Good Morning America recommended The Midnight Library as a great read so Book Club Babes jumped on the bandwagon and made it our choice for the month!

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

is about a mystical library that lets people sample all the ways their lives MIGHT have gone had they made other choices.

As we know, life is all about choice and consequence.

After attempting suicide (frankly we had a bit of trouble with that decision) Heroine, Nora, arrives between life and death at The Midnight Library which is filled with books about all her “possible lives” – it appears endless!

It is the multiverse where we are all living different lives at the same time. Nora has the chance to live all her lives. And of course time has no meaning in the library. Nora can spend mere minutes in one of her lives, or she can spend months deciding if that is the life worth living.

Will Nora make the path from suicide to closure, from regret to acceptance?

Dear Reader, you must take the journey with her to find out.

Full Disclosure!

The Midnight Library

was a hard read at the beginning – not an immediate page turner for us.

It did build to the point where, yes, we wanted to read another chapter to find out what happened next.

This book ignited quite a discussion at our Book Club Babes – one of the longest and heated.

Please join us on YouTube DARE TO BE CURIOUS to get the rest of the story!

THERE IS BEAUTY IN SELF-EXPRESSION,IN CONFIDENCE, IN EXPERIENCE,

WHO WE’VE BEEN AND WHO WE MIGHT BECOME.

Each season, fashion offers us new propositions – YOU decide which fashions reflect your inner self. If fashion is art – you are the canvas to create magic.

For us, the fun of “dress up” to express ourselves has lasted a lifetime.

So we visited CONTESSA BOTTEGA IN CHICAGO,

one of our favorite bowers of fashion delights to share their treasures with you.

Here are words of wisdom

from designer, entrepreneur Contessa and Christopher Stefano, manager and assistant buyer: “It’s never a bad moment to think about Fall Fashion! Which is arguably the best time of the year for dressing.

It’s cold enough to wear all your favorite pieces at the same time.

Hello layers! But warm enough to actually go outside and show off your outfit from matching sets to full leather leggings and ankle boots, blazers, jackets and coats. These are the staple items to add to your fall wardrobe!”

From the Trunk Show

for classic Barbara Bui to romantic Camilla, click through to our YouTube Channel Dare to be Curious to choose YOUR perfect self expression!

Can’t summer in Italy this year?

Never Fear!

Book Club Babes’ June choice, These Tangled Vines, by Julianne MaClean will transport you there!

This great Summer read

spills over with the sumptuous flavors and romance of Tuscany.

It is a journey of love, secrets, sacrifice, courage –

and most importantly, the true meaning of family

Please take the journey with us

by clicking though to our YouTube Channel, Dare to be Curious, as we not only discuss the book but also share a history of Tuscany

and are presented wine selections

by the Maestro of the Chicago Delegation of The Knights of the Truffle and Wines of Alba, Italy, Georgia K. Marsh.

A book and an evening to remember.

Multiple Sclerosis is close to our hearts as we have loved ones who have been diagnosed and daily live with this disorder of the central nervous system.

They may or may not experience symptoms of this neural damage.  Their symptoms may or may not involve their eyes, their arms, their legs, and may or may not be disabling.

We are determined to make a difference in the lives of not only our loved ones, but the lives of people who live with this disease by raising the profile of MS, as well as raising funds for advocacy and research.

We are continually amazed by the powerful stories of those who live and thrive with this disorder.  From Sherrill’s daughter, Nora, to our wonderful friends, Bethany and Andrew, who’s story we shared a few years ago when Bethany was honored at the Annual Together for the Cure:Chicago. 

We are thrilled to report that they are now married and blissfully happy!

This years honoree, Monique B. Jones, LCSW, has her own powerful story to tell.

Please click through to our YouTube Channel to share this amazing day of hope and love.

“Once again I have encountered a book that proves how wonderful it is to become immersed in a rich, long novel . . .this novel has it all: seduction, danger, revenge, and a mystery that the author teases with mastery.  Zafon has outdone even the mighty Charles Dickens” . . . .The Philadelphia Inquirer

Is there anything more exciting than discovering an author who makes you think, feel, and yearn to read every book he has ever written?  We think not!

Carlos Ruiz Zafon

was unknown to us until, our fearless leader, Lezley Hodes, the founder of Book Club Babes, chose his brilliant THE SHADOW OF THE WIND, as our read for May.

As readers and writers how could we not be dazzled by a novel about the power that one book can exert over the right reader.?

Debi totally agreed with Stephen King. . .

