Hey guys!
I hope you all had a GREAT weekend! I got in late last night from my trip to St. Louis and I have to say, I just NOW felt motivated enough to tackle the 9238658 pictures I took!
And of course, there’s no better way than a MIMM post to recap this weekend because it definitely was a MARVELOUS trip…enough touristy things to really get the feel for the city, along with some down time for relaxing and catching up with a good friend!
Be sure to head on over to Healthy Diva Eats and check out the marvelous Monday’s every one else is having!
We took it easy when I first got in on Friday night with pizza and a movie followed by some frozen custard…but you’ll just have to wait until tomorrow for those deets! 😉
Saturday morning started with an early morning trip to the historic
Soulard Farmer’s Market!
Honestly, when we walked up to it, I didn’t have high expectations.
And then we walked inside…
They had EVERYTHING!
Fruits and veggies I’ve never even heard of (black radish?), mouth-watering baked goods, gelato (the on the right was sweet potato…yes we got a sample…yes it was DELICIOUS!), the cutest little baby donuts, and that would be Eric drooling over the display of like 10 different kinds of bacon!
But it didn’t stop there. Along with all the fresh produce, meat, and pastries, there was a whole other side…
Selling handmade jewelry, tea, homemade pasta and bread, and even a
PET SHOP!
There were also little restaurants at the center of the market, but it was much to crowded to try to get any pictures.
It was hard not to buy half the things I saw, but I ended up walking out with a new pair of sunglasses and these little beauties…
Sweet Carmine peppers and a Kuri squash
(so I can finally see what Sarah makes such a fuss about!)
Later that day, after the sun decided to come out to play, Eric took me to Forest Park.
A beautiful setting to go with even more beautiful weather!
We drove up to the Art Museum and the view from the top was even better!
Once inside the museum, I got trigger happy with Big Bertha…the ADHD child within me was in pure ecstasy!
So many styles of art from so many places and SO many eras!
Eric’s favorite exhibit.
I want that coffee table!
Hey, I did say “child” 😉
We oh-ed and aw-ed at everything…and then we snuck into that wardrobe and traveled to Narnia!
Also known as the zoo! 😉
Even though I JUST went to the Nashville zoo last weekend, I’m glad we went to the one in St. Louis because it totally trumped Nashville! They had so many more animals and most of the exhibits were smaller so your chances of seeing the animal up close was much better. We were actually a little nervous about that camel spitting on us…but that could’ve been because Eric wouldn’t quit singing “my lovely lady lumps” 😉
Plus, there weren’t any random peacock sightings in the concession areas in Nashville!
I think he thinks he’s a chameleon!
The next day, after a late breakfast, we headed out for a beer…
TOUR that is!
The tour guides were great and I really learned a lot during the tour…and let me tell you, it smelled absolutely AMAZING in and around the factory…mmm, hops!
Oh and yeah, we got our beer too!
Then we were off to see the wizard the Gateway Arch! Whew, I swear I only had half a beer! 😉
I’ve always thought the Arch to be a great work of art, but when you’re actually standing next to it, looking up at it’s massiveness, it really does take your breath away!
And even though the ride to the top was a little umm, not what I expected…
FIVE seats in a FOURxFOUR metal bubble…
The ultimate test of claustrophobia…
It was totally worth it to see the view from the top!
Did you know that the Gateway Arch is the tallest monument in the United States? Well, you do now! Just remember me should you ever win big on some trivia game with that one…I’ll take a check! 😉
After that, we grabbed some grub and I hit the road for my FIVE hour journey home…ugh, WHY does it always feel like it takes longer to get home?!
Have you ever been to St. Louis?
Have you ever seen the movie “Meet Me in St. Louis“?
Next to the obvious, BEST Judy Garland movie ever!
That market looks awesome! I would have been ALL over the spider ring. 🙂
I have been to St. Louis on business several times, but never really got to explore the city. I’d like to go up the arch… but holy claustrophobia Batman! Maybe I’d need a couple of those beers first…
I know! I’m just grateful that nobody riding with us had BO! Lol
Never have been to St. Louis but your pictures make me want to run over and see its beauty! Your photos are marvelous what kind of camera do you use? Love and Shine CourtStar
Thank you! I have a Canon Rebel XS with the standard 18-55mm lens (though I’m thinking about investing in a new one so that I can get more zoom out of it).
NEVER been to St. Louis, but it looks like you had a fab time! I loved seeing all those great and amazing photos. How did you not buy everything at that market? … or did you? 🙂
Haha! Somehow (not sure exactly HOW) I managed some restraint…but I DID make my friend walk through a second time with me! Lol
I’ve only been there when I was younger, and wow I don’t have any memories of such a beautiful and amazing city! I think that only means I must make a visit there one of these days!
