Pic Today 5/31/16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DISCOVERING 

SCRATCH BREWERY

Weeks ago, at Tower Grove Farmers Market,

I stopped at a "new table," offering

their breads and brewed sodas.

(We hit it off.)

Scratch is a brewery and bakery,

bringing their hand-crafted wares

to a receptive new market (hopefully.) 

I remember tasting a "toasted hickory" soda

(non alcoholic),

so aromatic, so complex, so intoxicating.

Their bread was an other-worldly sour dough.

I had to know more.

These were artisans.

 Located in Ava, Illinois.

(2-hour drive, middle-of-nowhere.)

These are pics from my recent visit.

Four young talented homesteaders

brewing and baking

extraordinary home-grown goodies,

to national culinary acclaim.

Complex, organic, local, original.

Beautifully crafted/brewed sodas/beers,

wood-fired pizza, beautiful breads.

Growing their own hops.

Cute goats.

 (Roads with no road signs.)

Pic Today 5/30/16

 

THIS PEACE LILY

salutes our fallen soldiers,

but more importantly

to a future with promise,

for peace

rather than memorials.

(We salute our soldiers past,

this day, and pray for

their families 

and honor their memory.)

-- A Peaceful Memorial Day --

Pic Today 5/29/16

 

 

 

 

GOOD NUTRITION

IS COLORFUL

A trip to the Farmers Market

is proof positive

that a healthy diet

is rainbow of colors.

A perfect example is a

sprout & edible flower salad.

A beautiful and nutritious

feast for the eyes and body.

Pic Today 5/28/16

 

 

 

 

 

CRAZY FOR CACTUS

And you thought you knew cactus!

Consider these beauties . . .

1.  Colony of African Milk barrel cacti. 

2.  Bishop's Hat cactus.

3.   Old Man cactus.

        (He needs a haircut.)

4.  Pin Cushion cactus.

      (Ouch.)  

And they're flowering now!

 Such amazing design.

    (And I love the names.)  

  

Pic Today 5/27/16

 

 

 

 

"THE POPPIES BLOW"

It is fitting poppies are now in bloom,

in time for Memorial Day weekend.

Red poppies (4 varieties shown here)

have become a symbol of rememberance

of soldiers who died in past wars,

especially World War I.

Thousands of French allied troops

were gassed in a surprise attack

by German troops (1915) 

while still in their trenches,

in the poppy fields of Flanders.

If you notice a red poppy in someone's lapel

this Memorial Day, it's there in

rememberance of a soldier who died.

"In Flanders fields

the poppies blow,

Between the crosses

row by row."

       -- John McCrae

   

Pic Today 5/26/16

 

 

 GLASS ONIONS AFLOAT

It was acclaimed glass artist,

Dale Chihuly, who blew these

giant glass onions,

and floated them in the main

reflection pools at

Missouri Botanical Garden.

Chihuly formed these giant vegetables,

after Walla Walla onions from his 

home state,  to float amongst the lily pads.

Almost indestructable, each glass onion

weighs 200 pounds,

and survives all forms of severe weather.

Pic Today 5/25/16

 

 

 

THREE  BEAUTIES

IN THE SHADE GARDEN 

Delicate perfection from

Oleander, Lantana & Peony.

Amazing beauty!

 

Pic Today 5/24/16

BEAUTIFUL BOUQUET

Sometimes the most beautiful bouquet

can be a handful of wild daisies

placed in a jam jar,

near a screened porch window

with a great view.

Perfectly beautiful,

don't you agree? 

 

Pic Today 5/23/16

 

 

 

 

GLASS IN THE ROSE GARDEN

Since his outdoor glass exhibit and show,

studio glass artist, Dale Chihuly,

has permanent glass art integrated

throughout Missouri Botanical Garden.

Dramatic tendrils of yellow glass

sit atop the entrance to 

the garden's rose garden

which is now in full bloom.

Chihuly's hand blown glass

has withstood St. Louis' 

harsh seasonal weather,

including ice storms and tornadoes. 

Pic Today 5/22/16

 

WHAT I BOUGHT

AT THE FARMERS MARKET

Farmers markets are in their prime now.

So many local organic farmers

offering their prime produce.

Here's what I purchased Saturday morn,

at Tower Grove Farmers Market.

(The best in St. Louis, says I.)

o  Red and yellow beets, and

     orange and yellow carrots.

o  Fresh hickory-cream soda,

from Scratch Brewing

in Ava, Illinois.

   (Amazing, non-alcoholic.)

I love shopping like this!

 

Pic Today 5/21/16

 

 

 

A PRICKLY SUBJECT

Barrel and ball cactus varieties

are so symmetrical and fun

to photograph.

Just take care not to get too close.

(Ouch.)

Pic Today 5/20/16

 

BIRCH FINGERS

REACHING OUT

This Paper Bark Birch

sends its surface roots out

like fingers,

hungry for nutrients as

it competes with shade plants

in the woods.

Panels of its white bark

can be sewn together

to make cartons and boxes,

and decorative craft projects. 

Pic Today 5/19/16

 

WHICH ROAD TO TAKE

". . . and I took the one less traveled by,

    and that has made all the difference." 

                                          -- Robert Frost

Pic Today 5/18/16

 

 

COOL FOGGY DAYS

Our warm sunny weather

has moved over, and let these

cool foggy days

take over.

Gentle rains have washed

the air of pollen.

Clean breathing once again.

Pic Today 5/17/16

 

 

 

 

 

BEAUTIES AT THE

BOTANICAL GARDEN

Walking through Missouri Botanical Garden

is a breathtaking experience.

Our mild, wet Spring has helped

make their beds and blooms

absolute perfection.

 

Pic Today 5/16/16

 

WARMING UP

AT THE FLAMES 

Sunset at the plaza.

Cool, beautiful evening.

But it felt good sitting

near the flames.

Pic Today 5/15/16

 

 

 

THE COLOR OF THE SUN

Bright sunny days

seem to bring out the yellow

flowers in the garden.

  Getting ready for summer . . .