"Mad to live"....and it happened in New Jersey "sOn!"

Yes, Billy Joel might have sang about New York, but I have to say I fell a little bit in love with it's underated, underated, highly scrutinized neighbor. New Jersey is called "The Garden State," and yes, I've seen the movie, and thought the title was it's only justification. But, after my best friend picked me up from Newark, I looked past the smog and the crusty factories, just a bit ahead, towards the turnpike, I saw bountiful flowers bursting like "spiders across the sky like stars." They were in the forests... flowere bushes peeking from the thicket off the highway. The forests were truly magical. I couldn't get over how pleasantly surprised I was of New Jersey.

"Leave the gun, take the conoli." Yes, I was also red from excitement over seeing all "The Godfather," "The Sopranos," even the Asbury Park exit made me feel proud. Not that I'm a huge Bruce Springstein fan, but his message, his raw humanity, and working class persona, that touched ever middle-American's life... yes, I felt truly honored to be amonst his childhood upbringing.

We did hit up NYC though, don't get me wrong. It was interesting too. My girlfrined and I could NOT pick a restaurant for the life of us. So many options in NYC. I actually read recently the dilemma facing New Yorkers. A study was researched about the most unhappy Americans, and where they are from, etc. Would you believe it was NYC? Where Carrie Bradshaw once quoted in "Sex and the City"- "only if your really lucky do you deserve to live in New York." Hmmm what's going on, too much to do, so many choices. It's like that book I've been reading "The Omnivor's Dillema" all these diverse extenuated options. I'm just glad I booked my trip, we picked an amazing Chinese restaurant on Amterdamn, and saw a live band. Even if it's not the most detailed ridiculous plan, we had a ball. Travel, grow, and be yourself, and yourself will grow through each beautiful experience. Thanks New Jersey, for not being what I predicted. When you travel, whether it's Moscow, or Tibet, or Tahiti, never calculate too much, not where to go, what to wear, what route to take on the map, what to read, and at what coffee shop, what to say, and to whom, just be yourself, and be "mad to live"- "On the Road."

Caprese salads Can Capture and Catapult you to Capri!!!

Yes folks... it is true. If you want to be whisked away from a stuffy boring hazy summer day... I've got something for you!

Ok, this is not your ordinary bbq dish, and I know we're all "o-ding" from the same ol' backyard, blockparty greenbean casarol...

SO EASY recipe:

-fresh mozzarella di buffalo (try you local grocier, it's not too exotic)
-fresh basil
-plump heirloom tomatoes
-extra virgin olive oil
-garlic
-salt

I dice and rub the garlic over an oiled dish then I slice all the colors real pretty on the plate.
The Italian flag colors will surley open your palate and lift your spirits!
Don't forget a fresh crisp glass of Pinot Grigio :-)

Buon Appetito!

Why are there only two seasons in Chicago?

I am from Chicago. Yes, born and raised, and our weather, like our politicians, is quite "Windy." Every year, the same ol' griping- 6 ft. of snow, and we're shoviling our driveways... in March. Now it's June, and I've got a cold because it changed from 50- 88 degrees in 2 days. But I do love the spontinaity of our weather. It keeps us on our toes. Maybe us true Chicagoans feel more thick skinned because our weather keeps us from certain climate control "certainties."

I was reading a bit from "The New York Times" today, and there were a few eye-catching articles in the "Dining In" section. One segment was about a poetic short story author from Russia. Lara Vanyra's stories add humor and the nostaglisms of food, she divideds a space between cultures, and in the end gives us cute relatable stories.

The other article which captured a bit of my inner "wino" and weather observer, was one on a new wave of winerys "branching" out in India. I love India, always have been inspired and enthrolled by it's culture and beauty. My favorite friends when I was little were Indian. I was mesmorized by the small shrines they made room for in their modest Chicago-suburban bungalows. Anyways, Even until now, my best friend, and fellow world-jet-setter, Roshni, has a graceful, yet humbling way of incorporating her traditions into her overly-new-wave-modern-fly by your seat, corporate life-style.

What I mean is she can get down with her hip-hop groves, and fold them into an orgami-like budding Indian flower dance. It blows me away. That's how I want to live my life, gracefully tieing the two worlds together, a new up-beat techno, richly morphed into the "Tarantella." But, back to this story written on the new Winerys in India. It was fascinating to me to think of going to my local Binny's and buying a nice shiraz-cabernet blend... from India. That would be the most delighful compliment to any worldly dish. The idea that their seasons are oposite, could bring a new market, a new demographic of buyers and tasters. The region Nasik was mentioned as having a reputation as the Napa of India. I just found that to be beautiful. As so many of us can realte to that one fabulous movie, "Sideways" we can actually see and feel that California breeze. And, we've seen it before, whether it's in the rolling Tuscan Hills, or the darting slopes of the vineyards in the Bordeaux, it's all relative, and relatable, and possible.

But, that leaves us to believing, there is no other region like in Chicago. This city was plucked in the Mid-west and sought after for it's brave and lustrius "Lake." The connecting Chicago River that made all trades and movment possible to the mighty Mississippi, are just a few of the many amazing pioneering moments, in our nation's great history. Being from Chicago helps me see in all the little ways our nation came togther, how it can't be copied, and how it will perservere... forever. And us true Chicagoans will continue to complain about the weather, but we'll never really leave, and we'll wait for others to come. Whether it's for the Olympics, or a certain President's address...we know for sure the weather will be unpredictable.

Eating a bunch at brunch...

So my family and I have just lazily awoken to a big brunch and the "Labirynth", starring Davis Bowie. Could there be any better way to start you Sunday? Yeah, I think not. I have been staying at my cousin's gi-normous, fun-filled house in the city, and spending time with her fascinating 3 boys. They love the "Labirynth", and gizmos and gadgets, and stretching their imagination, and so do I. I totally miss the mystical movies of the 80's. When little puppets took on our imagination, and we didn't need computer animation to curve our entertainment. But it's all good, I just like the unpolished, rougher copy better.

So all of this kiddy-time has been a real treat. I've been baby-sitting, and helping my cousin out at her store- Psychobaby. And, I've taken some time to really organize my thoughts, and next steps... and focus completley on travelling. Travelling for the 20 somethings, with out kids to tie them down, is quite a luxury. However I am quick to say I'll strap on a marsupiol, and preach with enthusiasm- "Meet me at the top of the mountain, let's go baby!" We'll see, I love the harmonius chaos that goes with having a big family.

I just thought I'd share a bit of these "fluffy" thoughts... it is Sunday after all, we're allowed to be uncensored and in the moment. After all the most important time is "the now!" Capture what you have around you, if it "doesn't fit"- as my Ma would say, go find something that does!

I hope even for those of you who are bouncing around, or far from the one's you love, you have sweet memories, a mystical movie, or an enchanting place to comfort you. Traveling is what it's all about, home is where your bed is, but it's your thoughts and dreams that can transport you to those favorite times together. Happy Sunday, have an awesome day, do it with passion!