Ted Wight's St. Louis Style

Sabering a Bottle of Champagne

Funny Cartoon

The Pioneer Woman Blog

My sister-in-law just turned me on to a new blog, The Pioneer Woman.  This sophisticated city girl moved out west to be with her cowboy. Her blog covers cooking, cowboy-life, home-schooling and much more.  I liked her recipe for Brie-stuffed Mushrooms.

Christmas Pics

We are onto New Year's Week, though here are some shots from Christmas week to share with you.

(Here my son, Nicholas, and nephew Jack found the old swords in a closet in my mother's house.)

 

(I made Chocolate Mousse for Christmas dinner dessert.....yum)

(Some interior shots of my house.)

 

 

Boxer Day at the Farm

Yesterday we went out to our farm in Pike County to celebrate Boxer Day with our cousins. It was fun having a little snow!

Jerry Berger is Back!

Last week when I was at the VP Ball, I ran into Jerry Berger. He slipped me a card with a website on it. I don't know where I have been, though Jerry has his own gossip website now. For those of you who used to run to the paper, Globe and then the Post, you now can just log on! Click here for his SITE.

O Divine Redeemer

Merry Christmas to Me

Last week I bought a Christmas present for myself....a piece by artist Christopher Tanner called Play Day from The Atrium Gallery in the CWE.  The piece is created from pieces of antique wallpaper and of course....glitter!  You can see pictures from the exciting opening: HERE.

Hard Toys

Last night I went to Remains on Morganford for their annual Holiday Party.  Remains is a wonderful company that collects clothes, shoes and toys and recycles them.  Sometimes it means that clothes are shipped to Japan for hipsters to wear....other times shredded and made into paper....and many of the toys features in these photos are going to children in Chile.  Remains is also open to the public a couple days a week.  Find out more in a post in St. Louis Brick blog:  HERE.  I call this series, Hard Toys. (Some photo credits go to my nephew- Jack Wight)

 

Cute.....for you dog lovers

Click on this LINK for something cute to put on your computer rather than the Yule Log.

Charlotte Russe

If you are trying to think of something to make for your Holiday Season dessert...how about my favorite, Charlotte Russe.

"Charlotte is a corruption of the Old English word charlyt meaning a "dish of custard." There is a lot of doubt surrounding the origins of the name "charlotte." Meat dishes that were known as charlets were popular in the 15th century.

It is said to have been invented by the French Chef Marie Antoine Careme (1784-1833), who named it in honor of his Russian employer Czar Alexander.

Other historians say that this sweet dish took its name from Queen Charlotte (1744-1818), wife of George III."

See the bottom of the post for my mother's recipe.

 

I am having a hard time reading her writing, though here it is:

Soak 1 packet of gelatin in 1/2 cup of cold milk

Mix 4 egg yolks with 1 cup of milk and 1/2 cup of sugar- cook over a double boiler or very low heat until it turns into a custard.

Melt the gelatin liquid in the microwave and add it to the custard.

Cool mixture in the refrigerator.

Whip one cup of whipping cream and fold it into the mixture

Whip the four eggs whites and fold these into the mixture

Add a little brandy or vanilla

Line a mold with lady fingers (I think you can make them or find them at Straub's) and pour the mixture in.

Refrigerate until thoroughly set and serve.

St. Louis Ballet- The Nutcracker

Last night I went to The Nutcracker performed by our very own St. Louis Ballet.  It was a fantastic performance and there are only two performances left. There is one at 3 PM and 7 PM this Tuesday.  I would suggest the 7 PM since Miyako Yoshida     from The Royal Ballet will be featured. This was also the first time that I had been to the Touhill....a great space.  Find out more and get tickets HERE.

Bernoudy Homes in Columbia, Missouri

Thank you Andrew Raimist for bringing to my attention the article earlier this month in the Missourian about the Bernoudy homes in Columbia, Missouri.  Read and see a slide show HERE.

How Many Million $+ Houses Sold In St. Louis in 2009?

You can see from the figures below that 2009 was a particularly bad year for the sale of high dollar houses in the St. Louis area.  The top house sold was in Ladue for $7.5 million.  It did come with 36 acres!

  Year # Sold

2002	113
2003	120
2004	138
2005	194
2006	196
2007	221
2008	172
2009	102

Paperwhites

Have you started your paperwhites yet?  I have not and I think it is a priority next week!  I would hate to miss out on their scent on a cold winter day.

Salt and Pepper

I love contemporary design items, though there is something about the warmth and uniqueness of antiques.  Take these German silver salt and pepper pair.  They were my grandmother's and we have a set of four.  I love the sea theme. Believe it or not, these were black with tarnish and my mother almost gave them to my grade school for a rummage sale.

Bird Bed

When I saw this picture in the Design Crisis blog, I immediately thought of artist/friend Jeff Kapfer who is fixated on birds. Jeff, do you think you would get a good night's sleep in this bed?  I also included a couple of Jeff's paintings inspired the the massive flocks of crows in the CWE.  Have you seen them?  It is spooky to walk down the street and see an entire tree covered in black birds.

St. Louis Ballet Party

Last night I attended a fun party for The St. Louis Ballet hosted by Mary Strauss at her Westmoreland Place pad.  Go see the Nutcracker at The Touhill!

