What now? My quandary resembled de Kooning’s Untitled XI — one of his “20 new canvases”completed at 71 years old. What’s next? What is my passion? My answers and inspiration come from going outside myself… the Art Institute of Chicago my muse. I put … Continue reading
Heart Throb… How many hearts did you break? How many songs did it take? VALENTINE IT’S YOU! How many times, no clue— How many promises to be true? “Don’t be a fool, eat pasta fazool.” In the mood to brood? Change your attitude… With John’s Hearty comfort food. JOHN’S “HEARTY” PASTA FAZOOL INGREDIENTS: 2 tablespoons butter, divided … Continue reading
Thank you dear readers. May 2013 be filled with love, prosperity, good health and joy! The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog. Here’s an excerpt: 4,329 films were submitted to the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. This blog had 51,000 views in 2012. If each view were a film, this … Continue reading
Wild Peonies Now at their peak in glorious full bloom Too precious to pick Too precious not to pick. —Ryokan Ah ha… the fork in the road. To quote Yogi Berra, “When you come to the fork in the road, take it!” And so dear readers, I have decided to post my blog randomly. To … Continue reading
After my last year’s flop at making a Rhubarb Gallette…once again I could not resist the staunch scarlet stalks at the Green City Farmers Market. There was a recipe in the Italy Issue of Bon Appétit for “Rhubarb and Raspberry Crostata” by Karen DeMasco. I was ready, a year had passed since my last foray … Continue reading
A Matisse week in May, kicked back, socializing, and Chef Craig Boroughf’s adaptation of a Chicago favorite! Ready and easy in minutes… What with Mother’s Day…et.all… Salty, sweet and snappy. Just like your mother! Matisse Chips *Recipe adaptation of West Town Tavern Potato Chips courtesy of Susan Goss, Executive Chef/Co-owner, West Town Tavern, Chicago, IL … Continue reading
In ancient China oyster mushrooms were sent as a gift to friends and family. The jewelry maker in me couldn’t resist adding the pearls… The graceful appearance of the bloom of the oyster mushroom hooked me at the Green City Farmer’s Market. I wondered if I could roast them to keep the whole mushroom together? … Continue reading
At the Green City Farmer’s Market last weekend they were selling Goose Eggs. Huge! The Winter Farmer’s Market is alongside the North Pond in Lincoln Park. Last year I remember seeing these big broken shells around the pond, a “goose control squad” was piercing the eggs to control the goose population. Maybe we should start … Continue reading
Olivia started it with a gift of a beautiful Spanish fan and a pair of fine leather Spanish gloves. A vial of Spanish saffron from Laura and Miguel with the promise of Miguel’s Paella recipe…. A red and black Spanish apron from Nancy and John with more polka-dots and ruffles than a Carmen Miranda movie! … Continue reading
Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon. Dalai Lama Drab February festooned in ‘Chinese Red” for the Chinese New Year and Valentine Hearts. How smart! Red is one of the luckiest colors in Chinese traditions, standing for loyalty, success and happiness. Red underwear embroidered with the Chinese Zodiac for the year is one of … Continue reading
Italian Handful 