”If you thought the true gothic novel died with the nineteenth century, this will change your mind.  The Shadow of the Wind is the real deal, a novel where even the subplots have subplots . . this is one gorgeous read”

One of Debi’s favorite quotes was on page 209, “Books are mirrors:  you only see in them what you all have inside you.”

I have too many favorite quotes, images, insights to choose . . . only to state that I give the author the ultimate compliment . . . I literally could not stop turning the pages!

There are few more enticing-sounding places than the Cemetery of Forgotten Books.

Please don’t forget to click through to our YouTube Channel, Dare to be Curious for the rest of the story . . . really, you should!

sit right next to us…

for Fun and Fashion

It’s that time of year . . .you know the time . . .when you look into your closet and declare “It’s Spring and I have nothing to wear”

Your closet might resemble mine pictured here.

Trust me it looks larger and neater than it presents to me every morning.

Perhaps it is our childhood memories of wearing pretty flowery dresses for those Spring Rituals of old or that we are bored with our Winter black and more black….

Whatever the reason, bright happy colors beckon us.

So, when Neiman Marcus beckoned,

inviting us to premier fashion events, including an Oscar Luncheon and Fashion Show, we answered a resounding YES!

For many many pictures

of Oscar’s incredible designs viewed up close and personal and speaking hundreds of “Oohs” from the audience, please click through to our YouTube Channel, DARE TO BE CURIOUS

REMEMBER . . .”I LOVE NEW CLOTHES. If everyone could just wear new clothes everyday, I reckon depression wouldn’t exist anymore” Sophie Kinsella, Writer

It is something to consider.

Especially when confronted with the beauty and workmanship of an Oscar de la Renta dress.

Millions watched FEUD: Capote vs. The Swans on Hulu and millions read CAPOTE’S WOMEN, the book on which the series is based, BUT Sherrill met swan, C.Z GUEST IN PERSON!

C.Z. is portrayed by Chloe Sevigny in FEUD.

Capote once described her, “Who could have imagined that lurking inside this cool vanilla lady was a madcap, laughing tomboy?”

When Sherrill met her, later in her life, she still liked getting her hands dirty.

C.Z. had written books on gardening and was speaking about her passion for flowers and her book at the home of a well- known Chicago TV anchor.

C.Z. was still cool and blond when she and Sherrill met in the spacious “powder room.”

She smiled and complimented Sherrill on her flowery flowing dress so appropriate for the luncheon.

As women will do, they chatted about fashion, flowers and the fun event.  It was a memorable five minutes.

Over the decades

much has been written about Truman Capote, his literary talent of which he was richly blessed.

His True Crime masterpiece, IN COLD BLOOD, caused millions to start locking their doors at night.

His whimsical wonderful novella, BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S, became the favorite film of millions with Holly Golightly becoming one of Capote’s best-known creations.  Certainly, Audry Hepburn burned her into the American culture.

But who was this man who created worlds in which readers could lose themselves?

A genius, a con-man, friend or foe?

Ultimately, he was all of the above.

His swans took him into their hearts and their homes and he stabbed them in the back with his words.

Laurence Leamer gives us the bold and beautiful New York in a time gone by.

CAPOTE’S WOMAN is a true story of love, betrayal and a swan song for an era.

C.Z. Guest was the only swan who did not desert him.  I believe it.

“You must write about it – otherwise you didn’t do it – otherwise it didn’t happen -otherwise it’ll all be forgotten tomorrow”

Famous British Travel Writer, Robin Hanbury-Tenison

It was hard to tell When

I entered the Amazon River as it is 185 miles wide where it meets the Atlantic. But then gradually the water changed, turning the color of milky dark tea or coffee with a small amount of milk added to it.

Here was the mighty Amazon being fed by one thousand one hundred tributaries. At my first port of call in the Amazon Basin, Santarem, I saw “The Meeting of the Waters” where the blue green water of one of those tributaries, Rio Tapajos, flows side by side with the chocolate Amazon until they merge into one roar to become the world’s greatest river and one of the most important to the planet.

I was in the “lungs of the world” producing 20% of our world’s oxygen, surrounded by 10% of the earth’s species with new ones being discovered every 3 days, plus 50,000 species of plants,2.5 million species of insects, 3,000 species of fish and 1,3oo species of birds.

The Brazilian Rainforest has the subtle scent of smoke. I couldn’t tell if it came from forest being burned to clear land or came from locals cooking over wood. I hoped it was the latter.

