1940's in the Park

It was a glorious day yesterday. Blue skies, no humidity, a cool breeze. Perfect for a stroll in the park.

And, that's exactly what Red and I did.

After our delicioso meal at Chimi's (our local Mexican hang-out)...we drove to downtown Saint Charles and strolled by the river. It literally was perfect.

I know. A walk in a park is not typically something you write home about; but, this walk was extra special because (little did we know!) there was a big band at the pavilion playing classic big band style music! (Ok, so that's leaving out their rendition of Elton John's Can you feel the Love tonight...)

I tried to paint a picture for Red--instructing him to imagine a large swanky ballroom filled with smoke and hundreds of couples dancing close---the ladies in their fitted dresses, the men in their suits...oh what glorious times!

It makes me think about the newest Woody Allen flick: Midnight in Paris...which was such a feel good film....I fully desire to travel back in time to the late 1940's and early 50's...give me a wiggle dress and Red in a uniform, any day!

Ok---so you get the idea. The walk was refreshing. The ambiance delightful. And the sweet time with my Husband---exactly what I needed.

Solitude is Productive

Having had an increase in my alone time this week, I have been laying around allowing creativity to hit me whenever it wants.

While lounging on our comfy couch...watching tv...the sizable blank wall behind it was glaring at me. I mean...it was literally speaking to me..."Decorate me...please...do something...I'm so empty.."

See what I mean?

Red and I had talked about a few ideas...but nothing was appealing....so after some research (ok, browsing apartmenttherapy) I decided on a smattering of pictures all 5x7 in 8x10 frames with a mat. Clean, precise, and still interesting...

The wall is now screaming, "Relief!!"

I originally had 12 pictures to hang, but the local craft stores didn't have 12 of the same frame...so I'm going to be adding as the months go on. However...I think we can all agree that not only is the wall happier, but I am too.

It's amazing how hanging some personal pictures on an entire wall can add spunk to a place.

Cheers to making home, home.

Tarts are my Fave.

I just finished spending a wonderful afternoon with my friend Sarah.

Sarah loves Paula Deen.

I love tarts.

With these powers combined----

You get wonderful Paula Deen French Fruit tarts.

Yum.

I actually made this tart a few weeks ago for some friends...well, I actually made it twice. And tweaked the recipe the 2nd time.

So, if you feel like having a little piece of heaven in your mouth...or perhaps you long for the richness of French food...or perhaps both of these things appeal to you...then here you go. It's easy peezy...and it's delicious.

Bon Apetite!

Here is the Original Recipe:

Ingredients:


  Crust:

• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup (1.5 sticks) butter, softened
• 1.5 cup confectioners' sugar

  Filling:

• 1 (8oz.) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

  Glaze:

• 1 (6oz.) frozen limeade concentrate, thawed (I preferred using regular orange juice; less sour)
• 1/4 cup sugar (much less if using orange juice)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350F
• In food processor, combine flour, butter, and con. sugar until mixture forms ball.
• Press dough evenly into 12inch tart pan with removable bottom (I used 10 inch, just fine.)
• Poke holes in crust with fork to decrease puffing up.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes until lightly browned; set aside to cool.
• Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla together until smooth; spread over cooled crust.
• Cut fruit and place on top of tart according to your heart's desire. Any design is perfect!
• In small saucepan, combine limeade (or oj), sugar, and cornstarch, and cook over medium heat until clear and thick (about 2 mins)... (Mine never got completely clear)
• Brush glaze over fruit. (You will not use all of glaze).
• Store in Fridge...set out 15 mins before serving.

Yum Yum. Enjoy bringing a little bit of France home with you via Paula Deen.

If you're a Music Junkie...

Or if you love all things pop culture...or a place loaded to the gills with goodness

Then I have the place for you:

The Record Exchange. Don't let the name mislead you. This place everything AND records.

Not so impressive from the outside...

But inside... it's a different story:

yes...thats Elvis

If you, or someone you love can spend hours perusing old records, movies, music...then drop them off here and go to the Dairy Queen across the street, because they will be a while.

It is easy to get lost in the deep thick walls of dvds, cds, records, tapes, and concert memorabilia...you'll be lucky if you aren't sucked into a poster and transported back in time to the 70's where no one will care that you left behind your dog or a 9 to 5 that you despise and so you'll be stuck going to crazy concerts and wearing bell bottoms...

