I’m trying something different with photos this time. Click on a thumbnail for a larger picture and a caption in the form of a comment. Click on the larger picture for an even larger picture.
And we were introduced to the latest internet viral sensation, Keyboard Cat!
- Poppa
We usually take at least one Missouri winery tour each year with friends and family in remembrance of Tom, Mary Jo’s husband, who enjoyed touring the wine country. This year we started on Saturday with the Yellow Farmhouse Vineyard and Winery in Defiance, MO. It was a beautiful day and a great setting. Mary Jo came prepared with sausage, cheese, cherries, peppers, hummus, and sunglasses.
There was nothing ridiculous about the setting or the company, but Doug (AKA Jake) introduced us to bottles from The Crazy Old Man and Psycho-Bitch Wineries. They are sub-micro wineries that exist only in Doug’s (AKA Crazy Old Man’s) fevered imagination.
The alcohol content of the Psycho-Bitch wine is “Who gives a shit?” It’s enough to make you laugh ’til the wine comes out your nose.
On Sunday we paid our first visit to the Olivette Diner, a local landmark almost as old as we are. I ordered a Slinger, and was thrilled to get the classic version, hash browns, hamburger patties, and eggs any way, all covered by chili garnished with cheese and raw onions. I now consider the Olivette Diner Slinger to be my current favorite in the St. Louis area. There’s nothing ridiculous about a good diner, either, but it’s a long way from The Stone Soup Cottage. I do love both extremes.
- Poppa
We’re back from a long weekend in Pittsburgh where we hung out with Leah, Darren, and Darren’s Mom, Donna. We took many pictures, too many to post in the blog, so I’ve added a photo page to our website where the pictures from this trip can be viewed.
It was good to see Pittsburgh in the sun; the first time we were there it was overcast the whole time. We were again impressed by the vibrancy of the city. The commercial core of each neighborhood was packed with bars, cafes, coffeehouses, and interesting little galleries and shops.
In addition to the usual meandering from eatery to eatery, we learned how to play Boggle, Big Boggle to be specific. Darren is a Boggle savant. He was able to beat the three of us (Leah, Nan, and myself) combined, the first time by more than twice our total. Nan and I regained our self respect with a game of Trivial Pursuit.
Friday afternoon, Leah treated us all to a showing of Monsters Vs. Aliens in IMACS 3-D. The movie was enjoyable, the IMACS 3-D was mind-blowing, though my eyes started to feel a little strained after the first hour or so. 3-D has come a long way since the first 3-D movie I saw, The Stewardesses (1969). (Note: It turns out The Stewardesses still has its own web site and rumbles of a remake abound. Sheesh!)
For the first time, I encountered a situation where Kliban’s Law of Dining applied. I ordered the Veal Parmesan sandwich at Big Jim’s “in the run,” and was brought a sandwich actually bigger than my head.
I should have been more prepared. The menu described the sandwich as served on “half a loaf of Italian bread.” I did my best, but most of it still followed me home.
It was great to get to know Donna. We hope to see them all here in St. Louis soon.
- Poppa
On Sunday we accompanied Nan’s sister Mary Jo and our friends Kayte and Scott to the St. Charles Family Arena for a performance of Saltimbanco. Saltimbanco is a Cirque du Soleil touring show, the oldest of the touring shows still on the road and the second Cirque du Soleil show we ever saw. In 1992 we saw it twice in Atlanta when it was being performed in the grand chapiteau (big top). Now it’s what Cirque calls an “arena show” because it’s being performed inside local stadiums and arenas.
Seventeen years later, it was still a magical experience for us. The show has changed, but for the better. The acrobatics are more daring and elaborate and the music seems to have darker overtones. I actually found it to be a very emotional experience. It evoked early memories of Cirque du Soleil, before it was ubiquitous, before the Internet was in common use, before we’d ever seen anything like it, and before we had any idea who these crazy people were. We just knew we were entranced.
After the performance, we returned to Scott and Kayte’s house for dinner. We’d rendezvoused there before the show so we could carpool to the Arena. It gave us a chance to load-test the Fit. We learned the Fit can fit five average and above-average-sized people AND still make it up a fairly steep grade.
Kayte had prepared an Indonesian meal for us, a beef curry often included as part of a Rijsttafel (rice table), a traditional Indonesian/Dutch meal dating from colonial times.
The meal was prefaced by Ginger Vodka Gimlets, extremely flavorful and made with fresh ginger. Then Kayte set out the garnishes for the curry.
