This week to me to a place I’ve been dying to try: 5411 Empanadas. 5411 is named after the international dialing code for Buenos Aires, Argentina. The shop started as a food truck and became so popular that they’ve expanded to five brick and mortar locations in Chicago.
Planting annuals or purchasing expensive hanging baskets are a good way to add color to your homes’ landscape. They do take a bit of care (especially the baskets) as they need daily watering during hot spells. How about flowering perennials to add some color while being relatively carefree? Following are some easy perennials to grow in almost any climate.
Are you ready to keep up with summer’s pace this post-Fourth of July weekend? Well, ready or not, here’s your Chicago weekend line-up!
Bucktown and Wicker Park: Are you an expecting mother? Then this event is for you! Happy Baby: Prenatal Workshop will be on Saturday, July 21 from 10 am to 12 pm. In this two hour workshop, guests can enjoy light bites and beverages, get an awesome swag bag, and take advantage of services provided by top natural prenatal care providers.
This week took me to a Southport brunch favorite: Southport Grocery. First of all, this place is completely adorable. The patio is charming, with a generous number of tables. The inside of the restaurant is half grocery, half restaurant. There are shelves stocked with preserves, wines, pasta sauces, bitters, soup mixes, spices, chocolate sauce, spreads, drink mixes, beans, hot sauces, and much more.
The entire Midwest has just gone through its second extreme heat event. Although no one really feels like eating when it’s so hot, we definitely want some cool recipes. I use an indoor grill pan when it’s too hot to grill outside.
As we anxiously await the arrival of summer’s biggest holiday here in Chicago, this pre-Fourth of July weekend will be somewhat low key as a heat wave overtakes us!
Lincoln Park: Join the Chicago History Museum for their 59th Annual Fourth of July Celebration! There will be time-honored traditions, family-friendly activities, and a keynote oration by Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne M. Burke. There will also be patriotic musical performances, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, and a children’s costume parade led by the World’s Tallest Uncle Sam!
This week took me to a good, old fashioned Midwestern restaurant: Farm Bar. Farm Bar bills itself as a “Midwestern Craft Bar” specializing in local, good food and drink. On their website, they say, “Our goal- and Chef Eric Mansavage’s goal- at Farm bar- is to be “Honest to the Heartland” with craft beer and fare from the best purveyors in the Midwest”.
Make your own carpet cleaning solution. Mix two ounces of hydrogen peroxide with one ounce of Dawn. Spray on carpet stains, then rub in with a microfiber towel. Follow with clean water and blot until all soap is removed.
