Posts

Cosmos - Sensation Mix Seeds and Seedlings

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In addition to the Amaranthus seeds, I also planted a set of Cosmos called the Sensation Mix seeds.  These are billed as "superb cut flowers" and (unbelievably) list their height at four feet tall.  That can't be, right? I'd be VERY surprised if they achieved 4 feet tall, but they *are* clearly the tallest and most lively of all the flower seeds I planted.  That is them in the photo below.  See how much taller they are than everything else?  But four feet tall?

New Wood-Fired Pizza in Elmhurst at Rosalia's Deli

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Over the weekend, we took the Babe out in her stroller and went for a walk to get some air.  Somehow, we ended up checking out a new place on York Street named Rosalia's Deli. Rosalia's is an annex Angelo's Ristorante - a long time fixture in Elmhurst which recently underwent a facelift.  The exterior of the place looks great and I, for one, welcome the addition of an Italian deli literally in my backyard. When you walk in, you have a pretty standard Italian deli with breads, cheeses, a big counter full of meats and prepared items as well as a handful of oils and other Italian specialty items.  I wasn't all that impressed with the breadth of their offerings, but it is a small place AND it is just getting started.  I suppose just about everything will pale in comparison to Angelo Caputo's, right? But...when you look to the left - to the part of the store that is connected to Angelo's Ristorante - what do you see? This beauty.  A custom-built wood-fired p

Dannee Polomsky for Elmhurst 3rd Ward Alderman

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With the election less than 30 days away, it is time for everyone in Elmhurst to get focused on the upcoming votes we're all facing.  Like it or hate it, EVERYONE in Elmhurst needs to care about what the City Council will choose to do in the coming years.  Raising our taxes, solving the flooding issues, keeping us safe, and getting rid of the skunks are all concerns we have.  On April 5th, 2011, we can start to make choices about our representatives at City Hall who are willing to listen to our concerns and bring our values to the City Council. Fortunately for me (and...for you, too!) , Dannee Polomsky, one of my neighbors is running for Alderman of the 3rd Ward in Elmhurst.  I've decided to support her and her campaign because I believe she'd do a great job for our neighborhood.  I recently wrote a letter to the editor supporting her campaign and sent it around to various publications including Elmhurst Patch - who ran it on Friday .  (Thanks Patch team!)  I think I have

Pizza Palace Elmhurst

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The first time I had pizza in our new house in Elmhurst, we ordered from Pizza Palace .  We were having a painting party with our relatives and had to order something on the spot.  One way or the other, I ended up with getting a few pies delivered and I was happy. I've subsequently started to order from Mama Maria's, but recently decided to head back to give an in-person try to Pizza Palace.  Nat was going out for the night and it was going to be me and the Babe alone for dinner.  What better thing to eat than sausage and pepperoni, right? Pizza Palace is on Addison Street - right behind the main drag called York in Downtown Elmhurst.  The place is a pretty unassuming bar with a dining room bolted on the side.  We sat in the bar in a booth and waited to see if someone would join us in this fun 70's era table. Since my dining companion is 14 months old, we chose to eat at 5:30 pm on a Wednesday.  Aside from one older lady by herself at the bar, we were all alone.  By t

Childproofing Our Home

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You know you've reached a certain station in life when you start to think about how well you've secured your basement door with an "out of reach" locking mechanism.  Not quite sure what station exactly, but it seems to be somewhere between [mowing your own lawn] and [minivans]. 

114 W. Park Ave - Elmhurst - Storefront Opening in Downtown

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I was picking up our pie at the local Lou Malnati's last week when I can across this note in the window of Choi's nails on Park Avenue.  Seems they're moving across the tracks to a new location. Choi's nails is moving into the opening that was created when Aisle Style bridal salon closed recently and will fit in a spot right between Armand's and a Dry Cleaner and Fontanos. The 114 W Park Ave location is looking for tenants and has billed the location as being on the "coming home" side of the tracks.   but with all the openings in downtown, I'm not sure what will open here.   I guess that we should be happy that Choi's nails is staying here, but to be perfectly honest with you, I'm not all that excited by having another nail salon show up in what could be considered a prime location - right across from the train station. I know the economy is still lumbering along, but with the factors that make Downtown Elmhurst so promising:  the theatre

Menards Plastic Greenhouse

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Yes...I can positively confirm that things just got weird at the Parrillo homestead:  I bought a mini greenhouse.  This kit came from Menards (where else?) and was just $19.00.  It certainly is NOT heavy-duty but will do the job for my seeds.  At some point, this will move outside and will help me harden-off the seedlings.  It currently is in our dining room - as the plants need southern exposure - but Nat can't stand the looks of it.  I'm thinking in thenot too distant future, when I go into the office, I'll find out that she's pushed it back into my office - far away from the eyes of our visitors. The greenhouse has 4 shelves each capable of holding 2 seedling trays.  I've begun to transplant some of the bigger seedlings from the trays into their own non-peat pots, which you can see on the left-hand side. I know I have a compulsive/obsessive personality and need a hobby or project to focus on, but this purchase and this actual post are confirmation of that.  I

Heirloom Amaranthus Seeds

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  Things just went a little nuts over here at the Parrillo household.  I'm afraid I've become a seed-aholic and with Nat joining me at the store when I was there to pick out a few more vegetables, we've ended up bringing home a large number of flowering plant seeds including this one above: Amaranthus.  This is an heirloom variety, but some of the other ones are hybrid mixes which I'll document at some point. And the best part?  They're now in a greenhouse of sorts.  Yes.  A greenhouse.  (Don't tell Nat.)

Black and Decker Leafhog Blower/Vacuum

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Look what just showed up on our front porch courtesy of the Amazon.com delivery fairy: Last fall, I did the best I could do raking and mowing up the leaves, but with the snow melting in the past week or so, I've come to realize that there are A LOT of leaves left.  I used our mower - with the bag on - to try to chop up most of them last fall, because I wanted to compost them.  This particular blower/vacuum is pretty well rated and comes with an option attachment that has an 8-foot long tube and garbage can attachment that takes the leaves (that part hasn't arrived just yet).  When I bought, it was on a screaming deal and priced right.  As soon as it dries out a bit and warms up, I'll be out in the yard cleaning up.  Can't wait to get started.

Butternut Squash Seedlings - One Week Later

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Just one week later, and the butternut squash seedlings are going crazy.  I'm on my way to Menards to buy some larger pots for these guys - as it seems they're on the verge of outgrowing their current home.  One of my concerns is the roots becoming entangled and leggy.  As an aside, I'm learning - a little too late - that I think I started these things a bit early.  I'm fearful that by having to wait until after the last frost (May 1-ish), these may end up spending too much time in their pots.  The book I just picked up from the library is telling me that in Region/Zone 5 (which Northern Illinois is in), I should be planting my seeds closer to mid-March.  NOT mid-February.  Oh well.  At least I can call this a learning experience.