 33. Two Rivers Campground & Tubing (18 mi. N of St. Cloud) 34. Metro bus 35. Lake Maria State Park- Canoe rental 36. Bumbledee's 37. Northernbrights 38. Mind body spirit 39. Biology 40. Brothers 41. Lake Wobegon bike to Avon Fisher's Club (425 Statford. St. W) 42. Hemker Park and Zoo in Freeport 43. Fiddler's Festival in Annandale (Aug. 19) 44. A maze'n Farmland- Eden Valley 45. Millner Herritage Vinyard and Winery in Kimball 46. Atwood Gallery and Kiehle at SCSU 47. Art and Heritage Place at St. Ben's 48. Benton County Historical Society- Sauk Rapids 49. El Rancho Manana Campground, Riding Stable and Recreational Area- Richmond 50. House of Pizza 51. Anton's 52. Muggsy roasting beans 53. Sawatee 54. Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Festival-Richmond My commitment is to visual document my experiences and share them on this blog. Your job, share your thoughts and ideas. . .

Exhibiting!!!

As the title indicates, I am finally exhibiting the work I created in Ireland. Well, clearly not all of it but I was recently accepted into an juried art exhibit. I attempted to enter the nosy donkey and one of the smaller pieces that I created when I finally gave myself permission to never paint a landscape. I really didn't think it would get in at least not in St. Cloud but wouldn't you know, I was wrong. The donkey which I thought was a for sure thing, didn't make it. Clearly, I was wrong again. The best news however is that someone is interested in buying the nosy donkey! I hope it works out. At this rate, I would be a leg up on van Gogh. He sold only one painting in his lifetime and it was to his brother. Sure, I have not even sold it yet but if I do, I know I get some bragging rights since I won't be selling it to a sibling.

Pictures of London

Last day abroad

Today was the last day I had as a tourist. I walked a ton today. I went to an outdoor museum, a nordic museum, and the vasa museum. I actually had plans to make it to one more museum that had all the pippy longstocking stuff but frankly, my feet couldn't take it anymore. It was a lovely day. Ironically, I have had the warmest and sunniest weather here in Sweden than the rest of my trip. I am slightly sunburnt but I think it may actually turn into a nice farmers tan.

Tonight/this morning, a taxi will be coming to pick me up from Sarah's. I think this is the best choice since I would be completely lost if left alone to use the subway and catch a train here in Sweden. I was able to do it when it was in English but I won't lie to myself- it just won't happen here. Sarah even had to order my food for me tonight. If anyone is planning on coming to Sweden, most people do speak English but I recomend getting yourself a 'Sarah' to guide you and point you in the right direction because the signs are not in English all the time. Anyway, tomorrow is a long day of travel but my bed lies at the end of the journey and I can hear it calling my name. Yes. You are right, that is loud. Not only can I hear it across the ocean but I can also hear it over the Iron Maiden Concert that is playing very near Sarah's.

I made it to Sweden!

Yep. I did it. I am officially in Sweden. At least that is what I am told. I can't read the language so it is based on trust- well, that and the fact that Sarah was at the airport to pick me up. I am so grateful for that. I would still be in the airport if it wasn't for her. She brought me to her condo and she had cake to celebrate my birthday as well as a book for me(in Engligh) that is very popular in Sweden. Talk about sweet. Tomorrow I am going to be venturing out on my own which is a little scary. She will get off of work around four and then we will go out with 6 of her friends and then to see Mama Mia the movie. I am really excited about that. Right now, I am happy to be able to relax a little. I think tomorrow will be a big day for me.
Can't wait to see you all soon. Oh, Mom or Julie, do you know if Mrs. Woodstrom's second book has been published yet?

