Chicago Sports

Yesterday in our “Spirit Week” was sport jersey day . . .  It makes me think about our  home teams! If you live in my area the team that we are all loving right now is our Chicago Blackhawks!  Here in Chicago and the neighboring suburbs people are huge sport fans . . . but as many of you may know . . . we have had droughts in celebrating with our teams in the “championship” department.  Oh don’t get me wrong, we did have a great run a number of years ago with our Chicago Bulls aka the Michael Jordan years, The Chicago White Sox gave us a thrill when they won the World Series after many many years, the Hawks of course won the Stanley Cup just a few years ago and our Chicago Wolves have not had a losing season. . . unfortunately for Chicago Cub fans . . . well let’s just say  . . . they are still waiting until next year . . . but whatever your team, here in Chicago we love them whether they are winning or losing! 

Spirit Week Begins . . .

Yesterday was the first day of “Spirit Week” at school.  It was crazy socks day . . .  I wore my “ballet socks” . . . saw some creative ways students and teachers embraced the 
day. . . polka dots, stripes, tall and short socks, colorful socks, socks with designs socks of many different kinds!  It’s the week moving towards spring break so hopefully the "spirit" will create a bit of fun . . . so we can relax a bit and really enjoy next week . . . I’ll keep you posted . . .

Veggies . . . Boring to Delicious!

My brother-in-law and nephew are “foodies” a term used for people who appreciate great cuisine and seek out restaurants for the experience, not just for the meal.     They love to go to restaurants  featuring top chefs and the crem de la crem of course is when they actually meet the chefs.  They love to take ordinary and turn it into extraordinary!  So whenever I need a go to person to change boring to delicious my brother-in-law is the guy!  Last week he took ordinary veggies . . . all organic of course and turned them into something scrumptious!  And the best part   . . . always keeping in mind I don’t want added calories and fat!  I would love to share this recipe with you all, I don’t think you will be disappointed.

Raw fresh veggies

Start out with fresh veggies the more varied the better!  Chop them up in chunks...not too small now.  Take an oil spray bottle (if you don’t have one you should run out today and buy one) and spray the veggies lightly. Then just open up the spice cabinet and load them up with a variety of herbs.


Place the veggies in a roasting pan and bake them at about 425 degrees for about 40-45 minutes.  Next take the veggies out for part 2. Take balsamic vinegar . . . I happen to love it so I have a few flavored ones (one of my favorites, garlic cilantro) but any kind will work.  Pour the balsamic all over the veggies until well coated, cover and pop back in the oven dropping the temperature to about 375 degrees for  about 20 minutes or longer depending on your preference.  That’s it!  Delicious veggies that are not only great today but make great leftovers too!  Let me know if you try it!

Just before putting them in the oven!

Dinner is served . . .yumm!

              

Signs . . .

  Laying in bed this morning  just before dawn, I began thinking about what my slice would be today. . . I usually have ideas before I sit down to write.  But this morning, laying there I had nothing!  I wanted to write about seeing signs of warmer weather . . . seeing signs of spring . . .after all, it is the middle of March.  But after yesterday’s weather . . . gloomy skies, cold rain mixed with tiny ice balls at times and temperatures hovering in the 30’s . . . how in the world would I be able to write about spring?  I pictured in my head what the first signs of spring are . . . grass beginning to turn from brown to green, early spring flowers popping through the soil brightening up the landscape with some much needed color, trees with buds just waiting to pop . . . becoming the perfect backdrop against a bright blue sky . . .birds . . . lots of birds singing their wake up call . . . birds with their bright red and orange bellies adding more . . . much needed color to the gloomy landscape we’ve seen for months . . . and of course the sun . . . the cherry on top of the sundae.  I smiled, laying there in the darkness of my room thinking about all the signs . . . wondering  . . . when will I be able to see . . . really see the signs of spring . . . will it be this morning?

Reflection on Saturday Errands

Another busy Saturday filled with endless errands to run
Tax Man,
Shower gifts
Hair cut
Grocery Shopping
    Not sure I can say I’m done!
Funny how the Saturday list begins the week before
Each day I’m adding something new . . .  that becomes a weekend chore!
I’m really not complaining . . . Cause I know for others it’s far worse
baseball games
dance lessons
endless laundry
 running noses
    And let’s not forget the trip to see a doctor or nurse
I am really thankful . . . that in a week there is this day
And again I am thankful . . . that there’s still a day to play!