Veteran's Day 2010 in Vegas

Thinking about Vegas today because the Pillsbury Bake-Off® is going on there and I realized that I was in Vegas the same cool fall weekend 3 years ago. Enjoy these pics. The is the Aria/Cosmo part of town.

Saw Viva Elvis. The pink lighting changes to every color of the rainbow.

Went to a fancy party at a warehouse off the strip.

Hung with celebrities like the CSI guy and MN boy Herculies.

No Hall just Oates: "Sarah SMILLLLLEEEE I Won't you SMILE AWHILE WITH me Sara."

Ate good food. Hash House a DON'T GO. Music TOO LOUD AT 11am!

Vosages Hot Chocolate Bar at midnight.

Saw the sights. Legal disclaimer: these neon photos ARE NOT FOR SALE. 

Did you know Brad Pitt was photographed on this arrow for Vanity Fair?

Day trip east.

Window shopped.

How about these fabulous lighted stairs?

All trips that involve flying are not successful unless they include this:

Pillsbury Bake-Off® Potholder Purse

I didn't want to USE my potholders from the 2010 Pillsbury Bake-Off®. They would be ruined!

How about making an evening bag?

This white ribbon might make a nice strap.

It needed some personalization, so I added a message.

How would the bag close? Buttons? I found a a really long sleeping bag zipper in my stash, saved from a long gone Dora the Explorer sleeping bag.  I pinned one side to a potholder.

Then I sewed it in place.

Repeat the process using the other potholder and other half of the zipper.

Now comes the magic part. Just zip it up and it's all finished.

No need for the white strap. It didn't really match anyway.

There aren't many occasions I can use this for and since my friend Cathy is going the Bake-Off® in Las Vegas this weekend,  I sent it along with her. Inside I found my LUCKY 7 of HEARTS DOUGHBOY playing card. Hope it brings her the Million Dollar Prize!

Feelin' Maple Groovy

When you get out on foot in your own backyard, there are many things to discover. Who knew we had this cool bandshell overlooking a pond?

Complete with trendy patterns.

Complete with Minnesota made LOLL furniture.

Our library is home to several public art installations.

Watch out for dragons!

We have giant power lines running through the city that are now my best friends.

Maple Grove was settled by Pierre Bottineau in the 1850s.

He had a cute house that is preserved at the park:

We also have a lot of BORING houses here.

No, I don't live in the cute house below, but i know who does.

Maple Grove is also home to gravel pits, a giant windmill that powers the entire town (jk!) and Jessie Ventura (he moved away). It's also home to every chain restaurant on earth. Armed with that info and 75 hours of vacation time, here is the result: