With community gardens & farmer’s markets bustling all over the city, my picture roll was flooded with flowers, fruits, and veggies for consumption & discussion. Now, don’t be ridiculous; I didn’t forget the libations. There are so many fizzy margaritas out in Chicago! I’ve never seen so much club soda being mixed with it before, is that the classy thing to do? If I’m drinking a margarita, I want the full throttle of that tequila (light on the Cointreau, please); I am who I am.

I was invited to a party to celebrate love. The bubbly was flowing, and the music playlist was a cross between 90s R&B, 2000s emo feelings, and some folk music that was immediately questioned & turned down. I poured myself a glass of wine and began meandering around looking to overshare, shake hands, and hug all people within 10 feet of me. So many cute plates; I honed in on the figs, basil, peach and ricotta skewers & the braised horseradish beef bites gave an amazing punch to my palate. I really love pickled red onions in all things, and they were used with the salmon to really draw out the complexity of it, which in the outside heat can cause it to get warm and slimy, but it remained crisp. Bravo!

That same weekend, I headed to get oyster mushroom & lion’s mane tacos with grilled pineapple. Now, that can be too chewy for some, but I personally find that texture adds a unique and satisfying element to the dish. If I’m opting for a vegan option, I’m going to need a little hearty girth, if you will. I regret nothing with this implication or verbiage.

Closing out, I accidentally ordered a pound of jalapeños and was scrambling to use them in everything last week. Needless to say, it was a sweaty, spicy week. I made pizza one evening; I prefer to put my own toppings on a plain cheese pie and see what happens. My last droopy, overripe jalapeño produced the most beautiful aesthetic with a tinge of yellow inside, and I think it elevated it in a sweet way (see below).

Keep saying yes to things, experiment whenever possible, and remember, we are “here for a good time, not a long time.” Cheers, bebes!

Music Cue: No Rain, No Flowers by The Black Keys