Pic Today 11/30/16

 

 

 

 

CITY LIGHTS

All over town, 

holiday lights and

Christmas trees

going up.

It's contagious.

(Get to work.)

Pic Today 11/29/16

TOSS ME A SALAD

My body is asking for salads.

    Light, fresh, healthy greens . . . 

   following the hi-fat, caloric 

Thanksgiving holidays,

and way too much food!

My body is saying WHOAH.

 Time to eat healthy.

 

Pic Today 11/28/16

 

 

 

 

 

 

TIME TO GO

TREE SHOPPING

It's busy at the

Christmas tree lot.

Not too soon to pick out

the perfect tree

for the holiday season.

Hundreds of fraziers, 

and balsams,

shipped down from Canada.

They'll find one 

just the right size,

and let you inspect & approve.

Then tie it to your car

to take home.

Getting ready for the holidays.

(Fresh trees smell soooo good.)

 

Pic Today 11/27/16

 

 

 

 

 

 GLUTEN FULL

"Gluten free" is growing in popularity,

with many health benefits.

For some.

As a "gluten lover," I am reminded

how amazing and beautiful

a crusty loaf of yeasty artisan bread

can be!

A visit to Union Loafers Bakery

(Tower Grove Avenue)

was a beautiful reminder

how bread can be, should be.

Their crusty flour-dusted ciabatta

was spectacular, in every way.

Crusty on the outside.

Creamy gluten on the inside.

Naturally fermented with wild patterns

of pockets and holes in each loaf.

Amazing on its own.

Coming to life as a sandwich,

with garlic aioli mayo filling

every crack and hole.

  Or my favorite . . . 

spread with creamy butter

and local "apple butter."

This is bread!

 

Pic Today 11/26/16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ART TO THE RESCUE

Here's how I avoided the crowds,

the traffic, the pushing, the shoving,

   the shopping on Black Friday . . . 

I escaped to our fabulous 

St. Louis Art Museum.

The peace, the quiet, the space,

the fabulous art,

especially the new modern wing.

No crowds, no traffic, no charge,

plus free parking!

("I  chose the road less traveled,

and it has made all the difference.")  

Pic Today 11/25/16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSIGNMENT:

ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS 

Each family member was assigned

a Thanksgiving Dinner course

to prepare and bring.

Mine was "roasted brussel sprouts."

1.  Harvest and clean 4 cups sprouts.

2.  Halve and toss with olive oil.

3.  Dice and saute pancetta.

4.  Grate fresh nutmeg.

      Salt and pepper to taste. 

5.  Toss and spread on baking sheet.

   Bake at 400˚ for 30 minutes.

Pour out on fancy serving dish

and take to Thanksgiving Dinner.

10 guests prepared a wonderful menu.

 

Pic Today 11/24/16

 

2ND BEST PART

OF THANKSGIVING

1)  Finding and sharing

      some gratitude with

      family/friends.

2)  Someone always makes pie!

  (Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.)

😋

 

Pic Today 11/23/16

 

   IF ONLY . . .

Drivers along Interstate 44 

must chuckle when they see

this water tower in Bourbon, Missouri.

How many wonder "if only"

it was full of something stronger.

Actually, this water tower is

no longer in use, but

this 160-year-old town

voted to leave the "bourbon tower"

standing, as an historic landmark.

Pic Today 11/22/16

 

KIRKWOOD HIGH SCHOOL

CELEBRATES STATE CHAMPIONSHIP 

Kirkwood High football players,

coaches, cheerleaders, fellow students

(even the marching band)

gathered together at school

to celebrate their football state championship.

Congratulations Pioneers!

(Enjoy this short video of their Alma Mater) 

 

Pic Today 11/21/16

SUNDAY SCARE

A cough and a bad EKG

was all it took 

for the "urgent care" unit

to order an ambulance ride

to the hospital.

Took this pic

as I was being rushed into

the cardiac catheter O-R.

Results were positive,

although they're keeping me

for observation.

(And they took my camera away.)

😠

Pic Today 11/20/16

NOVEMBER SCENE

MISSOURI RIVER

Our recent rains and chilly weather

has November's last leaves

falling to the ground.

This is the Missouri River,

very close to the launch site

of Lewis & Clark's historic 

"Corps of Discovery" expedition 

to the Northwest.

They paddled "against the current"

up the mighty Missouri.

(An important source of drinking water

for many states in the Midwest,

and currently threatened by

construction of an oil pipeline

underneath our precious Missouri River.)

Pic Today 11/19/16

 

 

 

 

 

GUILTY PLEASURE

Breakfast at Waffle House!

 When I'm on the road,

especially south of here,

I keep an eye out for my

favorite 24-hour roadside diner:

Waffle House.

I love early morning visits

for my favorite breakfast order

  (which never changes) -- 

Freshly made classic waffle,

butter and syrup.

2 eggs over easy.

Crisp bacon.

Really good coffee.

Friendly ladies that love

keeping your coffee mug filled.

(Less and less guilt connected

to this fabulous dining experience.)

Pic Today 11/18/16

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIXING THE FEAST

Following yesterday's group shopping

experience by our "special needs"class,

our students spent the day 

cooking, mixing, baking and making

an early Thanksgiving feast

at Kirkwood High School.

Of course teachers and para aids

pitched in to decorate and set the table

for all 18 students.

It was a delicious and educational experience,

with much to be thankful for.

 

Pic Today 11/17/16

 

 

 

 

 

WALMART SHOPPING EXPEDITION

When the school bus pulled up at Walmart,

16 special needs Kirkwood High students

(along with para teachers)

disembarked for a special shopping outing,

armed with a planned shopping list.

That was yesterday's outing.

Today we meet in the kitchen,

to prepare our holiday feast.

Big fun.