Holly Maffitt, me, Rosalee Maffitt and Jacob Laws

Ballet star, Jacob Garrett with my cousin Holly Maffitt and her daughter Rosalee

The New Issue of Lonny Magazine is Out

The new issue of Lonny Magazine is out and you can't get it on the news stand or even in your mailbox.  It is free and on-line.  Check it out: LONNY

Holiday Gift Ideas

I was looking at the Design Crisis blog and saw some wonderful gift ideas.  Look at the BLOG (click where it says BLOG) and scroll down to earlier in the month.

Curried Crab Dip

I found this recipe in Food and Wine magazine this month.  I made it for Thanksgiving and again for a party last night....it was a hit and easy to make.

Ingredients

1. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2. 1 sweet onion, finely chopped
3. 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
4. 2 teaspoons Madras curry powder
5. 3 tablespoons mango chutney (preferably Major Gray), chopped
6. 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
7. 1 cup mayonnaise
8. 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
9. 2 scallions, thinly sliced
10. 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
11. 1 pound lump crabmeat, picked over
12. Salt and freshly ground pepper
13. Mixed sweet potato, vegetable and pita chips, for serving

Directions

1. In a deep, medium skillet, melt the butter. Add the onion and ginger and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 7 minutes. Add the curry powder and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the chutney, cream cheese, mayonnaise and lime juice and cook, stirring, until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Stir in the scallions, cilantro and crab, breaking up the crab slightly with the spoon. Season with salt and pepper and cook until the dip is heated through, about 1 minute. Transfer to a shallow bowl and serve with chips.

Make Ahead

The curried crab dip can be refrigerated overnight. Reheat gently before serving.

Sun Theater- Grand Center

Whenever in Grand Center, I covet the Sun Theater and my mind starts to think of venues to put in it.  Imagine if Lola van Ella had a regular night with her burlesque troop, another night magicians, drag performances....so many options!  Read this article to find out about The Sun's varied past.

(Idea to talk about The Sun sparked from this BLOG.)

Holiday Cards

This year I used Snapfish to design my Holiday cards. They are a partner of Flickr which I use to store my photos. I ordered two types depending on who I am sending them to...Don't get insulted if you do not receive one. I did not order enough. That is me below at Fallingwater in PA over the summer.

Ornaments

I love these ornaments that I saw on a friend's tree the other day.

 

 

 

A Holiday Cookie Baking Party

Over the weekend I went to a fun Holiday Party in the Tower Grove area that included baking cookies!  I was running a little late and precooked my Hello Dollies.  They were a hit and easy to make.

Hello Dollies

In a greased baking dish add without mixing:

• One stick of melted butter
• 1 cup of crushed graham crackers
• 1 cup of coconut
• 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup of chopped pecans

Cook at 375 for 35 minutes

 

 

 

 

Holiday Wreath

Yesterday I decided to make a wreath out of things from my garden.  All I did was take a grapevine wreath and wove things into it.  Although not perfect....it is free, fresh and me!

Holiday Party Table

Look at these lovely centerpieces I saw at a party last night created by Twigs and Moss.  Twigs and Moss is located on Clayton Road in Richmond Heights. They also have those large twig balls wrapped in white lights.

(Here is a party-goer looking like The Simpson's Side Show Bob)

 

 

Lonny Magazine

A new on-line, free home decor and fashion magazine has just launched....Lonny Magazine.  You need to take a look at it.  I feel this may be the future for the magazine world.  I thought it was easy to navigate and very slick.

Sugarloaf Mound Bought By the Osage Nation

This may be old news, though I just read on the Landmarks Association blog that the Sugarloaf Mound has been bought by the Osage Nation. No, it will not become a casino site. My reporting skills are not too keen today, though I think this mound is in South St. Louis between 55 and the river....maybe off Broadway.  I know you can see it from the highway.

Holiday Collective Art Opening- PHD Gallery

This weekend you need to hurry out to PHD Gallery to buy your Holiday gifts for your friends, loved-one, etc.  It is a group show!  Find out more HERE.

"GIFTED"

Original Art for Holiday Giving

December3 - January 3, 2010

Opening Gala is This Weekend!

Saturday & Sunday, December 5 & 6, 2009,

11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Skip the malls this year and make your gift giving a unique expression of creativity!  PHD Gallery hosts “GIFTED” original art for holiday giving.

 

Featuring the work of over a dozen local and regional artists, the seasonal exhibition offers “recession friendly” artwork priced to fit your holiday budget. 

 

Included among the artworks shoppers will find original paintings, collage, sculpture, scrimshaw, ceramics, glass, jewelry, photography and limited edition prints.  “GIFTED” runs Thursday, December 3, 2009 through Sunday, January 3, 2010, with a gala reception the weekend of December 5 & 6, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. both days.

 

Featured artists will include Mark Weber, Susan Sullivan, Mary Beth Shaw, David Lancaster, Jimmy Liu, Jim Sabo, Michelle “Mike” Ochonicky, Eric Hoefer, Joe Chesla, Mark Sheppard, Leslie Holt, Charlie Houska, Jeff Kapfer, Noel Leicht, David Wallace, and Polly Saputo.

Kakao Chocolate

Looking for a fun and tasty gift for someone this Holiday Season.  Make a trip to Kakao Chocolate located at 2301 S. Jefferson.  If you just can't do the city, I also saw some of their delicacies at The Mockingbird Market on Olive at Price.

Before the Internet....There was the Fine Arts Theater on Delmar

Do you remember the Fine Arts Theater on Delmar?  I never went in, though when I was a child remember driving by it and understanding that that was the naughty theater. Now it is a Chinese Restaurant.  Read more on The Mod Blog.