Today Dishing: Doing Nothing

Today marks the official beginning of summer. I love summer.

Do you remember summer days when you were a kid? The days were long and hot and presented endless opportunities. If you had a bike, a friend or two and some loose change, you had the makings of a great day.

Compared to today those days seemed longer. Now time and days fly by. A friend explained his theory that indeed the days are obviously the same in terms of hours but when you are say, 11 years old, one day is only one in 4,015 days you’d been alive. Each day seemed longer because is was a larger percentage of your entire life. Now a day for me, is roughly one in 22,620, making each day seem less when compared to the whole. Thus the more days you live the faster time passes.  Not a scientific study, but the theory makes sense to me.

A feature in today’s CHICAGO TRIBUNE advocates for taking time to “do nothing”. The article brought me back to my childhood when lying on the ground deciphering who or what different cloud formations looked like took an entire afternoon. I never thought of it as “doing nothing”. Remember we didn’t have computers or video games. We only had our imaginations.

Which is the point of the article. “Doing nothing” allows for discovery and appreciation of what is in front or around us. It’s another take on stopping to small the roses.

These days “doing nothing” sounds so derelict, so lazy, so unimportant.

Yesterday I began compiling my summer reading list. Reading definitely qualifies as something. In addition to the reading list “doing nothing” is my new summer goal.

If all works out, the summer reading list will be completed but the “doing nothing” may linger into the Fall.

I’ll let you know how it goes.

Today Dishing: Recipes from Friends, Chocolate Turtle Cheesecake

Last weekend we were lucky enough to be invited to our friends Bill and Marianne’s new townhouse for a dinner party. During  dinner my sister commented on how she loves receiving a dinner invitation from these two  because Marianne is such a stellar cook. I concur wholeheartedly.

After enjoying a dinner of perfectly grilled filet, loaded double baked potatoes  and a souffle-like broccoli side, we were treated to a special cheesecake.

Let me preface this recipe by saying that I am not a cheesecake person but this one might just convert me.

Marianne claims she made the mistake of not melting the 1/2 cup of semi- sweet chocolate chips as the recipe directs. We loved the chips not melted thus renaming it Chocolate Chip Turtle Cheesecake.


CHOCOLATE TURTLE CHEESECAKE
2 c. vanilla wafer crumbs
1 (14oz.) bag  caramels
1 c. chopped pecans, toasted
2 8-oz pkgs. cream cheese, softened
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate pieces, melted If  you prefer chips do not melt the chocolate
6 Tlb. margarine, melted
1 (5oz.) can evaporated milk
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine vanilla wafer crumbs and margarine. Press onto the bottom and sides of a 9-inch  springform pan. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. In a 11/2 quart heavy saucepan, melt caramels with milk over low heat, stirring frequently until smooth. Pour over the crust. Top with pecans. Combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla mixing at medium speed with an electric mixer until well blended.  Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in chocolate (melted or chips), pour over pecans. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes. Loosen cake from the rim of the pan. Cool before removing the side of the pan. Chill. Melt additional 1/4 cup chocolate chips with 3 tablespoons of heavy cream. Frost cake. Garnish with whipped cream, additional chopped nuts and maraschino cherries, if desired.

                                                      Thanks Marianne!

Today Dishing: Waldorf “Stay-cation"

My bride-to-be daughter tends to be a bit of a cream puff, By that I mean, she indulges herself in personal luxuries such as facials, massages, manicures, pedicures and any other beauty treatments she gets wind of. Aside from the beauty advantages she claims these services help retain her “zen”aura. Okay then.

Because her fiancee was off to the Kentucky Derby for his bachelor party, my matron-of-honor daughter, used the opportunity to book a stay-cation for the three of us at The Waldorf Astoria (formerly The Elysian) downtown.

Located at Walton and Rush the Elysian opened in 2009 and Conde Nast rated it the top hotel in the United States. The Elysian was acquired by Hilton and now heralds the Waldorf Astoria title.

Keep in mind, I have not stayed at the #2 or #3 rated hotels but I do know luxury when I experience it and every inch of the hotel breathes quality, service and style in a quiet, subtle manner. With six weeks remaining until the wedding, the purpose of our stay was relaxation, therefore quiet and subtle suited us.

Once you make the turn into the courtyard off Walton, you are transported to a French Chalet. It amazes what a difference a left turn makes.

Checking into our “luxury suite” we found accommodations in excess of our expectations.

The in mirror TV was a hit with the"Cream Puff”. This was her view from the over-sized bathtub.

Other than at a bed and breakfast, this living room fireplace was a first for me.

                                                            

After an afternoon at the spa ,we returned to our suite to enjoy champagne or a white pinot noir and a charcuterie plate from room service while lounging in our spa robes. Decadent... I know!
                                                                 


Too relaxed and not very hungry we opted for the two block walk to Carmine’s for a light dinner.

Exhausted from the pampering, we returned to the hotel and called it a day.

We woke the next morning to our pre-ordered delivery of both regular and french press coffee. Then
once again, off to the spa.
                                                           

For breakfast we visited the hotel restaurant Balsan where both daughters ordered the smoked salmon plate.
         

With so many fine hotels in the city, selecting a four or five star one is not difficult. But the next time you want to treat yourself and get away without going far, do yourself a favor and check out the, Waldorf. I assure you, you’ll want to check in.
We’re glad we did.

Today Dishing: More Color

Still not sure about your favorite color?  Look in your closet. If the colors we use to decorate our homes tell us something about ourselves then does it not stand to reason that the colors of our clothes should also reveal some personality traits? Well, I hope not.  Upon inspection, my closet reveals a sea of blacks, grays, navy blues and browns hanging  amidst a rather large  number of white blouses and tops. And how many pairs of black pants does anyone really need?

