Visiting the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis

So, the last time I posted I was also in Minneapolis.
This time I'm here for a family wedding reception and activities with Mom and Steph - A girl's weekend.

I was nice to visit with aunts, uncles and cousins on Friday night.
Saturday Steph lined up a visit to the American Swedish Institute for us with her friend Karen, beginning with lunch at FIKA (their delicious restaurant).  American Swedish Institute

Meatballs with potato puree, cheese dumplings with trout roe, salmon smorgas, chilled cucumber almond soup, ginger beer, wild mushroom and green beans with roasted cherries, radish smorgas and birch cream soda.  New Scandinavian cuisine - YUM.

The Turnblad Mansion seen through the glass of the newer portion of the ASI.

The current exhibit is glass artists from Sweden -  Pull, Twist, Blow — Transforming The Kingdom of Crystal.  The exhibit is housed partly in the new section and partly in the mansion which was the original site.  It is interesting seeing the play of turn of the 20th century architecture and design against the very modern glass art.

 

A beautiful light-filled room.

Sunroom at the mansion.  Would be beautiful for spinning.

I found a few rooms which would be lovely for hosting a spinning party (making yarn not sweating on bicycles).

The plaster work on the ceiling reminded us of wedding cake icing.

The Visby window - a huge stained glass piece.  The stocking cap on the man in the center inspired a hat in the new book I found in the gift shop.

Many of the pieces were intriguing but didn't speak to me. 
The pieces by Ingelene Klenell I really loved.

 

 

 A crystal forest

  Postcards - the incomplete glass represents our incomplete memories.

I also found a fun knitting book, Swedish Handknits inspired by the ASI.

 

Who knew wandering around a museum could be so exhausting.  Home to Steph's where she made us a wonderful salad dinner and shared her yummy chocolate-dipped caramel apple (no pictures) and we watch Murder on the Links with David Souchet as Poirot.

Sunday: the Twins.  Do you think they'll win?  It'll take a miracle.