As of late I've been looking for ways to break up the mundane, to find another way to enjoy Mother Nature and to save a few bucks.  No matter where you turn these days, there is always an article on how to save money, to increase your savings and budgeting. 

I review my budget almost daily.  An obsesion I've had for quite some time.  I need to know where the funds are going.  So, the first thing to go is eating out.  This week alone, being on vacation and all, I've passed up three opportunities to go out to eat.  Instead I've learned to like picnics. 

On Monday evening, my nieces Sara + Megan and I dined in my parents backyard.  Friday for lunch, I dined at a riverside park in Naperville with my sister Sharon and her kids.  I was able to eat a healthy meal, under the shade of 40 year old trees and spend quality time with my family.  And, keep the expense minimal.  I will be doing more of these. 

Monday's dinner.  A game of clue was played afterwards ... Colonel Mustard in the Dining Room with the bat!
  

 

Friday lunch.  After lunch, we walked along the river bank and let the kids play in the water.
 

I had taken this previous week off from work, to have a vacation.  My sister has been in town and I need to regroup for work.  It turned out to be an ideal week for weather too. 

Unfortunately, I spent the first three days of my vacation working.  In the mornings and in the evenings, hunched over the work laptop.  Wednesday afternoon I received a call from the project manager letting me know the project has been pushed back and that I can enjoy my vacation. 

Now.  Five days into my vacation.  Five days after leaving the office building can I enjoy myself.  I felt the frustration subside temporarily (it will resurface next Monday when I return to the office).  I also felt the urge to get on a plane and go somewhere far far away. 

Instead, I decided to make a collage of what a vacation means to me.  If you notice in the collage, there is no reference to working.  None.  Whatsoever.

1. Jacobs Field: The View Through Kevin's Sunglasses, 2. Outdoor seating, 3. mini golf, 4. Raspberry Ice Cream Cone, 5. Aboretum Wildflowers, 6. Tourist Trap, 7. Chicago, Lake Michigan, 8. Colors, 9. Remember me, summer (3), 10. Caution Frisbees!, 11. Brats & Beer, 12. Tropical Drinks on the Upper Deck, 13. A house without books is like a room without windows., 14. Beach Chairs Outside Da Vida, 15. Fish Tacos, 16. IMG_0173

I cannot tell you how much I love to be surprised with little things.  Like Thursday for instance, I was in the basement helping my nephew Nicholas make a stuffed octopus.  As I sat at the sewing machine adding all six legs to the body, I thought to myself I should blog this.  I yell to my niece Erika who was in the other room, 'Erika, go get my camera!'

And she does ... and she takes the liberty to practice her self-portraits.  I love her.  Enjoy.

 

My sister Sharon and her three children are here in town visiting for a couple of weeks.  They left the humidity and heat of Florida behind ... to get a break of being cooped up inside because its too hot to be outside.  There are a couple of benefits of their visit.  I get to spend quality time with Sharon and the kids, and I get to experience the kids' personalities first hand.  Usually I get emails or phone calls of things they've done. 

What I love the most of their visits and our time together?  The pictures I get to take of them smiling, laughing, goofing off, running around, playing.  Just being them. 

What's even better?  Finding random inanimate objects strategically placed throughout my mother's house and yard. 

Example #1.  Transformers at the edge of the back patio.

Example #2.  Tennis Smurf next to the impatients bed.

Example #3.  Transformers hanging for dear life from the light pull in the basement.
  

I'd like for you to meet my friend Veronique.  She is from France, ok, I should really say she originates from France, but has been many places.  Currently she resides in Luxembourg.

Vero and I met working together in early 2000's.  She transferred from the France office to Chicago.  I was immediately fascinated by her.  She was so different than anyone I've met before.  She was unique, friendly, realistic and always wanting to do for the better good.   I found her on Facebook recently.  When she let me know she was coming to Chicago for a visit and would like to get together, I could not believe it!  I was so excited!

On Tuesday, I drove, or really sped, my way into the city, fought a bunch of traffic to get to the restaurant.  It was so good to see her.  We talked and talked and connected like old friends do.  I am so glad, so thankful I got to see her.  She hasnt changed, she's still kind, friendly, happy and still wanting to do for the better good. 

She is about to take a journey to better her health, and I am so proud of her for doing so.  I found myself last night and today being inspired by her actions.  Good Luck Vero!  You have my full support and know that I am cheering you on and thinking about you!