Who knows what secrets

this great, green, remote, inaccessible jungle holds for mankind. Scientists are constantly gathering every kind of flora and fauna hoping to find cures for all our maladies. Certainly, every market I found along the river sold medicinal cures – potions, herbs, roots which has been passed down through the indigenous peoples for generations.

This was especially true at the vast shopping emporium, the Mercado Municipal in Manaus, the most isolated urban city in the world.

This building was designed by Eiffel in France and brought over in pieces during the hedonist days of the Brazilian Rubber Boom. In Manaus the Rubber Barons created “The Paris of the Tropics.” In this crazy moment of time, 1879 to 1912, the wealthy erected extravagant palaces with the jewel being the lavish Manaus Opera House which today would have cost two billion dollars to build. Then every piece of wood, marble, crystal was all brought from the very best artisans in Europe. It took 14 years to build, and it has now been lovingly restored to its former glory. Other grand structures have not fared as well.

Everywhere there is a feel, a look of decay. The hot humid air is not kind to the lofty monuments’ men build to themselves. Some facades remain with the jungle growing within and I sensed soon it would claim dominance overall.

One of the great pleasures of writing about travel

is not always landscape, or history, or architecture – it is people. I found this particularly true on The Amazon.

Boca Da Valeria is a village of 75 to 100 but when a boat anchors off shore and tenders arrive so do dozens of children from two other small settlements up a narrow tributary. They bring their pets - a turtle, sloth, bird, monkey to show me and the women present their crafts of beading or crochet. The men offer their dug-out canoes for a journey up a narrow tributary. I chose my canoe and on this journey, I discovered the romance and serene beauty of this watery paradise – drifting past water lilies – being taken to a tree which houses a dozen nests and watching those native birds coming to attend their young – a heron striking a pose and butterflies fluttering around me.

The friendliness, the smiles I receive seem genuine.

I must stress this in not an indigenous village – those peoples have gone deeper into the Rainforest to maintain their way of life. This is a typical village along the river and the people are Caboclo, indigenous and Portuguese.

Some might wonder about the impact of such visits on these remote villages. However, I believe visiting, buying directly from the villagers, the kids gathering to learn the dances, make the traditional handicrafts, preserve their traditions.

Never was tradition more alive and well than on my last port on The Amazon, Parintins.

Usually, a quiet town until the Boi Bumba festival, an amazing spectacle of joyous song, dance, dazzling costumes, body paint and fantastical creature floats – all indigenous beliefs fused with African influences.

There are religious undertones of redemption but the outpouring of joy, and the energy of the dancers are more thrilling than the story being told.

It is the Carnival of the Amazon. It takes place in June and 50,000 people descend on Bumbodroma for the 6 hour dance competition between the red and blue teams.

For the visit from my ship, the red team gave us a one-hour version which, for me, rivaled the excitement and pleasure of attending Rio Carnival.

I left home to learn more about the world – it has left me filled with the thrill and urgency of what I have discovered and the joy of sharing it.

Have you made your New Years Resolutions?
We did!  And they include all of YOU!!

We vow to be Happy Travelers through this new year - bringing you along on our traveling adventures!

Sherrill is circumnavigating South America from Ft Lauderdale & back - which includes Carnival in Rio and cruising a thousand miles up the Amazon River to Manaus

At the same time Debi will be exploring the Hawaiian Islands 

Watch for HAPPY TRAVELERS blogs & Dare to be Curious videos as we share Ports of Call - our favorite coffee/tea finds - shopping- food - a taste of the world!  All our adventures!

We can’t wait to share!

Meanwhile, we wish you all health, wealth, love & perfect self-expression in the new year!

XOXO Sherrill & Debi

It is true that chocolate gives us a soothing rush of endorphins –

and, really, don’t we all love that feeling!

Having just seen the new film, WONKA

(don’t believe the critics – it’s charming – we laughed, we cried) – we have a new appreciation for the power of truly delicious chocolate – the kind that is like an explosion of happiness in your mouth!

We found exactly that taste treat with Phillip Ashley Chocolates out of Memphis. Not only are they utterly mouthwatering but also beautiful to gaze upon.

We recently met Chef Phillip Ashley Rix at Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue.

He clearly loves what he has created since he began by selling his chocolates from the trunk of his four- door sedan. Now he’s been named one of the Best Chocolatiers and Confectioners in America.

He has built his success on unusual pairings which by some kind of magic – work!

