701 North Milwaukee Avenue, Suite 268, Vernon Hills, IL 60067 One of my mom’s favorite meals is authentic Japanese ramen. The only place where she can find such high quality ramen is Japan; and, even there, sometimes, it can be hit or miss. My mom favors classic ramen such as shio (a clear, salt-based broth). … Continue reading Ramen House Shinchan
1260 South Milwaukee Avenue, Vernon Hills, IL 60061 You say you want a revolution? Well, you know. By this time or maybe in a few weeks—most, if not all of us—will have broken our New Year’s resolutions. I have a secret that’s not so secret: I never make any New Year’s resolutions. Every morning is … Continue reading Fried Egg Cafe
1899 West Winchester Road, Libertyville, IL 60048 Wright. Benny. Ryerson. Bradbury. Sousa. Untermyer. Gurnee. Sheridan. Dunn. Daniel Wright was the first permanent non-native settler in Lake County. He established good relations with the Native people. Many years later, the Lake County Forest Preserve District honored Mr. Wright by preserving and naming precious land in his honor: … Continue reading Dunn Museum
Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022 During the bloom of late spring, Lisa received an invitation to preregister for a new special event at Chicago Botanic Garden that would make its U.S. debut from London. The event would be a stunning immersive light and sound show centered around the holiday season. … Continue reading Lightscape
646 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611 This blog post is my holiday gift to you. I just want one holiday gift from you: Forget everything you know or thought you knew about Starbucks. Forget! You need to empty your cup before it can be filled. Scroll down to see more photos and read more … Continue reading Starbucks Reserve Roastery
Granola is a delicious and healthy food that can be enjoyed: plain, as cereal, topped on yogurt, or added to most any simple food needing a little tasty crunch. A few years ago, Lisa, my mom and I made our first batch of granola on a whim. Store bought granola tends to be expensive, not … Continue reading Gift Ideas: Homemade Granola
Daley Center Plaza, 50 West Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602 When I was a boy, like many children, I believed in Santa Claus. I looked forward to Christmas as soon as we entered the months that ended in “-ber”. I thought that meant cold weather was coming; and, with it—Christmas. As an only child, and … Continue reading Christkindlmarket
112 North Green Street, Chicago, IL, 60607 Life moves fast. We see something we want. We go get that thing. We forgot what it was that introduced us to that thing. Then we remember it was some news. But we threw out that thing. So we try to remember what it was that thing said. … Continue reading Sawada Coffee
Winter and the holidays are coming. We can see and feel that our skin is turning dry already. The deep winter itch is creeping over us. Days of gray will turn into weeks. It will be months before spring arrives with the promise of renewal. Within you flows an eternal spring. Most of us would … Continue reading Gift Ideas: Face and Body Scrubs
1126 East Washington Street, Grayslake, IL 60030 Somethings _____________________. (a) Brewing (b) Cooking (c) Making me thirsty (d) Making me hungry (e) All of the above There are cafes that brew and pour rich, bold coffee. There are restaurants that prepare and serve delicious, flavorful food. There are bakeries that offer up fresh muffins and … Continue reading Somethings Brewing