  
*photo taken from Vero's FB page.  I didnt get one picture of her and I together.  My motivation to make sure I make it over to Luxembourg to see her again!

I did get a picture of this walking around Lakeview.  In case if anyone needs some extra cash...

This morning, my sister Laura and I headed to Tammen Treeberry Farm along with half of Chicago, to pick fresh blueberries right off the shrub!  

I wasnt a big blueberry fan until a few years back.  As I was picking the plump blue berries off their branches I started envisioning blueberry pancakes, blueberry muffins, blueberry smoothies, frozen blueberries and blueberry jam.  All items I would have avoided years back.  I am now looking forward to all of it! 

The only thing about this experience that I found to be annoying were the polish people speaking.  Usually this doesnt bother me but when they are screaming for each other, 'P-A-U-L-I-N-A' several times with no response all the while shoving blueberries in their mouthsI found myself waiting to scream back 'W-H-E-R-E-A-R-E-Y-O-U-R-M-A-N-N-E-R-S-?-!'.  Then there was this woman on the other side of my shrub talking and shoving blueberries in her mouth, and then continue talking only for the blueberries to shoot out of her mouth back onto the shrubs.  

One rule, people.  Chew with your mouths closed.  And do not talk while you are chewing your food.  (Ok, that was two rules, but they do go hand-in-hand). 

 
*look at how cheap they are!!  I paid $4 for a small pint of blueberries at the store earlier this week.  Today, I walked away with 3LBS for $5!!

   

 

 

 

 

 
*the sole blueberry.  I felt bad for the little guy, so I picked him and ate him.  ;o)

While at Wal-Mart looking for a bug light to kill off the gazillion mosquitos nesting by the water main drain in my backyard, I found these goodies in the Garden Center.  All for $4 apiece.  Whoa! Deal!!

I now have a tomato + basil planter, a bell pepper planter and a green + red lettuce planter. 

I've never grown a vegetable in my life.  Its high time I grew some.  I have a bit of a green thumb, so it shouldnt be too hard, right?  I forsee fresh tomato salsa, stuffed peppers and fresh green salad.  What do you make with your vegetables from your garden?

 

Doesnt this look good??  Let me tell you, it is good! 

I saw an episode of  Giada at Home a couple of weekends ago and was inspired to make everything she made in her show.  I, of course, am no where near as talented as Giada, but when I find easy recipes that are easy to make, I sure do feel as talented as her!  This is one of those easy recipes, Homemade Cranberry Nut Granola.  Super easy and super good!

This afternoon my sister Laura and I attended a memorial service for my sister-in-law's late father.  He passed away unexpectedly and at a relatively young age, sixty.  But when its your time, its your time.  He will be missed.  

When Laura and I arrived, my brother handed us the boys and asked that we keep them occupied during the event. Instead of sitting in the church and listening to the service about a man I met once, but is the father to my sister-in-law, we walked two hot fussy eight month olds around Oak Park.  One hundred year old trees provided the right amount of shade and breeze to cool off the nephews.  Their pleasant personalities came out then...so we sat in the church yard, in the shade, played and had a picnic (we fed them while sitting outside). 

They are so much fun.  They are smiling more, talking more, pulling themselves up to standing and crawling.  Like always, I went to my purse for my camera, only to remember that its sitting on my kitchen table.  I am SO thankful for my cell phone with camera.  They are not the best pictures, but they did capture our picnic and the quality time spent together.  I love them.

 

 

 

 

I took this one for Grandma Diana.  She bought the madras rompers for the boys.  They are the best things for hot summer days ... lightweight, colorful and minimal.  Boys dont care what they are wearing, but we do and they are some pretty cool dudes wearing these. 

 

Its the season ... Summer Reading Season.  Every year for as long as I can remember, at the begining of the summer, my mother would take my brother and I to the library to sign up for the summer reading program.  We would then get to select a handful of books to bring home.  Not sure about my brother, but I looked forward to this event.  Not only was I able to run around the neighborhood for hours on end, go swimming, stay up late, but I'd also get to read what I wanted.  No curriculum, no boring books about some guy in 1822.  Books that I wanted to read. 

Nowadays, I can read what I want all the time, but there is still something about the summer and reading.  Not sure if its the lazy days, like today, sitting in the backyard, enjoying the just right weather or if its the childhood memory that lingers. 

Usually I go to the library to round out the experience of summer reading, but this year I've decided to read the books that are sitting on my nightstand. 