Memphis Margarita, Fried Chicken, Maple Bacon Pecan Praline, Collards and Cornbread to name just a few delectable flavors.

We encourage you to go to his WEBSITE and/or go to Neiman Marcus where his extraordinary confections can be purchased.

He is the “real” Willy Wonka!

As Tom Hanks uttered in Forrest Gump, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”

If we may, a very brief champagne lesson: Champagne is a sparkling wine produced from grapes grown in the Champagne region of France. It is produced by a specific, traditional method from specific grapes grown in designated areas of that region. It is the most famous type of sparkling wine and is often cited as one of the most esteemed wines in the world. The Champagne method involves second fermentation in the bottle to form bubbles. This method allows champagne to be aged for longer periods than other sparkling wines, leading to an increased complexity of flavors.

We were recently treated to a fabulous Champagne experience at The House of Glunz, Chicago wine and spirits merchants since 1888

Owners, Barbara and Christopher, shared their expertise as they showed us their impressive curated store plus the charming inviting tasting room.

Sherrill got soooo much information and inspiration she will incorporate into her upcoming mystery series – The Empress of Bubbles.

Barbara is a font of knowledge about champagne – particularly small growers. She chose two champagnes – Andre Clouet (from their cooler) and Philipponnot – both unknown to us before this visit.

Daring To Be Curious we popped the cork on the Andre Clouet in the bar/restaurant attached and owned by The House of Gluntz.

It was delicious and the perfect setting to enjoy the fine bubbles –

beautiful old world charm restaurant, the yummy aroma of freshly made popcorn and comfort food from their menu.

The pop of that cork conjured up ideas of celebrating and treating ourselves . . . and our friends.

No other drink has quite captured the imagination of History’s famous figures than Champagne, with it inspiring lots of fantastic quotes.

We are sharing a few of our favorites:

“I only drink Champagne when I’m happy, and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company, I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I am not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise, I never touch it – unless I’m thirsty.” Lily Bollinger, proprietor of French Champagne house Bollinger ( one of our favorite champagnes!)

“I drink champagne when I win, to celebrate . . .and I drink champagne when I lose, to console myself.” Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France ( this has new meaning for us since we recently saw the film Napoleon!)

“There comes a time in every woman’s life when the only thing that helps is a glass of champagne.” Bette Davis, actress ( haven’t we all had those days?)

“Why do I drink Champagne for breakfast? Doesn’t everyone?” Noel Coward, English playwright, composer, director, actor and singer ( there is a reason Champagne is served with brunch – it just goes with anything)

We would love to hear your favorite quotes and please send us the names of any new champagne you have discovered and loved.

The holiday season is about love!

“Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour” – John Boswell

We gathered golden moments when Debi was recently inducted as a Cavalieri Del Tartufo E Dei Vini De Alba. She is thrilled to celebrate her Italian heritage and we will be sharing more of her journey to educate all about the foods and wines of the Piedmont region of Italy.

That special evening was the perfect opportunity to do what we do during this time of year – break bread with old and new friends.

Plus on this occasion we had the opportunity to learn so much about truffles – one of our favorite taste treats and a wonderful delicacy anytime, anywhere!

For us, this special evening was the beginning of our holiday season of gratitude which we want to share with you all.

So, Sherrill is sharing her “famous” – so her children tell her – Turkey Stuffing

2 pounds sliced bread, toasted, preferably bakery egg bread

4 eggs, slightly beaten

¼ pound butter, melted

1 teaspoon salt, adjust to taste

2 large red delicious apples, grated

Mushrooms chopped – as many as you want – I put in a lot! (Saute the fresh mushrooms in butter and then add – very important for the flavoring)

3 cans of chopped water chestnuts

Place bread in large colander. Run cold water over bread for a few minutes and then squeeze as dry as possible. Transfer to large bowl and toss with all other ingredients.

This makes enough stuffing for a large turkey up to 20 pounds. Since I always have a bigger turkey I double the recipe and put the extra in a casserole and bake covered for about 45 minutes at same temperature as turkey.

As Nora Ephron stated . . .”The turkey. The sweet potatoes. The stuffing. The pumpkin pie. Is there anything else we all can agree so vehemently about? I don’t think so.”

Best Wishes for a Joyful Holiday Season!!

We have all seen that first birthday party –

one year old cutie in a high chair with a small cake within reach.  The gleeful look as the cutie dives into it with both hands – smearing more on their adorable cheeks than in their rosebud mouth.

This heartwarming scene is recorded in pictures by family and friends who would not have missed this special moment for the world!

