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When we think of mistletoe, all we imagine is a little sprig of plant that you hang in your entry. It does not grow in this area, though Mistletoe is a parasitic plant found in the South. Click on this story to read more about the tradition of shooting mistletoe out of trees to harvest it.
In honor of Thanksgiving tomorrow I am going to share a recipe today. These are the most delicious mashed potatoes you will ever eat. I have made them several times to the delight of the diners. Funny thing is that this morning when I am writing this, I notice that it is made with parsley root and not parsnips. I think every time I have made this....it was with parsnips. They are very similar and I actually saw parsley root at Schnuck's yesterday. Enjoy! Serves 6-8 people.
2 pounds Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, scrubbed
4 parsley roots with leaves
4 to 8 tablespoons butter, to taste
1/2 to 1 cup of warm cream
1 tablespoon minced parsley root leaves or 2 tablespoons Italian parsley
Peel potatoes and put in a large pot with 2 teaspoons of salt. Peel or scrub the parsley root, chop into chunks and add to the potatoes. Bring to a boil and cook until tender for about 25 minutes.
Drain well. Break the potatoes and parsley root into chunks and mash them. Add butter, cream and minced parsley root or Italian parsley. Whip the mixture until smooth.
Saturday night the Thaxton Speakeasy opened. It was quite a stylish venue that I hear you can rent out for private parties also. Located at 1009 Olive Street
On Friday night we popped by the phd gallery to see the Mark Florida exhibit. This St. Louis artist takes pictures of old buildings with some old advertising left and enhances it by superimposing his own propaganda. Find out more at www.phdstl.com
A few years ago I "stole" my grandmother's cast iron muffin and cornbread pans from my mother. My grandmother could hardly boil water, though the cook probably used them. Grandmother had fabled money during the roaring 20's and lived on Lindell next to Gussie Busch. My grandfather lost his money in the stock market colaspe and died in the 1930's. He was in his 60's...30 years senior my grandmother. My mother was about 2 when he died. My grandmother never remarried and died in the mid-90's. She was very Catholic and practically haunted the New Cathedral. In her later years, she would forget if she went to mass that day and end up going to 2-3 masses a day. She would frequently corner Cardinal Carberry for a confession stating that she had sinned. Her sin was"I was daydreaming during the service."
After a hospitialization in her later years we discovered that she was addicted to her "pink" medicine. Doctors used to medicate women who complained about being axious. The medicine made the ladyfolk a little easier on the nerves of their husbands. Somehow my grandmother was medicated for decades with a mild sedative.
Oh well...back to cast iron muffin pans...believe it or not the national Griswold Cast Iron Convention is in St. Louis this Summer!!!!!
The history of Griswold can be found HERE
Find out about the convention in St. Louis HERE
The Holidays are coming and wouldn't this be a perfect gift. Seen HERE
These look like jumbo hacky sacks. See more pics and information HERE
One of my sons and I made an excursion to Osage Cafe located in Bowoods Nursery I had the greens, eggs and ham that consisted of poached eggs over arugula, prosciutto and toast. I also indulged in some bison sausage patties...I am hoping that they are not as fatty as normal sausage.
Osage Cafe grows some of its ingredients right in the garden next door and from their roof-top herb garden.
Osage Cafe is only open for breakfast and lunch.
It is not unusual for someone to let their life get a little out of control. Sometimes you need a doctor or therapy to get things in order.....sometimes you need Re:Do Look at these before and afters.....
For those of you who love modern furniture, there is a nice sale going on HERE
Japanese Maples put on so many shows during the season. Below are pics of a Coral Bark Japanese Maple with its showy yellow leaves. Soon its bark will turn a bright red for the winter show. Also featured is a Cut-leafed Japanese Maple that has dark red leaves during the summer and bright red leaves in the fall. Ted Wight
Check out this BLOG for a look at Harris Armstrong's Stuebner residence in Ladue that was torn down.
Last night was the season finale of Top Design on Bravo. In case you did not have a chance to see it, I will not let you know the winner. I am wild about the bold wallpapers used by Preston and Ondine.....especially the last pic of the bedroom. They accented just one wall. I think I am going to try it.
Everyone loves granite counter-tops, though they are becoming a little too standard in homes. Why not be different and "green" and use recycled glass and concrete counter-tops? They come in all sorts of cool colors!
Available in St.Louis at Solid Surface Resources 314-771-1234
Sometimes I use this blog as a way for me to digitally clip something I see in a magazine to save for future reference. I ran across this site that features antique roses. On a cold winter day I will browse their catalog and select some roses for my city and farm gardens. For now I am going to go vote. (Rumor is that if you vote and get an 'I voted' sticker at the polls....you get a free cup of coffee at Starbucks)
The one pictured below is called, "Rural England".
It is not only the trees this year that are giving strong colors...look at the vines, bushes and plants. All of the rain over the spring and summer are treating us to a special show this year. Look quickly...next weekend it could be over.
Pictured: Boston ivy, oak-leafed hydrangea and holly.
