Lincolnwood’s Dairy Star is a Thoroughly Modern Throwback

Lincolnwood’s Dairy Star is a Thoroughly Modern Throwback

I am happy to bring a new local adventure from Chicago-area freelance writer Shylo Bisnett. Enjoy her latest piece discussing sweet and tempting ice cream concoctions from local favorite Dairy Star!

A family favorite for nearly 40 years, Dairy Star is a small, summer-only ice-cream stand just across the Chicago border. It looks straight out of “American Graffiti” or “Happy Days” and is staffed exclusively by scrubbed-face college students with perpetual smiles.

Nature Is Golden Walking Through a Sea of Sunflowers at Von Bergen's Country Market

Nature Is Golden Walking Through a Sea of Sunflowers at Von Bergen's Country Market

Summer finds glory in beautiful sunflowers! Every year, I am delighted with sunshine blooms in my yard most likely planted by our resident chipmunks. This year, though, I decided to wander the brilliant sunflower fields of Von Bergen's Country Market upon recommendation of a friend. My husband and I ventured to the field of golden located in Hebron, Illinois on a Friday morning. You can't really get a morning better than we enjoyed:

Weekend Windup: 14 Family Fun Ideas in the Chicago Suburbs for July 31-August 2, 2020

Weekend Windup: 14 Family Fun Ideas in the Chicago Suburbs for July 31-August 2, 2020

The weekend is nearly here and I have some ideas for safe fun this weekend! Here are my picks for this weekend! Please excuse any thing that looks rough around the edges -- I just had a website update and I am navigating some changes!:

Batch Bakehouse: A Sweet Exploration Becomes A New Favorite in Madison, Wisconsin

Batch Bakehouse: A Sweet Exploration Becomes A New Favorite in Madison, Wisconsin

Our bakery dreams have certainly been answered by Batch Bakehouse in Madison, Wisconsin! After a quick survey of nearby bakeries during our recent stopover in Madison, we settled on Batch Bakehouse for nibbles for breakfast. Upon entering, we were WOWed:

Views, Boulders and Forest Bathing at Blue Mound State Park in Wisconsin

Views, Boulders and Forest Bathing at Blue Mound State Park in Wisconsin

Blue Mound State Park sits atop the highest hill in southwestern Wisconsin spoiling visitors with spectacular views. Admittedly, we had the Wisconsin state park on our list partly to take in those sweeping views. However, we quickly reveled in hiking through dense woodlands while traversing rocky in spots trails.

Weekend Windup: 12 Family Fun Ideas in the Chicago Suburbs and Nearby

12 Family Fun Ideas in the Chicago Suburbs and Nearby for July 24-26, 2020

I am totally having fun putting together my weekend lists once again! Here are my family fun picks in the Chicago suburbs this weekend:

Rolling Trails and Rambling Water Entice at Fox Bluff Conservation Area in Cary, Illinois

Rolling Trails and Rambling Water Entice at Fox Bluff Conservation Area in Cary, Illinois


Wandering the trails in the Chicago area treat us to an amazing array of nature experiences. When I first moved to the area, I had absolutely no idea how beautiful nature can be here. Almost 20 years later, I am still discovering new treasures. A couple of weeks ago a friend shared a recent hike where she felt so entirely enchanted by nature. After hearing about her incredible adventure, I added a visit to Fox Bluff Conservation Area to my list of new preserves to explore. Last week, I ventured to the Algonquin preserve and too became entranced with this new-to-me preserve!

One, Two, Three, Switch: Family Canoeing Resources in the Chicago Suburbs

One, Two, Three, Switch: Family Canoeing Resources in the Chicago Suburbs by Shylo Bisnett

Summer is the time to explore! I am so happy to bring you this guest post by fellow Chicago-based freelance writer Shylo Bisnett detailing her first experience canoeing on Busse Lake with the family! Enjoy the adventure and learn how you can enjoy canoeing in the Chicago suburbs!

So many summer activities have been cancelled by COVID, but summer doesn’t have to be cancelled. We’re all trying to reconnect with the great outdoors, but even with most park districts, community pools, and even Chicago beaches closed, there’s plenty of recreation to be had.