Who would not miss YOUR party for the world?

FRIENDS are the first super component!

We know it is hard to make those list – space, cost, timing, location can all be limiting factors. We have found if we can’t invite all our Besties to one gathering, we set up breakfast, lunch, tea, drink, dinner dates in small groups to keep the celebration going – as we always say, “Everyday is an opportunity for a special occasion!”

Once you have your list – be it 10 or 110 – think about FUN – the second super component.

What do YOU – your BESTIES – enjoy?

A Spa Day, Hiking, Cooking Class, Flower Arranging, the list is endless as we are all curious and want to keep learning.

We love to dance – good for mind, body and soul!

Sherrill’s last birthday party was a Mama Mia Dance Party!

Who doesn’t want to shake their moves to Dancing Queen!

And of course you are working off calories so you can enjoy the FAVORS – the third super component.

Make the favors match the party theme. For Mama Mia, everyone had a feather boa – it just works with Abba music.

Of course, no party is complete without Debi’s Divine Biscotti to keep your strength up for more dancing. And to take away, eye masks since you might need them the next morning after dancing the night away!

Food and Beverages are important – also they should compliment your theme. However, we have discovered that if you have those super components of FRIENDS, FUN AND FAVORS, everything else falls into place.

“Count your age by friends, not years”

Curious about

why renounced producers wanted to do yet another version of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic The Great Gatsby, Book Club Babes chose to read it.

There have been four film versions,

the latest in 2013. None of the Great Gatsby movies can replace the experience of reading the book – visualizing the characters – recognizing the grandeur of the parties and really diving into the larger themes of the book.

The Great Gatsby is a slim volume rich in its portrayal of the Roaring Twenties.

This enduring classic has had its critics over the century since it was written. Some say the Great Gatsby is truly great – others say not so much. However, it is certainly poetic and certainly worth revisiting.

Like all our Book Club Babes gatherings we get into the theme – Roaring 20’s attire – the drink – the food – the music of the time

Add these elements to your own Book Club – it really does make for a richer adventure.

Join us on our YouTube Channel Dare To Be Curious to share in our party!

We love a film which makes us both laugh and cry!

Because of the wonderful marketing champaign, 2023 continues to be the “Summer of Barbie”: - the “must see” movie of the year!

And pink!!!

Have you ever seen everyone wearing so much pink?

Thank goodness it is such a happy color which complements all of us!

Happy is how the movie made us feel – plus enchanted, stunned by its creativity, thoughtful at the many messages woven into this modern tale directed by visionary filmmaker, Greta Gerwig, and delighted by its two leading actors, Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling – two of our personal favorites!

Barbie is the perfect “Happy Birthday” party theme – we all look pretty in pink!

We took full advantage of all the Barbie Pink attractions available for a day of fun – including a Pop-Up Barbie Café in Chicago where toddlers to nonagenarians frolicked.

There are only two rules for your Barbie themed party – You must wear pink and You must see the film!

Go Barbie go! Yes, you may bring Ken!

We are often asked about writing – Sherrill’s novels and travel articles – Debi’s Divine Biscotti baking and recipe book.

We love sharing LIVING LOVING AND LEARNING on this blog and our YouTube channel,

DARE TO BE CURIOUS.

Now we are expanding our sharing to speaking at conferences.

We both have been speakers many times for large groups before COVID. AS we all know, the world changed in 2020 and is only now righting itself.

We are delighted to report that we will be “in the trenches” speaking at Evanston Writers Workshop In The Trenches Conference 2023.

Sherrill spoke at their first conference and won their Bard Award. She is excited to return to this conference November 2 thru November 5 at the lovely Hyatt Regency in Deerfield, Illinois. Debi is equally excited about being a part of this inspiring event.

In The Trenches is a learning opportunity for all interested in writing for every genre. PLUS – voice acting/narration classes will be taught by the famous Carlos Ferro.

More details to follow! We must share one of our favorite quotes about learning.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go”….Dr. Seuss

Get your ticket today!

Inthetrenches2023.com

WHERE IS YOUR HAPPY PLACE?

As writers and readers we have always known a romance reading habit doesn’t need to be hidden between the covers of a literary masterpiece you are pretending to read – or only whispered about to select friends.

It is to be proudly talked about – like now – with Emily Henry’s HAPPY PLACE!

HAPPY PLACE is funny at points but it is also sad.

