Sweet Saturday’s returns to the Garfield Park Conservatory on two consecutive Saturdays in February – the 6th and 13th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The suggested donation for entry is $3 per person. Sweet Saturdays will focus on plants that provide the key ingredients to some favorite sweet treats. The Garfield Park Conservatory, a veritable plant-based candy show, is home to many living sweets such as bananas, vanilla beans, cinnamon bark, and chocolate trees. Visitors of all ages can sample the facts, the flavors and the fun of some of the most tantalizing tropical treats. Experience the following sweet activities at each Sweet Saturday:

If you or someone you know is not already a member, memberships can be purchased on the day of each Sweet Saturday event or Click Here to Join Online.

Interested in volunteering at our Fact & Flavor Stations during these fun-filled Sweet Saturdays in February? Contact Mattie Wilson at volunteer@garfieldpark.org or call her at
773-638-1766 ext 26.

Imagination and creativity come part and parcel with childhood. Unfortunately, most of us tend to lose those wonderful skills (at least to some degree) as we get older. Then we find ourselves sitting in a meeting or facing a problem that we are sure we could solve if only we could “think outside the box” or be more” innovative”.  Well, those are just grown up words for being creative and trying new stuff.

So. Encourage your kids to exercise their imagination and hold on to it as long as they can.  In out great city, there are a ton of opportunities to help make that happen.

Make Adventure Stage Chicago a favorite on your computer and check regularly for the really cool programs available. Coming up, Feb 12 and 15th, 9am-1pm at the Vittum Theater (1012 N. Noble Street) they are sponsoring mask making workshops for kids 8 and older. $20 a day and it will end with a performance on stage. What a great way for your kids to explore a new outlet for their creative intelligence and a fabulous conversation starter for the whole family to talk about together.

Isn’t it wonderful to come home after a long trip, even if you had a great time? There is something comforting about coming home that nothing else can even approximate.  For some people, that feeling happens when they go “home” to the house they grew up in, or another family members house. For me, its always been my own home, and that has been true in the 10 different houses I have lived in as an adult.

I happen to be a homebody and stay as close to home as I can but even if I’m gone for a long day, I still LOVE to come home. So, why is it so great to come home? Its clearly not just the space you happen to live in since the feeling tends to move with us as we change our actual physical location.

I wrote the other day about the power of scent, does you home have  a smell? Sure it does, just like people have personal scents (and I don’t mean the after-a-workout smell!).  Its also the lighting that we are familiar with, the temperature that our bodies are acclimated to, even if its too cold or hot, its what we are used to.

I live in a newer building and have forced air and heat but I grew up in a house with radiators. Whenever I am visiting somewhere with radiators and I hear the hiss and clank of the steam warming up the metal radiators, I want to snuggle up and go to sleep, I feel so comfortable and welcomed immediately.

We certainly can’t forget about who else is in the house that helps makes it a home.  I have always had dogs and I really feel the absence when I don’t walk in to a cold wet nose welcoming me home.  Of course, when you live with another person or people they are a huge part of what makes your house your home.  When my dog died and my daughter and I started coming home to an empty house I hated it, I went out and bought fish just so we could say hello and goodbye to something. A little over the top? Perhaps, but everyone has their own “thing” that makes home “home”.  It matters not if no one else gets it.

Of course, the things that are in your house matter too. But I mention them last because I think the intangibles are more important and are really what can create your Home anywhere you need or want it to be.  If you don’t love coming home, its time to figure out why and do something about it.  Whether that means a makeover of your existing space or finding somewhere new that better suits all those important intangibles.  I’m happy to help, either way, creative use of space is one of my specialties. If you decide that a new space is the answer, now is a great time to make that move.

Either way, enjoy going home today!

This is the first year that my 2 1/2 yr old is really old enough to appreciate playing in the snow.  A couple of weekends ago when we had pretty deep snowfall she had an absolute blast with our neighbor who is about her age. And, I have to say, I wish I had a snowsuit too because I was right down in the snow playing with her!

First snow angel

Climbing a mountain!

This weekend the Chicago Park District is hosting another great- and free-event for the whole family.  Northerly Island will be hosting the Polar Adventure days from 12-4 and will have ice sculpture demonstrations, live animals, winter crafts, hot cocoa and more. Sophia and I will be there–say hi if you see us!  Details and directions here.

I was reading an article in Crain’s about a new store opening at 520 N Michigan Ave called the Art of Shaving which specializes in, you guessed it, luxury men’s shaving products.  It’s a brief note, about 4 lines long but I was immediately transported to 900 N Michigan Shops and the Truefitt & Hill store there.  I walked by it the other day and the heavenly aroma wafting into the walkway actually made me stop and take a look. Now, I have absolutely no need or use for luxury men’s grooming accessories but I stopped anyway, racking my brain for someone I could by a present for!

It’s long been proven that scent is one of our strongest senses and evokes the strongest feeling/memory in most people.  Its also long been said that you should bake cookies or bread for an open house.  There’s a reason that advice has been around forever, its good advice! But, its also true that scent is a VERY personal thing. What is heaven to one person smells worse than  a skunk to another.  That being said, its worth you time if you are selling your house to consider a little more subtle assault on potential buyers olfactory sense.  I know you are already keeping your house spotless if you are trying to sell (right?) but how about the way it smells? Be very wary of many commercial products out there designed to make your house smell good. Heavy oils and even some candles are much too heady a scent to assume everyone will like it.

Solution:  Scrubbing Bubbles, a cheap bathroom cleaner/ sanitizer, does a tremendous job making everything smell fresh without any scrubbing on your part.  A quick spray in the tubs, showers, toilet, sinks, kitchen sink and stove and then a quick rinse or wipe and there is just the faintest hit of freshness that lingers.  The fabulous shower you have is even more inviting when people KNOW its super clean.  This is the perfect solution before scheduled showings–goodness knows you don’t want to be baking cookies and bread for every showing!  Another solutions which I am sure everyone knows by now–Febreeze.  Its works wonders BUT, a lot of people recognize the smell so do it the day before if you can. The last thing you want is buyer wondering what you are covering up!