Bumpy ride

So, I left London yesterday (Sat) morning. My airport shuttle came early but luckily, I wasn't eating breakfast so I was ready to meet him at 6:30am. Much to my horror, I discovered that I was at the wrong airport when I couldn't retrieve my e-ticket. BLOODY HELL! So, the airport I was at didn't have any available seats so my only option was to try to catch the one I was supposed to be on. I took two trains back to the spot that I started in. I could have taken the tube from there to the correct airport but was told that would take me an hour, i.e. the time my flight was scheduled to leave. I took a taxi instead. So, roughly $120 later, I made it to the correct airport but there was a problem checking bags. That actually turned out to be a good thing because I wasn't the only one running late and therefore, the flight was delayed and I made it! Lets just say, I was thrilled to be leaving London at that point and moving onto a new venture.

Edinburgh is so much more for me. It's just a small fraction of the size so that helps. I can't figure out the bus system to save my soul but I don't care. I went to two modern art galleries when I got here and then the National Art Gallery. After, I bought a 24 hr ticket for a hop-on-hop-off tour. I rode it around the night before so that I could make the most out of today and I would have to say that it worked. I could always see more art but I am very satisfied with the things that I did see so I can't complain. I know that I ended up seeing more than I thought I would so that is really great.

Tomorrow morning I need to try to catch the bus back to the airport and then it's off to see Sarah in Sweden. I am getting really excited for this part. I am getting so desperate for seeing a familiar face that I keep seeing people who I am certain are doubles to my friends and family. Paige, I swear I have seen you several times in London as well as a former student, Eliza. In Scotland, the tour guide at the Edinburgh castle reminded me of a friend from Northfield. I could go on but you get the point. I am slightly nervous about not speaking Swedish but Sarah is going to meet me at the airport and take me by train to her place. Can you imagine me trying to get around in a country where they don't speak English? There were many times on this trip that I wasn't sure we were all speaking English.

I am looking forward to seeing you all very soon.

Tower of London

After a very unrestful night due to this absolutely ridiculous stomach thing, I went to the Tower of London. I had a ticket after all and I was not about to spend the day in this bloody hotel if I could help it. So, I skipped breakfast and loaded up on peptobismol. This seemed to help enough. I stood in line for 45 min only to find out, I didn't have to wait. Sort of funny since the people behind me were talkig the entire time about wishing that they have prepurched their tickets and it didn't occur to me. Oh well, I got in. I listened to the tour. He was very funny and I would recommend going on the tour to anyone who goes there- it helped orientate me. Then, I wandered around the rest of the towers for a while before I headed to the Kensington Palace. (I must insert a little notice here. I successfully took the tube to the Tower of London, stopped at Buckingham Palace, then proceeded onto Kensington Palace.) I must say, that I really enjoyed seeing Princess Diana's dresses. I know that is slightly silly given all that I saw today but it was the thing that I could relate to the most. Also near that display was an entire section on Debutants. I am just wondering, why did that go away? It looks like so much fun! I want a reason to wear dresses like that and no, chaparoning prom doesn't count.

I hate this bloody hotel!

This hotel is ridiculous! I just asked the desk attendant to call and confirm a shuttle pick up that I have already paid for. He wouldn't do it because it costs 10pence- bastard. I gave him my calling card and explained that I purchased a calling card so that I would be able to make a call but can't dial out on the cheap ass phone in my room. He dialed with my calling card but was not willing to stay on the line and told me to pay £1 to use the internet for 30 min. to write the company an email! On top of that, my room hasn't been cleaned yet since I have been here and I am reasonably certain that it wasn't cleaned before I got here either. It smells discusting and the walls are actually dirty. Oh, and this is 6 days of a stomach virus. I am getting incredibly weak and bitchy as you can tell.

Positives:
After the 'tour' this morning dropped us randomly at some stop, I was able to buy a ticket for the tube. I got to the museums and got back to this crappy motel. I didn't get to see the changing of the gaurds or westminster as my ticket that I paid for in May said that I would but I made it home.

