I am in the process of planning Thanksgiving dinner with my Mom and one of my brothers. All of my siblings and I will be (with our own families in tow) going to my parents in Florida for Thanksgiving this year. It is a sentimental and meaningful trip as it is rare that we are all together with all of our children for a holiday. In addition, my Dad has Alzheimers and memories are precious now for us all.

We sat down recently and began planning the activities for the four days and the most important- Thanksgiving Dinner. We will have two kitchens going, at least seven of us cooking together, many more tasting what we are cooking and a full table to set! I can see it in my mind with such clarity and am already anticipating it with such joy. The smells and aromas of all the different dishes, the stories, chatter and laughter. Macy’s Thanksgiving parade on the tv, football later, and my yearly breaking out of “Miracle of 34th Street” in the evening or before bed. (It’s A Wonderful Life will make it’s debut the day after!!)

As we planned the dinner, it was clear to me that some things were not ever going to leave the menu no matter how much I may wish it were so simply because of a matter or taste. But, as a matter of tradition, I can relent and have them there on the table. Tradition before taste I guess. You have those same dishes on your table as well I am sure. They are dishes of a generation that immediately illicit the comfort in food that I have mentioned many times before. I guess they have earned their place!!

I hope that you will be planning special gatherings as the fall slides in and the holidays follow behind. I hope that you will smile as you do it whether you are alone or with family members, at your home elsewhere and whether filled with traditional dishes or new additions and experiences. To The Last Drop will be offering some classes to help with your planning, dishes to order ahead to add to your table, and our private dinners as a place you can schedule a fun family gathering.

I will be away this Thanksgiving so I won’t see you as you pick-up your food the day before. It was a lot of fun last year as those of you bustled in and got spreads, desserts and side dishes for your table. I was missing my family though and wishing I was not alone on that day. So, this year- I will be there in spirit, our food will hopefully be in many homes and at many gatherings again, and we can all be thankful together.

Claudia

As we enter the fall months and approach the one year anniversary of To The Last Drop- there is much ahead and much to celebrate.

Our one year anniversary will be September 16th. That day we will have special dishes for you to sample, wonderful give-a-aways and gifts and we would love to see all of you that have helped make this first year a happy and successful adventure! It is my hope that we have become a part of your life and that you have been able to share meals with friends, families and with us at your private dinners here! From the preparing of food, the sharing of meals and the fun of learning new cuisines and dishes- we have a had a year of experiences together and I thank you for that opportunity.

On November 14th, we will have our third Open House at the shop. Please join us for a day of holiday spirit as we enter the winter warmth of Thanksgiving and Christmas together. More details will follow but I hope you will make time that day between noon and 8 p.m. to stop in, stay awhile and share in the day.

In the meantime, come by and visit for lunch, dinner, tail gaiting treats, and schedule your class with us, your special dinner at the shop or an event in your home. We look forward to sharing in your lives and thank you sincerely for the opportunity to make a difference in your lives.

Looking ahead to the next year….with a huge open heart and an always open door!

Claudia

Like many before me,  last week I took my oldest child to college for his freshman year. It was a surreal moment for me. All the anticipation and preparation were in line, I knew it was coming and had the plans all fine tuned. That being said, I was in no way prepared for the emotions I felt as I drove home alone from Georgia. I was happy for the silence in the hours of highway that lay ahead that day. I had such a wide array of emotions that it would have been impossible to have carried on a conversation or made any resemblance of sense to anyone. I did have a few short conversations with family members and friends who were going to be doing this same ritual in a week. However, the silence was needed and welcomed.

I thought about how fast life comes at us sometimes. With a turn of my head, my son was leaving home. Didn’t he just arrive on that late night in NYC? Didn’t he just cry as he walked into his kindergarten classroom only to be surpassed by my own crying as I drove home that morning? Here we were many years later in the same places and same roles. This time, however, his role changed a bit as he was more than ready to start his new adventure. Not like kindergarten where he was anxious about spreading his wings and being more than an arms length from Mom. He has been spreading those wings for some time now and they are strong and ready to face the winds of change. He is comfortable with the newness of life ahead and steady in his landings wherever they may be.

So, I drove home with a suitcase full of memories, emotions, and doing just as I did that fall day many many years ago, I cried. Pretty much on and off all the way home. I won’t be picking him up at noon today after his first day of classes and getting an icecream and a new book to read at bedtime. But I will continue to get those very special phone calls that always end with “I miss you and love you, Mom” and I will smile as I mail that first care package today. I will wait for the phone call to hear how the first week of classes went and when October finally arrives and I see him on the campus where I left him last week- I will know it is ok.

Sending off my other two high schoolers this morning brought another wave of feelings- I simply hate sharing my kids. However, it is inevitable and I think how fortunate I am to love them as I do and have that love returned. So, as they both drove away this morning, full of life ahead, I stood in the garage and gathered myself- knowing that there were more wings to be spread wide open and more goodbyes. Today though, when they get home, they will be just that- home. And I intend to soak in every monute of the next 365 days.

Claudia

What ever happened to the lazy days of summer? Hard as I try….they are slipping away. Like many others, I am constantly balancing the many aspects of life and usually feel like I am falling off the highwire. Yet, the simple things are always able to bring me nback on track and be able to regain that balance.

Meals together and sharing of food, stories and laughter are one of the most precious simple things for me. Recently I gathered with all my own children, siblings, nieces, nephews, good childhood friends and we attended a Cubs Game at Wrigley and then all ate dinner out in Chicago. It was a perfect day in all its simplicity.

