One of my sons and I made a little overnight trip to Memphis. We ate at Lamberts in Sikeston on the way down....walked down Beale St....stayed at The Peabody and saw the ducks....bought bow ties at Lashly's and learned how to tie them....had BBQ at Rendevous....and saw Graceland!
This week one of my sons was home for Spring Break and we decided to do a little excursion to Kansas City. On the way there, we stopped by Columbia to check in on my other son who transferred last semester to Mizzou. After lunch at Shakespeare Pizza we continue onwards to KC. We treated ourselves to a night at The Raphael on The Plaza....dined at yummy Gram & Dun outside on a balmy 70 degree night....shopped....went to the WW I Museum and then had a BBQ lunch at Jack's Stack. The pictures below are not from ancient Egypt, though the fabulous, deco WW I Museum grounds.
Check out the picture of our place in Puerto Vallarta from the 50's and now. They just kept building up. Lovely. I would call it shabby Mexican chic!
Puerto Vallarta.... I finally got the nerve to wear my new, linen shirt...
I love these vintage movie posters I saw in Puerto Vallarta. Taken with the Hipstomatic ad that intensifies the colors even more.
The Wights originally were from Maine and after the Civil War my Great Great Grandfather, Pearl Wight, moved to New Orleans to start a hardware business catering to the shipping industry. Their company was Woodward and Wight, LTD. He became a beloved and respected citizen of New Orleans. A couple of the buildings from the business still stand in the Warehouse District of New Orleans. They are now loft apartment buildings.
Pearl's son, Ira Edward Wight, married a Ewing from St. Louis. In the early 1900's they sold the business and Ira moved to St. Louis. I think his wife did not think New Orleans was a good place to raise a family.
A Loving Cup that I have from when the business was sold and both Pearl and Ira retired in 1904.
Pearl's house on Prytania St. Now owned by the New Orleans Opera Guild.
And Pearl's mausoleum in Metarie Cemetery. There is room for more family members is any of them want to have this as their final resting place.
It was 75 degrees in New Orleans over the weekend....a nice little break from the cold. The food in New Orleans is so good. I am off of Puerto Vallarta soon and this was the wrong place to go when I will be in a swim suit.
I saw 3 plantations....along the Mississippi River and only 45 minutes from the city. You must tour them when you are in New Orleans next.
Laura Plantation- a creole delight and with a St. Louis story. Laura Gore was the last owner and sold the plantation when she got married to a St. Louis gentleman. She lived in the CWE on McPherson and then De Giverville.
Slave Cabin
Oak Alley Plantation
Houmas Plantation
A full day yesterday in New Orleans. We visited 3 plantations... Pictured is Oak Alley. We saw our old family mausoleum in Metarie graveyard...I think there are 6 spots left in it for family. Dinner at Commander's Palace and then we drove by the old family home on Prytania. They were filming a movie there with Shirley MacLaine and Christopher Plummer. I went up and asked if I could meet Shirley and was told no.
Last night we had dinner at the Fat Hen on St Charles St in Uptown New Orleans. So good. The best mango crab guacamole. Pulled pork on cinnamon bread. I had Shrimp and Grits.
I am here with some friends and my cousin who is at Tulane Law School joined us for dinner.
Off to see some plantations today!
Over the weekend I was up in Lake Forest Illinois for my 25th college reunion. This morning I went down to the lovely lakefront. So pretty! The fall colors always seem a little prettier along the lake.
I don't know if my planning was ideal, with needing to move out of my current house by the middle of this month and several real estate deals in the works, though I recently had two wonderful get-a-ways....the Pacific NW with one of my sons and brother....and I just got back from Provincetown on the Cape. Somehow I will get it all done. I also have both sons off to college this year. Does this mean I am now an empty nester? It will be a little quiet at the end of August. This will give me the opportunity to get my new house in order.
Pictures from Provincetown:
And a picture of some of the local performers who make Provincetown so colorful...the Mommie Dearest duo
I have always loved the signage on this Provincetown institution.
The last little trip until I have to pack up and move to my new home in Ladue.
In P-town for a few days. Love the gardens and how they inspire you on how to plant in a small space
Breakfast at Lowell's in the Pike Place market in Seattle is must. I had Eggs Benedict with crab!
Three versions of the Columbia River taken on top Beacon Rock on the Washington side of the river.
Washington State is a special treat. We just left two nights and three days in the Olympic National Park area. Even went through Forks, WA where the Twilight books were based.
Victoria was a lovely town in British Columbia. We visited the famous Butchart Gardens which were developed in and around an old quarry. The Fairmount Empress Hotel was glamorous though we missed their famous Tea. Next we are off to the Olympic National Park.
Working our way through the North Cascade Mountains in Washington State. Off to Canada tomorrow to see Vancouver and Victoria
I am in Seattle tonight with one of my sons and my oldest brother. The beginning of our Pacific NW trip!
I love these locust trees that are painted blue in downtown Seattle. The paint is not permanent.
Today I found myself in the beautiful and impressive town of of Quincy, Illinois. I went up with a friend to celebrate his mother's 74th Birthday. I have heard about Quincy for a while and the impressive houses. I was amazed and delighted! Today I am featuring some of the Art Deco/ International-styled homes.
