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
1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022 In October of last year, Lisa and I received an invitation in the mail from Chicago Botanic Garden to purchase advance tickets for Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns. We were members and so were afforded this choice opportunity. Never having heard of this event, on a whim, we decided … Continue reading Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns
1N145 Watson Road (Apple Orchard), Maple Park, IL 60151 Of all my blog posts on The Simple Luxuries, there is one place that goes back in time the furthest. We need to revisit time before 2003, when Anna Shea Chocolates & Lounge was under construction… …to 2002 when Kuipers Family Farm stood as a single … Continue reading Kuipers Family Farm
2175 Deerfield Road, Riverwoods, IL 60015 On our way to the Chicago Botanic Garden, Roy and Adele introduced Lisa and me to Cafe De Oro. This conveniently located cafe in Riverwoods surprised us all by their range of menu items, including Jeni’s Ice Cream, and the most excellent coffee from La Colombe Coffee. Lisa and … Continue reading Cafe De Oro
1825 Waukegan Road, Glenview, IL 60025 Who or what is Boba? I thought Boba’s last name was Fett. Apparently, there is a Club, and it’s not run by the Mandalorian. Boba Club is a place where you can go to relax or be productive, and enjoy one or a few of their many menu items. … Continue reading Boba Club
1490 South Lake Street, Mundelein, IL 60060 Summer is coming to a close. You can feel the cool air hovering over you like a silk sheet. You can smell the distant firepit drifting closer. The sun seems like a close friend who must now pack up for their return trip home, so far away. Greg’s … Continue reading Greg’s Frozen Custard
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