what a day

Since Mark's birthday was on a Monday this year we decided to celebrate it on Saturday. Saturday was a busy day. First there was lunch at Schlafly's Tap Room (where they have the best beer cheese soup ever). Next, a Monet Exhibit at the St. Louis Art Museum ("Agapanthus"...three huge panels in a rainbow of colors inspired by a pond in Monet 's garden at his home in Giverny, France). Then, a quick coffee stop and trip back home to care for the critters. After that, back to St. Louis for a pre-dinner drink at 4 Hands Brewing (a new craft brewery located between Busch Stadium and the Anheuser-Busch brewery). Time to eat again with a birthday dinner at Ricardo's in Lafayette Square (Mark loves Ricardo's). Followed by a drive to the Loop to see an Allman Brothers tribute band perform at the Pageant (where I cheerfully and stoically "took one for the team"). And, finally, to conclude the long yet fun-filled day (and in answer to Mark's request for just one more stop before going home), a death stare, from me, and words to the effect of "No Mark we HAVE to go home now", also from me. Give the birthday boy an inch and he'll take a mile, every time. :)

where's my beer cheese soup?

St. Louis Art Museum (a very cool place)

Monet Monet

where there's a craft brewery, there's Mark

Ricardo's

almost got him to wear this

beautiful Pageant lights

beatle bob lookalike (bottom left) tried to steal my coat

Danny Liston of Mama's Pride on right

Mark took this cool pic with his iPhone which
shows even the young love Allman Bros music

Check 'em out:

‘THE BROTHERS’ - A TRIBUTE TO THE ALLMAN BROTHERS

Performing ‘THE ALLMAN BROTHERS LIVE AT FILLMORE EAST’ in its entirety & more featuring the updated lineup of DANNY LISTON (MAMA’S PRIDE), DAVE KALZ, STEVE PECARO, DICKIE STELTENPOHL (MAMA’S PRIDE), HAROLD DRAPER, MARK KERSTEN & STEVE BUNCK...
and occasionally standing in on harmonica, Danny Liston's Pastor
and friend, JEFF PERRY of St. Louis Family Church.

Links:
http://schlafly.com/breweries/taproom/ (I want their BCS recipe)
http://www.slam.org/ (St. Louis Art Museum)
http://www.thecoffeecartel.com/ (for coffee lovers, open 24/7)
http://4handsbrewery.com/ (for beer lovers)
http://ricardositaliancafe.com/ (good spiedini and other stuff)