Work Trip

First Level - second door from the left

I worked a conference last week in Sarasota - Lido Key. The hotel's views were spectacular. You open the door and the gulf was right in front of you.

Bobby came with me and visited with folks he knew that moved down here from Illinois. Go figure - it's a small world.

I have more pictures still to post. It was a great getaway for February. Even if I worked - one of the perks of my job.

While we were away, the temps in Chicago were in the high teens and Sarasota had 70's.

Stay tuned

Growing Spinach Indoor

Baby Spinach

I love baby spinach. I love the way the leaves look. I love the fresh taste. And the health factor. It's so good for you and it grows to eating size pretty quick.

Take some potting soil and some spinach seeds. Any container you have is fine as long as it drains. Place dirt in container - sprinkle the spinach seeds - cover the seeds lightly with soil - water - place in a sunny spot.You can cover the container with plastic wrap or a clear cover to keep moist.

In about 7-10 days, you'll see little sprouts. Then the little round leaves will appear a week after. You can start picking the leaves off after that.

Nutrients in the winter - Perfect!

Attend a Good Food Festival

A few years ago, I spend a Day at UIC in Chicago and attended this festival.  I learned how to butcher a pig, cheese making, composting - urban style and raising chickens. It was one of the best festivals around.

Click the link below and sign up - it's a three day event but I just went a the Saturday which was just perfect.

http://www.goodfoodfestivals.com/

CRAFT Sign Up

Horse "Babe" with Kids At Angelic's Farm

Angelic Organics Learning Center has a program for Farmers and Farmer what-a-bees like me!
Click this link and sign up. The classes are FABULOUS, fun and educational.

I mention them in some of my past posts but the learning center just emailed me a yearly reminder renewal and I thought it would be worth mentioning again.

Stay warm and for all you east coasters - WOW - that's a lot of snow!

Winter Post

Winter is here! That's all I have to say about that.

Thoughts for 2016

The New year is in full swing. It started up slow and relaxing but by the time the 8th rolled around, the world is back to crazy rush hour.

In a past post I mentioned my new commute to work. I didn't mean to whine about a drive to work but it really took me some time to make peace with the location change. I'm such a create of habit and since this is a Blog where postings sometime lean to whining - (I'll keep it down in the future)

I don't remember being this way as a child. Younger, change was what I looked for. I didn't want the routine - I wanted adventure! Now - I swear, if I don't brush my teeth before I take a shower, my entire morning will be messed up.

Well... it took me a while to find a route that was comfortable and familiar. I'm not a fan of the expressways so main and side streets are the route.

My Route takes me through some suburb side streets, a main highway then a cruise through a mega mansions street and a few open fields along the way for a view.  (I must have some sort of nature that doesn't include cars or people - I know - I'm nature crazed or deprived - not sure)

One morning, I saw a Coyote in an open field. It was a clear, crisp sunny morning and he was just cruising through this field.  Oblivious to the cars driving past by the million. I almost swerved off the road as I caught him out of the corner of my eye. He was magnificent. (Not sure about the HE part but I'm guessing)

Beautiful Animal

 THEN, a few days later, on my commute home, I saw another one, carrying a white furry object in his mouth, cutting through neighbors yards at a fast pace. I hope it was a rabbit and not some ones dog in his mouth.

So - because I was able to see nature on my commute, and I find coyote's fascinating, I am in a much better place.

Have a great weekend!

Happy New Year

Summer on the balcony 2015

It's a brand new year. Wow! The time goes by so extremely fast.

With the new year always comes hope and planning. Without Planning there is no Hope. He he - I just thought that up and how true!

I was raised German and I will share one tradition with you. On the First day of the new year, you should eat Sauerkraut to insure you have enough money to get you through the year.  Yesterday I had a big pot bubbling on the stove and oh my did I forget how good it tasted. I ate way way too much of it but once a year - it's worth it.

Enjoy your day and stop by again.