Laura Young Photography

This is why you need a Polish Mom to adopt you...

Our good friend, Claudine, who adopted Scott and I as her children years ago when we lived in the condo right beneath hers, once received a marriage proposal from my father when he tasted her kolacky (those buttery cookie marvels with the jam filling). Wisely she replied that she would accept his proposal pending a review of his finances.

We had brunch at her place yesterday (no that isn't her place in the photo, you nut) and she pulled out a cheese coffee cake that I would be dreaming about today if she didn't send me home with the leftovers. (There were only leftovers because I didn't think I should ONLY eat coffee cake.)  I am a cream filling girl. Custards, cannolis, eclairs...I don't have them often, because I don't have that strong of a sweet tooth but when I do get a craving that's what I search for. And I expect the real deal. Full cream, real vanilla...everything creamy and real butter in those flakey crusts. And no skimping on the cream filling, either.

Oh my oh my oh my. This was the best cheese coffee cake I've ever eaten. It is the Pasticceria Natalina cannoli (how can they have closed?!?!) of cheese coffee cakes.

I don't see the coffee cakes on their website but go have a gander anyway. I'm sure you'll find something tempting. Weber's Bakery on West Archer in Chicago.

Ted's Montana Grill

I can't believe I am raving about a chain restaurant but dang, I have to. I just hung some work in Naperville at Starbucks (where you can see it, on Jefferson) for the month of May) and Scott and I got a bite at Ted's Montana Grill after. We split a chopped salad which was so, so fresh and tasty I was sold right there. And then I had the bison Avalon burger. Damn. Just may be the best burger I've ever eaten in my life. Scotty had something with a fried egg on top. He loved it but I'm not a big egg fan so I stuck to my own plate. I got two meals out of mine. Yum. I'll have to head back there when I take the Starbucks canvases down.

The Return of the Golden Retriever

With my increasingly decluttered life in which I can finally immerse myself in the treasures on my bookshelf and in my music library, I am realizing that I should revive my "Golden Retriever" style posts of from my blogs of yore.  As I said a couple posts or so ago, my life is considerably restructured and I've become quite persnickety about how I spend both my money and my time. As a result, my quality of life is improving and I feel its only right to share some of my delights with you. And while I certainly won't claim to be someone whose opinions you need to care one whit about, I do know a few people who share my tastes and inclinations so for our mutual delight I will be more deliberate about using my blog to drop treasures at your feet with a joyful wag and woof. Keep an eye as we go for books and music categories and maybe even suburban treasures (I had such a fabulous buffalo burger recently, it is only right that I give you the tip).

 

Off Topic (Did I have a topic?)...for those on a fashion budget

Thank you Groupon for getting me to go to Anew. I'm a thrift store shopper these days because nothing is better than finding a pair of jeans that fits perfectly for $3.88 (I kid you not). I have learned that living in a poor suburb next to wealthy suburbs does have it's advantages. Our thrift stores are awesome. I got a pair of actual kid gloves for 49 cents last year. That is 0.49, no dollars.

Of course, thrift stores sometimes don't have what you are looking for and the window at Anew in Geneva, IL (on Rt 38) always looks tempting so when they offered a Groupon a while back I snagged it. It's awesome (and admittedly a refreshing change to go into nice dressing rooms in a well-merchandised calm shop). Prices were excellent and the clothes adorable. Please help support our local businesses and go check them out.

Vivian Maier's Street Photography.

If you have not heard the story or seen this woman's photography, it is high time you did.

Garfield Park Conservatory is a Late Winter Breath of Fresh Air

This is a gentle reminder to all the Chicagoans who forget to go to the Garfield Park Conservatory. There is no better time to visit, in my opinion, than March when we are in the dreadful grey days and everything here is so darn mucky with debris blown all about. You can't get a better dose of oxygen than in a room full of plants and the green will do you some good. Be sure to rest a while on the bench by the koi pond. The color on these guys is amazing, especially if a bit of sun hits them.

(And if you would like to see the above canvas in person, come to the Oak Park Art League this Friday for the new exhibit reception. This is one of three pieces I will have on display there. Details on this and all my exhibits can be found here.)

Excellent Coffee, Beautiful Mission: I Have a Bean

I had the pleasure of finding out about this company at the Geneva Farmer's Market this summer and fell in love instantly. The coffee was excellent (they have a decaf that actually tastes like coffee). The best iced coffee ever (they make "sun coffee", like sun tea...oh so so good.)

The coffee would have been enough, but the mission and the people make this an over the top win for everyone. Second Chance Coffee Company works with post prison offenders to help them start new lives as productive members of society. I've had the opportunity to meet several of these men as they have worked at the farmer's markets around me and they have the best energy. Hard working, energetic, funny, generous, enthusiastic and clearly grateful for the opportunity they have, it's just a pure joy to buy coffee from them.

Do check them out. Definitely worth supporting.

Outstanding Work by Paul Nicklen

Photography as Poetic Expression