817 Elm Street, Winnetka, IL 60093 “In a world…” of infinite cafés and coffee shops, one name rises up to break the chain: Peet’s Coffee. Check your local listings for opening times. Scroll down to see more photos and read more about Peet’s Coffee. “Peet’s Coffee has a brewed dark roast Coffee of the Day … Continue reading Peet’s Coffee
“Who wants to taste something spicy? Let’s do it. This is our Fyren Gin. This is the last thing that we’re going to taste. The Fyren Gin has that base gin recipe you tasted in the beginning, except I hold a serrano pepper by the stem and I char it by hand with a torch. … Continue reading Fyren Gin from Copper Fiddle Distillery
2 South Lake Street, Grayslake, IL 60030 “I went to a fight the other night, and a hockey game broke out.” —Rodney Dangerfield Lisa, Tracy, Sam, and I went to Light the Lamp Brewery the other day, and good food & drink broke out. Have you ever been to a hockey game? You could be … Continue reading Light the Lamp Brewery
532 West IL Route 22, Suite 110, Lake Zurich, IL 60047 In part one, Lisa, Tracy, Sam, and I visited Copper Fiddle Distillery to meet Andrew Macker (Owner/Operator) and Ryan (Bartender). Jim Iverhouse, the other owner, and Rob Scaramella, the scientist behind the art, were out on business. While we toured the facility and learned … Continue reading Copper Fiddle Distillery: 2/2
532 West IL Route 22, Suite 110, Lake Zurich, IL 60047 In 2013, a friend told Lisa and me about an exciting new local craft distiller of gin and whiskey. They offered tours! I had never been on a distillery tour. And so we visited Copper Fiddle Distillery, met one of the original owners (Fred … Continue reading Copper Fiddle Distillery: 1/2
College of Lake County, 19351 West Washington Street, Grayslake, IL 60030 In part one, Lisa and I were introduced to Ed, Dan and Angela at the apiary tucked away on the main campus of College of Lake County in Grayslake. We were treated to practical lessons about bees, bee products and sustainable living. In part … Continue reading Special Bee Products: 2 of 2
College of Lake County, 19351 West Washington Street, Grayslake, IL 60030 Many years ago, a runaway truck ended up in our swimming pool. Long story short, Ed, the pool guy (among other titles), masterfully rebuilt the pool. A few years ago, we called Ed to open our pool years after the incident. We needed him … Continue reading Special Bee Products: 1 of 2
It was 28 years in between my last visit as a child to Japan and my first as an adult. For some reason, I always imagined that I would be stepping onto the airport tarmac for my long-awaited return. With the standardization of passenger bridges for boarding and deboarding, I often wondered why I held … Continue reading Japan Photo Archive: Part Three
Van Patten Woods, 15838 West Route 173, Wadsworth, IL 60083 It’s late summer: the chorus of crickets chirping, the distant note of a fire pit, and the mellow tones of glorious sunsets. Pumpkins can wait. I want to hold on tight to the light. I want to embrace the warmth in a long hug. It’s … Continue reading 22nd Annual Hike Lake County
Last month, in Japan Photo Archive: Part One, we (re)visited my trip to Japan in June, in June. This month, we (re)visit my trip to Japan in October, in July. At this rate the stars just might realign, and all will be right with the world once again. No pressure. Scroll down to see more … Continue reading Japan Photo Archive: Part Two
The Simple Luxuries 