Today Dishing: Quick Halloween Decorations

It's Halloween week and if you  haven't yet put up those decorations, it's not too late. You may need to edit your original plan, but that doesn't mean the decorations need to be less effective. End tables and coffee tables serve as perfect spots for small vignettes that provide subtle, tasteful decorations.

Mini pumpkins on a tray can be used right  through Thanksgiving. How easy is that?
                                              

Three bobble head cats share the end table space with two witches hats.

Some autumn garland and black crows transform a kitchen chandelier into a spooky crows nest.
                                                                                  
A couple bales of hay house Mr. Bones who is flanked by pumpkins and mums.

A self-serve candy bar entices any guests you have during this season. When kids see this their eyes light up.
                                                       
            

                                                   


 Fitz and Floyd developed an entire line of Witch pieces. This is the cookie jar with candy dish included.





Does it get any easier than positioning a large spider  in a hallway?
                                                                             


Department 56 is a popular name in  miniature Christmas towns.  Creepy Hollow from Midwest Cannon Falls is a spooky town inhabited by ghouls and goblins who hang out at such places as Norman's Bait Shop, Frankie's Dis-Em-Bowling Alley, Skully's Drive-in, Drearydale Manor and the Little Dead Schoolhouse. This display requires a commitment of time and money  but is sure to delight folks of all ages.










                                                                        
 

I read a Letter to the Editor in the Chicago Tribune today from a woman who couldn't understand why people spend so much money decorating for Halloween. I related this sentiment to my daughter who said that she is so grateful to those people who decorated because  that decorating  is what makes up one of her most vivid  childhood memories.  We push kids to grow up more quickly now and I for one am happy to add to any kids great Halloween memories.

Let the decorating begin!

Today Dishing: Sur La Table Chocolate Workshop

Chocolate is certainly front and center in October, but for me, chocolate is in vogue all year. As part of my birthday present, Marianne enrolled us in a Chocolate Workshop at Sur La Table in the 900 N. Michigan Ave. building.

The class began at 10am, Saturday and wrapped up by 12:30. During those 2 1/2 hours we made Chocolate covered Caramels with sea salt, Chocolate-Espresso Amaretto Truffles, Chocolate-orange Hazelnut Bark and No Fail Souffle'. That's quite a bit of chocolate production in such a short period of time.

My classmates making caramel.

Then the caramel is cut into squares.

                                                                                 
 An informative tutorial demonstrated the tedious exercise of tempering chocolate.

                      
 Marianne zests an orange for the chocolate bark , then tops the bark with sea salt.


 We ate the souffles in class but brought home our other creations.

The mise en place for the souffles.

Check out the slate of available classes at www.surlatable.com.

This was a productive Saturday morning filled with comaraderie, laughs and chocolate. Worth a look see.

Thanks, Marianne

Today Dishing: Chicago Day-cation, Final Stops

After a short stroll north on Michigan Avenue we arrive at The City Gallery (806 N. Michigan) in the  the  historic Water Tower. The Gallery showcases local photographers and artists and provides a jolt of culture smack dab in the center of the Mag Mile. Next time, instead of walking by the Water Tower, stop in for a quick peek.

The Water Tower picture courtesy of Google

                                            
The 4th Presbyterian Church (126 E. Chestnut) just tow blocks north of the Water Tower is our next stop. This Gothic Revival building is the oldest building on Michigan Avenue, with the exception of the Water Tower. Our visit is short but provides us a few minutes of peace surrounded by architectural  beauty.

4th Presbyterian Church picture courtesy of Google.

                                       
 Continuing north on Michigan Avenue we reach our next destination. Recently Marianne did a considerable amount of research on fine chocolates and was directed to sample Teuscher Chocolates. Located in the 900 Building, Teuscher is famous for it's signature confection, champagne truffles. If you love chocolate, Teuscher is a must.

Our last stop of the day takes us just another block north to 980 N. Michigan to Cafe Spiaggia.
Arriving early for our reservation, we avail ourselves of the ambiance of the bar in Spiaggia. If you haven't experienced Spiaggia you owe it to yourself to at least visit the bar and check out what is, perhaps, the most picturesque dining room in the city.

