Springtime, Fayetteville, Arkansas

 My daughter is a student at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.  Northwest Arkansas (NWA) is a great area with excellent hiking, restaurants, art, biking, shopping, etc thanks mostly to Bentonville, home of Walmart.   During a recent visit, I found this mansard while walking on the Razorback / Frisco trail, NWA's version of the Katy trail.  And , duh, Crystal Bridges is simply amazing.  

Des Peres , Missouri

 My son is a high school senior.  He's planning to attend two proms and will wear a tux at graduation.  Most young men these days seem to be buying a tux as opposing to renting a tux.  Way more economical.  As a result, I was in Des Peres on Manchester Road trying to get to Joseph A. Banks.  I missed the turn (of course!)  and did a quick turn-around in a parking lot with a little building with a faux- mansard roof.  Here is the mansard, and here is my son and me in his tuxedo.  

the Hill neighborhood, St. Louis

New homes in the historic Hill neighborhood of St. Louis with mansard-ish roofs.  The Hill is St. Louis' Italian neighborhood.  I love the Hill and I find myself there frequently for great restaurants, Italian grocers, hair cuts and coffee.  

favorite Hill event:  Wine-down Wednesday.  It's a combined bar and antique shopping experiences.   

favorite family place for dinner:  Guido's, kids love it. 

best new restaurant :  I also had a couple of dinners at Sado where the food (mostly Japanese) was exceptional.  Hey waitstaff - lighten up.  You seem joyless.     

need to try:  the 11:00 am mass at St. Ambrose

I miss:  kids' dentist used to be on the Hill but outgrew the space.  

Fayetteville, Arkansas Brutalism architecture

No explanation needed.  A bank in Fayetteville, Arkansas.  Reminds me of the Mudd Hall at Wash U where I took the bar prep class in 1996.