People

June 13, 2011 In Illinois, People, Photos

skinny chicks like ribs too

Meet Ellie:

All 86 pounds of our adorable little friend was going to town on some ribs this weekend at Ribfest. Â I love someone who has no shame when they’re hungry and can laugh at themselves while we laugh too:

Meet Stacey:

Stacey was in full support of the chow-down as well, after she downed her de-lish portion of the bbq good stuff.

Yep, this is how we roll on Saturdays in the summer in Chicago. Every time I hang out with these two I laugh until my stomach hurts. Needless to say good times.

Until next weekend…

June 8, 2011 In Illinois, People, Photos

meet howard

He was looking very official when I met him last weekend near Lake Michigan with his smile.

It’s so fun to talk to nice, happy strangers.

June 5, 2011 In Illinois, People, Photos

meet sophia

Sophia was my running buddy for the Girls on The Run 5k yesterday.

This 5k is a huge event and the crowd was a buzz with excitement. The girls were all given tiaras to run in, which were decorated at the tiara decorating tent of course:

“Everybody knows you run better in a tiara!”

Stone Academy was the school I buddied with:

There were droves of people who showed up for this race. The energy in the crowd for an early Saturday hot, humid morning was fabulous. Here’s us all warming up and getting ready to go:

And the race began.

Sophia and I ran, walked, cheered and even danced a little. We stopped at Lake Michigan to splash around in the water about halfway through. I am used to the heat, but by Chicago standards this was a very hot day so I let the tiny adorable Sophia dunk her head to keep cool. She was a riot. Getting a 9 year old to finish 3.2 miles in the blazing sun when she’s sweating bullets and it’s her first race was a bit of a push, but we did it! Some things she said during the race; Sweet and hilarious:

*”Ugh, I had NO idea 3 miles was so far!”

*”Oh my gosh, I feel like I’m walking from Chicago to San Francisco!”

*(After she got sandy and muddy from our stop to cool down at the lake) “You know what they say; if you get dirty- you must be having fun!”

*”My Mom is going to be really proud of me when I get back.”

*I am SO going to do Girls on The Run next year!”

The last quote of course came after we crossed the finish line, high-fived and got our medals:

Poor hot and tired Sophia’s tiara was flipped and flopped by this point but she was so happy and proud of her medal. (I was too!) This was a treat to participate in, and kicked off a most fabulous Chicago summer weekend. I am always amazed how appreciative kids are when you pay attention and spend time with them. It makes me want to run around the world declaring to all young women that they really can be all they want to be.

Congratulations Sophia! Thanks letting me run with you and making my day. Three cheers to Girls on The Run for all you do for young women!

May 21, 2011 In People, Videos

and still laughing…

After seeing the video of the dancing dude in the goggles yesterday, my friend taped his little girl dancing to my post. Watch this and try not to laugh again. What a cutie pie.

Thanks Aly- you are a superstar!

May 20, 2011 In People, Videos

whatever you do, don’t laugh

My sister sent this to me last night. It’s is a friend of the guy she’s traveling with- he is in Italy. I need to go to Italy again if this is how much fun they have alone on a Speedo-esque pair of shorts and a bathing cap:

I’ve watched it about 10 times and I can’t stop. My favorite part is around minute 2. My stomach and face hurt. Seriously, the running man, totally straight face, with the goggles put me over the edge. This is freaking hilarious. Ok, I have to go watch this again…

May 19, 2011 In Illinois, People, Photos

meet isas

How could this picture not make you smile?

Because it’s a gorgeous day out, I decided to walk my errands today. Trader Joe’s was my last stop to stock up on a few snacks and some beer for after my double-header soccer game tonight. As I headed home I walked by an auto shop with a few guys standing outside taking what looked like a much deserved break. I smiled and said hi as I approached them. One of the guys saw my 6-pack of Blue Moon and jokingly reached for one of them. We both laughed as I walked by. As I turned the corner I thought, I have got to go back and give this guy a beer. He looked like a jolly and hard-working guy, why not?

I walked back and said “Here you go, enjoy!” He looked shocked, smiled huge, and was very appreciative. We laughed, I introduced myself and asked if I could take a photo of him of course. After a minute of chatter, he was being summoned to go back to work so we said our goodbye’s.

It’s amazing how a 2 minute interaction with someone you’d never otherwise meet can change your day, give you some perspective, or put a smile on your face. I always get back way more than I give when meeting people like Isas along my road. I live for this stuff. This, is what Blue Lollipop Road is all about.

Cheers Isas. Thanks for putting a smile on my face.

May 18, 2011 In De-lish, Food, Illinois, People

‘it’s sweet, it’s fresh, and it’s gonna send you to sugar heaven.”

A friend called last minute on Friday, was in town for work for the day, and said he wanted pizza. Of course! I’m in Chicago, so deep dish was a must.

We met at Gino’s East of course:

We had quite the lunch experience. First lets start with my pizza; Deep dish cheese with tomatoes. My own perfect little pie:

Perfect thick crust:

…and oh that cheese:

You all know me by now. You know I am a foodie, and that I think there is nothing more important than time with people you love, feasting and laughing. I’ve lunched with this particular friend bunches of times over the past 14 years, but this particular time was one of my all-time favorites because our waiter added the perfect entertainment value. He was sweet, polite, thorough and just an all around happy chatty guy. Meet Demi:

Demi is from Bulgaria. We chatted about his time in Chicago, how much he loved his job and the people he works with at Gino’s. When I asked him if I could take a picture of him, he replied “Only if you are with me!”