I like wearing color; therefore,after facing the reality of my black and white closet, I decided to concentrate on adding color to my wardrobe. Easier said than done.

If you’re twenty-something color is more readily available. Just check out a BCBG store or go on line to view a vast array of vibrant colors. But for, how shall I say, the more mature shopper, strong color palettes are scarce.

I believe we all know which colors look best on us. But is it possible we all look best in BLACK?  I think not.  Or is it that the vast majority of clothes for our demographic are black or dark?

Maybe it’s time we each establish a signature color. Find  the color that enhances the color of our eyes, makes our skin look radiant and brightens our mood as well as the mood of all we encounter.

The color of our clothes reflect our personalities as much as the colors of our home furnishings do. The predominant color in our closets should be the color we feel most comfortable wearing.

I’d say our work is cut out for us.  And no, I am  not including a picture of my closet.

Today Dishing: Color: What is it Good For?

 

Red takes the lead in this jungle inspired family room.

When asked, “What’s your favorite color?” how do you respond? For years I responded,"red” but for some time now I say”pink”. When looking at my living spaces, I see the colors my eye finds pleasing. And yes, red and pink come  into play.



I love color around me.  Granted some folks find my colors overwhelming but I am comforted by them. After entering my redecorated living room my sister said she felt like she was at the circus. Not exactly the look I was going for but at least it evoked a response. My use of color is too extreme for many, I know that.  The key is to find your comfort level with color and use it accordingly.

Red teams up with yellow in this mostly  yellow kitchen.

We’re in the pink in this dining room.

When it comes to decorating. I believe it’s important to remember that it is your house. You live in it. And your response to it and what’s in it, is the only one that matters. I do try to follow some basic decorating rules so as not to end up with a hodge-podge. But I choose to break some rules too.









If you wonder which colors are pleasing to you, look around. Even if you fear or don’t like color on your walls; furniture, window treatments, carpets, and area rugs  reveal your answer.

Colorful? yes.  But I love it.

Upon taking inventory of my home I find there is no blue, with the exception of my daughter’s room which she decorated. I don’t dislike blue but obviously it is not a color I am drawn to.

Pink takes a back seat to yellow in the living room.

Minimalists like shades of white, grays and subtle tones but even they use a throw pillow to add pops of color. Again remember, “To thine own self be true”. Your decorating should reflect you.





Okay now. What is your favorite color?

Coming soon: Colors in your closet.

Today Dishing: Wedding Shower

We  are well into shower season for spring and summer weddings. Last weekend marked the beginning of our season of celebrations for my daughter's June wedding.

Last Saturday my daughter's aunts hosted a bridal shower in her honor at Ottimo restaurant in Orland Park.

This invitation is actually a picture of my daughter at age 5 wearing her sister's communion veil.

Ottimo's dining room was transformed into a lush spring garden room.

Table runners made by my sisters established the base for the tablescapes. Over-sized hot pink and lime green placemats added a pop of color on top of the black and white patterned runners.

Because my daughter has a fetish for  coffee mugs, it seemed fitting to give initialed mugs as the guest favors. And what better than filling the mugs with flower arrangements to create the floral centerpieces.

These sugar cookies, made by my sister, display an edible picture of the soon -to-be bride and groom taken on their engagement day. The "picture cookies" top off each individual place setting.

Additional pictures of the couple were enlarged and adorned the sweets table which consisted of: Olive Oil Cake with basil sauce, Plain Cheesecake, Heathbar Cheesecake, Tart au Chocolat, an assortment of mini pastries, vanilla, almond and anise biscotti's, mixed berries, chocolate covered strawberries, homemade chocolate chip cookies and assorted bakery butter cookies.

The menu, served as separate courses,consisting of Ottimo Pizza, Meatballs, Caesar Salad, Rigatoni Pomodoro and Chicken Valdastono delighted the guests.

This shower was given with love which was evident in every detail from the hand sewn table runners to the homemade desserts to the aunts and cousin gathered together to make the floral arrangements. The guests too showered this bride not only with generous gifts but with the generosity of their time and love.

Me thinks a blessed and lucky girl, my daughter, is she.

Today Dishing: Weddings

 Because my daughter's wedding is two months away, I find myself with an abundance of topics to share on this blog. But because my daughter's wedding is two months away I am not "allowed" to share any of it with you at this time except to say that I do have a dress. That, however does not prevent me from continuing in my search for a better dress.

My oldest daughter's wedding is almost three years past and with her permission I am able to share some elements of her  special day.

When planning a wedding a vision is of utmost importance. Staying true to that vision is difficult because many web sites  such as etsy and pintrest offer a plethora of ideas that can easily blur that vision. My advise to anyone planning a wedding, or any party for that matter, is constantly edit yourself.

Brides fine great ideas and want to use as many as their budgets allow. Even if a budget is of no concern, in weddings, as in life, more is not always more.

My daughter's vision was an all white wedding with a nod to the couples interest and love of wine.

From the following pictures hopefully this vision will be clear.

The bride wore Badgley Mischka.

An espelette often called a vignette table displays a myriad of white flowers.

The reception cards are  displayed on wine corks. The table numbers were displayed on wine bottles.

                                                           

The "Best Lady" and bridesmaids wore BCBG.

Various white flowers  at the base of large palm leaves, silver chargers and fruitwood chiavari chairs enhance the look.

At the head table white hydrangea and white stargazers are added to the palm leaves. White hydrangea line the length of the table.The table sat 22 so as to accommodate the attendants and their guests. A white flower lays atop the menu card. And a good time was had by all!