When the pressure is on, some fold up like a cheap lawn chair. Others spring to life. Danny Trejo endured pressures, obstacles and challenges. And that’s putting it lightly. But he crushed them all, his gentle smile always warm and welcoming. His new cookbook, Trejo’s Tacos, details his inspiring life story and offers 75 authentic recipes … Continue reading Trejo’s Tacos
It’s almost time for Mardi Gras. I don’t want your tacky beads or tchotchke souvenir tall glasses. Show me your Coffee and Chicory; and, while you’re at it, let me see your Beignets. If my aim is true, then I must point the way to Cafe Du Monde. “Hey, Joe. You wanna give it a go?” … Continue reading Cafe Du Monde
“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.” —Albert Camus Every year, the day after the summer solstice, I feel a little sadness. Why? Because the days are getting shorter. Every year, the day after the winter solstice, I “rage, rage against the dying of the light.*” What? The … Continue reading Clark & Sheffield
Have you ever held a snow globe and wondered at the magical world in the palm of your hand? Marveled at the details? Imagined the life of its citizens? And been captivated by the glittery sparkles? Be part of the scene in the snow globe. And believe. Scroll down to see more photos and read … Continue reading Vintage Holidays in Long Grove
(Needle drop.) Germany! Beer! Sausage! Mustard! Sauerkraut! Oktoberfest! Christkindlesmarkt! Coffee. (Vinyl scratch.) To all other coffee purveyors, Achtung! Scroll down to see more photos and read more about Tchibo Coffee. “Mmm…the Dark Roast is nice and strong. Oh, this is delicious. I really like this black. I’ve actually never seen this before. I need to get … Continue reading Tchibo Coffee
Picture this. It’s July. You know. Sunny, hot, muggy, buggy, and… …Halloween pop-up stores(?). And this. It’s August. You know. Still sunny, hot, muggy, buggy, and… …pumpkin lattes(!). This too. It’s September. You know you know. Dusky, mellow, comfortable, pleasant, and… …holiday pre-preview extravaganzas?!? Let’s sit down for an easy drink, and enjoy the season. There’s … Continue reading Fall Cocktail Recipes
“Makin’ their wayThe only way they know howThat’s just a little bit moreThan the law will allow” “The chain in those handcuffs is high-tensile steel. It’d take you ten minutes to hack through it with this. Now, if you’re lucky, you could hack through your ankle in five minutes. Go.” “It’s 106 miles to Chicago, … Continue reading Volo Auto Museum
We piled into our seats, and paused before we got going. Our journey was about to begin. The destination was River Trail Nature Center. That was decades ago. That was my first visit to River Trail Nature Center for an elementary school field trip. I vividly remember our school bus pulling up to the front … Continue reading River Trail Nature Center
It’s summer. The incessant churr of cicadas stirs up the humidity so thick I can almost taste it. I feel the sting of blistering hot sunshine piercing my skin. Roads shimmer and pools simmer. When deep summer drags, fly as the crow does from the farm to the store—a place of premium milk, ice cream … Continue reading Oberweis Dairy
“One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight!Schlemiel! Schlimazel!Hasenpfeffer Incorporated!”—intro to Laverne & Shirley, (1976–1983) We’re gonna do it! Scroll down to see more photos and read more about Sprecher Brewery. “I really like the Cherry Cola from Sprecher Brewery! This has a nice bite and it’s very refreshing!” This is no spin-off. Sprecher Brewery … Continue reading Sprecher Brewery
The Simple Luxuries 