Papa Kern's

Out to breakfast at Papa Kern's with Mom and Jacci.
Originally uploaded by BarbaraLN

We tried a new place for breakfast this morning, Papa Kern's at East 29th and Hubbel. It was pretty good.

Photo #268/365: Gas Pumps

These gas pumps are right outside the entrance at Max's Diner.  Even the handles on the doors look like the nozzle of a gas pump.

Photo #230/365: A Truck Load of Salad

We had lunch today at Spaghetti Works on Court Avenue.  I hadn't been there in a long time.  It was a great lunch, and it is one of the few restaurants around that still has a salad bar.  Their salad bar is located in the bed of this old truck.

Photo #81/365: Smashburger

I decided to give Smashburger a try this past weekend. It's located just down the street from Huntington. The food was okay, but I thought it was kind of pricey for just a burger and fries.

Photo #77/365: Court Avenue Restaurant and Brewing Company

Jacci took me out to dinner to the Court Avenue Restaurant and Brewing Company. Her office is located in this same building. She moved into a new larger office about a month ago, so I went down to see her new office, and she took me out to dinner. The food was delicious! I highly recommend the Chicken Marsala.

Photo #23: Let There Be Light

This is one of the light fixtures at Palmer's Deli on Ingersol. Jacci and I had lunch there today, on the way to the Des Moines Art Center. This light fixture is a work of art in itself, as are the salads at Palmer's. I hang out with Jacci while she does her homework. She is an art history major. Besides the fact that I love to spend time with my sister, by doing this I have also had the opportunity to go to some great places to see some fantastic art. We have been to the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, and the Des Moines Art Center. Our next planned field trip is to Minneapolis.

I go to the Des Moines Art Center every year with my class. In fact we are scheduled to go this next Friday. It is nice to be able to go without supervising 24 kids. I grew up in Omaha, and I remember visiting the Joslyn Art Museum for field trips. I am still thrilled when I get a chance to go back there. I particularly enjoy more traditional paintings from the eighteenth and nineteen centuries, which Joslyn has many of. I am not a big fan of modern art, so I am often disappointed when I visit the Des Moines Art Center. It was even more frustrating this time, because two of the galleries were closed for renovations, and several pieces of art were stored away.

Photo #16: My Birthday at The Waterfront

The Waterfront
Originally uploaded by BarbaraLN

Today was my birthday, and I've had a great day. It was hard to decide what part of the day to represent in a photo. I enjoyed my morning here at home. I love leisurely mornings, sipping my tea or cappuccino. After a busy week, being able to turn off the alarm and get up when I want, is a gift in itself. It was a bright sunshiny day in the thirties, so in the afternoon I went downtown to explore the new Pappajohn Sculpture Park. I have driven past it many times, since its installation last summer, but this was my first time to walk around and explore. The Pappajohns have given a fantastic gift of all of the citizens of Des Moines. After that I spent some time hanging out at Starbucks. The highlight of my day, was being taken out to dinner by my sister. Jacci picked me up at 6 and took me to The Waterfront in Ankeny. Along with the restaurant, there is a fish market, and sushi bar. We had a delicious salmon dinner. I am so lucky to have such a great sister, and it has been a fantastic birthday!