I have a voucher for the Tower of London tomorrow, or at least I hope I do.

p.s. never use travel bound or Evan Evans travel. They over charge and feel it is ok to change the tour at any given moment with no notice or compensation.

Bloody Hell

I just threw that in for good measure. Today, I was on the original sightseeing tour of London. You all would have laughed if you would have been there. I dedided that since I have no idea where anything is or how things work, that I was just going to ride it around once and then make my stops. Well, the tour guide came up to me at the end and asked if there was anything wrong. Did I mention I was the ONLY one on the bus! I told her what I was doing but she still thought I was nuts. I also didn't realize how early things close in this city. I might not have rode the bus for so long had I realized that. Oh well, I did get to see the Tate modern museum, I was in the National Gallery for only a short time before they were turning off all the lights on us, and I took a cruise on the river. Not a bad day but I didn't see everything I wanted. The buses were really slow because the Queen was having a garden party. I waited for 45 minutes for one bus that I am certain never did come so I walked to another stop.

Tomorrow, I have a tour of Westminster Abby and then I have the afternoon free. I hope it goes well but have given myself complete permission to ride the tube all day if I need to- especially if there is a party as Jackee mentioned.

My birthday- and Julie's too

Yep, as you all remembered. Today is my birthday. I spent the day in Bath, Stonehenge and then a short stop in Westminster (the town). I wasn't kidding when I said all I want was people to tell me where to go, when and all that. Taking the tour (once I was able to find the bus) was nice. I have good pics but don't think I can post them in the hotel here. The owners are from India and we are having a difficult time communicating with eachother. I bought a calling card but I can't use it from my room I guess. They told me just to call from there desk but the connection is crap and it is really strange to talk on the phone at the desk, facing the desk attendant as people walk in so I am not sure how much I will do that.

Tomorrow, well, I think I may ending up having to tackle the tube situation. I can't lie, I am terrified of it. It seems like I can make some really bad choices and end up in places I am unaware of. I know several of you thought it was amazing but I am still scared. Wish me well.

Moving On

I arrived in London today, relatively whole. I had a terrible experience in Dublin yesterday followed by a complete break down. I have decided that traveling to large cities alone is horrible and I will never do it again if I can help it. I can handle the smaller villages and the less extreem accent but not so much Dublin and lets face it, I didn't do well in Cork either. If I hadn't already paid for the rest of my trip, I would have turned around and went home. Obviously, I havent' as I am in London. I am still very proud of myself for hopping on a train from the airport and hoping for the best, not knowing exactly what I was doing. Once I got to Victoria Station, I tried to take a cab to the hotel because yesterday I walked around Dublin for 4 hours and didn't find anything and I didn't want to repeat that. The taxi driver wouldn't take me to the hotel. He told me it was really close. Maybe I am giving up to easy but I didn't think so. I got only slightly lost on my way here but managed to find the closet of a room I have. It is so small that when I go to sleep tonight, I will have to put my luggage in the bathroom; the luggage is currently on my bed.

Tomorrow, I go on a tour to Stonehenge and I am excited about that. Really, I have decided that I will be forever excited about guided tours and people telling where to go and how to get there, even better if they can hold my hand while doing it.

So, a new phase of my trip has begun. As of yet, I am excited about the following things:

1. On my way to Dublin, a local Irish couple told me that I no longer have an american accent but they knew it wasn't Irish.
2. In the Dublin airport, someone from South Africa thought I was Irish (it's helps that I am wearing an Irish T-shirt and told him what the announcement was).
3. I am still alive and I think the stomach virus is slowly moving out.

I really am thinking that worst part of the trip is over. It has to be. If it is not however, I have the phone number for Heather A's uncle and I will not hesitate to use it. I know where the bus station is and I am about to walk there to get a scedule and map so that I can get around a little better.

This trip has been a slap in the face with all the self awareness. I must say, I am not sorry to learn all these things about myself but to learn all your weaknesses in a short time like this it not what I was expecting. But then again, I don't know what my expectations were for this trip.

