Run Fontenot Run!

On a gorgeous Sunday afternoon, we went to see the last game of the Cubs - Marlins series. The last but not least adage holds true here. The excitement started after the 7th inning stretch when Derek Lee hit a homerun to tie the game. Then Fontenot followed with a three-run double to give the Cubs the lead and sent the already frenzied crowd through the roof with excitement. Fontenot continued his crowd pleasing moments with one of the best run down plays in MLB history, according to Pat Hughes. He actually out ran the rundown. It was the little guy that could. At the top of the ninth, Edmonds ended the game with an amazingly acrobatic catch. I am not sure if I was more impressed that he made the catch or that he was able to get up after the catch. Cubs win over the Marlins 9-6.

Dawn keeps grease and pests out of your way

Being new to the farming industry, I was not equipped to take on garden pests. Or so I thought. The other day I found some sort of insects devouring my crop. They were black with metallic wings and white spots the lined the edge of their devious butt. I figured out that they were japanese beetles. I also found out that if you have japanese beetles, you can make a non-toxic solution of dish soap and water to get rid of them. Just pick, toss and repeat. Mere water would do the trick, but adding the soap to the water keeps also helps to keep the mosquitoes away while the beetles soak.

The best part is there is no clean up. If you allow the beetle carcus to dry in the sun near the plants, the decaying carcus keeps more beetles from using your plant for a buffet. The worst part about it, it looks a bit disgusting, but that's the circle of life and the life of a farmer.

it might be, it could be, it is - the venue

After a bit of research, a few awkward situations and a lot of patience, we picked a place for the reception. It is a swanky, little joint nestled in the heart of the Gold Coast called Maxim's.

Why this place? It was the siren-like combination of the historic, art deco interiors and the debonair event coordinator dressed to impress, we just couldn't resist.



Walking down the ornate, red, velvety staircase, you feel like you've strolled back in time to the 1920's. It has a soothing, speak easy feel to it. That got me thinking. . . Wouldn't it be fun if everyone dressed up in roaring 20's couture. . . Awe, come on now. You have to admit, that 'speak easy' does have a nice ring to it. Just a thought.

A bit of archi history . . . The building, Astor Tower, was originally designed as an up-scale hotel and restaurant in 1961 by architect, Bertrand Goldberg. It is now a private residence and the restaurant was donated to the Chicago Cultural Center. Oh yes. Getting back to the architect. You know the guy's work. Just think . . . Steve Mc Queen, The Hunter and car crash. Or more recently, the Allstate commercial, where the car drives off the edge of the concrete, corn cob looking building into the Chicago River. That's the same architect.

The restaurant, now, that's another story. The interiors are the same as the original Maxim's de Paris in France. Like it's older French sister, the restaurant played host to the rich and famous. If the walls of Maxim's could talk, I bet they'd have some pretty good People, maybe even Star gossip.

So it looks like we've got our place and we'd like to make sure you have yours. Next up on the list of things to do . . . hotel accommodations. We'll keep you posted.

Death metal becomes me

We headed over to the local dive bar to meet up with a few friends and grab a drink. We had every intention to sit and soak in the familiar atmosphere. Unfortunately the pub had other intentions. I should have known that something was a rye when we had to use the back door to enter to bar.

Shortly after finding a drink and a seat at the bar, we were greeted by an on-slaught of death metal notes from the stadium-sized sound system. It was death metal night at the Pub. I now understand the difference between glam rock and death metal. Previously, I understood that glam rock was about guys wearing lots of make-up and hair product to transform into a pretty, tough rocker. I also understood that death metal was essentially more rock, more volume and more screaming. I didn't realize that the metal rock really did make you feel like metal and rocks were steam rolling your internal organs. It was weird. It just goes to show that you never know what you're going to get when you stop in at the Pub. Good times.

motovune in gasthaus

We're rockin' the suburbs. Well, maybe not us, but Motovune did. It was a good night for a show at Gasthaus. Good thing too because the band was ready to rock. I should clarify. After slight adjustments by Rich on the sound board, the band was ready to rock.

toni has roots

The rumors are true. Toni has settled down and has begun to grow some roots. We're not talking about those bad bleach blond hair roots, but roots from the purchase of her new condo. We all went over to see her new home on her first day as a homeowner. As if it were an episode of Fear Factor, the excitement brewed as she tried to find the key to open the front door. Finally, the I heard the lock click, the door opened and we walked into her new, beautiful condo. No one was carried over the threshold, except for Colin.

The cork stops here.

There has been much debate between the use of synthetic cork and the real cork for the wine bottle. Pros and cons go over the environmental, aesthetic and technical aspects on which one will become the ultimate cork. One reason to use real cork is the seal. It is said that synthetic corks are being used on bottles that are to be consumed with five years or less because of the lack of seal that synthetic cork provides. I disagree.

This synthetic cork broke the bottle opener. This is when the real debate began. How do you open the bottle now? Unlike real cork, you couldn't core out the cork or push the cork through to free the wine from it's glass cage. It was also out of the question to 'beer brawl' crack open the bottle or discard it all together. In the end, we relied on brute strength to get the job done.

Waukegan Leatherheads

Mitchy at the bat

The other day we went to see Mitch's little league game. I learned a few things. First, teams are no longer permitted to use the MLB club names. Instead they used college names. It seemed a bit strange. Instead of dreaming of the big leagues, they were aiming to be bigger kids - college kids. At least they aim for a higher form of education, which is a more feasible goal for most people. I suppose this is a good trade-off.

I also learned that there are only 6 innings in a game. Along with the abbreviated game, the field is also abbreviated. The 2 baseball fields are set up back to back. Each field has an infield, but share an outfield. If the ball is hit 15 feet past the in field, it is in the other 'park'. It makes hitting out of the park near impossible, since it only goes into another park.

Lastly, the teams use a pitching machine for the first few years. This would account for the exciting wild pitches and a few hit batters. It may also be the reason why the catcher kept forgetting to throw the ball back to the pitcher. Maybe not. Regardless, it was good wholesome fun and extremely entertaining.

i'm tiger woods

A day at the park with nephews

ben swinging from the rings.

hideto swinging from the bar.

tommy hanging.



hideto drunk on fruit smoothie.

gone fishin'

On the last night of our trip, we took the canoe out on the lake to try out Tommy's new fishing pole. Watching the beautiful sunset, you could have never guessed that only a 100 yards away that there was a family-filled house bustling with noise. I also would have never guessed that you could catch something other than a cold in the little lake. I should have guessed, since My uncle does tell stories of 'game' fish in the lake. I just chalked them up to fisherman tales. Who knew I'd have one of my own to tell?

Beach action

This year we drove up to Brighton, Michigan for a good ole' family vacation. Graciously and bravely, my aunt and uncle opened up their home for a long weekend of family chaos. For more photos, click here.

colin is beachin'

It was a day at the beach with Colin.