Churches of Minneapolis

When we woke up Sunday morning, it was -24 F, but it warmed up to a balmy -10 F. during the day. We did some Bible study, stayed close to the fire, and made Christmas cookies and candy (and played with those cute kittens). With the nice Christmas music of Carols From Trinity and also Tingstad and Rumble, it was a pleasant day altogether. After a few days of this ridiculously cold weather, though, I'm beginning to feel antsy.

Ignore the picture of the kittens if I've already posted it. It's just that the days are all starting to seem the same.

ANYWAY...

Last week, for our wedding anniversary, we drove to Minneapolis and toured The Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis. Not your idea of a romantic getaway?

Well, just in case you ever wondered what the difference is between a basilica and cathedral, the following is from a website with the very long explanation.

"The word basilica is derived from a Greek term meaning “royal house.” In the Catholic world, a basilica is a church building that has been accorded special privileges by the pope. There are two kinds of basilicas. The world’s four major, or papal, basilicas are St. John Lateran, St. Peter, St. Paul Outside the Walls, and St. Mary Major, all in Rome.

"Minor, or lesser, basilicas are significant churches in Rome and elsewhere in the world that meet certain criteria and are given special ecclesiastical privileges. Minor basilicas are traditionally named because of their antiquity, dignity, historical value, architectural and artistic worth, and/or significance as centers of worship. A basilica must “stand out as a center of active and pastoral liturgy,” according to the 1989 Vatican document Domus ecclesiae. 

"Because designation as a basilica indicates a special bond of communion with the pope, the parish must celebrate “with particular care” the feast of the Chair of Peter on Feb. 22, the solemnity of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul on June 29, and the anniversary of the pope’s election or his inauguration into his pastoral ministry. In the case of Pope Benedict XVI, those dates would be April 19 (his election) and April 24 (his inauguration).

More than 1,580 churches worldwide have been honored as basilicas. As of last year, 325 basilicas had been designated in the Americas; there are now 69 in the United States. 

 

"Three physical signs indicate that a church is a lesser basilica. The first is the presence of the conopaeum — a silk canopy designed with stripes of yellow and red, traditional papal colors. The second is the tintinnabulum, or bell. It is mounted on a pole and carried processionally, along with the conopaeum, at the head of the clergy on special occasions. 

"Third, minor basilicas have the right to display the papal symbol—crossed keys—on banners, on furnishings, and on the seal of the basilica. In addition, the basilica’s rector may wear a black mozetta, or cape, with red piping, buttons, and buttonholes in the exercise of his office."

***

I wonder how  many people actually remember all of this. I hope we're not going to be tested on it.  But anyway, the Basilica of Saint Mary is a beautiful building, and as we entered, I asked the janitor if it was OK that I took photos. Just so you know.

Westminster Presbyterian on Nicollet Avenue

Then we drove a few blocks to Westminster Presbyterian, where we had to buzz at the front door, state our cause, and wait to be admitted. I felt kinda like a spy. But...Nicollet Avenue is all torn up in frozen road construction, but I suspect they'll try to get it finished this next summer. It's really a mess. Any construction has completely ceased for the time being.

Westminster Presbyterian is a beautiful building, but...

 Westminster Presbyterian, Minneapolis, sanctuary

And then there's St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, which we had planned to attend for the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on Sunday evening. Needless to say, with the frigid temps we weren't going anywhere. Photos from 2013.

And of course we had to stop in at Brit's Pub for fish and chips before leaving the Big City.

The people to the left of the fireplace are merely ornamental.

I hope everyone's had a good weekend. I hear that the average temperature for the continental U.S. was 16 degrees F. today! Stay warm, everyone.

Join me on Instagram: @cranberrymorning

 

Taking a Short Break, Again

We had a great four days with our daughter from Texas when she came to visit last week. It was wonderful to have that time with her. She and our two youngest sons indulged my wish to try out the  new Christmas crackers, sent to me by Samantha from 'HandmadebyMrsH.blogspot.com'

Beautiful Christmas Crackers

from Samantha in Wales

Thank you, Samantha. We had so much fun, as you can see from the collage above!

It was our very first Christmas Crackers experience.

 Our granddaughter and her boyfriend

and K&Me

Last Sunday we attended A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols with our granddaughter and her friend after meeting at Brit's Pub in Minneapolis for lunch. 

Carolers at Brit's Pub, Minneapolis

 at St. Mark's Cathedral, Minneapolis
(probably deserving of an entire post, for I took a lot of photos - 
all before the service began)

So why another break??

I want you to know that you might not recognize me after next Monday, the 30th. I'll be wearing a new hip. Just want to say, don't get too close to me with a strong magnet.

