Pic Today 8/31/15

 

 

 

 

 

PICKIN' PAW-PAWS

There's a little-known wild fruit

that grows along Missouri river banks

(and all along the cabin driveway,

next to the limestone bluffs) 

called the paw paw.

Known by country folk as custard apples,

these fruits turn ripe this time of year,

and it's best to pick 'em before the

wild critters get 'em

(or they will be quick to disappear.)

Paw paws have a soft flesh inside

when ripe, and taste like a cross

between a banana and a mango.

Like the old country song lyrics go:

Pickin' up paw paws, 

put 'em in your pocket.

Way down yonder in the paw paw patch.

Closest neighbors (Walt & Carolyn),

at the top of the hill

came down to share some home-cooked food

for a great country meal.

Pic Today 8/30/15

 

 

GONE TO THE RIVER

   Leaving the city today . . .

  down to the river.    

Looking for rocks,

and peace-and-quiet. 

Pic Today 8/29/15

 

 

 

 

 

  SIMPLE SUMMER SALAD

They had these tiny little "cocktail tomatoes"

at the market today --  they looked so good.

So I grabbed a fresh ear of corn,

picked some fresh basil,

and figured this would be a

great combination.

No dressing, no oil, no salt or pepper.

Just 3 summer fresh ingredients combined.

Voila!

It worked.

(Sometimes it's all about the

freshest ingredients,

and keeping it simple.) 

Pic Today 8/28/15

 

 

SEE WHAT THE LEAVES

ARE SAYING

They're telling us

summer is coming to an end.

And fall is near.

(My favorite season will soon be here.)

 

Pic Today 8/27/15

 

 

FAMILY PORTRAIT

FOR JERIANN

My friend, Jeriann,

serves me dinner

a few times each week,

at a restaurant down the street.

She talked me into shooting

a "family portrait,"

which as it turned out 

was her husband (hi Matt)

and her 3 dogs.

Cute family,

don't you think?

 

Pic Today 8/26/15

 

 

 

DO YOU HOOKAH?

Although hookahs go back hundreds of years,

used principally in the Mideast and India,

there use has spread to the U.S. 

and is popular with young adults

and especially women!

Hookahs are multi-stemmed glass bowl water pipes,

where fruit-flavored tobacco (shisha) is

smoked and filtered through water.

Each smoker holds his/her own mouthpiece.

Hookah lounges are popping up in

trendy parts of town, usually offering 

coffee and tea as well.

Definitely a social activity, and legal

(unless you try to smoke something else.)

Some hookahs are very fancy,

like that 8-stemmed beauty

from Iran!

(Looks like 8 pink snakes.) 

Pic Today 825/15

 

 

 

 

 

I LOVE EGGPLANT

And when I saw this beauty,

I decided to grab enough garden ingredients

to make my own version of ratatouille.

Zucchini, garlic, onion, eggplant,

tomato, bell pepper, herbs on hand,

really good olive oil.

Sauteed, simmered and served.

That's my version.

(Absolutely delicious.) 

Pic Today 8/24/15

 

 

 

 

MOVE OVER SUMMER,

AUTUMN'S SNEAKING IN

Evenings are getting cooler.

Days are getting shorter.

Nature is turning colors.

Emily Dickinson said it best:

"As Summer into Autumn slips

And yet we sooner say

"The Summer" than "the Autumn," lest

We turn the sun away."

The change is on its way!

Pic Today 8/23/15

 

 

 

 

 

SWEET SUMMER TREATS

Lazy August nights call for 

a trip to the local frozen treat stand.

A short walk to The Custard Station

(delicious frozen custard, cones or cups),

or down a block to The Tropical Moose

(shaved ice with your choice of 50

fruit and tropical flavors.)

Make mine "coconut and mango"

on shaved ice.

Yum!

Pic Today 8/22/15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GROCERY SHOPPING

GETS PERSONAL

. . . buying fresh produce directly

    from the person who grows it. 

At the Farmers Market.

The healthiest way to buy food.

(More delicious too.) 

Pic Today 8/21/15

 

 

 

 

 

ROME?  (NO.)

ATHENS?  (NO.)

CARTHAGE?  (NO.)

Believe it or not,

these magnificent structures

are here, in St. Louis!

In the Central West End of the city. 

Edifices, cathedrals, temples.

Built at the turn of the century

in a grand old part of the city . . . 

Moolah Shriners, Scottish Rite,

Masonic magnificence!

(They don't build 'em like they used to.)

Whoah!