I’ll admit it, I’m a happy crier. I’ll admit even more: I’m a happy crier who used to mock my own mother’s “isn’t this beautiful” welling-up at ads, movies, D.A.R.E. graduations, and so on. But in light of the fact that there’s been so much sad crying lately (and angry crying and incredulous crying and and and…), I’ll cheerfully put my reformed ways out in the open. Most recently, I happy-cried at the Goodman’s beautiful ‘A Christmas Carol,’ during the {Read More}
Thankful…
November 22, 2017 By Leave a Comment
I’m thankful for so many, many things. My children- and their health, kind hearts, and continued safety as they grow. My husband- who’s so awfully good at reading between the lines that he’s able to help me complete each page and chapter beautifully (and with a minimum of asking questions like “What happened to all the bourbon/are those new shoes?”) My friends- and, more specifically, never-ending text chains with a carefully curated group of awesome texters. We live in the {Read More}
Win 4 tickets to the House Theatre’s (ballet-free!) ‘Nutcracker’
November 13, 2017 By Leave a Comment
If The Nutcracker makes you think of slippered children and the type of dances that Sugarplum Fairies like best, then the House Theatre of Chicago’s take on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s tale is the refreshing palate cleanser your holiday season may just require. Created by Jake Minton, Phillip Klapperich, Kevin O’Donnell and Tommy Rapley, and directed by Chris Mathews, this production has garnered quite a devoted following over the past 8 years. First off, there’s no ballet. Zero Tchaikovsky. And, while there’s definitely {Read More}
Shootings. And what to do.
November 9, 2017 By Leave a Comment
The other day I posted a thing on Facebook. It was right after this past weekend’s awful shooting in Texas. (Which- ha, is kind of a rookie mistake, since Facebook has pretty much become an insulated bubble where peeps preach to likeminded peeps and we all agree that we’re all doing a pretty great job. Which is nice, but ultimately not as far-reaching as one might hope.) So, I’m sharing it here, where my hopes for further dialogue and answers (and {Read More}
6 reasons we’re sweet on Lifeline Theatre’s ‘Arnie the Doughnut’
November 8, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Lifeline Theatre’s charming new production of Arnie the Doughnut– spun like sugar from Laurie Keller’s story of the same name- concerns Arnie, a freshly baked and rather, well, concerned doughnut who isn’t so sure about his lot in life. Namely, as breakfast to the rule-and-routine-happy Mr. Bing. (Sound dark? It totally isn’t.) 6 Reasons We’re Sweet on ‘Arnie the Doughnut’ 6. It features unlikely heroes. Since when does a buttoned-down nice guy get to be the force for change? Well, {Read More}
Chef Inside the Box, love inside your belly
November 6, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Disclosure: I actually, truly love cooking. Most nights, I actually, truly cook. …Sometimes I don’t. So, today’s post features Chef Inside the Box, whom I’m pretty sure you’re going to adore. Although I’m compensated, all thoughts, opinions, and clean plate clubs are entirely my own. *** So, like I said, I cook most nights. I say “nights” because, let’s be real: P.J. handles 90% of the breakfast at 6:30am- when I am not at my “taking orders chipperiest best”- and, legit, no {Read More}
#TruthTime, October edition
November 2, 2017 By 2 Comments
Here’s what I’ve learned this month. You’re never quite as alone as you think. When you stand at a front window and stare into the middle distance while eating fistful upon fistful of your child’s Halloween candy in some semblance of pajama/work at home attire, you will appear to the casual passerby on the street like an absolutely terrifying (and confusing) apparition. (“You heard about THAT house, right? They say she died with fun-sized Baby Ruths clutched to her chest…”) {Read More}
Happy birthday/thank you/I’m so, so sorry.
October 26, 2017 By Leave a Comment
It’s that time of year again, you guys! (For those of you playing along at home, one possible answer is: Celebration Month. This is also true. Between Susannah and Nora and P.J.’s birthdays- and subsequent celebrations which rarely ever happen on the birthdays themselves, nothatwouldbeCRAZY– and Halloween and Halloween school parties and Halloween other parties, we should probably just rename the month Sugar: (But Maybe With A Festive Gift Bag.) But no. Today I’d like to specifically focus on and fete {Read More}
