Pic Today 12/31/13

12 GRAPES

AT NEW YEAR'S EVE

Tonight, at the stroke of 12 midnight,

where ever you are,

whatever your time zone,

we begin a new year.

Some of us make resolutions,

promises of change for 2014.

But new year's resolutions

are a bit like babies . . .

"fun to make, but difficult to maintain."

There's a Spanish/Latino tradition

of eating 12 grapes at midnight

for good luck . . . one grape with

each strike of the bell at midnight.

12 grapes for good luck!.

A wonderful tradition.

(With no disappointments.)

Cheers,

and Happy New Year.

Pic Today 12/30/13

ST. LOUIS' WHIMSICAL

"CITY MUSEUM"

St. Louis' "City Museum" was created

from repurposed and recycled 

architectural and industrial objects,

and re-assembled in a very creative way

in the former International Shoe building

in downtown St. Louis.

It continues to grow and evolve from

unlikely and currently unused industrial treasures,

such as enormous old bank vault doors,

aircraft fuselages, an old school bus

(which dangles precariously from the 10-story roof),

a pipe organ, ferris wheel, hundreds of tons

of iron work and building facades.

Walls and constructions from recycled bottles,

pipes, bricks, even escalator steps.

It is "living, active art" with outdoor exploratoriums

where you can climb up 10-floors, and slide down

tubes of wire and curving steel (if you dare.)

Definitely worth a visit!

Pic Today 12/29/13

ROGUE XXXV:

POP'S THE THEME

The Rogue Underground Dining Society

held its 35th event Saturday night

at a private condo at the City Museum

in downtown St. Louis.

The theme of this gourmet dining event

was anything that POPPED . . .

poached pear and fois gras lollipops,

popcorn shrimp, squid ink pasta with

poppyseed emulsion, popcorn chicken wings,

popovers, even fresh fruit pop tarts.

Champagne, of course, accompanied the meal.

("Pop.")

Pic Today 12/28/13

WILDLIFE IN

MISSOURI WOODS

Bison and elk

enjoying warm winter days

at Lone Elk Park

in St. Louis County.

Pic Today 12/27/13

BUFFALO GAL

WON'T YOU COME OUT TONIGHT?

". . . and dance by the light of the moon."

Each holiday season, it's hard to miss

the annual rerun of Frank Capra's 1946 classic film

"It's A Wonderful Life" . . .

and that famous "George lassos the moon" scene,

where Jimmy Stewart sings "Buffalo Gal"

to Donna Reed.

By the 1940's, this song was a popular

tune in most American saloons and theaters.

It was written and performed by John Hodges

in 1844, who was an early "black face" singer

who performed as Cool White.

Are you hummin' yet?

Pic Today 12/26/13

SCENES OF CHRISTMAS

Opening presents Christmas morn . . .

Christmas service at Christ Church Cathedral . . .

Christmas night, downtown St. Louis.

Peace on earth!

Pic Today 12/25/13

SANTA CLAUS CAME TO

GRANDMA DOROTHY'S HOUSE

1,000 TIMES

And Dorothy has every one

to prove it.

50 years ago, she started her collection

of Santa Clauses . . . and today,

her whole house is a shrine to Santa,

with most on display upstairs and down.

From miniatures to 2-feet tall,

and everything in between . . . from 

every continent and corner of the world.

At 82-years-young, Dorothy holds a

full-time job at a local high school

as Director of Discipline.

(I'm sure she keeps students in line!)

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE.

Pic Today 12/24/13

LEAVE A SNACK FOR SANTA

Don't forget . . .

Before you go to bed tonight . . .

Whether you've got a chimney or not . . .

Santa Claus LOVES milk and cookies!

Pic Today 12/23/13

A TIME FOR SWEETS

Christmas is a time

for baking cookies at home,

for making ginger bread houses

or family favorites 

that make the house smell good.

Bakeries are stocked with

fancy treats and favors

for the holiday season,

like traditional springerles, 

homemade marshmallows,

ginger snaps, macaroons,

peppermint candy canes

and rum balls for papa.

Yum!

Pic Today 12/22/13

WILD WINTERBERRY

MAKES A BEAUTIFUL WREATH

Winterberry is plentiful this year,

with its bright red long-lasting berries.

Fill a bag with cut branches,

and you'll have all the materials you need

for a festive front door wreath.

Voila!

Pic Today 12/21/13

DECK THE HALLS

WITH BOUGHS OF HOLLY

Wreaths and garlands 

in every shape and size,

with pine cones, ribbons,

winter berries, feathers,

evergreens, bells and ornaments.

Decorations are all about town,

to celebrate the Christmas season.

TIS' THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY.