Eats | My Bike Betty

Category: Eats
- When Home is Where the Creativity Is
  
  Posted at 6:25 pm by jan, on October 25, 2016
  
  Greetings All! This blog entry is inspired by my love of cooking shows and competitions on the Food Network. A favorite, hands down, is Chopped where competitors create a dish within a specific time from a mystery baskets of ingredients. Dishes are judged on creativity, taste, and presentation.
  
  So I was delighted when my best friend agreed to shop for mystery ingredients for three courses and, when presented, timed me while I got my COOK-ON!
  
  Thanks mom!
  
  1st Round: Appetizer-20 minutes.
  
  Mystery Basket Ingredients-Parsnips, Uzu juice, Fennel, Popcorn chips
  
  Veggie Spring Rolls with Popcorn Crisp, a Soy Fennel sauce, and Uzu Sake
  
  2nd Round: Entre-30 minutes
  
  Basket Ingredients-Spaghetti Squash, Rapini, Sun-dried Tomatoes, Cubed Buffalo
  
  Roasted Buffalo with Rapini Cream, Spaghetti Hash Cakes and Citrus Cucumber Martinis
  
  Final Round: Dessert-30 minutes
  
  ingredients Mascarpone Cheese, Cranberries, Banana Moon Pies, Jr. Mints
  
  Creamed Cranberry-Banana Crumble, Espresso-mint Martini Pie
  
  Now that was fun! However, for the record, after eating and critiquing my work we were three shades of queasy…HA and EW! Still we’re up for doing this again and loved the creativity and game of it. Thanks again mom!
  
  So Betty and I are off, hitting the streets for our next adventure and inviting you to do the same! Look for art and artistic expression everywhere and then please, SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!!!!
  
  Posted in An Extension To All, Eats | 0 Comments | Tagged Chopped, The Cooking Network
- What Do Art and Beer Have in Common?
  
  Posted at 5:31 pm by jan, on July 24, 2016
  
  DRYHOP BREWERS! Activist for Support Local Art, Dryhop (3155 N Broadway) exhibits the acrylic paintings of Chicago artist, Frank Quintero all while serving up delicious micro-brew and scrumptious eats.
  
  Interested in how his work defines the viewers space, Quintero’s illustrations and abstractions are on display until September 12.
  
  Last, I wanted to share a moment everyone should experience during and after an awesome ride…
  
  And then there was this…
  
  I couldn’t be more thankful for these experiences! They fire me up to reach out to you and say, get out there, look for art and artistic expression EVERYWHERE! Along the way post your discoveries here and then SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!!!
  
  Posted in An Extension To All, Eats, Museums, Galleries, Cultural Centers | 0 Comments | Tagged DryHop Brewers Chicago
- A Delightful Taste of Folk
  
  Posted at 4:09 pm by jan, on September 2, 2015
  
  Star of Siam 11 E. Illinois Street
  
  Greetings All! A quick entry to encourage you to visit Star of Siam for a glimpse of tradition. While enjoying delicious Thai food let your mind wonder to far away places as you take in the gallery of Thai Yao Mein Hill Tribe Thailand hats.
  
  Betty’s Response: Pom Pom’s can be cool, who knew?
  
  So we are off for now but always and always extending to you the invitation to get out there, look for artistic expression EVERYWHERE, and above all, SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!!!
  
  Posted in An Extension To All, Eats | 0 Comments | Tagged Star of Siam Chicago
- Oh, the Places We’ve Been
  
  Posted at 5:20 pm by jan, on August 22, 2015
  
  In the beginning we traveled HERE…
  
  Dank Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 North Western Avenue.
  
  (Store front view of The Endler Model Train restoration)
  
  And because they closed early we traveled THERE…
  
  The Angry Crab, 5665 N. Lincoln Avenue
  
  For the best crab legs in town, served by the friendliest staff!
  
  And then we went EVERYWHERE!
  
  The Art of Dr. Seuss, Water Tower, 835 N. Michigan Avenue
  
  Have No Fear! I Will Not Let You Fall
  
  Green Cat with Lights
  
  A Prayer for a Child
  
  Green Cat in Uleaborg, Finland Subway
  
  Raising Money for the Arts
  
  Martini Bird
  
  I like Them, Sam-I-Am!
  
  Worm Burning Bright in the Forest in the Night
  
  After Dark in the Park
  
  Flower Fish
  
  Incidental Music for a New Year’s Eve Party
  
  Sawfish with Such a Long Snout
  
  Booby Trap
  
  The Stag at Eve
  
  The Rather Odd Myopic Woman Riding Piggyback on One of Helen’s Many Cats
  
  Fooling Nobody
  
  Surley Cat Being Ejected
  
  Gosh! Do I Look as Old as That?
  
  Self Portrait of a Young Man Shaving
  
  Turtle Tower
  
  Cat Carnival in West Venice
  
  Stars Upon Thars– Diptych
  
  These Things are Good Things-Diptych
  
  Hop Hop Top–Diptych
  
  Horton
  
  Wisdom of the Orient Cat
  
  Oh, the Places We Go…
  
  Betty’s Response: A gal on a bike is what I like, north, south, east, west is what I like best!
  
  Posted in An Extension To All, Eats, Museums, Galleries, Cultural Centers | 0 Comments | Tagged Dank Haus, The Angry Crab, The Art of Dr. Seuss, Water Tower
- Discover this Adventure
  
  Posted at 7:11 am by jan, on August 15, 2015
  
  This week, Adventure Land Works on Paper…
  
  1513 N. Western Avenue, 1st Floor, Tuesday-Saturday 11-5pm or by appointment
  
  Works by Todd Diederich:
  
  Dark Horse, Edition of 7
  2014
  
  Star Barn, Edition of 5, 2014
  
  First Time I Met Mother ShaSha, Edition of 3, 2010
  
  No Love, Edition of 10, 2012
  
  Chicago from Across the Cosmos with Lake, Edition of 7, 2014
  
  And last, when you seek out art EVERYWHERE, remember to have FUN along the way…
  
  Chicago Hot Dog Fest, Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark Street
  
  Betty and I can not say enough about our history museum! So! We are out for our next adventure but first we must extend an invitation to all to get out there, explore, look for art and artistic expression EVERYWHERE, and then please SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!
  
  Posted in An Extension To All, Eats, Museums, Galleries, Cultural Centers | 0 Comments | Tagged Adventure Land Works on Paper, Chicago History Museum
- Bird is the Word
  
  Posted at 5:08 pm by jan, on August 7, 2015
  
  Greetings ALL! This week’s entry will feature the last of my friend’s visit and a very special lunch date.
  
  Marc Chagall’s exquisite
  America Windows led us to a very special exhibition at The Art Institute of Chicago
  
  In collaboration with The Arts Club of Chicago, AI presents the work of Jean-Luc Mylayne. For the last forty years Mylayne and his life partner have been photographing birds in thier environment. Incredible images that reflect time, patience, and intimacy.
  
  No. 444, April May 2007
  
  No. 357-358, diptych, December2005 January 2006
  
  No. 520, February March April 2007
  
  No. 295 diptych, March April 2005
  
  No. 446, November December 2007
  
  No. 204, January February 2004
  
  No. 520, February March April 2007
  
  And last a day after my friend left for Florida, I was met by another for lunch at the Spoke & Bird Cafe.
  
  Betty and I are off but before we go here’s a great big invite to all to get out there, explore, be aware, look for artistic expression EVERYWHERE…
  
  and then, SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!!!
  
  Posted in An Extension To All, Eats, Museums, Galleries, Cultural Centers | 0 Comments | Tagged The Art Institute Chicago, The Arts Club of Chicago, The Spoke & Bird Cafe Chicago
- A Mixed Bag!
  
  Posted at 5:56 pm by jan, on July 23, 2015
  
  This week Betty and I explored unknown places spontaneously while looking for artistic expression EVERYWHERE!
  
  A stop for a cup of jo at Elaine’s coffee shop on the first floor of the J Parker Hotel.
  
  A bizarre installation of various works line the J Parker’s first floor stairs.
  1816 N. Clark Street
  
  Next Betty and I head over to an original speakeasy.
  
  Established in 1921, The Green Door Tavern not only served the public above ground but also below…shhhhhhhh…
  
  Betty’s Response: I love a good secret!
  
  Lots of memorabilia line the Green Door’s walls and ceiling.
  
  Below the bar I give this bookshelf a knock and wait to be invited in…
  
  The Drifter, originally fulfilled thirsty guest during prohibition.
  
  Is that Benny Hill you ask?! Yep, projected on the curtain of the stage. There were also reels taken from prohibition times of gals dancing and whooping it up, a take from Jane Fonda’s Barberella, and a string of obscure fun film clips.
  
  Tarot card drink menus.
  
  A delicious result.
  
  And entertainment provided by Vour Teque
  
  Very very kewl and super fun to check out on a work filled week with little time off.
  
  Alright friends Betty and I are off for now but as always encouraging you to get out there, explore, and best of all SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!
  
  Posted in An Extension To All, Eats, Theaters, Festivals, Music, Parades | 0 Comments | Tagged Elaine's Coffee Shop, Green Door Tavern, J Parker Hotel, The Drifter
- A Superhero, a Bunny, and a Sunset
  
  Posted at 7:14 pm by jan, on July 15, 2015
  
  Greetings All!
  
  First, let me get to some unfinished business. Last week Betty boasted that she knew where the first painting in a series of outdoor murals, a project initiated by The Wabash Arts Corridor, Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA), Vertical Gallery, and The Buckingham, was located. Their ambitious aim is to liven these streets with ART!
  
  Chi Boy by Hebru Brantley, 1132 S Wabash Ave.
  
  Next we’re off to check out the work of Art Paul.
  
  Betty’s Response: Who’s that?
  
  Here’s a couple of hints…
  
  He is the Founding Art Director and was a graphic designer of PLAYBOY magazine from 1953-1982. Responsible for the bunny icon and the designs of many magazine covers, the exhibition’s focus is on his personal work since his retirement from PLAYBOY. Above images taken from the documentary film, The Man Behind the Bunny: Art of Playboy, now showing as part of the exhibition, ART PAUL – HARD HEADS, SWEET KNEES, FORKED TONGUE. Exhibition through July 26.
  
  A few favorites…
  
  I Love to Wonder, 2002, Ink and Colored Pencil
  
  Three-Head Computer/Pencil Series, 2000, Computer Print and Colored Pencils
  
  Red Lines Over Lip-Stamp, Undated, Ink
  
  Sorry If I’m Laughing Self-Portrait, 1997, Colored Pencil
  
  And next a few sculptures for UIMA’s permanent collection.
  
  Milonadis, Konstantin (b.1926), Untitled, Steel, Gift of Wasyl Kacurovsky
  
  Eric Gushee, Untitled, 2013, Cable Ties and Aircraft Cable, gift of artist mother
  
  Praire Smoke, Donna Hapac, 2013, Reed, Cedar, Waxed Linen, Wire
  
  From here we headed southeast…
  
  On our path to RM Champagne Salon for bubbles.
  
  RM Champagne Salon, 116 N Green St
  
  Betty and my sunset led us to an alley nook where ambiance and a tasty beverage ended our day of adventure.
  
  Ok, we are off but before we go here’s a giant invitation to all to get out there, explore, look for artistic expression EVERYWHERE and for goodness sake, SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!!!
  
  Posted in An Extension To All, Eats, Museums, Galleries, Cultural Centers | 0 Comments | Tagged Chi-Boy Chicago wall mural, RM Champagne Salon, Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art
- Birthday Experiences and Beyond
  
  Posted at 5:31 pm by jan, on June 27, 2015
  
  Birthday ambiance and FUN!
  
  Greetings all! This entry (like the past Christmas) will reflect two weeks of experiences instead of my usual one. Here are highlights of adventure, a family visit, and birthday surprises for yours truly…
  
  Before my family arrived I biked the lakefront trail southbound and headed over to my favorite cafe, The Spoke & Bird 205-209 E 18th St, for a delicious cheese plate and tasty local brew…
  
  …on their lovely patio. You must visit this lovely and yummy special place!
  
  Exploring Pilsen neighborhood and a personal favorite discovery of Betty’s.
  
  Arriving at Casa Michocan 1638 S Blue Island Ave. for the exhibition and project of the Chicago Cultural Alliance, Presencia Michoacana 2015. A very touching tribute to Mexican and Latino migrants telling the story of their migration along with their response to the questions, “Why did you decide to migrate?”…”How did you cross the border?”…How did you experience integration into American Society?”…”Was migrating worth it?”
  
  To one of the kewlest bars in Chicago, 2015 S. Damen. Thanks Claudia for a most delicious beverage!
  
  And let the birthday joys begin!
  
  Betty’s Response: Geez, it’s like your 5 years old, Happy Birthday!
  
  Lincoln Park Zoo, 2200 N. Cannon Drive
  
  The Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive and family in tow.
  
  Of course there’s this…
  
  and this…
  
  and absolutely this! But did you know they have an awesome telescope collection?!
  
  $Alvan Clark & Sons refracting telescope, 1865$
  Alvan Clark & Sons refracting telescope, 1865
  
  $20 ft Refracting Telescope, 1685$
  20 ft Refracting Telescope, 1685
  
  Assorted makes and models from the 17 and 1800’s
  
  A Cosmological Model displayed in the new Copernican arrangement. Built around 1740
  
  What a wonderful day ending in some space love and gratefulness, thanks mom!
  
  Mexican Art Museum, 1852 W, 19th St.
  
  Last of all my friends, get out there and SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW and along the way look for artistic expression EVERYWHERE!!!
  
  Posted in Eats, Museums, Galleries, Cultural Centers | 0 Comments | Tagged Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum Chicago, Chicago Cultural Alliance, Lincoln Park Zoo, Presencia Michoacana 2015 Chicago, The Spoke & Bird Cafe Chicago
- Truckin’
  
  Posted at 7:41 pm by jan, on June 10, 2015
  
  Ah Chicago in the spring and summer! After a loooooong winter Chicagoans are like caged animals released into the wild! Celebrating in the incredible neighborhoods across the city we enjoy festival after festival.
  
  Excited about the Pilsen Food Truck Social, Betty and I headed over to 18th street. Here are some favorites…
  
  Betty’s response: Tattooed trucks, kewl!
  
  Aztec Daves
  
  Haute & Ready Sandwiches
  
  Fido to Go!
  
  Bruges Brothers Frites
  
  With a very happy belly, Betty and I next visited Loyola University Museum of Art.
  
  Recently I read about photographer Richard Rinaldi’s work in process and exhibition, Touching Strangers. For several years Rinaldi has been taking pictures across the U.S. of strangers he pairs together on city streets. Strangers to him and to each other, they are asked to embrace for a photo.
  
  Technically the work is beautiful however, it is the strangers he selects and the compositions he creates that fill you with hope and a specific kinship that I believe comes from the simplicity of love. Taking pictures of the show weren’t permitted so here’s a teaser from LUMA’s advertisement.
  
  Touching Strangers: Richard Renaldi
  May 23-August 2
  Loyola University Museum of Art
  820 N. Michigan Avenue
  Tues. 11am-8pm free admission
  Wed.-Sun. 11am-6pm $8
  
  Posted in An Extension To All, Eats, Museums, Galleries, Cultural Centers | 0 Comments | Tagged LUMA, Pilsen Food Truck Social
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