BomBon Americano

My cafe hunting continues - and my most recent find is BomBon Americano, in the Gold Coast. One of about a half dozen BomBon locations in Chicago, Americano has the same cozy, vibrant atmosphere that is the epitome of the local chain. An eclectic room with a collection of salvaged furniture hand-painted in bright colors makes for a comfortable setting in which to enjoy an iced latte, sugary mini-cookies, and cute cakes.




BomBon Americano
1000 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL

Each time you finish reading a story, please click here! With just one click every day, you'll be helping my blog ranking. Thank you!!

Return of the cicadas

They're back! After 17 years, the cicadas have returned to disgust us. Living in the middle of an urban jungle, I hadn't seen any until I went down to Beverly over the weekend. As one of Chicago's older neighborhoods, Beverly has dozens of beautiful old trees that are prime habitats for those pesky insects.

Last time the cicadas were here, I was too young to be aware of it - so this time, my curiousity got the better of me and I had to snap a few photos. Something to remember them by for the next 17 years...



Each time you finish reading a story, please click here! With just one click every day, you'll be helping my blog ranking. Thank you!!

抹茶 muffins

A few weeks ago, we went to a 子供の日 (Kodomo no hi) party. The host asked each guest to bring something to share. It was the perfect chance to try a new recipe - 抹茶 (matcha) muffins!

I have been meaning to make these for awhile, but I wanted to wait for just the right occasion. Making them for a family party, for example, wouldn't be ideal - I don't think most of my family members would find muffins made with green tea very appealing. And I didn't want to make them when only a few friends were coming over - then we would have to eat a lot of leftover muffins ourselves!

So 子供の日 was the right time. After I baked the muffins, they looked so... green! I decided they needed to be a little more pretty, so I added a touch of cream cheese frosting (but not too much!) and garnished them with a sprinkling of fresh tea leaves.

My attempt at culinary creativity!





Each time you finish reading a story, please click here! With just one click every day, you'll be helping my blog ranking. Thank you!!

New inspiration

I got a new camera! I had been attached to "Ixyちゃん" for over two years before getting my Elph earlier this year. Sorry to say, but the Elph caused me to lose my inspiration for taking photos. I think the new one, an EOS Rebel XTi (the Kiss X in Japan), will help me regain my interest! Here are a few photos from a warm, sunny Chicago Saturday:

Farmers markets are back for the season! We stopped by this one at the French school at Melrose and Broadway.

Bobtail celebrated the grand opening of its new store on Armitage by offering free ice cream for all!


Neighborhoods west of downtown provide some of the best views of the Sears Tower. Here is a glimpse from Fulton Market.

Now that everyone has a cell phone, who needs a public phone?

Wrapping up the day with Wicked. Good times!

Each time you finish reading a story, please click here! With just one click every day, you'll be helping my blog ranking. Thank you!!