NaBloPoMo Day XXII: Supervillains vs.Vampires!

My fingers are already casualties of Thanksgiving dinner prep (a couple of small burns, no amputated fingers or bleeding cuts...so far!) so I bring to you my argument why supervillains are so much cooler than vampires: Dr. Horrible. He looks like the guy that sat next to you in science class that was good enough to copy off of, knows how to do his own laundry and the songs are very catchy. Vampires? Blood, coffins and they're never around in the daytime. Now go!

NaBloPoMo Day XXI: Farmers' markets

I woke this morning determined to hit the local farmers' market to try and find purveyors of local and/or organic produce.

After filling up my travel mug with coffee from Foundation Grounds in Maplewood ( I was waylaid and had to try a new baked goodie: Blueberry & Lavender cheesecake -- yum!) I walked down the street to :

Maplewood Farmers' Market at Schlafly Bottleworks. I got some yummy locally grown granny smith apples and some sweet looking sweet potatoes (they had real dirt on them!) but I think I overpaid. I had lots more on my list, so headed to:

Kirkwood Farmers' Market had very little, as they kicked off their Chrismas Market & Holiday Walk.

<-- So instead of this


It was this -->




And this:

So I finally headed to Historic Soulard Market and struck gold. First, I found parking within a block. Next I walked through most of it, scouting prices and availability. 

I picked out 3 calla lily blooms and 6 spikey red/green things and a bunch of small white/red flowers. Of course I asked the names of each, but promptly forgot them.


All of the fruit & veggies for Thanksgiving dinner are purchased. I found fresh pork sausage for the stuffing and turkey necks for a stock I will start tomorrow. 


My turkey dilemma is solved! I ordered a 12-14 pounder from a poultry booth who gets them from a farmer in Illinois. I will pick up on Wednesday, then prep and start the brining.


All I have left are a few things from the grocery store, and then --oh yeah-- all the cooking and prepping!

NaBloPoMo Day XX: Gobble, gobble

So.

Let's talk turkey.

The last (and only time) I cooked at turkey, I think I had a national brand mammoth. I have no great memories of it, but no horror stories, either.  Thanksgiving for my side of the family is at my house this year, and I have been contemplating the poultry. I would love to find a fresh turkey from a local farm, but that is looking unlikely at this late point. But at $3+ per pound, can I really justify it versus a 57¢ per pound conglomerate-grown hen?


I've been doing a bit of research, and have found places that offer "heritage" turkeys that are closer to wild than the lab-modified triple-D cup turkeys that are available at the major grocery stores. (See, Dave - I did work boobies into the conversation, though anybody that knows me know that I scoff at a DDD being considered large!) 

I have a $1.99/pound turkey reserved from Baumann's Fine Meats, but I have been told that it is an Arkansas bird, and not particularly heritage or free-range, or anything special. Should I just pick up the cheapy at Schnucks? Shoudl I spend $2.99/pound for the free-range one from Whole Foods?


Maybe I should just give up at cook a nice ham, as I don't even really like turkey!

NaBloPoMo Day XIX: Windows are the eyes of the home

 

So, does anybody in STL have recommendations on where to get good replacement windows for a 1920's brick bungalow? Preferably a company with good customer service & prices?

NaBloPoMo Day XVIII: Utilikilts are stalking me

Utilikilts are following me. Averaging once a week for the past month or two, I have talked to someone in a utilikilt, seen somebody wearing one, or had it mentioned by a friend that he was wearing one.

What are Utilikilts, you ask? The Utilikilts Company is "committed to pioneering a comfortable alternative to trousers by producing “Men’s Unbifurcated Garments” (MUG’s)." Think kilts are just girls' skirts fit for guys? Nope. Looking at the website, they are tailored for length and waist like male clothing. Kinda like an historic Celtic kilt, but with modern twists. Check out the Mockumercials on their main page. An excellent way to waste some time.

Warning. If you are too bow-legged or scrawny, these are not the garments for you! To all other men, I urge them towards "Freedom!"

For hitting the links or heading to the office:

For dressing up or bundling up:

When and where do you wear yours?