Pic Today 7/31/17

 

COOL CRESS

It's always refreshing

to harvest a new crop of

wild watercress,

  especially in the heat of summer.

Cause watercress only thrives

in clean chilly spring water.

Sweet, crisp and tangy.

Pic Today 7/30/17

 

UNION STATION GRAND HALL

Once the grand hall of St. Louis Union Station, 

the 120 year old national historic landmark

and now a cocktail lounge at the

converted Hyatt hotel,

this was once the busiest train station in the U.S.

Wow.

 

Pic Today 7/29/17

 

A BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND

The weather is kind now.

The heat has left us,

but not the sun.

Enjoy your weekend.

Pic Today 7/28/17

 

MONSTER HYDRANGEAS

Granted, hydrangea bushes have always

been popular here in the Midwest.

But for some reason, 

(perhaps our wet Spring

and recent oppressive heat),

the flower heads are huge

this year.

I've never seen them this large.

Pic Today 7/27/17

 

SOMEONE LIVES HERE

Down the street,

behind Mark's factory,

there's an old tree.

And from the looks of things,

someone lives there.

Pic Today 7/26/17

 

 

 

SUMMER PLEASURES

One of my favorite summer pleasures

is homegrown peach season.

Slicing a fragrant, ripe peach

is a juicy task,

But well worth the effort,

especially next to a slice of

fresh baked wild blackberry pie.

Oh my!

Pic Today 7/25/17

 

 

PURPLE PESTO

If you can get your hands on

some fresh purple basil,

you will love this recipe

to make your own Purple Pesto.

1/3 cup almonds (roasted/salted)

2 oz. purple basil, peeled leaves

2 large cloves garlic, peeled

1/2 tsp coarse salt

4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

Chop all ingredients (not the oil)

in food processor or by hand

to the consistency you like.

With food processor running,

drizzle olive oil and salt gradually.

Your kitchen will smell wonderful.

Hint: weigh the basil, or pack

leaves to fill a 2-cup measure.

(You can refrigerate or freeze.)

Pic Today 7/24/17

 

 

 

 

 

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW

Watching and weeding,

tilling and feeding.

What fun to enjoy

beautiful food growing.

(Even in this heat!)

Pic Today 7/23/17

 

HOT MEETS COLD

Here's what happens when

oppressive hot and humid air

sits on top of our spring-fed

Missouri streams!

Visibility zero!

Pic Today 7/22/17

 

 

 

ICE COLD FUN

Here's a fun idea

when temperatures get in the 100's.

Get the gang together.

Head to Art Hill

(which is famous for sledding

in the winter time). 

Everyone (especially the kids)

bring a block of ice,

and a towel.

Sled down the hill

on your ice block.

It takes balance,

so easy does it.

Now you're ice block sledding!

 

Pic Today 7/21/17

 

 

I ❤️ TOMATOES

Especially home-grown

just-picked summertime

ones, shaped like hearts!

 

Pic Today 7/20/17

IT'S HOT

The dashboard in my car

says it all.   It's hot.

Most days are in excess of 100˚(F).

(Drinking lots of water.)

Pic Today 7/19/17

 

 

 

A GREAT

RAW SUMMER SALAD

Mix mini cherry tomatoes,

fresh cut corn kernels

and minced basil leaves.

Drizzle with light vinaigrette

and serve cold.

So easy, so delicious.

Happy Summer. 

Pic Today 7/18/17

 

 

FRESH TASTE

OF SUMMER

Nothing says summertime

like an ear (or two) of

 fresh picked corn on the cob. 

(Don't forget the butter.)

Pic Today 7/17/17

 

 

FLOATING BEAUTY

Water lilies in bloom. 

I like the floating pads

as much as the

perfect blossoms.

Pic Today 7/16/17

 

PLUM PERFECT

If you think this year's

peaches are good,

try the home-grown plums!

So special.

Pic Today 7/15/17

 

 NEW ROAD

TO THE CABIN

No more hiking into the cabin.

This luxurious road was built

by a gracious neighbor

(up the hill)

with hard work and a tractor.

It hugs the river,

and certainly won't survive

the next flood.

But no complaints here.

I can now deliver supplies

by car!

Pic Today 7/14/17

 

 

 

HOME GROWN PEACHES

ARE HERE

Nothing better.

Someone make me a pie!

  

Pic Today 7/13/17

 

 

MERAMEC RIVER ROCKS

. . . come in such interesting

shapes and sizes.

I love 'em.

Pic Today 7/12/17

SYCAMORE STUMP

This ol' sycamore stump

ain't ready to die.

Since the flood,

it has exploded

with new growth.

(Maybe it just needed a good watering.)

 

Pic Today 7/11/17

 

 

LOTUS PODS

 

Seed pods of the sacred lotus

are rising from the depths,

transformed from blossoms.

Every part of this magnificent

water plant is a joy to behold.

(And photograph.)

Pic Today 7/10/17

 

NOBODY'S BETTER

at starting a fire!

(We love you Maggie.) 

Pic Today 7/9/17

 

 

 

ANTIQUES ROAD SHOW

COMES TO ST. LOUIS

I was lucky enough to get

tickets to this popular 

appraisal event,

and stood in line with 

a thousand other collectors

with their "priceless items."

I did find out that my autographed

 edition of "Our Friend The Atom" 

by Walt Disney is actually

appraised at $2,000

(mostly because the signature

is genuine!)

Can't wait to see if I make it

on the broadcast.

 

Pic Today 7/8/17

 

UP AGAINST

THE WALL

Sometimes things grow

in the most unlikely of places.

And thrive despite the odds.

(Nature is amazing.)

Pic Today 7/7/17

 

HOT DAYS

FOG THINGS UP

AT RICHART SPRING

Hot humid weather

creates a blanket of fog

above cold spring waters.

Our clear Ozark springs

feel ice cold as they come 

from the ground,

but they average 56-degrees (F).

(Too cold for a swim,

but perfect for making fog.)

Pic Today 7/6/17

 

Ella, Metta & Eli

More trouble than they look.

But these three had a blast

down at the river

  for the 4th of July. 

Pic Today 7/5/17

 

HOPE YOU

ENJOYED THE SHOW

Pic Today 7/4/17

 

HAPPY 4TH OF  JULY

 

Pic Today 7/3/17

 

STILL LEGAL HERE

Here in Missouri,

fireworks and firecrackers

are still legal to buy, to shoot.

Although some cities

  have outlawed them. 

I worry about wildlife,

pets and bees,

and try to shoot them

in safe places.

Aerial displays are planned

for the next two nights,

but I plan on being 

far from the city.

Happy Fourth of July!

Be safe.