Passion for Music: Matthew Schoening

One of my passions that I haven't shared is music.  I love all kinds and need to have it surrounding my either in my tiny ipod headphones or as i make my way through my chores at home.  I tend towards jazz, new age, classical and lately anything that is slightly other worldly that doesn't have lyrics.  I can escape into the sound and let it take me wherever it leads.  This artist and his music that I have gratefully found does just that. 

Matthew Schoening has been a musician forever, being raised in San Francisco by parents who are both musicians themselves.  Matthew started playing cello in middle school and has set it aside and picked it up again numerous times through his 27 years bringing him to his current relationship with his musical skills.  

Solo Electric Cello is his first album released in 2007 that has him playing an electric cello while "looping, layering and arranging".  I am not a musician so can't speak to what any of that means.  But I do know when something sounds hauntingly beautiful....and his music does.  For me it feels very mystical: succeeding at being contemporary and ancient at the same time.  

Having this playing inside my head is like being transported to a far away land and is a gift I give myself when I need to get away!!

Additional information:  Listening Lounge

Photo credit:  Greg Gorman

Transistions

The by-line on my blog pretty much sums up what I was setting out to do when I started writing--looking at my life as a journey up to this point and see where it is going to take me as I make my way through the choppy waters of change that are all around me.  I am not a fan of reading about individual's daily exploits about grocery shopping or laundry or what to cook for dinner that some bloggers feel the need to reveal.  So I have made an attempt to keep much personal stuff out of this one.  But I need to write this post for my own sake and for those who may have or might be experiencing something similar.  

Two weeks ago, in the middle of all my daughter's graduations from their respective colleges and high schools, I had to fly out to Las Vegas to deal with a family issue.  My dad, struggling with prostrate cancer, was hospitalized for additional health complications and my mom needed some help looking for long term care for him.  Within 48 hours of my arrival, I found myself making funeral arrangements instead. A surreal experience to say the least.  Once his body decided to shut down, it shut down at a rapid speed.  Fortunately, I was able to say my good-byes but was saying them to a man that wasn't my dad and didn't know who I was. Watching someone die, who you love, who is going through a difficult physical death is.....bigger than any words I could possibly attach to it.  There was no time for me to grieve as I had to be (or felt I should be) the strong one so my mom had someone to lean on.  

I needed to get back home for our third graduation ceremony,  so my brother flew to Las Vegas from Philly to be with my mom and pick up some of the pieces that I wasn't able to tie together. She then flew to spend some time here in Chicago with my family.  It has been odd, these last few weeks.  I feel as though I have gone from the daughter to the mother, helping this woman, my mom, become someone who overnight must take care of herself.  Certainly not an easy transition to say the least when you are 75.  But it has became so clear to me that we are never done growing.  Our journey is never over until it is over.  I saw my dad's literally come to an end which could easily be filled with regret but I will never know.  As I watched him leave, I wondered where he was in that moment and where he was going.  What was happening for him?  When I get to that moment, will I have regret or remorse?  Will there be a list of should haves, could haves, would haves left on my to-do list?  

The blessings I am left with are these.  My dad is no longer in pain or suffering, either physically or mentally.  Knowing that you have terminal cancer is hard to face day in and day out.  My dad was not a particularly strong man; he wasn't one who would have fought to overcome his illness, so there is peace for him now and we, my family, all know that.  The blessing for me, for being with him when he passed away, left me with a stronger resolve to not waste my time here.  To be authentic and true to myself.  That isn't going to be easy as some of the things I want aren't in keeping with how my life is playing out at this moment.  But my heart is heavy and knows what it needs to find joy and peace while I still have a chance.  So when I draw my last breath, those who love me will know for certain that I will leave with no regrets.    

An Architectural Jewel Box: Prague

I am certain if the façade of my building was as beautiful as these, I might have to pitch a tent outside so I could enjoy all its beauty.

 These architectural wonders are found in Prague, a destination that has been on my travel "to-do" list for the last five years and I just haven't been able to get to.  Friends went this past February and can't stop talking about it.  Seems to be what happens when you visit this capital city of the Czech Republic.  It is widely considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, only minimally damaged during World War II so much of it's historical splendor remains.   It is home to Prague castle, the largest ancient castle in the world.....and pork, dumplings and sauerkraut!!  One of my favorite meals growing up with some Czech blood coursing through my veins.  

Let's plan a trip!  Wikitravel

Photo credit:  jamie.silva

Mark Bittman

Mark Bittman, The Minimalist chef and writer for the New York Times is one of my favorite characters when it comes to talking about and demonstrating cooking.  His laid back approach and wit can influence anyone to get out of their chair and into the kitchen to recreate whatever it is he's preparing.  Today, he takes us through the preparation of baby artichokes Provençal which in no time becomes a meal worthy of any seaside café in the south of France.  

You can enjoy his frequent musings on food and everything surrounding it on his blog, Bitten.  He's also a cookbook author with numerous books under his belt and regularly appears on the "Today" show.  I am certain he would wish us all, Bon Appetit!

Hotel Valley Ho: Scottsdale, Arizona

 Hotel Valley Ho has been an inviting haven from the heat in the Valley of the Sun since 1956, becoming the home away from home for Hollywood's elite while visiting this desert paradise. Catering to the "Rat Pack" during their heyday, this Scottsdale resort had it all going on and continues to exude an urban chicness that's wrapped up in it's original desert architecture.  Having gone through an extensive restoration in 2005, the old and the new come together to make it "one of the hottest spots to stay..." (Chicago Tribune).  