Petropolis by Anya Ulinich.  The tag line on the front cover is what sold me, ' A husband is not a luxury, but a form of transportation!', from one character to the main character when deciding what the Moscow mail order bride services will bring her.

Domestic Pleasures by Beth Gutcheon.  I have no idea where I got this book.  Its been sitting on the nightstand for a good two years.  (oops!)

Mergers + Acquisitions by Dana Vachon.  New York. Manhattan social scene. Scandals.  Need I say more? 

I have no deadline to finish these, like the library programs, but I do have the goal to finish all of them!  Sooner than later!

What are you reading this summer?  

  (trying new picture size)

I wanted to write this impressive post about my love for Chicago, the feelings I have whenever I set foot within the city limits.  I've started this post several times, only to hit the delete button several times.  Like many things today, I give up.  Here it is.

I love Chicago.  My roots are here in city, dating all the way back to 1909.  My grandmother lived on the north side, my grandfather on the south side.  They married at Holy Name Cathedral.  My mother was born at Little Company of Mary hospital.  When I set foot in the city, I feel this proverbial root leave my body through my feet and attach to the soul of Chicago. 

I feel so connected to it, I wonder if I should be living there to harbor that connection even further.  Or is it just my history, my blood ties to Chicago that are saying, 'you're home' when I am there.  Either way, its a comforting feeling.  One that I carry with me when I walk along the lake front, people watch in Grant Park, play tour guide to out of town visitors, taxi boat rides, Wrigley Field, Comisky Park (if I have to), West Loop dining, Buck Town shopping. 

I dont mind looking like a tourist or dork when I get this kind of picture taken:
 

Or pictures of this:
 

Or when I sit at the lake front and set my eyes on this, the most beautiful skyline I've ever seen:
 

I was there just one short week ago and I miss it already.  In due time I will make it back there and I will enjoy that warming, comforting 'you're home' feeling once again. 

GREEN LINKS
Chicago Cares
Catalog Choice
Bite Sized Green Ideas
Delightful Grocery Bags
50 Ways to Help the Planet
Recycle Electronics

INSPIRATION LINKS
The Recessionista
Design*Sponge
Martha Stewart
Tastefully Entertaining
Joy of Baking

PEOPLE LINKS
Magic Happens
Opinion Generator

 

How do you feel when you come home to something surprisingly good? 

Today when I walked in the house from a night away, I wasnt expecting to see this:
 

I was oblivious to the bloom at first when I walked in, unloading the car.  As I started putting things away is when I noticed the beauty.  I said out loud, 'Oh my!'.  And smiled. 

I pulled out my camera, took a bunch of shots of the beauty and started thinking that I really dont have it all that bad in life.  So my job isnt all that great right now, it does keep me challenged and busy.  So my love life is in the broken powder room toilet, at least I am not in an unhappy relationship wishing I was single.  So my checkbook is chanting 'I think I can.  I think I can.'.  I am SO thankful I am not one of 11 million unemployed people. 

Tomorrow is Monday.  A new day.  A new week.  I think its time I start challenging myself to remain positive and look at all obstacles as opportunities to learn.  It can't hurt, right?

Every year, first week in July, Chicago shuts down a few streets and allows all sorts of food vendors to come in and serve their 'best sellers' to basically the entire population of Illinois.  This event is best known as the Taste of Chicago, or The Taste. 

I usually avoid this event because of the number of people that attend the event the same time I do.  I cannot stand feeling locked in, closed in, squished, pushed, etc.  However, this year, when my dear friend Rich asked me to go, I said yes, as long as we went early.  That we did.  We were in the city and walking thru the welcome sign before noon.  The crowds werent bad at all, feasible for me. 

As soon as Rich turned on Michigan Ave, like always, the view of the city skyline took my breath away.  I love my city.  I was then immediately excited about devouring food by the pounds.  I couldnt decide what to eat so I just followed Rich's lead, Sweet Baby Ray's, sweet potato fries, a Bud, cheesecake on a stick dipped in chocolate, pierogis, another Bud, Garrets chocolate covered carmel corn.  Ugh, can you say stomach ache? 

Much to my surprise, at three o'clock, I was hungry again.  I mean starving, stomach making the hunger rumblings hungry.  How could it be?  I just ate enough to feed a family of four.  So, what did I do? I went to Portillo's for dinner. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
*this pic and the 1st pic dont really fit the Taste themed post, but they are appropriate for my love for Chicago and my soul ties to this city.  I'll delve into this love and connection in a future post.