Hot Summer Nights

Walking through the streets of St. Louis, near the arch neighborhood, you get a real feel of nightlife and fun. Like a mini-Austin, TX. The architecture, neon signage and people watching are inspiring. I just couldn't stop taking photos. I did have to run back to the hotel because a hot, humid summer night usually ends in a thunder storm! Here are some of the sights that were mine to behold! The thunderbolts near the arch were taken from my hotel window, safely inside! I will probably post a few more tomorrow. Stay tuned!

When Pigs Fly

Back to St. Louis. The arch, the lovely architecture and the food. St. Louis-style bbq. Most famous of all in this neck of the woods is Pappy's Smokehouse. This spot is located on Olive Street, almost a straight shot from the Arch. Don't let the long lines intimidate you, they have their service down to a science. You stand in line but don't you dare have your buddy grab a table for your group. A waiter would be on you in a heartbeat, evicting you from your "butt-claim". You just stand in line like the rest of the folks and drool as the platters are being carried out of the kitchen. The smells are overwhelming...in a good way. Set your eyes upward toward that tin ceiling with the displays of bbq sauces from around the world. Think of what awaits your taste buds. After you have ordered, THEN you look for a spot to sit. I don't know how it seems to work but somehow, a place opens up in a few minutes. Grab it then and make your new butt-claim. Plant your fanny and open your mouth to what is now in front of you. The wait is just a few minutes because this bbq has already been pulled apart, ready to be made into the goods. The owner would tell you his bank account number but hey, don't ask for the recipe to the rub. He will even let you peek at what goes on around that smokey bbq pit but there are not many more secrets that he will divulge. If he ever does spill...look to the sky...you might see a little curly tail attached to a pig...flying.

St. Louis--mARCH your self down there!

Hot and sticky. That could be two things: St. Louis at the end of July or Pappy's BBQ on Olive St. I'll post today on the Arch. Ah, at first glance it looks like, well, a big, silver disjointed paper clip, jutting out of the ground. We spent about 4 days staying near the arch. The paper clip changed with the sunlight, moonlight and lightning bolt. It really is beautiful. It is as wide at the base as it is tall from the ground. You can ride a little pod that fits about 4 people up to the top. Looking out of the windows is amazing and I highly recommend doing so at dusk. If you don't mind being in a small area or WAY up in the air in a paper-clip structure! Every time I looked at it, it had a new dimension! I did resist the urge to have a photo taken of myself holding it up, a la the leaning Tower of Pisa. One shot is taken out of the window from inside of the arch. Here are a few shots:

Quiche me Quick

After viewing Renee's blog about quiches, I was inspired to make one for myself. I had lots of ingredients, just not all that the recipe call for! I did have a tart pan and the pie crust to start. And a big, double Viking commercial oven at my disposal. Actually, it takes up a chunk of wall in the kitchen and I feel like a queen. My husband and some of his friends helped to install this behemoth. I admit that I don't give it the workout it deserves. This weekend...yeah, I did. I made a quiche with leftover breakfast sausage, peppers, onions, tabasco, lots of spices and, to make it truly taste like a breakfast, something sweet. Apple butter is all I had and let me tell you, it worked. Sweetness along with all of the sausage spice. Here are some pictures. The pie was the result of the leftover crust that just HAD to be used up. My mom bought some canned pie filling and well, can't have that laying around either!

Brighton Beach/Coney Island/other great sites NYC

A few years ago, I visited New York City with my son, Joe. My friend said you've got to check out Brighton Beach, it is so unique. Well, I'm all about seeing the different side of the tracks. BB didn't disappoint! I think we got to witness the last gasps of life of Coney Island, along with some strollers on their Sunday walks. The grandmas, arm in arm in their fur along with their purses draped over their arms...walking along the boardwalk. Just a treat for the eyes. As we walked along, we came to a stop. The boardwalk literally ends...just like that. I felt like Forest Gump as he reached the end of the pier. Brighton Beach and Coney Island ending right there. Time to turn around and check out the Ukranian markets and Nathan's hot dogs. Go and see it off-season. You won't be sorry. Bring your camera!
There are other shots from around NYC. Little Italy..Eating al fresco in February, a chinese musician in the subway (until the cops showed up and ticketed him!), Joe and his rendition of an album cover...haha.. Yup, you must have a camera.

Days gone by...Midtown

As I was driving in to work this morning, I noticed that the skyway bridge crossing Broad Street was completely out. Kinda makes me sad to think about it. I could go on and on about how functional and wonderful that skyway is but hey, the city doesn't listen to me...sigh. Here are a few shots from when Midtown Plaza (the first indoor mall in the United States) was in it's waning days. I wish I could say I knew it "when" but I wasn't around town then. My loss.  The first picture was in the eating area. I really wanted to walk home with one of those marble tables, they were cool. The second, is a view from the trashcan. Boy, if that metal cylinder could talk....Lastly, is a shot from the underground garage. Hope that it will be bigger and better than before, when they are all done.

summer camping

Camping in the (almost) north country with a great family. I just love these folks. The kids would rather play outside, cook amazing food or just take something apart to see how it works than watch TV or other boring stuff. Sean got this great civil war style cap at a flea market or something. The pose was au naturel, he just looks great in it. Lauren was meeting the fish my husband caught.
The Mennonite guy, I think, was taking a well-deserved break from his usual routine, I'm pretty sure. I love how he improvises with the non-moving bass boat. funny.