Summer is in full swing this week.  School is finally out.  I drove up to South Haven to spend time with my favorite kids, Jonah and Eliza, and their parents Karen and Gordon, who were on vacation at the cottage. Sherman’s is a South Haven institution.  I’d recommend a baby cup or cone, which is the … More South Haven, Revisited

Sarah and Lars invited us over for one last cousins’ event before I leave for Thailand in July and Adam and Madi move to South Carolina in August.  They live in a beautiful apartment overlooking Lake Shore Drive with a panoramic view of the lake and downtown.  I forgot to bring my camera, but luckily Lars came to … More Cousins’ BBQ

Somehow, this is my dad’s first appearance on my blog.  Well, he really has nowhere to hide today, as it is Father’s Day after all.  Here’s Dad doing one of the things he loves best. On special occasions, it is traditional to give our parents handmade cards.  The objective is to induce a reaction of uncontrollable … More Father’s Day

I didn’t want to take my camera on the water, so as a result, all the photos you see here are borrowed from Natalia and Margareth.  We gathered at the boat launch to canoe up the Chicago River for a going away party of sorts.  I’m moving to Thailand in July!  If you didn’t know, … More Chicago River and Montrose Beach

My sister Lisa and I flew out to New York to visit Grandma for the weekend.  When we were little, the stone path in the backyard would be teeming with slugs after dark.  For some reason, there are no longer any nighttime slug visitors, much to my chagrin. Everyone adores the Japanese maple, the belle of … More Mamaroneck, New York

Opening weekend at the cottage in the Mt. Pleasant Subdivision on the outskirts of South Haven, Michigan.  We piled into the open air elevator and relaxed for a couple of hours down at the beach before the storm. Natalia’s cousin Paula was visiting from Gainesville, Florida.  All of the Colombians were excited to watch the Colombia … More South Haven, Michigan

We lucked out with gorgeous weather for our bike trip up the lakefront path to Devon Avenue, also known as Little India, on the far north side in West Rogers Park.  The owners at Resham’s Divine Ambiance are very warm and welcoming.  After taking our picture, the husband joked that we owed him four dollars for four shots, … More Little India

Before I leave for Thailand in July, I’m going to do a series documenting some of my favorite places in Chicago.  This first one is in the Pilsen neighborhood, where I have lived four out of my eight years here.  I will do another post of the Pilsen murals, but for now I will focus on Honky Tonk … More Honky Tonk BBQ

This Mother’s Day, as on countless other family occasions, we got nostalgic about Tom Lehrer’s 1965 album of political satire songs, That Was The Year That Was.  Who could forget these classic mother-related rhymes, “So long, Mom, I’m off to drop the bomb, so don’t wait up for me,” and “Remember, Mommy, I’m off to get a commie, so … More Mother’s Day

Happy Passover!  A big mazel tov and thank you to Mary and Joe for their hard work in hosting this magnificent seder.  This table is set for 34! Bohbie cuts up the karpas and Mom sets out her four dozen hardboiled eggs, trying to stave off the dreaded Pre-Pesach Panic (PPP).  And you thought the … More Passover