Run Fox Run

Alinea (not the pilcrow)

Toby — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 19:08:40 +0000

What does it mean to surprise someone culinarily? Does it mean some far-flung ingredient? Some crazy preparation that has been imported from halfway around the world? Sometimes it means something as simple as the coupling of a whole new paradigm to the eating experience. Grant Achatz touched that rarefied air for us with our visit to Alinea in Chicago. Literally, the pillow below my dessert is filled with an accompanying aroma to prepare my palate for the flavors it is about to experience. The weight of the plate compresses the pillow to continuously express the scent. That is some crazy fore-thought bat-sh*t. There were more examples of that total commitment to the dining experience throughout the menu (shown below). A terrifically enjoyable experience; the restaurant is deserved of its top 100 world ranking.

The ever compressing pillow

Menu for June 30, 2010

Shikaakwa or Our Trip to the Wild Onions

Toby — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 18:41:46 +0000

Obligatory Buckingham fountain shot

Hello Windy City. A daddy “work trip” brought the clan to Chicago for a week. Chicago should be called museum city as there appears to be a never ending supply of housed edification for the visitors. We took in the Museum of Science and Industry, the Art Institute, the Field Museum. the Childrens’ Museum, and The Shedd Aquarium. On top of that, we went to the beach on Lake Michigan, ate at the Taste of Chicago, and had a boat ride on the Chicago river to take in the architectural sites. We swam in the hotel pool almost every night and even had room service once. We saw our pals Gus, Marilyn, Betty, and Joseph who helped us enjoy the city sites even more. Chicago also has some pleasing eats. These include our trip to Chinatown, two trips to Giordano’s for deep dish, and even an “adult” trip to Alinea (which requires its own recapitulation of our blown minds courtesy of G. Achatz). Fun times documented in the Chicago album.

Save Ferris!

Just as good as Zachary's. I know. Blasphemy right?

Carousel ride at Taste of Chicago

Junebugs

Jenn — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 23:48:12 +0000

It’s been a busy month! Momentous events like kindergarten graduation, the ballet recital, and visits from Grandma Jane and Grandpa Larry AND Grandma Jeanette. Trips to the zoo and the park; time at our favorite museums and science centers, including Cleo’s first, thankfully untraumatic, IMAX experience; birthday celebrations for Mommy, Erica, and our pal Will, with a Skype shoutout to Trey; and of course some baking with Grandma Jeanette. We continue to be drowning in homegrown and CSA salad — but managed to eat all our farm-picked strawberries, or to freeze them into ice cream, without complaints. Can’t say we’ve documented every single moment, but some snapshots are up in the June 2010 album.

Commencement

Jenn — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:19:19 +0000

Today is Leda’s last day of kindergarten, which of course makes tomorrow the first day of the rest of her life in the cliched language of commencement speeches. Also: follow her dreams, focus on what’s important, never wear uncomfortable pants. The ceremony on Monday was without a keynote address; instead, the kids sang and played their recorders, and received certificates, before moving outside for a celebratory picnic. As with all occasions of measurable import, the gliderboy team was on the job to document the occasion. Cleo was a critical A/V assistant, providing just the right cinema verite jitter as she bopped around on her mom’s lap.

Graduation concert 2010

Mayfair

Jenn — Sun, 23 May 2010 17:19:09 +0000

A teddy bears' picnic

May began with a whirl around the Maypole at Lucas’ Waldorf school…the girls hand-dyed their own silk,

Also bear-friendly

planted sunflowers in pots they painted themselves, and selected flowers for the garlands and daisy chains their parents made for them. As the month continued we began to give (and grade) final exams, attend graduations and other ceremonies offering closure and congratulations. Soon Leda herself will be graduating from kindergarten. The garden and the weekly CSA box overflow with organic bounty. We have eaten a LOT of salads this month.

The weather refuses to commit fully to summer, but even on gray days we take the dare and play outside. Bare feet and skinned knees await. Also: salad.

April come she will

Jenn — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 01:07:19 +0000

It’s been a month full of fun, beginning with Cleo’s birthday and continuing with a great visit with Grandma Lynn. Lots of photos in the April 2010 album…particularly observant readers of this site may even be able to guess what Cleo’s favorite outfit is these days.

Celebration: Cleo Year 4 Launches

Jenn — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 02:23:10 +0000

Cleo’s birthday week was full of celebrations with family and friends. Even the Easter bunny showed up, though sadly Elijah was a no-show again this year. Thanks to Skype for letting even long-distance cousins be part of the fun. Photos in the Cleo turns 3 album.

San Clemente

Jenn — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 19:15:33 +0000

The sea is calm tonight,
The tide is full, the moon lies fair
Upon the straits

(With apologies to Matthew Arnold)…with just 26 hours in San Clemente we visited three beaches. Full documentation in the album at right. Thanks to the Hoida-Mulholland crew for a beach-tastic time. Next time on the Atlantic coast!

That’s what friends are for…

Toby — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 04:36:49 +0000

On the stairs just prior to departure

San Diego for Spring Break? Sure! Though it was slightly different this time than it was 15 years ago. The clan traveled west to vacation with Lance and Nathan in the hills of San Elijo. Leda and Cleo and Nathan became fast friends. How could they not? Nathan has a great set of toys and an easy demeanor, a super sharer. We visited the beach, the park(s), Legoland (twice), and the Wild Animal Park. We also had a great time playing in the house and driveway. The sunshine made us forget all the rain in NJ and we were able to bring out our summer clothes a few months early. We even got our faces painted at Legoland just before playing in the water park. The parents were really thinking ahead there. We also enjoyed a few home cooked meals and some superior Mexican food, the memory of which will have to last us until the next time we return to California.

Thanks to Lance and Nathan for being super hosts!

Faces painted at Legoland

Van Gogh

Toby — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 04:22:31 +0000

Thanks to Grandma and Papa for our cool art lessons. Check out the erudite chatter of the artists.