The Friendly Confines...Through the Years.

Growing up on the north side it was inevitable that I was to be a Cubs fan. Watching the game on television was always my connection. I have only been to the ball game a handful of times. Each time was always different. The constant feeling sitting in Wrigley field was the 'want' for the Cubs to win. Fans are ecstatic for their team.


Throughout the years the Cubs remain the team to sell out at a 30,000+ seat capacity.



Many occasions rekindle my memories of watching a live Cubs game. There was the 10K walk to Wrigley Field from my high school. Walking up to the ticket line a couple times in college to catch 100 level seats behind first base. I had eyes for Mark Grace at that time. Not to mention, at this time, my college days I had no money for food only the ticket. I resorted to hiding my subway sandwich and canned pop deep inside my back pack. I remember watching the Cubs lose against the Florida Marlins against their star pitcher, Josh Beckett. I had to sit in second tier seating. This is seating that makes me dizzy and my feet sweaty from looking down like I'm on a roller coaster ride.


Then there was the ultimate when my husband and I brought our oldest son to watch the Cubs play against the Washington Nationals. On my way to the ladies room I was pleasantly surprised to meet Ryne Sandberg. He signed my baseball cap, but I failed to take any pictures.

I recently attended a Cubs game vs the St. Louis Cardinals.
No, it was not the game that clinched the 2008 N.L. Central Division. I attended the Friday game, the Cubs lost 6-12.


Score card cost $5


I did not hide food in my bag this time, and I was able to watch one of my favorite players take the mound. Carlos Zambrano, I *heart* you!






My husband and I maximized the time we had with our babysitters and ate at Harry Caray's Tavern for pre-game noshing. Check out my yelp review. Then we cheered on the Cubs to rally against the 5-0 score after the first inning. We all have our bad days, right?

Some Cubs fans enjoyed watching other things.


We exchanged pleasantries with rival Cards fans, and enjoyed the atmosphere of watching the game. Once the sun headed west behind the stadium, temps started to cool down, and true Cubs fans stayed until the last out. I will always remember the sights and sounds of a Cubs game and can not wait to share this experience with my children.

Make a wish...

 The Beatles - Happy Birthday



With the end of summer shouting out a last hooray, there have been many celebrations to mark the advent of fall. These celebrations culminate with mine and my son's birthday (a birthday also shared with my father), Labor day holiday, mine and my husband's wedding anniversary, and finally my husband's birthday. Within a two weeks time span these events take place and for some reason it is always my husband's birthday that falls under the radar. Looking back through the years, September 16 passes by as a low key type of day.

Today marks my husband's birthday. We did not plan any special events, per my husband's request, he did not want to celebrate with a usual lunch/dinner celebration. The day started off like any other day. Wake up, get ready for work, wake the kids, feed the kids, and send the kids off to school. This has been the routine since school started. My husband even took out the garbage this morning before heading off to work with a brown bag lunch of a sandwich, pretzels, and water. Piano class and nightly schedules ensue which make it difficult to plan a celebration for later tonight.


We are looking to celebrate his birthday later this week by being in attendance at one of America's best past times, a baseball game. He looks forward to the day, and has stated that he would rather celebrate his birthday watching the game. I too look forward to the end of the week, but a part of me does not want this day to go down in the books without a few traditions which I like to hold close.

Of course with me, food is always key for celebrating a birthday. One tradition in our family is presenting a noodle dish to signify long life. I'm not sure what type of noodle dish to serve, because my pantry is tapped out of spaghetti noodles. I have corkscrew pasta noodles, but does that count? I also carry the rice stick noodle, but my husband is not a fan of pancit.

Blowing out candles on a birthday cake is also a tradition. If not so much for the kids, but also to mark this day as a special day. No I'm not going to order the sheet cake from Costco. Not to mention, my husband is also not the sweet tooth type of guy. He can forgo dessert, especially chocolate. He is not a big fan of sugar. I guess that is why he maintains a slim physique. I'll find something at the store, possibly single serving size.

And last but not least, a Hallmark type of greeting wishing many birthday wishes adds prominence to the day. Now I know my husband. He does not share this same sentiment for his birthday. So instead the kids and I have fashioned our own Birthday wishes, and plastered it to the wall.


Happy Birthday Paul! Your birthday years in numbers may seem like only that, numbers, but your life has shown many accomplishments. Your dedication to your family both immediate and extended are admirable. You try to give what you can and still continue to do so when there seems no more to give. (Do you really want me to be more specific, here in cyber space?) Your family is proud of you and look up to you, more than you know. I speak for our children as well when I say, We Love You!

Added Little Twist

I recently checked my yelp account and found a compliment from a fellow yelper liking my review for Kim and Scott's Pretzel Bakery and Twisting Cafe. I love compliments for my reviews. This particular review was written some time ago. Read my yelp review.

I remember way back when I wrote this review. I had been on a role reading the kids books from the works of Shel Silverstein and Dr. Seuss. You know the books that you grew up reading. One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish... Once there was a tree, and she grew up loving a little boy...

Thinking about how I wanted to convey my thoughts on the place, I came to the conclusion that an Ode was in order. It has been almost a year since I wrote my review. With the advent of this new endeavor of photography I am both ecstatic and proud to have my work recognized. I was pleased to read a personal message accompanied the compliment from the same yelper. The message stated, "Kim & Scott, of Kim & Scott's Gourmet Pretzels, would love to feature your review on their Blog." It is an honor to be recognized by a local business with whom I support. Especially with the start of this particular company. I remember reading about the couple that started the pretzel business and was pleasantly surprised to find a brick and mortar store close to home. Check out the feature of my review at Kim and Scott's blog. The links to my blog site are not actual links but the info is correct.



An added twist to all this doughy goodness is shared with all my readers. A special discount applies for every order placed through Kim and Scott's website. You can get 10% off pretzels online with this code: PretZiola10.