Signs along the way.

Sometimes you feel trapped -

trapped in a mood
in a place
in questions
by the weather
trapped in the now

Yesterday I felt like that and forced myself out with rain boots & an umbrella. It's amazing what a little fresh air and exposure to greenery can do for one's spirits.

(A bright rainbow umbrella certainly helps :)



This one is titled, Catching Tree Tears:


What do you do to "get free"?

I've been a little distracted lately organizing my Flickr photostream. Flickr is such a microcosm of talent and beauty - it's easy to be swept away.

This past weekend I attended a Summer's Eve Dinner to benefit Slow Food Chicago. The menu was ode to the heirloom (so much meaning in this word) tomato covering such tasty creations as mini BLTs, light-as-air tomato foccacia and a basil & garlic tagliatelle worth stuffing oneself for. There were a couple of local farmers present to discuss their growing practices. I was especially interested in a remark about understanding the intelligence of a seed.

If you haven't experienced the pleasure of a Slow Food event, look up your local chapter.

Get lost in Living Etc's Inspiration Gallery.

Love this card my brother sent me by
Nikki McClure, titled Survive.

"Poetry is just the evidence of life.
If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash."

- Leonard Cohen


Photo from a New York Times tour of John Patrick Shanley's delightfully whimsical home (via Jenny).

For N's milestone birthday, I planned a "manly-man" get-away to Milwaukee. The new Harley-Davidson Museum was the guiding force behind the destination choice and it did not disappoint.

I've not always been fond of N's motorcycle dreams, but have come to realize since visiting the museum that it's a pretty cool thing. Harley has a rich and surprisingly faceted history. I particularly enjoyed the stories of women pursuing the sport and adventurously enjoying the freedom of the open road - most notably, Vivian Bales:

Within walking distance of the museum is the Iron Horse Hotel, a rustic-Americana inspired boutique-hotel catering to bikers - special hooks for helmets, a spa menu dedicated to relieving the pressure of long road trips and a motorcycle wash station. The Iron Horse comes alive at night with the fabulous menu at the Smythe restaurant and the chic outdoor environment of "The Yard".

The cocktail menu, inspired by the "vintage craftsmanship of drinks", includes in-house-infused whiskey, bourbon, scotch and a delicious Door-County cherry-infused brandy.

With his cocktails, N enjoyed a cigar he selected earlier in the day from Uhle's Tobacco Company, founded in 1939.

The Iron Horse Hotel balances the "gentleman's ambiance" with a little something special for sweet-toothed ladies - a candy bar in the concierge room!

A special breakfast in the Library topped off a very memorable Midwest mini-vacation.

PS: To accompany N's smore dessert, the chef slightly charred a rosemary sprig with a brulee torch, which produced the most lovely smokey-campfire aroma. Try it at home!

Celebrated the hubby's birthday with a small Beer & Brat gathering. If you are looking to try some excellent brews, check out the following:

* Three Philosophers - a cherry lambic infused dark ale
* Vuuve - ale brewed with spices
* Rosée d'hibiscus from Montreal-based Dieu du Ciel micro-brewery
* Maudite - a strong red ale
* and our personal favorite - Tripel Reserve from the Portland, Maine-(oh, how I long to vacation there)-based Allagash Brewery.

PS: Green apple licorice is a tasty summer treat.