Cork Screw Hill

I just hiked 5 miles up hill both ways, against the wind, in the rain for this picture. OK, not really, it was actually a 5 mile hike and it was up to the top of Cork Screw Hill but it was only uphill half on the way there and it was sunny but I actually do much better in the rain than the sun but I thought maybe if I said that it was in the rain, you can start to understand what I went through to get these photos. Hope you enjoy.

Blarney Castle

Alright, I know that this was the same trip but I think that the Blarney Castle deserves it's own posting. For starters let me just say that I knew that it was going to be very 'touristy' but I couldn't have told you why until I got there. The energy in Blarney is just so much different than Cork. It was completely peaceful. I wish I could have recorded the sounds because I was certain the the animals along with the trees and such were singing the intro to the old school version of Snow White. Anyway, it was absolutely beautiful. I had no idea that the grounds of the castle were nearly as extensive and as lovely as they were. I also was no fully able to grasp how freaky it would be to kiss the Blarney stone until actually doing it. While in the awkward position, you are feeling a cross between knowing that you have just set yourself up to die a horrible death and complete excitement. I would highly recommend going to anyone who gets the chance. It is visited by tourists because it is worth it.

Back from Cork

So, as you might have guessed, I stayed at a hostel. It was a completely unique experience. On Saturday night, I was the first one to go to bed (mostly likely in the entire place, not just my room) but I could tell that I wouldn't be alone since the other 3 beds had things on them. Well, around 1:30, the first guy comes in and promptly falls asleep and starts snoring so loud that I think the pub down the street may come and ask him to keep it down. Clearly, I am not really sleeping. The next two come in somewhere between 4 and 5 am. They are so drunk that I can smell them and hear them before I can see them. The one is so loud and won't stop singing so I roll over to find out what the deal is only to find a guys bum right at my face. Then he falls over because he is too drunk to take his pants off I am guessing. Anyway, he doesn't stop singing for hours, falls out of his bed a couple of times before falling asleep and the snorer is so angry at the noise level. I had to secretly laugh because they two drunken guys, singing are not even close to as loud as he was. The next morning, the snorer actually asked me if I heard anything last night. What?! Yeah, small nearby villages heard.
Anyway, earlier in the day, I had a great time talking to a man that was at the desk of St. Anne's/Shandon Church. He was grateful to have someone to tell his stories all relating to the point of why Cork is the center of the universe and I was grateful to have someone to talk with. Eventually, he let me go up to the top of the tower without paying and told me that if I ever come back to Cork, I can stay in his spare room as long as I clean it. I spent the rest of the day going around to museums and galleries around the city. The weather in Cork is so much different from Ballyvaughan. I had short sleeves on and was wishing that I had brought shorts to Cork- it was sunny and no rain at all.

Cork City

Today I am in Cork City and I am a mess. Let me back up. Last night I went to a Kalee (I may be spelling that wrong) in a somewhat nearby town. It was amazing. Seriously one of the most fun and exhausting things I have ever done. The closest thing I can compair it to would be sqaure dancing because you have a parter, there are 4 pairs in a set, and there are certain moves that you do for each dance. However, nobody calls out the steps, you are just supposed to know them. Also, when someone asks you dance, you are in it for 5 or 6 songs because they are grouped together. Anyway, it was fabulous and the locals said that I could come back and that I should teach people back in MN. I can't do that though so don't ask.

Back to the original statement. I hate traveling alone. I couldn't be more lonely today. I worked so hard to get here and all I have wanted was to go home today. I know that is sounds silly because I am in Ireland and seeing great things but I don't like traveling without friends. This is more concerning than you may immediately realize. I not only have the next couple of days here alone but starting next weekend, I am traveling alone for 12 days. I have paid too much to not enjoy this trip and get everything I can from it so I would appreciate your positive energy being sent my way.