Pure Joyful Laughter

This is my latest favorite photo!

It captures a moment of pure free laughter.

Both the laugher and laughee had to have to left this moment feeling elated.

I wasn't either, and I left the moment feeling pretty darn good.

Bob Newhart

Hello Bob!

Now, about that mood I've been in lately . . .

See You Soon - ISH!

We will meet again soon.

After the foot of snow . . .

After the 10 below zero temperatures . . .

After the darkness.

Youthful Chic vs. Middle-Aged Chic

Oh, I remember it well.

I can still pull it off, but only if there is little walking involved.

So now, my chic-ness returns to the chic-ness of my youth.

I am a woman, not a girl,

I am a woman, not a girl,

I am a woman, not a girl . . . .

OK, I know the shoes don't make the woman,

but I sure do miss those carefree-foot days.

By the way, those beautiful shoes belong to my

niece Hannah; the blue gym shoes, to me.

Bettina's Visit

Sometime in September, a beauty from Germany landed in

the good ol' USA via O'Hare Airport.

Was she here to see Chicago . . .

or to see me? I like to believe both since we both are stunningly fabulous!

Two days after she arrived, jet lag and all, she jogged for seven miles (aka 11km). If you look close enough you'll see her on the sidewalk jogging past a McDonald's with the American flag - she is definitely in the US!

As I went off to work, Bettina toured Chicago.

But for one day, we left the urban area for the

Indiana Dunes - good idea Bettina.

Let's move back a little so you can see that we really were at the Dunes and not in the Sahara.

It was the hottest day of her visit and we hiked up and down those dunes.

I was sweating like a pig (although I have no idea how a pig sweats).

Bettina was sweating like a tsetse fly (again, I have no idea how a tsetse fly

sweats but it has to be less than a pig).

We ended the visit to the Dunes with a dip in the lake and a picnic under the umbrella.

Another outing together was to Frank Lloyd Wright's Oak Park neighborhood.

Again, good idea Bettina.

These photos are taken before the torrential rain hit.

We also spent an evening with Kris along the lakefront (that big black mass in the background is Lake Michigan) for a glass of wine, chips and dip, and fun conversation.

Most days after work for me and days touring Chicago for Bettina ended with a visit with my ever engaging parents.

Her last day started with a leisurely breakfast.

And then a walk on Northwestern University's lakefront where student graffiti riddles the rocks.

The conclusion before packing her bags to leave for O'Hare, over the Atlantic, and back to Germany were spent lounging on a bench in a park on Evanston's lakefront.

It was a good day.

It was a good visit.

I'm lucky to count Bettina as a friend.

I'm unlucky that she lives so far away.

Oh yea, one more thing, I'm lucky her English is so good.

Bis später my friend.

McClure's Pickles - WOW!

I should probably be more specific, McClure's Spicy Spears Pickles - WOW!

For quite a while I've been curious about McClure's pickles. Aside from their enticing appearance and packaging, they are pricier than the more familiar brands. Does pricier equate to tastier? I was about to find out. They were on sale so I broke down and bought a jar. I didn't see "spears spicy" on the label, even though it's in a pretty large font with an obvious red chili pepper between the two words.

I bit into one (remember, not knowing they were spicy) and WOW!!!!!

So I say McClure's Pickles - WOW!!!

This is a good wow.

These pickles are quite the treat.

I wonder what the not spicy spears taste like?

On a parting note, the ingredients list for these pickles is deliciously short: cucumbers, vinegar, water, salt, peppers, garlic dill. Notice that none of the ingredients end in "ates" or "ites".

Julia's Most Excellent Carrots

A bunch of carrots were going limp in my fridge yesterday, so off I embarked on a search for a carrot recipe. For the ease and simplicity of it, I choose Julia Child's recipe for Glazed Carrots minus the sugar (it was sooo not necessary).

Julia suggests peeling the carrots before cutting them into chunks of equal size. I just brush them clean, no peeling.

Put the carrots in a pot with enough water to go half way up the carrots. Add some salt and one to two tablespoons of butter. Cover and boil until the water evaporates then let the carrots saute in their own juices for a while (I just kept my eyes on them). Serve up and enjoy.

I ate half the carrots right away. With much restraint I saved the rest for later. A quick reheat in the microwave (an appliance I try to avoid) and they were as tastey as the first time. So easy and so delicious. My favorite type of recipe.

By the way, notice the new tablecloth. I bought it in Strasbourg, France (formerly in Germany, then in France, then Germany, then France . . . . aye, yaye, yaye!)