The salad was crisp bibb lettuce with goat cheese, tangerine slices, walnuts to taste and a light champagne dressing. Cool and refreshing.
The pièce de résistance, beef curry on rice, garnished with peanuts, green onions, freshly-ground coconut, cucumbers, hard-boiled eggs, and mango chutney. The beef was fall-apart tender and wonderfully seasoned.
Altogether, a perfect 4-F day (food, family, friends, and fun).
- Poppa
“Who’s the little person sitting in the Big Guy’s chair?”
“Don’t know, but she hasn’t fed us since she got here. I say we stare at her until she does.”
Actually, no tequila this weekend so far, I’m just drolling.
Saturday, Nan and I went to see a stage production of To Kill a Mockingbird at Washington University’s Edison Theater. I love any live performance of anything. As far as I’m concerned, anybody getting up in front of a live audience and putting it on the line deserves respect and encouragement, no matter the “quality” of their production. That being said (heh); the quality of this production was outstanding. The sets, costumes, and acting were all above par.
After the performance, Mary Badham, the woman who played Scout in the 1962 film, was on hand to speak briefly about the social issues raised in the book and to answer questions about her role in the movie. That was a treat. In the Department of Small Worlds, there was a woman in the audience who turned out to be one of Badham’s teachers when she was a kid in Alabama.
After the play, we went to LemmonGrass for Com Tay Cam Tom (Shrimp Rice in Hot Pot). I’ve been going to Vietnamese restaurants for over 20 years and I’ve always gotten the same thing, Bun Cha Gio (Vermicelli Noodles with Egg Rolls). This is possibly my longest mono-ethno-food run to date. It only took me a couple of years each to move beyond Chicken with Almonds and Pad Thai and start exploring the rest of the Chinese and Thai menus.
Com Tay Cam Tom
We read a description of the hot pot concept in Sauce, our local foodie weekly, and decided to try it. The secret surprise at the bottom of the pot is crispy rice. Aficionados of Sizzling Rice Soup (yes, I’m talking to YOU, Leah) will love this dish. I predict it won’t be the last time we have it.
Kyle John and Kevin James, “The Boys”
Last weekend, Jim, Ingrid, and The Boys came down to The ‘Lou for a visit. It was wonderful to see them again. We spent quality time eating, watching inspirational movies (The Big Lebowski and O Brother, Where Art Thou), playing Cranium, and just talking. The Boys are well on their way to becoming the tallest Thompsons in history.
- Poppa
Pittsburgh by Night
Well, we’re back home after a long, grueling weekend of sightseeing, shopping, and sybaritism in Pittsburgh where we ate our way through the city like termites. We hit Primanti Brothers (the city’s most famous sandwich), Vincent’s Pizza Park (where the pizza toppings are so thick it’s like eating a pizza stew), Pamela’s (or Paula’s? a popular local breakfast place with excellent home-made corned beef hash and buttery thin hot cakes), Tessaro’s (a bar with justly famous cheese burgers), and Chaya (a little Japanese restaurant that makes a great pork cutlet).
We met Boots the Cat, saw Fort Pitt, and Nan built a customized six-pack at a combined beer store and hot dog emporium (Arrogant Bastard Ale ”You’re Not Worthy”). We tried to go to a legendary Hungarian place, but the owner/operator was apparently also legendary since he wasn’t there when he said he’d be.
Best of all, we got to meet The Boyfriend. Darren is smart, funny, and fun to be with.
You done good, Leah.
Poppa
He looks noble, doesn’t he? He looks like he’s thinking, “I am the ruler of all I survey!” Actually, he’s thinking, “How do I get down from here again?”
The totality of our vacation photos, the good ones anyway, are posted.
- Poppa
Everybody got new hats for the wedding.
Dressed for the wedding.
Dylan and Nica tie the knot.
The “rings” are infinity symbols.
Dylan and Nica’s back yard as the sun sets.
At the Earthship Monday afternoon; the front yard.
Nan at the front door.
This is the only spot the cell phone works.
The closest neighbors.
The greenhouse, edible as well as ornamental (the plants, that is).
This is what I’m looking at over the computer as I write this post.
More later…
- Poppa
Girls, it pains me to report… oh heck…I take pleasure in reporting that your mother was heard to laugh out loud several times while watching Southpark last night.
It’s true, she’s gone over to the (ahem) Park Side.
Poppa
Recent Comments