Hard to believe Thanksgiving weekend is wrapping up. It has been a long and busy few days, that’s for sure! Thanksgiving on Thursday: A trip with Evie to the American Girl doll store on bustling Michigan Avenue on Friday: A cookie party at my Aunt Sheila’s house on Saturday: Christmas brunch with Santa and gingerbread […]

I’ll never forget my first experience with Maker’s Mark Bourbon. My college roommate Laura returned from summer break with a bottle she had hand-dipped herself at the Maker’s Mark distillery in her native Kentucky.  We drank it straight.  Luke warm. In martini glasses.  We still laugh about it to this day! So, when the folks […]

I originally shared the following post earlier this year on Mothering Spirit, a lovely blog written by a lovely mother who eloquently shares her thoughts on life, theology and parenthood. Check it out! As a mother to three young children, I am rarely afforded an opportunity to do something just for me. It seems like […]

For the most part, the only thing our family drinks is the delicious Lake Michigan water piped into our kitchen sink.  But, sometimes it’s fun to treat ourselves to something a little fancier.  With summer in the air, I no longer crave the occasional cup of homemade chai tea; it’s too spicy and warming for […]

Now that summer is presumably here to stay, Chris has been mixing up summery cocktails. While I am partial to his excellent mojitos, he really enjoys a homemade margarita.  Freshly squeezed limes paired with Mexican tequila remind so many people of warm breezes and carefree afternoons. Unfortunately, I most definitely cannot drink margaritas.  Thanks to […]

It has been a long few weeks. Ever since Mack’s ear infection in Mexico last month we’ve all taken turns being sick.  Last week was brutal for me – stuffed nose, cough, exhaustion.  I was finally emerging from the fog last night when severe pain suddenly struck my lower back.  Argh! As any mom knows, […]

Chicago can’t seem to make up her mind.  After a brisk October, November has been relatively mild. Some days are close to 60 degrees, while others barely get out of the 30s. Regardless of the temperature, I like to take the kids outside everyday for some fresh air and exercise.  The other day was downright […]

As I’ve written about many times before, we don’t buy many beverages.  No pop, no juice, a little milk, that’s it.  For the most part, we’re all quite content with the delicious water that comes from Lake Michigan via our kitchen sink.  Not only is tap water easy on the budget, but there’s no sugar […]

At the last minute, Chris decided to go out to a party with some friends tonight.  As much as I love spending time with him, I had a few crap TV shows to catch up on our DVR, so I didn’t mind a quiet night to myself once the kids went to bed. But, a […]

We live in the middle of a big city, so I don’t have the space for the lush and abundant garden of my daydreams.  But, I happily make do with my little window herb garden.  All summer we’ve enjoyed basil and rosemary and chives.  Actually, the basil and chives have been put to good use, […]