I often wish when I write, you all could’ve been there, because words on a computer screen can’t capture moments as well as if you were in person when scenes unfold. After we paid our bill, Demi cooly breezed by our table out of nowhere, dropped a bag in front of me with an enormous cookie in it and simply said “It’s sweet, it’s fresh, and it’s gonna send you to sugar heaven” with his fantastic accent as he waved and went back to work.

We all rolled with laughter, and left stuffed and smiling. A delicious lunch with friends and a quote I’m sure we will use for lots of years to come.

Thanks Demi, you totally made our day. How did you know I love hot, fresh chocolate chip cookies anyway?

May 8, 2011 In Argentina, India, Maine, North Carolina, People, Photos, Vermont, Virginia

thanks mom

Dear Mom,

Thank you for raising me in a beautiful, safe place where I could run and play:

Thank you for encouraging me to travel and explore:

Thank you for giving me 3 of the best siblings, who have turned into my best friends:

…so one of those siblings could give me a great nephew:

Thank you for telling me to go for it, and always follow my dreams:

Thank you for sharing doughnuts with me on our special breakfast dates:

Thank you for being my friend, and the one person who I know will love me with all of her heart forever:

You are the definition of what a mother should be. You are the reason I will always believe anything is possible. I am so, so, very lucky to be your daughter. I love you Mom. Happy Mother’s Day.

May 6, 2011 In People, Photos, Vermont

thanks grandma and grandpa

I’ve been thinking about my Mom all week this week. I think of her everyday, but as I put my card in the mail on this Mother’s Day week I realized this is the first one since all 4 of us Peacock kids were born, that just 1 of us would be home to spend time with her this year on the day devoted to Mom’s. In an effort to make up for my absence to spoil her, I’ve decided to devote a long weekend of posts and photos to help illustrate what she means to me.

First I will start by thanking my Grandparents, after all- they did make her. Thankfully I have never had to question for one second in my life whether I am loved or not, but if I ever did it would take just walking into the room with my Grandma and Grandpa to know I am:

Obviously they taught my Mother the power to love wholly and unconditionally. There is an art form to this. Let’s just just say Picasso and van Gogh have nothing on my Mom. When the world has felt like it’s collapsing around each of us kids at times, the one thing that has always remained in concrete is that this one woman is always there; our biggest and most loyal, unwavering fan. Her super human strength continues to support us through anything we could possibly dream up.

Thank you for making my Mom Grandma and Grandpa; By making your daughter, you have made me the luckiest daughter in the world. I love you.

April 15, 2011 In People, Photos, Virginia

barboursville wine, berkeley hotel, very happy guests

***(I am hoping Jason, Winemaker Luca from Barboursville, and all the wonderful staff at the Berkeley will forgive me for this severely delayed post.)

On March 24th during Virginia Wine Week, I was fortunate enough to be invited to the Barboursville Vineyards Spring Wine Dinner in Downtown Richmond, VA at the Berkeley Hotel. The reception started at 6:30pm sharp and we were greeted by the friendly staff at The Berkeley, along with some delicious Barboursville 2010 Sauvignon Blanc:

To accompany this first wine, going with the local and Virginia theme were Rappahannok River Oysters on The Half Shell:

There were plenty of wine glasses lining the bar ready for a full evening of tasting:

…and Winemaker Luca Paschina cheerily greeted us and the rest of the guests. Meet Luca:

He could not have been more humble, warm, or genuine. It’s always refreshing when I meet someone so accomplished and talented who doesn’t have an ouce of ego.

After chatting with Luca and the Berkeley staff for a while as we sipped our Sauvignon Blanc, we were welcomed to the dinner table where we met the menu illustrating the 4 courses we were about to indulge in:

Can I just note here how much I love a long dinner, with a group of people who appreciate the art of food and drink? I am a true believer in feasting with good company, no one checking cell phones or watches, but simply engaging in interesting conversation and all laughing together fully appreciating the moment. No matter what state, country, time, place- this is my idea of a perfect night.

The first course; 2010 Barboursville Pinot Grigio with tuna tartare over arugula salad with toast points:

The fresh-made puff pastry and arugula with dressing on this course was absolutely to die for.

The second course of grilled mushroom stuffed with mushroom risotto and white truffle oil came beautifully decorated and included 2008 Barboursville Barbera:

They had me at white truffle oil!

Course three was braised beef cheeks over herb scented polenta served with Barboursville Ninth and Tenth Edition Octagon:

I may have actually licked the plate after this one. I think my “I am a vegetarian” thing might be getting old at this point. I’m fairly regularly consuming dishes like this- the one’s that are prepared to perfection and I’m simply not able to hold my veggie only willpower. (I think I’m Ok with that actually.)

Each wine was paired impeccably with the first three courses, but I have to say, my favorite was the last; Bubbly. Ahhh…

To finish up the evenings feast, we were served Babroursville Brut NV with two local Virginia cheeses, one California, One French and three local Virginia honeys:

Cheese, honey, bubbles and the privilege of sitting next to Winemaker Luca while I dined? I’m still smiling. Cheers to that!

After working in Napa last fall, it was a special treat to get an invite to this dinner and sit next to the chef of grapes, Luca, as I often miss that Napa lifestyle and conversation. I asked Luca loads of questions which he was happy to answer. All in all it was a fantastic night that could not have left us all more stuffed or satisfied.

If you live in, or visit Virginia, add Barboursville Vineyards and The Berkeley Hotel to your list of must experience places.

Many thanks to Jason and Luca from Barboursville and all The Berkeley Hotel staff for the invite an accommodation. I’ll be back for more!