Pic Today 2/15/13

TAKING A BREAK

Yes, the above card

was sent to me.

It seems I need some 

cardio "valve work",

and will be taking some

medical leave.

So no blog for a while.

Or emails.   Or dancing.

Or driving!*

Anyway, I'll be back!

*(They're taking my car keys from me.   Yipes!)

Pic Today 2/14/13

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

"Love in your heart

Wasn't put there to stay.

Love isn't love

'Til you give it away."

-- Oscar Hammerstein, Sound of Music

Pic Today 2/13/13

KALE

JUST GOT CUTE

Introducing "kale sprouts",

a new produce item

in green grocery stores.

Multi-colored junior bundles

of kale sprouts, picked young

and creatively marketed as

Lollipops!

Never mind the fancy sweet name,

these sprouts are yummy and nutritious.

No need to steam 'em, just pop them in your mouth.

Pic Today 2/12/13

TWO

GOLDEN DOODLES

While on my morning walk,

  I met these two . . .

bouncing down the street,

full of energy and personality.

I asked their owner

what kind of dogs,

what breed, what beauties!

"Golden Doodles" she said.

"Half golden retriever, half poodle."

And this, on the first day

of the Westminster Dog Show

in New York City.

Pic Today 2/11/13

AFTER THE RAIN

Mardi Gras ended up cold and windy.

Then heavy morning rains

washed our town.

Warm southern winds

made the afternoon perfect

for a walk along the tracks.

The sun felt good.

The world smelled clean and fresh.

Pic Today 2/10/13

MARDI GRAS

ST. LOUIS

Scenes from this year's Mardi Gras

celebration and parade.

Unbelievably,

St. Louis is the 2nd largest

Mardi Gras celebration 

(behind New Orleans),

in terms of attendance,

events and temperature!

Brrrr.

Pic Today 2/9/13

MY MORNING LATTE

The coffee shop barista

made my latte

very special this morning.

It must be Valentine's Week.

How loving!

Pic Today 2/8/13

COLORS

IN THE RAIN

The morning started

cold, gray and wet.

And then the sun

worked through

an eastern sky.

Recipe for a rainbow!

I wish good luck and health

to all this month,

and maybe a "pot o' gold."

Pic Today 2/7/13

SAY IT WITH

VALENTINE'S CANDY

Sweethearts™Conversation Hearts

have been the traditional Valentine's candy

since the 19th century.

The Necco Candy Company developed the

machinery to produce these little candy "billboards"

since the 1860s, and today still distributes

them internationally.

The messages keep evolving

to reflect the times.

This year's added messages include:

TEXT ME

TWEET ME

FRIEND ME

BE MY ICON

and my favorite,

WHAT EVER

(How romantic!)

Whatever happened to BE MINE?

Fortunately, a competitor has produced

Bittersweets with more imaginative messages.

(Bottom photo.)

Pic Today 2/6/13

GOURMET

KING CAKES

Mardis Gras weekend is fast approaching,

so it's time to celebrate with King Cakes.

Pint Size Bakery takes King Cakes

to the next level, creating their

elegant "Galettes des Rois."

Never mind the popular purple, green

and gold iced cakes that feature a

plastic baby Jesus on top.

Let's get elegant with the fancy pastries

from northern Brittany.

Christy's hand made galettes are authentic

French puff pastries filled with

frangipan and brandied cherries.

She also sells colorful Mardi Gras cupcakes,

but hurry -- they'll soon be gone till next year.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Pic Today 2/5/13

ORCHIDS ANYONE?

The breathtaking beauty of these

exotic orchids from Madagascar

are now on display at 

Missouri Botanical Garden.

The show is updated daily

to present orchids in their prime

from 600 rare specimens

from the island nation of Madagascar.

They take your breath away!

Pic Today 2/4/13

SUPER BOWL XLVII,

SOME MEMORABLE FIRSTS

 . . the first time two brothers,

     Jim and John Harbaugh,

   coach the opposing teams --

San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens.

. . the first time the power went out

stopping play for 35 minutes in the 2nd half.

. . first ever commercial in Spanish

on world wide TV, from Taco Bell.

Some memorable (and very funny) TV commercials,

which cost $4-million for a 30-second spot.

The funny ones included:

VW "Get You Happy, Mon" office worker

with a infectious Jamaican accent.

Unlikely couple making out for GO DADDY.

The teen who gets confidence from his dad's Audi,

kisses the prom queen and gets a "shiner" from her date.

(He thinks it's worth it.)

You can check them out on the internet Monday.

The half time show featured Beyonce,

and the first time she reunited with Destiny's Child.

The 49ers made the second half exciting

with a thrilling comeback, but came up short

on the 4th down -- losing 34-31.

Pic Today 2/3/13

NO ORDINARY CROISSANT

There's a new bakery in town

that's gaining a passionate following

of loyal customers.

And it's all due to a very talented

owner and pastry chef -- Christy Augustin --

at Pint Size Bakery in St. Louis.

On Saturday mornings, she makes and sells

Salted Caramel Croissants, 

which are actually Kouing-Amans,

a round buttery pastry cake from Brittany.

These flaky, buttery pastries are causing

a small "sensation" and a line of customers

that starts forming 30-minutes before

they go on sale.

Christy makes 3 batches (a total of 36)

only on Saturdays, and limits the sale

to "2 per customer."

One taste, and you don't mind waiting

your turn in line for 

2 Salted Caramel Croissants.

Just look at the smiles on her customer's faces!

(www.pintsizebakery.com)