Today, I will be your maple syrup guide as you hike up your sweatpants in your seat. Here we go! First question:Which is more expensive? Pancake syrup or pure maple syrup? Next:Which takes more time and energy to produce? Same choices. Finally:Which tastes better? Scroll down to see more photos and read more about Maple … Continue reading Maple Syrup Hikes at Ryerson Woods
[6:00] “Okay, campers, rise and shine, and don’t forget your booties ’cause it’s cold out there today. It’s cold out there every day. What is this, Miami Beach? Not hardly. And you know, you can expect hazardous travel later today with that, you know, that, uh, that blizzard thing. That blizzard thing? That blizzard thing. … Continue reading Groundhog Days in Woodstock, IL
“You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.”—Unknown “We will jump only if we want to jump.”—Horses Scroll down to see more photos and read more about The Tempel Lipizzans. “When the horses demonstrate the crossover steps, they remind me of figure skaters. We’re so close to the performance that … Continue reading Tempel Lipizzans
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
Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022 “Whose woods these are I think I know.His house is in the village though;He will not see me stopping hereTo watch his woods fill up with snow.” Robert Frost (aptly named) wrote my favorite poem of all time, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” … Continue reading Self-Guided Woods Walk at Chicago Botanic Garden
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
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
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
The Simple Luxuries 