I digress. The owner is super friendly and willing to answer any of your questions. He has owned the business for 33+ years and loves what he does...He is also very proud of the auction he runs online...continuously. He ships items all over the world and has the luxury of people bringing him their goods and not having to hunt for them. (so if you have something in this category to sell or buy, he is the guy to be talking to) 

From what I can tell (return to above pictures if needed...)---he is pretty good at what he does. The Record Exchange is famous in St. Louis...where else can you buy a record of a band...and look up and the lead singer is talking to one of her mates across the counter.

That's a little too cool for me. But I'll take it.

The Record Exchange

5320 Hampton Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63109

314.832.2249

Jack town oh Jack town

I just returned from my final trip of the summer... and it was glorious.

The fabled setting of the book The Help, home of Eudora Welty, the quintessence of the Southern city:

Jackson, Mississippi.

I went down almost 2 weeks ago to spend time with my dear friend Amy who got married July 30th. It was a wondrous affair.

Amy and I

I tend to get very excited about any opportunity I have to return South and spend time with the folks I went to school with.

If you have never been to Jackson, you are missing out. Plain and simple.

Poor Jackson tends to be written off by people visiting there (and by those who have lived there for ages, for that matter) as a Southern  town with nothing to do and not much to offer.

But it just isn't true.

Though people may recognize some of the attributes it offers, they do not seem to give these characteristics the weight they deserve.

So here--though my tasting of the city was small on this trip, are a few highlights of things to do, places to eat, and interesting tidbits of information. (Ok, so I'm not promising anything here--these things just happen to be interesting to me, so I like to think they may be interesting to you.) Neither here, no there.

Let's get started.

My number one area for people to experience is: Fondren (pronounced: Fonderin)

"Pour quoi?" You ask?

Because it is artsy, quirky, unique, reasonable, quaint, and interesting.

It is basically an old street in Jackson that has been rehabbed and turned into a hip area filled with stores, galleries, and restaurants.

It's so cool, in fact, that several street scenes from the movie The Help were shot there.

My favorite find of a store is The Orange Peel, a sweet consignment store that is awesome to dig through---you can literally find anything here.

By anything, I truly mean anything.

They even have housewares...and cool decorating items:

They even have cool wicker beds that inspire you to hang them on the wall instead of using them as sleeping contraptions!...but whatever:

This is art people!!

Needless to say, if you are ever wandering around Jackson and would love to recharge with a great deal, The Orange Peel is an awesome mecca to seek said rejuvenation.

The Orange Peel

422 Mitchell Avenue

601.364.9977

orangepeelinc.net

Continuing on in the same neighborhood, we come to Babalu.

Yes--that's right. Ricky Ricardo's Babalu. Kind of.

(They did celebrate Lucy's 100th birthday this past weekend)

And, they serve Cuban food. Kind of.

They specialize in Tacos and Tapas...so you order lots of delicious small dishes.

Amy and I ordered the heavenly guacamole (they used sun-dried tomatos---what a sweet idea) which they made to order at our table. 

We then ordered two types of tacos--the pork being my favorite:

And the voices said: "Haaaaaaalelujah!"

The taco on the right is the pork--it has a peanut slaw on it--and this yummy cheese--and it changed my life.

(Oh--and a highlight of this eating experience was the birthday celebration next to us for a lady who must of been nearly 80. She was dressed in this gorgeous fire-engine red dress with matching red shoes and her face beautifully made up. She looked like she was out of the 50's.... Oh, and they brought a wine bottle out with a crazy shooting birthday candle in it for her to blow out. It was like having fireworks instead of the lame old regular birthday candles. Super cool...I would have taken a picture, but that would have been awkward.)

But Lucy would have been proud.

Babalu

622 Duling Avenue

601.366.5757

After the wedding on saturday, I got to go away with my dearest Sarah....to the beach!!! Some how we managed not to take any pictures which is silly. 

But I did manage one shot of the beach:

Hello boy who couldn't skinboard.

It was a sweet few days of relaxation. I praise the Lord for Orange Beach! One of our days there, we spent 5 hours on the beach!! We floated, then dried out, floated, then dried out, napped, then floated, etc. It was exactly what was needed in life.

We also got to see some family, eat crazy good crabs, do some shopping at our favorite places, sleep a lot, and of course got to enjoy each other. Every girl needs time with her closest friends.

So here is a calling card of encouragement. Where-ever you are, be there. Experience it and love it. Every place has something unique to offer--and this trip was a great reminder of that.