The guestrooms have all been redone in a contemporary version of the mid-century "hip-ness" it was known for.  Amenities abound with flat screen high definition TVs, wifi, fabulous spa bath and shower products and feather topped beds.

The restaurant has changed little from it's early days; think really nice rec room from the 60's. Nationally recognized chef, Charles Wiley, brings you right into present however, with creative cuisine both at Cafe Zuzu and the legendary Trader Vic's. 

The location could not be more convenient as old Scottsdale, with it's restaurants, art galleries and gift shops is within walking distance.  More great shopping and dining is only minutes away by car in Paradise Valley.  

Additional Information:  Hotel Valley Ho  

Photo Credit:  Hotel Valley Ho    

Selexyz Dominicanen: Book Heaven

Wear the old coat and buy the new book

-Austin Phelps

Being an avid reader makes me a lover of all things bookish--cozy, messy stores that sell dusty, worn, 1st editions of some obscure author that has written a novel about some English village at the turn of the century.  It reads like historical fiction but in truth, was contemporary fiction and I am able to read about it through eyes that experienced it first hand.  Little things like that make me happy.  

Libraries are another source of joy for me.  We live near a university and I love going up into the stalls to find old French texts or books which the powers that be who determine what we read here in the states (the major bookstore chains) would not consider "best sellers".  This particular library is circa 1970 so lacks much in the charm catagory.  Cinder block doesn't do it for me!  

So I think I am going to have to move to Maastricht.  It is here that crumbling cathedrals are transformed into functional spaces once again.  Case in point:  Selexyz Dominicanen--a bookstore built inside a 12th century Dominicanenkerk in the center city.

Here modern technology meets its cousins from the past.  Books are housed in huge steel structures which allows for much of the church to remain exposed.  Frescoes on the ceiling have been restored to their previous splendor and one can sit and sip a warm beverage in the coffee shop while they leaf through all the treasures within.

Designed by Amsterdam architects Merkx and Girod, it won the Lensvelt de Architect Interior Prize 2007 and has been called,  "......the most beautiful bookshop of all time", by the Guardian. I would have to agree.

Photo credit:  Selexyz, Roos Aldershoff

Chicken Cacciatore: Feeding a Crowd

This past weekend was my last entertaining hurrah for awhile.  We are getting set to leave the house my family has called home for the past 12 years and settle into different living arrangements:  my twins going off in different directions to pursue life after college, my younger daughter heading to New York city for the next four years while she attends college and my husband and I downsizing from our suburban sprawl to a cozy urban space in downtown Chicago.  I am a bit of a gypsy, counting 12 different cities my home during my lifetime,  so change isn't something I balk at.  This however, isn't merely relocating--it is movement of another kind.  Life movement, letting go of much that has been required of me while I raised my daughters which created some of the boundaries of who I was during the last 25 years.  It is a major transformation, not without excitement and trepidation on all our parts!  As with other changes I have encountered over the years, once I get settled in my new skin, all will be right again.  That doesn't mean the fit is going to be perfect right out of the gate.  Some adjustments will have to be made which is how we grow and become everything we are meant to be--even if we go kicking and screaming!!  Let's hope there is little of that. 

Back to the weekend.  All three of my daughters graduated from their respective schools over the last 3 weeks and we celebrated the last of these, my youngest's high school graduation yesterday.  Family members came in from out of town and I found myself not only getting ready for a party, but runnng a mini-hotel over the weekend to accomodate all our guests.  Wanting to enjoy my company, I did some of my food preparation ahead of time so we could spend more time together.  I have to share the following recipe as it was a hit--easy to make and delicious to boot.  Whether you are cooking for a crowd like I was or just want to make your family happy on a week night, I would give this a try.

Chicken & Sausage Cacciatore

4 servings

3 tbsp olive oil divided

4 large chicken thighs with skin

3/4 lb. mild or hot Italian sausages

3/4 lb large mushrooms, quartered

2 12 oz containers grape tomatoes

1/2 cup dry red wine

3 large garlic cloves, pressed

1 1/2 tsp chopped fresh rosemary

1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil

Heat 2 tbsp oil in large nonstick skillet over medium high heat.   Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper.  Add chicken and sausage to skillet.  Sauté until brown, 5 minutes per side.  Transfer chicken and sausages to bowl.  Add mushrooms to skillet.  Sauté until brown, about 4 minutes: add to same bowl.  

Add remaining 1 tbsp oil to skillet.  Add tomatoes, red wine, garlic and rosemary.  Cover, reduce heat to medium and cook until tomatoes soften, about 5 minutes.  Using potato masher, lightly crush half the tomatoes.  Return chicken to skillet.  reduce heat to medium-low.  Simmer uncovered 5 minutes.  Add remaining contents of bowl and simmer uncovered until chicken and sausages are cooked through, turning often, about 15 minutes.  Place chicken and sausages on platter and spoon sauce over.

**To make it more my own, I added sliced red, orange and green peppers to mushrooms and sautéed until they were soft--about 10 minutes.  I also added WAY more wine than it called for because we all like wine at my house.  I also wanted a bit more "sauce" so added a can of diced tomatoes to the final simmer.  Made it a day ahead of time so all the flavors had time to work together and become yummier and served with a big bowl of gnocchi to catch all the sauce.  I think I tripled this for my needs! 

PS:  I really want a green Vespa!!

Photo credit:  allposters.com