Year Two: Review

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That was my introduction on April 1, 2019. Fifty-two posts later, we are moving forward into our third 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 second year of The Simple Luxuries.

01_Y2R — Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey: “Moments and milkshakes like this don’t last very long!”

02_Y2R — Modus Coffee Roasting Company: “Bottoms up, admire the cup of Modus Coffee – Latif, light and sun-kissed.”

03_Y2R — Japan Photo Archive – Part One: “Traveling from the world of the profane to a sacred realm, a torii gate in Hakone heralds your arrival.”

04_Y2R — Virtual Tour de France on Zwift: “It is better to look good than to feel good; except, when climbing Mont Ventoux.”

05_Y2R — Japan Photo Archive – Part Two: “The crystal blue waterfall of Jyoren-no-Taki in Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture cools and purifies the environment that is home to the best wasabi in Japan.”

06_Y2R — 22nd Annual Hike Lake County: “The great egret’s comeback is the result of over 100 years of conservation.”

07_Y2R — Japan Photo Archive – Part Three: “Kinkaku-ji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion), a World Heritage Site, is gilded with pure gold leaf.”

08_Y2R — Special Bee Products – 1 of 2: “Angela points out the new queen that is larger than the other bees (inside the red circle).”

09_Y2R — Special Bee Products – 2 of 2: “One pound jars of late and early season honey glow with radiant natural energy, powered by the sun and parceled by bees.”

10_Y2R — Copper Fiddle Distillery – 1/2: “‘Who likes rye?’ Everyone.”

11_Y2R — Copper Fiddle Distillery – 2/2: “One sip of the Old Fashioned at Copper Distillery will take you back to ‘Summertime, an’ the livin’ is easy.'”

12_Y2R — Light the Lamp Brewery: “LTL’s Butterburger: two—count ’em—TWO Wisconsin-style butter burger patties take the spotlight with creamy Merkts cheese, fully dressed and ready to go.”

13_Y2R — Fyren Gin from Copper Fiddle Distillery: “If ‘Poltergeist’ means ‘noisy ghost,’ then does ‘Peppergeist’ mean ‘spicy ghost’? ‘Hot ghost?’ ‘Afterburner ghost?'”

14_Y2R — Peet’s Coffee: “Peet’s Coffee, located in beautiful and historic downtown Winnetka, is just a short walk from famous and iconic movie locations seen in ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ and ‘Home Alone.'”

15_Y2R — The Bahá’í House of Worship: “Despite its significance and popularity, it is easy to find quiet retreats.”

16_Y2R — Oak & Bond Coffee – Flight Tasting: “Flight in formation of barrel aged whole bean coffee (left to right): Scotch Whisky hot off the French press, Cabernet Sauvignon chilled over ice, Bourbon drip style and still steaming.”

17_Y2R — Oak & Bond Coffee – Holiday Recipes: “Create holiday magic of your own with a Coffee Panettone and Oak & Bond Coffee Co. Scotch Whisky barrel aged whole bean coffee.”

18_Y2R — Oak & Bond Coffee – New Year’s Recipes: “The hero or heroine of the shot has a lot of appeal.”

19_Y2R — Universal Yums: “Nero Raspberry and Almond Dark Chocolate Bar from Novi is a luxurious combination of fine chocolate and raspberries.”

20_Y2R — Grand Sumo on NHK World-Japan: “Day 15 (cont.): Daieisho bolts into the Tachi-ai with a blur of pushing/thrusting attacks against a stunned Okinoumi.”

21_Y2R — Fireball Cinnamon Whisky: “It’s not done until it’s finished with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.”

22_Y2R — Self-Guided Woods Walk at Chicago Botanic Garden: “What four-legged animal left these footprints? My Instagram post offers clues about identifying animal tracks.”

23_Y2R — St. Patrick’s Day Recipes: “A ray of sunshine in March brings more than mere good luck.”

I want to recognize all the places visited and things tried: Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, Modus Coffee Roasting Company, Japan, Zwift, Amaury Sport Organization (ASO), Lake County Forest Preserves, College of Lake County, Special Bee Products, Copper Fiddle Distillery, Light the Lamp Brewery, Fyren Gin from Copper Fiddle Distillery, Peet’s Coffee, Troubador Bakery, Winnetka, “Home Alone”, The Bahá’í House of Worship, Oak & Bond Coffee, Universal Yums, Grand Sumo on NHK World-Japan, Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, Chicago Botanic Garden, Mary Mix McDonald Woods, Baileys Original Irish Cream, Guinness Draught, Jameson Irish Whiskey, and Kerrygold Irish Cheddar.

I want to thank everyone who helped make year one possible: Lisa, Julie, Michelle, Roy and Adele, my mom, “Movie” Sue, my family in Japan, Ed, Dan, Angela, the bees, Andrew, Jim, Ryan, Tracy, Samantha (Sam), Scott, Kristie, the cardinal, and all the winter animals. 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.

What you gonna do when things go wrong?
What you gonna do when it all cracks up?
What you gonna do when the Love burns down?
What you gonna do when the flames go up?
Who is gonna come and turn the tide?
What’s it gonna take to make a dream survive?
Who’s got the touch to calm the storm inside?
Who’s gonna save you?
—Jim Kerr, Charlie Burchill, Mick MacNeil

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