This past weekend was filled to the brim. We managed our time efficiently, somehow doing something fun and entertaining every day.
Friday evening we made our way to Tower Grove Park with the Fells and the Davis' for the final Food Truck Friday of the season.
There were masses of people milling around carrying their delicious food or the arduous burden of choosing where to order; a sweet band playing soothing tunes in the background; and the perfect nip in the air to wear a cozy sweater.
We ran into people we knew and exchanged tips on where to eat and what to order. I ended up with delicious Gumbo from Completely Sauced, and Red got the Flying Pig from Guerilla Streetfood. Both, excellent choices.
We found our blankets and the 6 of us lounged as we ate our street food fare and enjoyed the settling of dusk. We were in no hurry to get anywhere. It was unanimously decided that it was a mistake for the last FTF to be our first. Lesson learned.
Next year, FTF will be at the top of the social priority list. Boom.
Now, I told you it was a filled weekend and I did not lead you astray.
Saturday morning we woke up early and headed to Trish and Ben's place for coffee...and then to Eckert's Farm for pumpkin picking!!
We loaded up in the truck and headed to Illinois. Red at the wheel and Ben as the GPS. The ride there was narrated with a sweeping expanse of burning amber and red outside our windows, escorting us to the ultimate harvest world of Eckert's.
We made our way to the general store clinging to every reason to buy everything in sight. I need butter pecan maple syrup, right?
The carousel of samples made me feel light headed...imagine a room filled with every country cooking delight and then some---uncured- smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, cheese dip, fudge, dill dip, more fudge, oh..and apple cider doughnuts.
Needless to say, we were energized for our hayless hay ride over to the pumpkin patch. We took our time wandering the vines, searching for our pumpkin answer to a soul mate. The qualities of the right pumpkin are incredibly subjective. Do you prefer perfectly round, ostentatiously huge, bright orange, sandy orange, white, bumpy, no marks, oval, or lopsided? The options are endless.
Red and I settled with a perfect pumpkin with no distinguishing characteristics---hmmm..what does that say about us?
After our final purchases we headed to a delicious mexican meal down the street. There, we discovered we were exhausted! None of us had any idea how tiring choosing a pumpkin could be.
It was a perfect Fall day---good friends, good food, good fun, and beautiful weather.
Sunday morning was our most laid back day--we headed to Nicolle's and Brian's where we feasted on banana pancakes, the sun pouring in the tall windows, a breeze stirring around us. We laughed, we challenged, we discussed. It was rejuvenating and fun to hang out with no purpose and no time limit.
Sunday night we headed to a friend's birthday party and feasted on pasta and cake-balls that changed my life. (They were extra gooey on the inside and crispy on the outside--whoa--thanks Rachel!) We stayed late just hanging out and enjoying their beautiful home.
Weekends like this remind me of why I love the Lou so much. There is plenty to do, but there are also plenty of awesome people to share those things with. Thank you Lord for such a sweet community!
Friday evening we made our way to Tower Grove Park with the Fells and the Davis' for the final Food Truck Friday of the season.
There were masses of people milling around carrying their delicious food or the arduous burden of choosing where to order; a sweet band playing soothing tunes in the background; and the perfect nip in the air to wear a cozy sweater.
 |
| This picture does not do the masses justice. |
We ran into people we knew and exchanged tips on where to eat and what to order. I ended up with delicious Gumbo from Completely Sauced, and Red got the Flying Pig from Guerilla Streetfood. Both, excellent choices.
We found our blankets and the 6 of us lounged as we ate our street food fare and enjoyed the settling of dusk. We were in no hurry to get anywhere. It was unanimously decided that it was a mistake for the last FTF to be our first. Lesson learned.
Next year, FTF will be at the top of the social priority list. Boom.
Now, I told you it was a filled weekend and I did not lead you astray.
Saturday morning we woke up early and headed to Trish and Ben's place for coffee...and then to Eckert's Farm for pumpkin picking!!
We loaded up in the truck and headed to Illinois. Red at the wheel and Ben as the GPS. The ride there was narrated with a sweeping expanse of burning amber and red outside our windows, escorting us to the ultimate harvest world of Eckert's.
We made our way to the general store clinging to every reason to buy everything in sight. I need butter pecan maple syrup, right?
The carousel of samples made me feel light headed...imagine a room filled with every country cooking delight and then some---uncured- smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, cheese dip, fudge, dill dip, more fudge, oh..and apple cider doughnuts.
 |
| Somehow I never got the full group picture!! So sad. |
After our final purchases we headed to a delicious mexican meal down the street. There, we discovered we were exhausted! None of us had any idea how tiring choosing a pumpkin could be.
It was a perfect Fall day---good friends, good food, good fun, and beautiful weather.
Sunday morning was our most laid back day--we headed to Nicolle's and Brian's where we feasted on banana pancakes, the sun pouring in the tall windows, a breeze stirring around us. We laughed, we challenged, we discussed. It was rejuvenating and fun to hang out with no purpose and no time limit.
Sunday night we headed to a friend's birthday party and feasted on pasta and cake-balls that changed my life. (They were extra gooey on the inside and crispy on the outside--whoa--thanks Rachel!) We stayed late just hanging out and enjoying their beautiful home.
Weekends like this remind me of why I love the Lou so much. There is plenty to do, but there are also plenty of awesome people to share those things with. Thank you Lord for such a sweet community!