I just got back from a lovely week in Puerto Vallarta. We stayed up in Conchas Chinas at the Casa Tres Vidas. This is a villa that can accommodate groups (our group was 10) on separate levels. The villa includes your own staff that prepare exceptional meals. You just pay the grocery bill each day. Very enchanting and a nice change from hotels and large resorts. You may also want to try the adjoining sister property Quinta Maria Cortez....older...elegant...just breakfast is available & included.
And some random pics from the trip!
An image of a restaurant in Puerto Vallarta....using the Hipstomatic app.
From the plane
Coming back to St Louis today. Greeted this morning by this lovely view.
Former St. Louisans and friends, Greg and Lewis officially, though not legally, got hitched last night up at their Dooley Creek Ranch. It was quite an event. 200 friends and family across the country gathered last night in the hills of Mendocino County. Cocktails started poolside and then everyone walked up to the wedding knoll past a vocalist singing, "You are my sunshine". They exchanged vows with Lewis singing his. They also started a painting together during the ceremony. After the vows were complete, the guest strolled down a golden hill surrounded by live oaks draped in moss. Dinner was at the edge of their vineyard. St. Louisans are not going to want to hear this, though I was cold!
One of my favorites stops while in San Francisco is Tartine in the Mission area. Yesterday for breakfast I indulged in Peach Bread Pudding, a cinnamon roll and a mocha. Heaven!
Today I am attending a wedding up in Hopland, CA. I forgot my good camera....so these are iPhone pics. Below are the flowers stored in the bathtub for the event.
And some views from the ranch where the event will be held.
Yesterday I had a tasty burrito from this food truck.
Near Lake Keuka in NY is a wonderful market where people from all over come to sell their wares. Here are some pictures from the Amish stand. Love the shoes...they are real!.....now you know what to do with your old Guccis.
A day sailing at Lake Keuka in NY! Beautiful weather...decent sailing...drive-in theater tonight to see Harry Potter!
You will be jealous....not only for me being on Nantucket...the weather is a breezy 70 degrees. Visited some cousins from the Wight side of the family. It became confusing. 50% of the male crowd was either named Ted or Ned Wight. Today I am featuring some of the lovely window boxes seen on the island.
The gardens on Nantucket are lovely. I am jealous of their hydrangeas.
NYC. Alexander McQueen exhibit. MOMA. Dinner @ Pastis. Memphis @ The Shubert. Night @ The Standard. Walking The Highline today.
I spent the weekend in Louisville for Derby festivities. On Friday we attended The Oaks Race, which seems to be the race that the locals attend. Everyone wears a little pink for breast cancer awareness. it was a gorgeous day and I was impressed that everyone in the crowd was so decked out! I saw the actual Derby at a house party on Saturday.
The snow does look pretty, though it is hard to take the cold after spending a week in the sunny 70's in Puerto Vallarta. I know that there has been a lot of bad press about Mexico concerning safety, though Puerto Vallarta has not had any issues. I stayed with a group at one of the villas at Casa Tres Vidas which is next door to where I have stayed before...Quinta Maria Cortez. These are a little south of Old Town in Chonchas Chinas. Both are elegant....Casa Tres Vidas includes your own cook who will prepare meals for you. Our cook and staff was wonderful!
Our chef prepared us appetizers to enjoy with wine at sunset.
The ceviche was perfect!
Back in St. Louis after a wonderful week in Puerto Vallarta!
In Louisville, KY for the New Year. Don't you check out the local cemetery when you visit a town?
This weekend I went to a wedding in Kansas City. I had an opportunity to explore a little before driving back to St. Louis. I traveled to visit the Long Mansion- Corinthian Hall located above the river somewhere North of town. This mansion was built by R.A. Long, who was a lumber barron, in the early 1900's. It was designed by Henry Hoit of Van Brunt and Howe architects. It was a little reminiscent of the Rockcliffe Mansion in Hannibal that I sold earlier this year. That also was built by a lumber barron around the same time. Unfortunately the house is closed and undergoing a renovation that I think will take several years. The house had lovely views of downtown KC and the river.
Here are some of the surrounding homes.
And one interesting home that I saw in the Hyde Park neighborhood.
This week I have been staying in Puerto Vallerta at the lovely Villa Marea Baja. The weather has been lovely and my days have been spent at the beach and touring. We even went on these zips lines in the jungle above a river gorge. If you love the pictures of the villa where we stayed....lucky you...it is for sale....$2.25 million.
Mendocino County is the up-and-coming Northern CA destination. It is only two hours north of San Francisco....a little further out than Napa and Sonoma. There are many fine vineyards in the area as well as farmers markets and more. Below are some pictures with descriptions.
(Wine tasting at Campovida in Hopland, CA. You should see what they have done to the Old Fetzer compound...amazing gardens and the perfect venue for a wedding.)
(My friend, Lewis, in the ranch's vineyard that neighbors Campovida.)
(Farmers Market in Ukiah.)
(From the Farmer's Market to the table...yum)
(One of my favorite things about staying on the ranch is having my own casita with an inside shower...though I like using the outside shower)
(The vulture who was watching me take my outdoor shower...he was really right above me.)
Greetings from Dooley Creek Ranch in Mendocino County, CA.
Have a great Labor Day weekend!