Awe, love all the zoo pictures the best. How cute is that peacock!!
That’s how I feel about Chicago. I went on a high school trip, but kind of took the experience for granted. I can’t wait to go back some day!
I was really impressed with the zoo…definitely a LOT better than what we have here…and it was completely FREE!!
i love that movie! such a classic! did you buy the chocolate linguine? if so, how was it??
Sadly no, I thought about it, but it was pretty expensive. I bet it’s amazing though…and NOW I’m having the opposite of buyer’s remorse! lol
You had a MARVELOUS time for sure! I have never been to St. Louis! Looks like it is a beautiful place to visit for sure!
The farmers market looks like the most amazing one ever!
So happy you had a great weekend! I didn’t got to foodbuzz either due to flights being crazy expensive!
Love you!
Aww, I’m sorry you missed it too, but wow…what the heck, right? It was going to cost me like $700! I just couldn’t justify it for a two day stay! 🙁 But hey, that’s just money we can save up for Blend 2013! 😀
oh my gosh, this post made me beyond nostalgic for my college days! my friends and i used to walk across the street to forest park ALL THE TIME (and it has some amazing running trails!). i’ve been to that zoo countless times and still drag brad there whenever we go back. and the brewery tour + the arch were two of my favorite attractions to bring visitors!
Yay! I really was a great time! And I’m SO glad we went on the brewery tour…I still can’t get over that heavenly smell! I need to start growing hops in my backyard! LOL
I have never been to St. Louis…but I have always heard I would love it. Seeing your pictures, I can understand why! 🙂 Glad you had a much needed ‘getaway,’ m’dear.
PS As soon as I spotted that kuri squash I got excited. Then I saw my name and got even MORE excited. Hope it is a good one. I have had two stellar ones this season, and one that wasn’t very sweet and a little dry. (Although the dry part probably is my fault…)
As soon as I saw it, I thought of you and KNEW I had to have it! If it really is as good as you say, my beloved kabocha may be in danger! Lol
And seriously girl, you would have DIED if you saw that market!
I have never been to St. Louis!! I need to make a trip. Maybe that is where I’ll whisk Luvy away to when he is finished with his PhD! 🙂 I need to look up a kuri squash. I have never heard of it before!
I never had either until Sarah started posting about it. Supposedly it’s even better than my beloved kabocha. It’s sweet and you can eat the skin too! I plan on roasting it up sometime this week so I’ll let you know what I think!
Love all of the pics, love! I do wonder why I always get your emails a day late though :/ I never get to be the first to commment and show you loveeee. Boo. Haha. That’s just me being a pouty face.
Hmm, you know, Eric mentioned the same thing while I was visiting. He got an email on Saturday and was like, “when did you type up a post??” Lol. I’ll have to go into my settings and see if there is something I can fix about that!
I’ve missed youuuuuuuu! But I have to know how you managed to walk out of such an amazing farmer’s market with only two peppers and a squash. Teach me your self-control! Knowing me, I probably would have come home with one of those white… err… birds (pigeon? dove? what?) Oh and speaking of birds… penguins! Eeee I love them. I can’t help but smile when I see them waddling around, so that definitely makes them a winner in my books.
I’ve never actually been to St. Louis (or seen the movie), but I’d really like to go visit someday.
Haha! I know, I definitely surprised myself! I think I was just so overwhelmed with everything that it had the opposite affect on me…I just couldn’t decided! Lol
What a fun weekend! I can’t believe how much you managed to jam into just a few days! That farmer’s market looks so good – I think I would have been drooling over that bacon just like Eric haha. 😉 And that’s awesome you found a kuri squash! I’ve been really wanting to try one too, thanks to Sarah.
I’ve never been to St. Louis or seen the movie, but I want to do both! I love a good classic movie.
I know! At first I didn’t think we did all that much, but then I thought about how it was only TWO DAYS! I still wish we’d gotten to do a few more things, but hey, there’s always next time! 😀
I’m hoping to cook up the squash tomorrow! So excited!
Like, um, every other commenter here, I’ve never been to St. Louis! I have friends there that I need to visit though! BUT- I was in the PLAY Meet Me In St. Louis back in the day! How’s that for random?
No way! That is so awesome!!
I’ve never been there, but it sure looks like a good time. However, I certainly have seen the movie! It just so happens to be one of my faves! 😉 Glad to see you had a great time.
Aww, yay! I knew I liked you for a reason (besides the ego boosting)! 😉
I love, love, love your photography! Sometimes I would revisit your old posts just to browse through the pics, lol. I loved the pictures in this post!
Awww, really? That is the sweetest thing anyone’s ever said to me! Thank you so much…I’m totally blushing over here! 😀
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