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Year One: Review

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Welcome to The Simple Luxuries. Thank you for visiting my WordPress blog.

That was my introduction on April 1, 2019. Twenty-eight posts later, we are moving forward into our second year. Although the current availability of places to visit and things to try have been limited, we hope to join everyone soon like a wave of energy, flowing toward all things new, and also everything old that will seem new again.

“When I began to clean my closet and clear my head what impressed upon me pure as crystal were the shiny memories of sitting in hotel restaurants or cozy cafes—my world a world away—and all my cares invested in my affordable cup and sweet set. I did bring Japan back home with me. I treasured most my experiences of luxuriating on an afternoon in Japan with simple refreshments. I had found the luxury in simple things.”

Scroll down to see more photos and read more about the first year of The Simple Luxuries.

01_Y1R
Tala Coffee Roasters in Highwood, IL: “Pick up a Latte at Tala today: 16 oz. Bourbon Vanilla, 12 oz. Bourbon Vanilla, 12 oz. Lavender and more!”
02_Y1R
Anna Shea Chocolates & Lounge in South Barrington, IL: “It’s time to try an affogato: a shot of espresso poured over a scoop of vanilla bean gelato.”
03_Y1R
Gabutto Burger formerly in Rolling Meadows, IL, but opening soon in Elgin, IL: “The Crabby Burger from Gabutto Burger comes in one size (JUMBO) and one flavor (AWESOME!).”
04_Y1R
Cuneo Mansion & Gardens in Vernon Hills, IL: “Red statues stand in close proximity to the Cuneo mansion.”
05_Y1R
Lilac Time at Lilacia Park in Lombard, IL: “The Bloom-O-Meter on the Lilac Time website advises visitors of the current bloom status for lilacs.”
06_Y1R
Milkcow Cafe in Vernon Hills, IL: “Finally a moment of Milky Peace Premium Milk Soft Serve: strawberry sauce, rainbow cereal, and Skittles.”
07_Y1R
Hansa Coffee Roasters in Libertyville, IL: “Two cold brew coffees from this year’s summer menu (left to right): Kaffelemonade and Bangkok Travis–get some before summer is gone.”
08_Y1R
Starbuck’s Blueberry Farm in Bridgman, MI: “Starbuck’s Blueberry Farm offers the best plump, ripe blueberries–it’s easy to see.”
09_Y1R
Nothing Bundt Cakes in Vernon Hills, IL: “We wear red velvet, redder than velvet is the night.”
10_Y1R
Greg’s Frozen Custard in Mundelein, IL: “So popular that it’s available every other Friday, Butter Pecan features tender, high-quality pecans.”
11_Y1R
Boba Club in Glenview, IL: “Special of the Month: Oreo Waffle Puff with chocolate waffle puff, vanilla ice cream, Oreo crumbles and topped with an Oreo cookie.”
12_Y1R
Cafe De Oro in Riverwoods, IL: “The sumptuous froth of fresh-brewed Fishtown coffee with soy milk at 16 ounces looks so tantalizing.”
13_Y1R
Kuipers Family Farm in Maple Park, IL: “It is a small miracle that these Cinnamon & Sugar and Apple-Spice Glazed doughnuts actually made it home.”
14_Y1R
Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns at Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, IL: “Subjects such as nature, literature, cinema, and traditional Halloween images flow through the night.”
15_Y1R
Somethings Brewing in Grayslake, IL: “Breakfast Quesadilla with a side of Sweet Tater Babies: bacon with scrambled eggs, mozzarella and cheddar cheese on a wheat tortilla.”
16_Y1R
Gift Ideas – Face and Body Scrubs: “Everyone will be ecstatic by the simple luxuries in these small batch, handmade face and body scrubs.”
17_Y1R
Sawada Coffee in Chicago, IL: “Ain’t we a pair: Matcha Latte and Blueberry Muffin.”
18_Y1R
Christkindlmarket at Daley Center Plaza in Chicago, IL: “Hand carved and painted wooden figurines recall our fond memories from the past as we live through these happy times to be remembered in the future.”
19_Y1R
Gift Ideas – Homemade Granola: “Twenty 32-ounce jars of homemade granola, healthy and delicious, stand ready for holiday gift treatments.”
20_Y1R
Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Chicago, IL: “Only the Arriviamo Cocktail Bar on the fourth floor and the Roof Terrace (seasonal) are left to be explored.”
21_Y1R
Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, IL: “The scale and beauty of the majestic Cathedral of Light stops everyone in their tracks.”
22_Y1R
Dunn Museum in Libertyville, IL: “This is the side drum that belonged to Private John W. Besley (1843-1926) of Waukegan, who fought in the Atlanta Campaign (May 7, 1863-September 2, 1864).”
23_Y1R
Fried Egg Cafe in Vernon Hills, IL: “The landscape of breakfast at Fried Egg Cafe never looked so good as just now.”
24_Y1R
Ramen House Shinchan in Vernon Hills, IL: “A blanket of dried shavings of bonito (similar to mackerel or tuna), and topped with nori (dried seaweed) and takoyaki sauce (like Worcestershire sauce), dress a side order of Takoyaki (octopus puffs) from the Special Menu.”
25_Y1R
Fairgrounds Craft Coffee and Tea in Vernon Hills, IL: “On The Tap, Taste All Flight: three 4-oz. pours of Marin Kombucha Pinot Sage Tea, Colectivo Nitro Cold Brew, and Limitless Salted Caramel Cold Brew.”
26_Y1R
Sunrise Stroll – Nippersink: “Access to open water and a felled tree is a sign of recent beaver activity.”
27_Y1R
Walk with a Naturalist – Fort Sheridan: “This is Lake Michigan mostly in her natural state.”
28_Y1R
Hata Vietnamese Traditional Coffee: “A different drip bag yields a slightly richer hue; could the slight color variation be attributed to another Con Chon?”

I want to recognize all the places visited and things tried: Tala Coffee Roasters, Anna Shea Chocolates & Lounge, Gabutto Burger, Cuneo Mansion & Gardens, Lombard Park District, Lilacia Park, Milkcow Cafe, Hansa Coffee Roasters, Starbuck’s Blueberry Farm, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Greg’s Frozen Custard, Boba Club, Cafe De Oro, Kuipers Family Farm, Chicago Botanic Garden, Somethings Brewing, Sawada Coffee, Christkindlmarket Chicago, Starbucks Reserve Roastery, Dunn Museum, Fried Egg Cafe, Ramen House Shinchan, Fairgrounds Craft Coffee and Tea, Lake County Forest Preserves, and Huong Mai Cafe.

I want to thank everyone who helped make year one possible: Lisa, Roy, Adele, Mom, “Sporty” Sue, Sandra, Mark, “Movie” Sue, Jamie Starbuck, Jenn, Emily, Mark, Greg, Allan, Tracy, Fairgrounds Craft Coffee and Tea in Vernon Hills, Eileen, April, and Nicole. If I forgot anyone else, I thank you too.

Let’s take this time to slow down, look inward, clean our closets and clear our heads.

An ancient pond

a frog jumps in

the sound of water

—Matsuo Basho

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“My camera is my witness. My blog is my voice.” ©2020

4 thoughts on “Year One: Review”

  1. Those were the days. Thanks for the memories.

    Janeen

    On Wed, Apr 15, 2020 at 5:06 PM The Simple Luxuries wrote:

    > thesimlux posted: “Welcome to The Simple Luxuries. Thank you for visiting > my WordPress blog. That was my introduction on April 1, 2019. Twenty-eight > posts later, we are moving forward into our second year. Although the > current availability of places to visit and things to ” >

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

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