Our Hour.

This past Saturday was Earth Hour and we decided our household was going to participate.  After whipping up an amazing meal, we played two rousing games of checkers and I learned chess...all by candelight.  It was a simply delightful way to spend an evening together and we had a lot of fun.  I smell a tradition coming on...

Ironic.

On Friday, my J.Crew gladiator sandals arrived and 

on Sunday, I woke up to this....

Luckily, I grew up in the Midwest and fully understand 

the meaning of "spring."

Have a Tasty Weekend.

The Lenten season is a very important time of year in my faith.  In keeping with tradition, I do not eat meat on Fridays through this period.  While it can, on occasion, be a pain when the only available lunch items in the cafeteria are split pea soup (just can't get over the color) or burnt veggie burgers, I really do enjoy this time of year.  

Rarely do I order fried food throughout the year but husband and I make it a point to head out for one fish fry per Lenten season.  Last year, we hit up a local Irish Club and were very disappointed.  They had fried fish sitting in warming pans...really?  Everyone knows that fresh out of the frier fish is B-E-S-T!  

We decided we were never going to take a chance again and are going with something solid. Tonight we are heading out to the Duke of Perth with friends to revisit their fish fry.  It's been a few years since we've gone to this restaurant during Lent but it was unforgettable. 

Have a tasty weekend and keep those taste buds happy!

A Half Decade Down.

Our niece, Madelyn, turns the ripe old age of five today.  While we cannot be with you in person, you are in our thoughts today...and every day.

Happy 5th Birthday Madelyn!

The Silver Lining.

An economic downturn of this magnitude is never something you hope to experience.  All in all, my family has remained just fine through it all with a bit less in our retirement accounts but we are fortunate.  

NPR Chicago recently featured a story about how the rise in unemployment is affecting volunteer levels around the country.  

I am a firm believer in community service and it is something that I hope to pass onward to my future children some day.  Often times, I find myself grappling with the idea of what could be for our neighborhoods if every single resident volunteered one day a year in their community.  In a city like Chicago, the difference is unimaginable. 

Perhaps being laid off will ignite the spirit of "brotherhood" among those who would not normally volunteer and they will keep it up once they are employed once more...and tell everyone to do the same!

Click here to read the NPR article.   And to Mr. WeisBrod, I say give these people the time and investment.

On Monday night my husband and I attended the Common Threads World Festival event.  It was such a tasty treat...literally.  Well known chefs from around the country gathered to showcase some of their favorite dishes along with wine pairings all for the benefit of Common Threads.  

The organization's mission, to teach children the about nutrition and physical well-being, is so critical for the health of future generations.  It was a wonderful event and both Andy and I were happy to support the cause.

Point Guard James Cleared to Play

All of Marquette woke up to happy news, this headline.  

Go Marquette!!

Left in the Light?

Next week, turn out the lights and celebrate Earth Hour.  This is only a small step toward increased awareness about a significant issue - global warming.  

I am impressed with the phenomenal media campaign this organization has launched, including social media and a fantastic website.  The concept was developed in 2007 and already has tremendous traction the world over.  I voted for Earth, told world leaders a word and hope you will too. 

Wro-bot Madness in Full Swing.

For the first time in NCAA history, the family is taking their love of sport to the brackets. With Mom, Dad and sister in Ohio, husband and I in Chicago and brother in Milwaukee, I thought a little friendly competition would be fun.

There are no winnings aside from bragging rights and in this family, that is plenty. Just ask last year's Easter Egg competition winner, who shall remain nameless here since it was not me.

Now, it pains me to report that I pushed Marquette out of my bracket after the first round. While my heart wants to believe otherwise, this time, I listened to my head. Being from Cleveland, the land of many a heartbreaks when it comes to sports, history tells me I made the right decision.

Accordingly to the Wro-bots, a humorous play on my last name (thanks to husband), here are the national champs:

??? - Sister

Duke - Mom
Oklahoma - Dad

North Carolina - Brother
Louisville - Me
Pittsburgh - Husband

My sister has yet to turn in her picks beyond the first round, I expect her to send tonight otherwise I might have to call foul.

Finally, I am thankful husband did not mind that I kept my name because it lends itself nicely to so many great things like a group bracket title. He's not pictured above because we was playing photographer and did a mighty fine job I might add.

Hump Day Humor.

This week is moving right along.  For some reason Will Ferrell's impresonation of Harry Caray popped into my head today.  Here's an SNL video of Space: The Infinite Frontier.  So would you eat yourself?  

Enjoy!

Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Since my future children will be part Irish, I can fully claim this holiday as my own now, can't I? It would probably be a valid argument if I actually had children. Finally, the Obamas have added a little Chicago green to the White House and I like it.

A Couple of Modern Day Vigilantes.

We were starting to come to terms with the loss of our car yesterday and decided to stroll our neighborhood, since it was sunny out, to lift our spirits.

In all honesty, it turned into covert operation, a search for our car. Andy continued to hit the automatic button on his second set of keys, hoping to hear the car beep from a garage in the multiple alleyways that we prowled .

Giving up hope, we stopped into the local CVS to grab some shaving cream for Andy. On the way in, he noticed a car that looked like ours about 1,000 feet away.

We wandered over and found it was OUR car. It was about a mile away from home, completely intact and everything was accounted for but battery power. We promptly called the police.

With a quick jump, we had our car BACK and played the lotto!

For the record, I know this doesn't make us vigilantes but I really like that word!

Have a Relaxing Weekend.

It's been a rough couple of weeks in our household with surgeries, a stolen car and the like.  We plan to focus on the fact that we all still have each other and plan to spend some time relaxing this weekend.

I plan to start by listening to Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me! on NPR which starts at 10a.m.  It's a great way to start a Saturday!

Legend Has It.

I am officially spooked after today. Our car was stolen and given the date, if nothing else it makes for an interesting story. But really, I'm still devastated and just trying to find some sort of explanation for the evil people in the world.

Here's the history behind the date.

Happy Birthday, Husband.

You are my main squeeze, the leader of my band, my "boots" and love.  Today, we celebrate the greatness of YOU!  Here's to another fantastic year of your life, Sto Lat!  xoxox, Me.