Quote of the Day: A few wise words from Minnesota’s wizard of wit, Garrison Keillor
Even in a time of elephantine vanity and greed, one never has to look far to see the campfires of gentle people.
Nothing you do for children is ever wasted. They seem not to notice us, hovering, averting our eyes, and they seldom offer thanks, but what we do for them is never wasted.
Mickey’s Diner in St. Paul, MN
Krista, the girls, and I spent a good part of the day at the Minnesota Children’s Museum. It’s a wonderful playland filled with rooms of manipulatives, adventures, and creative play, a kids’ paradise, and an energy sucking experience for grown-ups. After witnessing, yet another one-year-old meltdown because she’s past her naptime, I looked at Krista and said, “Thank God my babies are 8th graders.” We needed to rest and refuel. Krista looked out the window and there it was, Mickey’s Diner!
I quote Garrison Keillor, above, because the final scene in the movie A Prairie Home Companion is shot at Mickey’s Diner. It also appears in the Mighty Ducks movies, Jingle All the Way, and numerous magazines. It is a landmark of St. Paul. It has all the feel of a home town restaurant, complete with handcut french fries, malts and shakes served in tall glasses with whip cream and a cherry, the extra still in the tin it was mixed it. Next time, we’ll try to home made pie, or pancakes. The waiter said that it is busy there all day every day. The most colorful crowd appears between 2:00-4:00 am! (“Not a good time to bring the kids,” he says.)
Mary, the watiress, retelling the tales of meeting the cast and crew of A Prairie Home Companion.
I wish I’d asked how long she’d been working there. Mary, who’s claim to fame is watching them film A Prairie Home Companion in her restaurant, being invited to the party to celebrate the end of the filming. Being near the lady legends, Meryl Streep and Lily Tomlin, thinking that poor, famous-too-young, Lindsey Lohan would never be one of “them,” the greats. She was a hoot.
Mary, figuring out our bill and bending our ears!
I believe he’s frying hash browns for someone’s afternoon breakfast!
Doubly good fun at Mickey’s Diner in St. Paul, MN!
Pie! Next time.
Milk shakes and rootbeer floats.
My kind of indulgence!
Krista is one of those great moms who wants her kids to experience many different things. The Minnesota Children’s Museum, ice cream at Mickey’s Diner, a stop at Candyland candy store for a sweet treat, then on to the Children’s Theatre for The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Candyland candy store in St. Paul, MN
I think Lucy is licking Leah’s hood!
Before the play, we needed a little quiet time at Minneapolis Institute of Arts.
We were all tired the next day!
Go. Create. Inspire!
Journaling Prompt: Have you ever visited a place that was used as the set for a film? Where do you go to refuel and relax?
What a fun day! I met my aunt and uncle at Mickey’s a few years back when I was there for the Experience North Dakota event with my book. I can still smell the smells of it. A tight squeeze but definitely a landmark worth tasting. 🙂 The girls are adorable!
The picture with Lucy is priceless!
The Little Girl in me wants to go to Mickey’s for a root beer float — yum!
What a great day!
Nothing is ever wasted on children for sure. My granddaughter remembers like an elephant. Even though she is 10 now, she wanted me to read to her when she stayed the night. I started The Secret Garden with her. After that, she went to the school library and check it out to read.
One of my bucket list items is to watch Prairie Home Companion IN St. Paul. We got to see the production when they came through Denver a couple of years ago. It was such a very good show! He’s amazing.
I used to love days like that with my kids when they were little. It was just so fun to expose them to new things and treat them a little. But oh yes, it was exhausting. I’m resting up now because I figure in the next ten years (maybe sooner?) I’ll have grandkids to do this kind of thing with!!
Lucy IS licking her hood – that’s funny. What a fun day it seems you all had…hope you are well 🙂
We had breakfast in the northwest where a scene from twighlight was filmed. The food was excellent!
You are so right! We should do those things because we want to. When they are young and still full of wonder, these things mean so much to them. They may forget to say thanks to us, but they will look back fondly at the old days.
I would love to be sitting at that counter. Hamburger, fries, chocolate shake! Yum! Great post Mary…
I wouldn’t mind a milkshake myself.
WOW! Your WordPress site looks ah maze ing! Love it!
Thanks for finally talking about > Milkshakes at Mickey