FRUEHLINGFEST FUN

Went to Maeystown to the Fruehlingfest yesterday morning with a friend and my husband. We had a great time. It "misted" on us a bit but other than that it was really delightful.
We bought heirloom tomato plants, herbs, a double piece of old tin ceiling (that's going to be used in our kitchen remodel), a vintage shot glass/cordial set in a holder and a hanging basket. Eating was also on the "to do" list and we shared potato pancakes, hamburgers, hot dogs, a pork steak plate and some great nachos by Wings-n-Things Catering of Red Bud. Not your typical gold round stale chips with bright orange nacho cheese sauce but actually restaurant quality chips with a homemade white cheese/jalapeno sauce. We finished off the eating frenzy at the Sweet Shoppe and tasted a Magic Bar, a Honey Pecan Bar and some Almond Toffee.

Once we had our fill it was on to Old Route 3 towards Dupo to visit the Lawn Ornament Store. There, my friend had the owner saw an old wrought iron fence piece into two pieces so she could use them to decoratively stake up her tomato plants (oh yes she would) and a beautiful concrete statue of a woman peasant carrying a basket of grapes on her head.

Later that afternoon John and I headed to Millstadt Greenhouses and stocked up on a few more flowering planters and hanging baskets to deck our deck out in. They have a beautiful selection and all priced very reasonably. But now I'm going to have to get a little dirt under my nails and get this beautification project completed. Before I go, I'm providing you a list below of just a few of the antique vendors that were at the fest, who's booths I liked and who had business cards out for me to take. I hope to visit some of their establishments in the future, maybe you can too!

Shenandoah, a primitive Country Store. Owners are Dan and Kathy Roe of Springfield IL and they have an online store at www.picturetrail.com/shenandoah or email at circa2708@aol.com.

The Tivoli Antique Company from Lebanon, IL. They do not provide an address on their card but their phone number is 618-537-4365. They had one of the most unique booths, just lots of different items that you do not come across often.

Willow Lake, owner Eileen Bicknese Martin, out of Persimmon Pointe Market in Dardenne Prairie, MO. Website is http://www.willowlake.biz/.

Pairabelles, owner Mary Hummert, out of St. Libory, IL. Mary can be reached at pairabellesdecor@yahoo.com or phone 768-4247.

Eating to See and be Seen

I know, you're asking yourself "what is she talking about?"  Well, I'll tell you.  We went out to eat at Lucas Park Grille on Washington Avenue in St. Louis on Friday night.  Our friends invited us and picked the restaurant.  So, as I do with restaurants I haven't been to before, I checked them out on the Sauce Magazine website and their own website.  On the Sauce Mag website I found that they were voted number 1 in their reader's choice poll as "the place to see and be seen."  Well, I guess I was seen but I don't know by who 'cause I didn't recognize anyone there.  But the restaurant itself was great.  The food, atmosphere and servers were all top notch.  I had filet mignon (I'm boring but I just think its heavenly when done well, not well done : ) with pomme puree (ok, they're a bit pretentious here, they're mashed potatoes alright) and asparagus.  Oh, but first, I had this great lavender puff pastry stuffed with goat cheese and served with greens and strawberry compote (yeah, also kind of pretentious sounding), it was very yummy.  For dessert I just stole a taste of John's maple walnut bread pudding, it was good but not in the same league as the rest of the meal.  And speaking of John and the others, John had a chicken breast stuffed with duck confit and something else, the husband of the other couple had monkfish with crab risotto and his wife had lamb chops with couscous  Everyone enjoyed, I'd give it a 3 3/4 spoons (out of 4)!