Sunday, 3/15/09 - COVER Chicago SunTimes - I'm not even Irish

Everyone is wearing green and drinking at noon on this fair day in Chicago. It's a great surprise to me to find me and my girls on the front page of the Sunday, Chicago SunTimes. I knew we'd be in it as we were interviewed but to be on the cover - WOW. A huge holla to my neighbor, friend and overall super-person, Stephanie Zimmerman. She's a rock. She met Roger Dahltry twice and didn't sleep with him. haha. Chris Sweda the photo journalist hung out with us for an afternoon; ran errands, helped wrangle kids and never raised his voice once! At a boy, Chris. It was a pleasure to have you. Indi and Aislin were angels. They played independently, and were their usual charming selves. Indi turned into a bit of a green monster when Aislin was awake and in the picture. She demonstrated this by continually placing her hand in front of Aislin's face whenever the photographer took a photo. Stinker. Maybe that's why there are no photos with the face of Ais! It's OK, she's only two and the world isn't quite ready for her beauty. Inside and out.

So how did this come about? Stephanie Zimmerman, aforementioned rock, called me up and casually asked if I was available. As grocery shopping is akin to many mundane tasks of motherhood, I enthusiastically agreed. She said someone would call to set up the photos. they called 4 minutes after I got off the phone with Steph (luckily I answered it) and then it all was in motion. I had no clue it would be on the front page until I asked Chris Sweda (photojournalist) where the story might be placed. He paused and said "uh, the front page". I was in shock but thought it was so fun. Chris, BTW knew a gal I went to HS with, Sarah Murphy. I just thought of her, literally, 3 days ago. I thought, shoot I should have had her teach me some tennis back in the day. Small world.

Don't worry all this media attention won't go to my head. Last year I pounded the pavement and landed a big 6 minute interview for the PAPC (www.papchicago.com) - my painting group. When the segment aired, I was not in it. I was interviewed but they forgot to turn on my mic. No beck to be found anywhere. So this SunTimes interview is like karma. It's coming back to me and good. Does this mean that people who owe me phone calls will return them... likely NO - but's this is enjoyable nonetheless. I'm so proud of my girls!

Finishing the wine and eating rye toast... Beck out.

A day in the snow

Yes, I stood in that line to fork over $70 for a lift ticket + ski rental for one lousy day.

It's nice to chat on the ski lift. Skiing is a good way to get to know someone better. All you single boys out there. Pony up and take your girl on a ski trip! You'll have plenty of time to talk about stuff on the ski lifts.

I didn't learn to ski until I was an adult. I was a youth chaparone to Steamboat, Colorado.

I had never skiied in my youth, despite multiple opportunties, because it's so darn expensive. We didn't have much growing up and I knew the value of a buck. I wasn't spending $50 hard earned babysitting and house cleaning bucks on an afternoon of falling and unrequited athleticism. Back then I liked the outdoors just as much as I do now, mind you. I didn't ski for the same reason I wasn't an artist (too expensive and I'd probably enjoy it. So why start... bad advice).

Fast forward to now. I have a few ski trips under my belt. New Hampshire, Massachusetts, more Steamboat, Snowy Range, Wyoming, Wisconsin (Sunburst) and now Devil;s Head. I'm skiing black diamonds now and loving it! Although I need my own boots. Fit makes all the difference I"m finding.

I went with my friend, singer and fellow mama, Emily. I so enjoyed hangin out in the snow, in the woods, outside and then skiing ferociously (at times) down the bluff. Emily is a good skier and made skiing down a fast slope look like a stroll in the woods. SERIOUSLY! (Em, that one was for you)

A HUGE shoutout to my sister, Cindy. She lives near the ski resort and let us crash at her house the night before. It was like a bed and breakfast! She had wine for us upon arrival and made pumpkin pancakes with maple/pecan syrup and sausage - which she de-fatted for us! Woohoo! She is experiencing a little empty nest syndrome. So let's take advantage of it! Anyone want to hit the slopes with me? Let's do it while Cindy is cooking! Thanks Tia!

