Lovely Portugal

Porto

This time, I am not going to wait a year to post pictures.

I journeyed to Portugal and Spain in mid-September, the ideal time to hit both countries for their perfect weather, tasty port wines, moist and intensely flavorful Piri Piri chicken, Sangria, Tortilla, Jamon and the freshest of fresh seafood.  Lisbon and Porto are also less touristy than the London's and Paris's of Europe, huge bonus.

A few things that make Portugal unique (this list is by no means exhaustive), besides their cuisine and port wines:

Cooking in Bali

Last summer, I went to Bali for surfing, yoga, and cooking...and yes, I am just getting around to posting.  I went to a "Goddess Retreat" and it was everything they promised it would be and more.   To describe the experience as anything less than life changing would not be doing it justice.  Bali is an incredible place with a spiritual culture and attitude that swept me off my feet.  If it were not for my son and little dog back home, there is no way I would have come back to the U.S. 

I surfed a lot and found out that I absolutely suck at at it.  That really is the only word to describe my skills.  I would post a surfing picture to give everyone a good laugh but I am not a masochist.  

On the bright side, I loved the two a day yoga sessions and activities like this cooking class.  Outside, fresh, lovely instructors, perfect weather and of course, absolutely delicious.  I loved the use of ingredients and spices I rarely use at home, such as ginger and lemongrass.  They also use produce that I can never find at home, such as dragonfruit.  Even if I can find it at home, it does not taste as sweet as it did in Bali, thinking of papaya and mangoes.

Joe's Kansas City Barbecue and Fat Matt's in Atlanta, GA

Joe's Ribs

Once in a while a client will look at me with sympathetic eyes when they hear how much I travel.  Oh, if they only knew that I actually enjoy and look forward to the road.  If you are in a client facing role and not asking your clients for restaurant suggestions, you are seriously missing out.  Folks love to talk about their city and have a lot of pride in their home grown favorites.  They are undoubtedly your best source if you are a food hound like me.

Hangover Sandwich (Fried Egg, Bacon, Cheese)

Based on the social media posts I have seen over the past week, I believe there has never been a better time to post about hang over remedies.  I thought I would also post some topics on which we can all agree:

• Telemarketers suck and the silent feature on our cell phones are magic.
• Long lines at the store are never ok except if there is some trashy magazine on the rack that you would never buy but you can pick up to pass the time.  
• Knowing that there is a special place in hell for people who prolong a conference call with way too many unnecessary questions.  
• Those G.E. commercials are hilarious.
• Babies and puppies are still the cutest little creatures when they are not peeing on you or your carpet.

Election 2016 and Chicken Braised with Grapes

Chicken Braised with Grapes

Well, that was a doozy.  I am going to offer one thought and then I will shut up about it.  The Democratic party has always been the party of the working class, not the elites.  That narrative was flipped in this past election and here we are.  There is a lot in that statement and there are many reasons why elections go one way or another, but in my mind, that is the heart of the issue.

Potato Chip Cookies and Iowa Caucus Night

Iowa caucus night!!  Woohoo!  Election season is here and we are off to the races.  Can you feel the excitement?  I can!  Is there anything better in this great country than election season?  Um, NOOOOO!  I don't watch sports or go to church because politics is my religion.

Ham and Swiss Sliders

I have a love hate relationship with sports.  You would too if your home town teams built you up and broke you down year after year.  So is the life of a Chicago sports fan.  All hail to the great Ditka, the last person who made everyone in this city hope and dream.  If he didn't do it, the Super Bowl Shuffle did.  To this day I remember the homecoming parade down Michigan Avenue for the Bears when they won in 1985.  I remember walking around my grade school surrounded by kids wearing Sweetness sweat bands and McMahon style sunglasses.