Words for Wednesday

Via

How true.

The Weekender

The weekend went way too fast as usual! I didn't have any big plans but got a lot done around the house and did feel pretty rested to start the work week. It sure felt like Fall this weekend, it's nice, but I'm not looking forward to the pending Winter. Here's a few pictures of my weekend, what did you guys do?

The chill is in the air, but it was sunny and gorgeous most of the weekend!

I fried an egg for the first time ever! I don't know what has taken me so long. Made a delicious sandwich with turkey bacon, cheddar and sourdough.

It's always a good weekend when Target is involved. Spotted this cute blouse at Target and couldn't get over what a good deal it was. $22.99 and to me it looks more like a Banana or Ann Taylor style shirt. I don't feel like orange works with my skin tone, but I was scoping this out for my Mom or sister who can pull that color off. You can see the shirt on Target's website here.

Do you guys like Kiwis? I love them and end up eating them more on the weekend than during the week when I can take the time to peel them. Did you know that ounce for ounce, kiwifruit contains more vitamin C than an orange?! It’s also a good source for two of the most important fat-soluble antioxidants: vitamin E and vitamin A.

I did our Fall planters this weekend too! I'll have to post about them this week.

Here's hoping for a quick and painless work week!

Michigan Bubbly: L. Mawby Sparkling Wines

Around this time last year my sister, Mom and I took a trip to the Traverse City area for some wine tasting. I've been to Traverse City and beautiful Northern Michigan many times, but visiting old favorites is fun and you always discover something new up there too. I posted about our stop at gorgeous Sleeping Bear Dunes, we also hit Cherry Republic and lots of vineyards! My favorite vineyard is L. Mawby. I credit them with my love for sparkling wines. When we first stopped there several years ago I really fell in love with their wines.

They only make sparkling wines — and they are good at it! They have two labels, L. Mawby, made using the methode champenoise, it is slightly higher priced, but still very affordable.  I don't know all the details of what methode champenoise involves but it is the oldest and most traditional way to make sparkling wine and was supposedly developed by Dom (Pierre) Perignon, sound familiar?!


M. Lawrence which is made using the cuve close method, are given less aging and as a result less expensive. The great thing about the wine is that you can purchase it in different locations and drink at many restaurants throughout Michigan and even in Chicago! I was so excited to find a few M. Lawrence varieties at the Whole Foods here.


They have a great tasting room. After getting a few pours for free, you can decide what others you'd like to try and pick cheese or a pate and crackers for a small charge between $5 and $9, depending on what wines you select for tasting.

I had to stock up on lots of bubbly to bring back to Chicago!

They recently changed their labels, I'll have to stock up again soon and check out the new designs. My original favorite is from the M. Lawrence line and is call "Sex". Cute for a date night, no?! There is another one called "US" that would be equally cute for date night. I also love the special varieties named Grand Rapids and Detroit. And for a special occasion, the J'adore was fabulous.

If you are planning a trip to Wine Country in Michigan, make sure to add this to your list! Fall is such a great time to visit, the air is crisp and all the colors on the trees are starting to change, making for a gorgeous drive up.

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L. Mawby - Fine Leelanau Peninsula Sparkling Wines
4519 Elm Valley Road
Suttons Bay, MI 49682
231.271.3522
Website
Tasting Room Hours through end of October:
Mon-Sat, Noon- 6 PM
Sun, Noon-5 PM

Words for Wednesday

True words. It is the feast of St. Francis of Assisi tomorrow, so I thought this was especially relevant. This is actually just one line taken from a really beautiful prayer by St. Francis. He is the patron saint of animals and the environment and one of two patrons of Italy.

Hope everyone is having a good Wednesday!

image created by a little ditty.

Chicago Eats: Cantina Laredo

You know I love anything related to Mexican food -- and Cantina Laredo in downtown Chicago is no exception. I watched them build the space for this restaurant, it was quite the project, the sidewalk was shut down for months, but I think the end result is great. There are large windows that slide open in the Summer months for almost al fresco dining and the second floor actually has some nice city views at night.

Via

 The food is delicious and the margaritas are strong. What more could one want from a Mexican restaurant? The pitchers of margaritas are a must, they aren't listed on the menu but are available for around $30.

 

One thing I liked about their entrees was that they were served with fresh veggies, instead of the standard beans. It really helped to lighten up the meal a bit.

And they have an awesome special during the week, "Happier Half". The entire upstairs lounge food menu is half-priced from 4-7 p.m. This includes their tableside guacamole, ceviche and empanadas. Yum.

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Cantina Laredo
508 North State Street

(Near State and Grand)
Chicago, IL 60654

312.955.0014