The Spiaggia dining room. Picture courtesy of Google.

                          
At our appointed reservation time, we are seated at a window table which allows us a spectacular view over-looking Michigan Avenue, where we eat a delicious dinner with great service.

As we leisurely walk south on Michigan to the parking garage, we re-cap our day and feel Ferris Beuller has nothing on us.

Take time to reacquaint yourself with our world class city. When searching for your next vacation destination, remember Dorothy's sentiment from The Wizard of Oz. What you are looking for has been here all along and you don't have to look any farther than your own backyard.

Today Dishing: Day-cation, Second Stop

Working our way down State Street after leaving Eataly, we stop in at Holy Name Cathedral. Marianne and I make a point of popping into churches wherever we travel. We enjoy the stained glass, the architecture and the quiet. Inevitably, Marianne provides a bit of history about each church.

Photo courtesy of Google.

                                
 If you live in or close to Chicago, you most probably have driven by the Cathedral, but have you ever gone in? You owe it to yourself to pay a short visit to this historical and architectural beauty.

Exiting the Cathedral on Superior, we are only two blocks from our next stop, Pierriot Gourmet which is located on ground level at the Peninsula Hotel.(108 E. Superior) We discovered this spot on a previous "Day" in the city and enjoyed a glass of wine and a sumptuous dessert al fresco. This french bistro offers  outdoor seating including lively people watching.

Photo courtesy of Google.

                                     
 This day was cooler and windier so we opted for indoor seating. Choosing a pastry from the enticing selection is no easy task.

Photo courtesy of Google.

 

 After much back and forth we settled on what they call an eclair. This deconstructed eclair consists of dark chocolate sponge cake topped with  chocolate chantilly cream, then topped with a hard chocolate Peninsula name plate and embellished with a chocolate macaron.  Paired with a glass a champagne this is the perfect mid-day respite.

Can you say beautiful and delicious?

                                             
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Pierrot Gourmet specializes in french bistro cuisine such as homemade soups and an assortment of quiche. Whether  you sit indoors or outdoors, stop for a meal or just dessert, Pierrot Gourmet provides a memorable city experience.

Next Stop: City Gallery and Fourth Presbyterian Church.

Today Dishing: Day-cation.

Think of your last vacation. Consider the money you spent to get to your destination on airfare or train  tickets or gas for the car. Then add up the amount spent on accommodations. All this money is spent before the vacation even begins.

My suggestion is to be a tourist in your own city.

When was the last time you spent a day exploring Chicago? Too often we trek into the city for one event then return home. Curiously, many of us are guilty of living in, what is in my opinion, the best city in the country and not taking advantage of all the city offers.

Ask your friends who live within a 35 mile radius of the city how many of the top 10 tourist attractions they have visited. Shouldn't we know the city like the millions of tourists who visit each year? Ferris Bueller had the right idea when he played hooky to explore the city for one day, including a Cubs game.

Plan one day,  even give it a theme if you like and go! Marianne and I planned a food inspired day to celebrate her birthday which included seven stops.

FIRST STOP: EATALY

Back in March I blogged about my first visit to this eating emporium but that field trip took the better part of the day. This visit was stop #1 of 7 for the day which of necessity made it shorter. A quick nosh of proscuitto, homemade mozzarella and ravioli accompanied by red wine and prosecco provided needed nourishment for our shopping spree.

This is what you have to get past on the first floor before even getting to the second floor. Photo courtesy Google.

                              
Each department in the retail section provides an education. Who thought even I could spend forty minutes reading and learning about olive oils?

Photo courtesy of Google.

                                  


When you go, not if you go, I highly recommend any of Lidia Bastianich's sauces. I have yet to try Mario Batali's sauces but regardless of the hefty price, Lidia's sauce will not disappoint. Hard to believe something so authentic comes from a jar.

Because this was the first stop in a long day, we were not able to purchase items requiring refrigeration, which provides a reason for my next visit.

We drop off our full shopping bags in the car and head to our next stop.

NEXT STOP: PIERROT GOURMET