This month the Black Garden co-sponsored a monthlong film festival by the nonprofit, HotHouse, featuring Afro-Cuban women. Each documentary highlighted a different woman’s story and I was reminded once again that not all stories are told and certain ones are perennially left out of history. …
As a kid, traveling meant using every single mode of transportation and exploring both the new and familiar. We were just as likely to visit the other side of the city where we were living as we were to be in San Francisco, Venezuela, Boston, …
What is liberation?
Is it lying on a beach, eyes closed, resting?
There will be endless images of sunsets and lovely views but for now we’re exploring some of that Hawaiian bounty. As we enjoyed the markets, restaurants, and cafes, two thoughts kept coming to mind. First, when I shared that it was my first visit to Hawaii, everyone, I mean everyone, couldn’t imagine me being a first-timer. Maybe the endless idyllic seemed too impossible. Second, can a place be too beautiful?
You tell me.
There’s beauty in the collective/collaborative spirit, too.
Tucked into the corner of the Black Garden is a plant not much bigger than a sapling. Its flat leaves are distinctively delicate. This is a black currant bush. And this variety is called Ebony. It is the sweetest of all varieties. Love letter # …
Over the years, our traveling family unit has grown from just me and the parents to my brother to significant others and even the next generation. We’ve asked ourselves: if we go there, what will so-and-so like? This is just another reason why cities are …
This will be short and (so) sweet.
This week my parents came to Chicago to party. Yes, it included late night conversations, a walk around the Point, delicious food, and laughter. More than anything, it included love. Parents, grandparents, children, spouses, and grandchildren… so much love flowing between, amongst, and around.
Why were we partying? We were celebrating my parents’ anniversary and it was beautiful.
Young love is often described as naive, tumultuous, and sugary. It can indeed be that but its often constant, developing, and deep. Could we emphasize the word ”growing” when we say growing old together? I say YES!
For more sweetness, don’t miss our Remembrances of Love.
It’s been a few weeks since we’ve returned home from Hawaii. I’ve had time to reflect on the many beautiful and touching experiences that we had on the islands of Oahu and Maui, what many refer to as paradise. Countless moments come to mind that I …
The Black Garden is coming along nicely. Like most things in life, when you’re planning something, it’s not always clear how things will work out. Does gardening encourage patience? Flexibility? Curiosity? Every year, the Black Garden gets more interesting. A new black tomato is planted, …
Summer came so strong that I’m just getting around to sharing our James Beard Awards weekend. To say that it was the cat’s pajamas is an understatement! We had an absolute ball.
This was our first time attending the awards but having Chicago proudly hosting this weekend of celebration surpassed our expectations. The highlights included friends from here and my hometown of Atlanta winning awards and preparing delectable delights. How about Garretts Popcorn Chicago mix of cheddar and caramel greeting us as we entered the Lyric Opera House theater? Bravo to everyone!
Here are a few highlights.
Congratulations to Erika Allen of Urban Growers Collective and Green Era Sustainability on this year’s “Leadership Award”.
Our friends at Busy Bee winning a Legacy award was exquisite.
With our new friend at the Virtue Restaurant afterparty.
A year ago in July, we launched Onion Dip for Breakfast. It has been a year of growth, writing, cooking, planning, eating, trial-and-error, traveling, art-making, but especially one of celebration. Oh, how we love our family! We’d like to thank you for joining us on …
