A St. Louis Thanksgiving

Enjoyed a weeks worth of St. Louis Thanksgiving and sightseeing with Paul's family - had a great time. We did quite a lot!

2 days of cooking & prep work can make some folks a bit squirrely...

Paul scrubbing one of the many potatoes that I peeled

Karen putting bunny ears on me with her carrots.

There were 4 tables set up for the 34 people we had at Glenn and Karen's. Folks brought dishes to to share (like broccoli casarole, green beans, yams, apple and pecan pies). Karen Paul and I fixed carrots, real mashed potatoes, Carrie's Cranberry Strawberry relish, Olive Bites, Bread Stuffing, cranberries, an apple tart, a pecan pie and 3 turkeys.

Here's Doug's plate for further reference:

Karen picked out all the table settings and I coordinated all the glasses linens and accoutrements with each table. Glenn masterfully carved the turkeys and shuffled tables and chairs around to accommodate everyone with Paul. And then we got to enjoy all the hard work with some food, fun and family.










After Thanksgiving we toured the Foundry Arts Center with Glenn and Karen.



The building used to be a foundry for making trolley cars. Its now used for event and gallery space and houses artist studios like this one -


There was a really nice potter we chatted with for quite some time while he threw a pot to chill wine -




In another studio - a warning to people who might get a bit to close to the artists


Paul and I were even exhibited as art for 20 minutes or so - that is until a competing artist with two canvases arrived to make use of the picture hangers.



Paul and I hit up one and a half floors of the St. Louis Art Museum. Why did we never go there before? Please tell me!! It is by far the primo museum in St. Louis. The History Museum is ok (its a bit more educationally oriented) but the art museum has just as much history - if not more. They have a beautiful collection - and we only had time to see part of it. We'll definitely be back! Here are a few highlights:



Their armory was phenominal. This crossbow was just one of the gorgeous weapons on display.


Paul with a piece from the Medieval period

Egyptian
Pre-Columbian (The central figure is indeed a bat!)


This wooden statue was amazing - it was seated at eye level to the left of the budda in the photo above. This statues presence was tactile. It felt like if you listened hard enough you could hear it whisper its secrets.


This is a photo from a few days after we visited. The Art Museum was closed and we were on our way to the History Museum - but the view was just too pretty pass up.

There were two pretty cool items at the Missouri History Museum plus a really nice restaurant with a great view of Forest Park (Meriwether's).

Cool items #1:


And cool item #2 - a working steam train exhibit with a huge layout:



Paul and I also went to the Butterfly House and the Museum of Transportation with Glenn, Karen, Ted and Marilyn one day.


Marilyn, Glenn, Paul, Karen and Ted in front of the chrysalis (butterfly hatchery)

Here we are playing with the big toys (and freezing a bit too) at the Museum of Transportation





A 1923 Stanley Steamer - not just for cleaning carpets!


How about a 1933 KB LeBaron Convertible Lincoln Roadster. I was practically drooling when I saw this baby. What a gorgeous piece of automobile! There are only 6 of these known to exist in the world. This one had a full off-body restoration and has only had 4 owners!



Next post - A Visit to Firecracker Press!