Big Country - er - City

I live in Chicago. An undisputed urban city. This past weekend there was an awesome blizzard! It snowed and snowed - all day - Friday and Saturday. I went plein air painting Sat AM and gave up on account of the unnavigable snow. Once home I bundled up the kids and headed to Montrose Harbor for major sledding. What a hike up that hill. Again, the snow is deep and walking while pulling a 35 lb 5 year old kid is hard work. We all had a good time and ran into some other kids we knew.

"Good snow" being rare in Chicago, I thought I had to make the most of the opportunity. I called around looking for snow shoes. They were all rented out. Darn. I'd never show-shoed before but it was highly recommended to me. I ended not getting such a great bargain on some used snowshoes at The Viking Ski Shop. Sidebar: This place has everything you need for high end skiing. What is totally crazy is that it's in Logan Square. Logan Square is in the MIDDLE of Chicago - in a mid-to-low income neighborhood - not exactly ski connoisseurs. Crazy! But Viking Ski shop delivered in that their personnel looked every bit the "ski-person" part. Like the older Ski Patrol guys in the Rockies. You can't help but love them. You look at their weathered faces, kind eyes and are put at ease. There's no hustle or angle at Viking. You know you're not getting "snowed" but you're not getting a great deal either. It just is. I can live with that.

Snowshoes, for those of you who don't know, are these metal and webbing contraptions with spikes on the bottom that allow you to walk across the top of deep snow (see photo at top of this post). I tried it and it really works. It's fun too. Unfortunately, in Chicago, everyone is crazy obsessive about shoveling and salting their walks. Especially businesses. Geez. Back to snowshoeing... I tried them on in an effort to pick up some Pockets Pizza for my kids. They work GREAT in deep snow. But most of my neighbors shoveled the small parkway walk leading to the street. This meant there was constant interruptions in the snowshoeing. I moved to the snow covered (but not deep) sidewalk. Wearing snowshoes was harder than walking in shallow snow. A bit aggravated, I unstrapped the snowshoes, put them under the front porch and walked the 1 block.

After visiting the Viking Ski shop, Indigo and headed straight over to REI in Lincoln Park. We rented Alpine Skis for the pair of us. I, briefly, learned to Cross country ski when visiting Camp Awana as a youth. I remember it being hard work and not very satisfying from a gliding perspective. So why did I take this up again, now? I'm in great shape, remember what I learned and wanted to try it again. Also, my need for speed has lessened. I'm old enough now to "smell the roses" or snowscapes - so to speak.

Indi did a great job skiing. She fell a few times, but overall was pretty fabulous for a 5 year old. She didn't like the falling or getting back up. She told me vehemently "I hate skiing!" Aghast! Who's daughter is she? Yeah, her Dad's. *Sigh*. I have high hopes for Ais-a-Base.

Being born and raised in the city proper, you'd think I'd know nothing of these athletic outposts. You should be impressed and surprised. I know I am! Viva la Alpine! Now get out there and try it! More snowy adventures forthcoming.

Snow Painting

This past weekend there was an awesome blizzard! It just snowed and snowed all day Friday and Saturday. I went plein air painting Sat AM and realized two things: 1) I had a hard time walking thru Humbolt Park because the snow was so deep and 2) It was snowing hard and the wind pretty much froze your face and anything else in in it's path. As a watercolor painter I made small talk with the only other painter out that AM (Go for it Frank DePalma!) and then headed back home.

It was gorgeous in Humbolt Park. The boat house veiled in the falling snow. Ducks made their way across the frozen pond afoot. And die hard dog walkers allowed their dogs to make their way thru the deep snow. I'm glad I know how to dress for this weather.

Panda Cupcakes

My daughter, Indigo, loves fancy cakes. A friend gave a me a book of fancily decorated cakes and Indi has loved it since she was a wee lass. This Christmas I found a book named "Hello Cupcake". It should have had Indigo's name written all over it. It was about how to create fancy cupcakes.

And we have begun out journey into fancy cupcakes (my longtime facvs). Indi's first pick was to make Panda Cupcakes. We had a lot of fun making and eating them.

For some info about cupcakes around Chicago, check my friend, Justin's blog: www.cupcakerace.com He's also an awesome photographer!