I couldn’t let today go by without putting some miscellaneous thoughts up here about the incredible events that occurred in Washington D.C. today. I taught class this morning and took the quickest shower ever, so I could get my hair dry and apply my makeup before rushing to work to try to get a live feed on the internet. As I was driving, I was able to listen to Rick Warren’s inaugural invocation. Normally, invocations don’t thrill me, to be honest. Being a Jew, I can’t usually find anything to relate to in a traditional type of invocation. Today though, driving in my car from class to work, I was…
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- Family Fun, Food, Fun in Chicago, Jim Has Mad Skillz, My Sister Has Mad Skillz, Something That Could Change Your Life
Frozen Birthday Fun in the Windy City
Jim’s birthday on Friday was one for the books. Poor guy had to spend the morning home, waiting for a tow truck (I happen to know lots about that, having had my car towed 4 times between late September and November…) because his truck sprung a fuel line leak. The -50 degree windchill didn’t help matters. But at least he got to wait for the tow at home, while I taught class and took the boys, who were off from school, on a birthday errand. In the evening, we went to dinner at Lou Malnati’s for Chicago deep dish pizza. YUM-O. Although the downtown area of our particular suburb has…
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How To “Garden Nude” While Wearing Clothing*
I don’t need to tell you that January is a month of reflection on the past and goal-making for the future. Speaking for myself, January 2009 especially has been a month during which I’m looking for small changes that I can make that will lead to bigger ones. I just finished reading the book Gardening Nude by Shawna Cornonado at The Casual Gardener. While the front of the book includes a provocative (and gorgeous!) photograph of Shawna, layin’ around “naked” (sort of) in the garden, the contents prove that you can’t judge this book by its cover. Gardening Nude is not meant in a literal sense. Shawna has experienced some…
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Sugar Rush, Part Two
Seems like everyone who read yesterday’s post wants it, so here is the easiest truffle recipe you will ever make! The recipe is from a book called Homemade Candy: By the food editors of Farm Journal. It is a hardcover book, originally published in 1970 and cost my mom $4.95, according to the cover flap! Years ago when Julesie, our mom and I started making these yummy candies, I pilfered borrowed this book from Mom’s kitchen and just never gave it back*. Of course, I *did* write the recipe down for her, so she’d have it. TrufflesToo delicious for words to describe (it really says that, under the title!) 1…
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Proud To Be A Chicago-American!
I feel compelled to write a few words about this historical evening. I have feelings of “Did this really happen?” and “Pinch me…really, did it happen?” I am so excited about the possibilities for our country that I am jumping out of my skin. The fact that my favorite city plays a huge part not only as the “adopted city” of Barack Obama but also the stage on which he gave the speech last night when it was all over obviously warms my heart and makes me feel even more proud. I have to say that whatever people feel about his “readiness” to be the President of the United States,…