As readers we were confused by the choices made by the main characters, Harriet and Wyn, which generated much debate at Book Club Babes! Which is exactly how it should be in any Book Club discussion – that is the magic of it.

The setting is a Summer House in Maine, complete with lobsters on the beach and wandering through charming little towns to visit beloved favorite stores/restaurants for ice cream, drinks, etc.

Clearly this is a Summer Beach/Holiday Read!

And clearly, Emily Henry’s message is the only Happy Place any of us can count on is one another.

“Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anyone else, these pages must show” Dickens David Copperfield

Barbara Kingsolver’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel, Demon Copperhead, reimagines Dicken’s story in modern rural America with poverty and opioid addition.

Demon’s words are quite fatalistic, instead of hopeful: “Save or be saved, these are questions. You want to think it’s not over til the last page.”

Sounds grime, right?

Not necessarily.

Resilience - the trait that no one can define. Some have it. Sadly, others do not

It is our reaction to adversity, not adversity itself that determines how our life’s story will develop.

As Nelson Mandela stated, “Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.

Resilience is the theme of Sherrill’s memoir and Debi’s poetry which we will be sharing soon.

Supporting others to overcome adversity and build resilience will be explored more fully on our YouTube channel, DARE TO BE CURIOUS

Our theme has always been “We are all in this together.”

Please join us.

Warmer weather is right around the corner!

Of course in Chicago this time of year, we can experience all four seasons in one day!

For us warm weather means Summer, which – again for us – starts on Memorial Day. 

That long weekend which is the unofficial start to cookout season!

However, Memorial Day is foremost a day to remember the millions of heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country – for the world.

We grew up with this enduring quote by JFK: “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.”

We give thanks and embrace the privilege of freedom to celebrate friends and families with pool parties, parades and backyard cookouts.

We asked several friends how they celebrate Memorial Day.  More than a few stated:  “It’s the start of summer.  With the fireworks of July 4th in the middle and ends with Labor Day and the kids going back to school.”

For this season we like to display cherished collections. 

For Sherrill it’s filling her antique vases with peonies gathered from the farmers markets that begin Memorial Day Weekend. 

For Debi it’s baking her seasonal biscotti flavors. 

Other friends decorate their doors with boughs of greenery.  You can add flowers or red/white/blue ribbons or small flags.

On our Dare to be Curious YouTube Channel you can hear more about the surprising ways others celebrate this special day.  Plus we share some of our “favorite things” which you can add to your celebrations.

Welcome to Summer!!

Everyone loves to celebrate Cinco de Mayo – the great food – the margaritas – the music – the dancing – BUT – do we really know WHY we are celebrating?

Many – us included - thought we were celebrating Mexican Independence.

ACTUALLY, ON May 5, Cinco de Mayo commemorates the anniversary of Mexico’s victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza.

Even though his army was outnumbered in the battle which lasted from daybreak to sunset, General Zaragoza realized the superior French forces were losing because his troops were utilizing the knowledge of their homeland terrain to defeat the invaders.

The victory that day became a symbol of Mexican resistance.

In 2005, US Congress passed a resolution recognizing the historical significance of this holiday and encouraged a celebration of Mexican culture through food, drink, dance and music.

And in our case – shopping!

We started at the fabulous Colores Mexicanos
605 Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60601
coloresmexicanoschicago.com

What a treasure trove!

A beautiful collection of textiles carefully curated to bring all the best in exquisitely handmade garments and tablescapes.

Yes, Sherrill could not resist purchasing a “work of art” apron, even though she only cooks on holidays and a few birthdays in-between

Debi’s “had to have” was a piece of hand crafted jewelry - truly, everything in the store tempted us!

Packages in hand, we headed to our favorite regional Mexican restaurant, Tzuco by Chef Carlos Gaytán, who became the first Mexican Chef to receive a Michelin star in 2013 and 2014.

TZUCO
720 North State St., Chicago, IL 60654
tzuco.com

We had loved dinner there so this time we tried their brunch served only on Saturday and Sunday

SUBLIME! Every dish has an unexpected fabulously yummy taste twist.

Guacamole so smooth it melted in our mouths.

The presentation of the Shrimp Ceviche was only surpassed by its taste.

Lobster Taco which was not a taco in any way we have ever experienced a taco -anywhere!

And the margarita’s! We wanted to try a new twist ourselves so ordered a float of amaretto on top – Sherrill’s with salt – Debi’s without. Both yummy!

We agree with Congress – May 5 - EVERYONE should experience the culture of Mexico.

PASARLO BIEN