(I've seen it, and it looks just like this)

photo from jointreplacementsurgery.co.uk

Please pray that my surgical team has a happy and restful weekend, 

and shows up Monday morning refreshed, focused, and alert!

Have a great weekend, friends.
See you in about a week.

***

Fragrant Lemongrass & Eucalyptus

All Natural, Handcrafted Vegan Soap

...and more! Check out all my handcrafted soaps at

HomemadeSoapNSuch

and at

Our Etsy Shop 


NOTE:  My Shops will be closed from
December 27 - January 5 

***

P.S.    Re. 'No-Reply Blogger' and 'Google+'

I would love to respond to each of you, but I'm not able to reply to 'no-reply' bloggers. Also, for some reason, when I try to respond to those who have Google+, Google won't let me past their Google+ signup page (and I refuse to join - for  many reasons.) So, please, friends, consider enabling your email so everyone can respond to the lovely comments you leave on our blogs. And, if there's some way around Google+'s  annoying persistence that I join, please let me know about it.

 

A couple dog pics

I came across this old photo of Bridger and Misty from some bygone winter. It made me laugh, for he always wanted to play with her, but she wouldn't play. Here, he's got his mouth around her middle. He was a huge dog with a huge mouth. She would tolerate it for a few seconds and then snap at him. Poor Misty. All she wanted was a little peace and quiet. :-)

Poor Bridger. All he wanted was someone to play with.

Misty 2003
(for you, Deb)

August, Part I

Up On The Roof

It's been so long since I've posted anything, but I thought I'd start with last month's birthday. As I've mentioned before, I'm hoping that it will develop into a trend that all the kids will be here on my birthday. I love having them around. Bridger and Misty, Lionel and Tuppence are great, but they just don't seem to adequately take the place of the 'kids.' The whole family wasn't together, but it was fun to spend time with some of them. Also becoming a trend is going to Brit's in Minneapolis. I love the fish...and the ambience.

So, it goes something like this: Brit's for dinner, then Barnes & Noble Booksellers on Nicollet, then a stroll through Whole Foods for a few odds and ends and free samples. :-)

Delicious!

I could probably make this at home, but it just wouldn't be the same.

Minneapolis Skyline as Seen From Brit's Roof

A Visit to Whole Foods - Henry and his mama perusing the produce aisles

The soon-to-be-married youngest son and his fiance

She loves him, in spite of the fact that she has seen what his room looks like. :-)

 Looking down the steps at Brit's

 We weren't part of the lawn bowling scene, but it was fun watching.

 ...just in case you're going lawn bowling in the near future.

 Pitching? the ball

 The mandatory red phone box

(How I would love one for my garden!)

 Cute Henry and his cute papa

 Believe it or not, although we whine about our cold winters, we also have hot and muggy days in the summer. But it still looks appealing to eat outdoors on the sidewalk, doesn't it.

 St. Thomas, behind the old MacPhail building, which is now boarded up. So sad. We were hoping to walk those old halls once again - where our daughter (Henry's mom) took violin lessons.

Angela at Good Earth in Roseville, my other favorite place to eat in the Twin Cities. 

 

I can't believe how August flew by. 'The Days Were Just Packed,' but good. Lots of company, lots of gardening, lots of good eating, and three birthdays! (Henry's, Joe's, and mine.)

More August reminiscences to follow...

Brit's Pub

For her birthday, we decided to take our granddaughter, the writer, to a British pub for dinner.  After all, we've been talking about England ever since Anna was with us in London in 2008. But, airfare being what it is, we opted out of Rock & Sole Plaice in London, and went to Brit's Pub on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis, just across the street from Orchestra Hall. It's always fun at Brits. In the summer there's lawn bowling on the roof, but not in November.

 Brits on Nicollet

 Brit's, interior

Our server

 

 Anna and her grandma, looking rather blurry
It wasn't the ale.

 Anna and her grandpa, looking over the menu with royalty looking on

 Brits' delicious fish'n'chips
with vinegar!

 and amazing artichoke dip!

The food was great, but most special of all was that we had Anna to ourselves. It was so much fun to spend the evening with her! Of course, England came up in conversation and we talked about where we'd like to travel...as soon as the airlines are giving away round-trip tickets.
 

 Queen Elizabeth II, looking rather faded.

I think they should splurge and get another print!

Anna in the window

Looking across the street toward Orchestra Hall

And of course the evening wouldn't be complete without walking up cold and windy Nicollet Avenue  to spend time at Barnes & Noble Booksellers.

It made Anna's grandma and grandpa very happy that she would spend the evening with us. :-)


This post is linked to New Friend Fridays
and Friendly Friday Follow
and Friendly Friday
and Home and Family Friday