Good Reads

My bookmarks are getting a bit out of control so I've decided to start sharing some of the things I've found on the web here on the blog. So here goes the first round of "Good reads".

Thanks to my older brother, while all my friends were swooning over the New Kids on The Block, I was listening to these guys.

Looking forward to making this pumpkin pie granola this weekend.

Handy guide to decoding some of Chicago's traffic jargon.

Fun ways to style your bangs this fall.

Stylish Trick or Treat bag (for a good cause, too!)

Beautiful video. Also, for a good laugh.

Jam 'n Honey

Talitha and I recently checked out the newly opened Jam 'n Honey in Lincoln Park. The oatmeal pancakes with blueberries were delicious! The breakfast sandwich, however, was a bit disappointing.

We stopped by Jayson Home and Garden after breakfast for their flea market. I loved their cheerful fall displays of pumpkins, gourds, and mums. 



Friendiversary at Frontera

Eric and I in our matching shirts

Bonnie and I (with Eric) celebrated 20 years of friendship this weekend with dinner and drinks at Frontera. Bonnie and I met when we were 7 and 8 years old, respectively, in a youth orchestra and have been friends ever since, sharing a love of music, food, and laughter. In the midst of all of life's curve balls, it's comforting to have such a constant and solid friendship. I'm looking forward to many more years of friendship and celebrating with good food and drink!

Other highlights of the weekend included performing with Christine at Julius Meinl, caramel apples from the Lincoln Square Apple Fest, Thai food from Ma & I and Bears/Packers game with Christine. 

Happy Autumn!

It's officially the first day of Autumn today and I can't quite believe it. Summer flew by and while I'm sad to see it go, I'm enjoying the cool, crisp air. Autumn may soon be replacing Summer as my favorite season. Looking forward to:

Riding boots
Cozy sweaters and scarves
Smores
Bonfires
Apple picking and Apple Cider Donuts
Pumpkins
Colorful leaves
Football
Pie

Jeff Tweedy + Black Eyed Peas = very funny

Baseball according to Bill Bryson

          "It is all immensely complicated, but essentially it means that practically every team in baseball except the Chicago Cubs gets a chance to go to the World Series.
          The Chicago Cubs don't get to go because they never manage to qualify even under a system as magnificently accomodating as this. Often they almost qualify, and sometimes they are in such a commanding position that you cannot believe they won't qualify, but always in the end they doggedly manage to come up short. Whatever it takes-losing seventeen games in a row, letting easy balls go through their legs, crashing comically into each other in the outfield-you can be certain the Cubs will manage it.
          They have been doing this, reliably and efficiently, for over half a century. They haven't been in a World Series since 1945. Stalin has had good years more recently than that. This heartwarming annual failure by the Cubs is almost the only thing in baseball that hasn't changed in my lifetime, and I appreciate that very much."
        -I'm A Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to America After Twenty Years Away

Punk Rock Pastry

I checked out Bleeding Heart Bakery & Cafe this week in West Town. It has a really fun atmosphere and even has a glass walled kitchen so you can see all the pastry making in action. On the weekends, the cafe is open for 57 straight hours filling a much needed void of quality late night dining. My new teaching position is just down the street from Bleeding Heart (not to mention Hoosier Mama Pie) so I can envision many doughnuts and cake balls in my future.

Renegade

Some photos from Sunday's trip to Renegade Craft Fair. It was a fun afternoon of shopping, lunch at Moonshine, and gelato from Black Dog Gelato.