Post Holiday Chatter...

Coming off Christmas…

Breakfast… the morning after. Got to love an Italian Christmas.

Recovering from an OD of NYC. Best tired feeling ever.

Old Recipes…

My sister pulled out my mother’s old recipe box and inside was every little secret from my grandmothers kitchen. Best Christmas gift EVER…except grandma didn’t write out any of the instructions.

Recycled Christmas Gifts: Candy and Cookies…

Mine!

Hanging Out on The Fiscal Cliff…

Having some fun on the Ledge, the 103rd floor on the Sky deck at Willis Tower.

The Grill Pan…                                                  (Photo by Terry Knight)

Reaffirmed by brother, brother-in-law and friend TJ (all great chefs)that the grill pan and the Perfect Steak recipe was THE gift to get this Christmas.

How am I going to one-up this in 2013?

Enchanted Nieces and Nephews…

Made for a whimsical and magical Christmas.

New Years Resolution…

Jewels.

Actually I’m not into jewels but maybe I will be if I say it enough.

Growing Herbs In Winter…

Impossible? Think again.

Old Cameras…

Wondering what works-of-genius were made with these old cameras?

Isn’t half the fun wondering?

Chicago Winter…

Love the fact that I lived in my flip flops through November.

Beef Ribs…

I haven’t cooked beef ribs in an ages. So much for how good they were.

Not The End of the World Margarita…

We are all here to mark the end of the vast, 5,125-year cycle in the Mayan calendar.

Margaritas for everyone and here is to another 5,125-year cycle.

1 1/2 oz. Reposado
3/4 oz. Grand Marnier 100 Year
1 1/4 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
1 1/4 oz. Agave Nectar

Flowers …

Remembering summer flowers can get me through a winter. I memorized the smell.

Downtown Chicago on New Year’s Eve…

Hold that spot. This is the picture perfect view on the Chicago River to bring in the New Year.

Love Chicago!

Teaching A Dog New Tricks…

Everyone should wake up to this face on New Year’s Day.

Now if only I could figure out how to run him without ever getting out of bed.

Bon Appetit!