This morning I am fixing a big breakfast for one of my kids that just celebrated her 16th birthday and I am waiting for them to wake-up- can’t wait in fact. I love to see all their faces waiting for the pancakes, hear their chit chat about the night before, school starting, and most of the things that teenagers talk about. All in pj’s, hair everywhere, several dogs milling about waiting for food to fall and a cat or two hanging out- perfection, at least for me!

We will have a more regular week at the shop today and I hope you will stop in. It was so nice to see so many people at the Street Dance and I am sad that the rain scared a few away. We tried to stick it out to the end but also got a bit too wet! Thanks for stopping by and grabbing some dinner and snacks- sure hope you liked everything. Events like that are fun and part of the joy of being in a small town- lots familiarity and enables us to feel like we are “on track”.

Back on the high wire and to cook those pancakes. If only the balancing of time was between Cubs games and pancakes…..

Hope to see you in the shop-

Claudia

This week we will have an odd schedule- with several planned events and the Zionsville Street Dance for which we will have a booth, our schedule has been altered a bit.

**The coolers will be filled and each day will vary. Give us a call to see what is available!

**We will not be at the Farmer’s Market due to other events as well as the Zionsville Street Dance on Saturday. We will still be offering all that we bring to the market so stop in at the shop until 2 p.m. on Saturday!

**We will have a booth at the Street Dance on Saturday night and will be selling lots of delicious sandwiches, salads, sides and desserts! Hope you can make the event and see us there- it is a favorite of the town and marks the summer season with a night of music, fun and great food. Looking forward to seeing you!

**My sincere apologies for the last week of inconvenience due to the road work in town. It was an enormous burden for the merchants as well as an unfortunate inconvenience for any visitors to the town or residents trying to shop. I was without water for several days which as you can imagine, impacted my ability to cook and work. In addition, the entrance to my shop as well as the parking areas were inaccessible for nearly a week. For lack of a better way to say this- it was a week of frustration and became inconceivable to me that our town hall could not foresee or plan for the damaging impact this would have on the town and merchants. One of the reasons I chose to open my shop in town was for the small hometown support and feeling of being a part of a community. I ahve lived in Ziosnville for over 14 years and have patronized the local merchants first and foremost that entire time. It was with that in mind and heart I believed that Ziosnville would be the best support system for my small business. However, while the residents and fellow merchants have been a great source of support and business, the town administrators and elected officials have on many expectations not. This past week and the response to the needs and concerns have been truly disappointing.

I thank you for your continued business through the dust, concrete and closings. I thank you for walking several blocks to park and come in. I thank you also for your support by voicing your thoughts and opinions to Town Hall regarding the road work, planning and effects upon the town during these summer months. It is very important that Zionsville be a reflection of all the residents and each voice- not just some.

Thank you- hope to see you this week and at the Dance!

Claudia

In honor of this icon of the Culinary World- we will be celebrating her birthday on August 15th with a few specials….

Two for One To go Cuisine Items

10% off all classes

Cookbooks 20% off

Come and join us that day from 11-5 to celebrate her life, her gifts, and the many ways she influenced the world of cooking. You may even find a few items from her recipes for sale!

Claudia

A grateful word to all those who braved the rain and weather on Saturday to attend the Farmers Market. It was a very strange morning- rain on and off again, sun peeking through and then more wind and rain. It didn’t seem to damper the spirits of most of the vendors or the market shoppers though, and it was nice to exchange laughs and smiles from under our hats and umbrellas.

The summer is passing by and the weekends seem to come and go so quickly. I try to savor each and every stage of the summer months includung the rainstorms as well as the sunshine. It is always hard for me to see the summer end only for one reason- I have to share my kids again every fall with school work, sports, activities…. I absolutely get melancholy and blue. I love the fall- my favorite season but with it comes the reality that they are another year closer to leaving home and starting their own journeys. I will have an even more difficult time this year as my oldest will be doing just that and going off to college. I am so happy for him and excited for his adventures to begin outside the protection and roof of home. He has many wonderful things ahead and I know he is ready; still and all I am a bit sad.

So, I have promised myself to enjoy every last minute of this summer, treasure the rain as well as the sun and make every day a moment of its own, not a countdown to something else.

I hope you will make it to the Farmers Markets here in Zionsville or take a bike ride out one of the country roads, pack a picnic and listen to the cricket frogs. Rain or shine- it is a season to savor.

I just returned from a visit to Chicago. Although having grown up may make me a bit biased, I must say that Chicago is the most wonderful city. It has a pulse all its own which easily compares with that of NYC but has the added benefit of the lake and the midwest hospitality and values which make it special.

If you have never attended a concert at Ravinia north of the city, you may want to get online  (www.ravinia.org) and visit the website of this beautiful venue. It has been a tradition of Chicagoans since 1904 and over the years has provided access to some of the greatest performers of our culture. From the city, you can take the metro directly from Ogilvie station to Ravinia’s gate (literally). We did so and it was inexpensive, uncrowded, clean and on time- clearly the best way to arrive rather than the traffic and parking.

We saw Diana Krall and had dinner beforehand at Mirabel Restaurant on the grounds. It was a wonderful and seasonal chef’s table buffet that had unique offerings and deliciously prepared entrees. There are two main restaurants there-both with outstanding reputations.

We also had a flavorful lunch at a place called 1492- a Tapas Bar and Restaurant. In addition to many tapas selections they offer a nice variety of Paellas and Salads. The wine list offers a wide selection and the ambiance of lunch out on the sidewalk, a chilled glass of wine and a unique selection of warm and cold tapas all on a sunny Chicago afternoon was unbeatable.

I have decided to add a “Tapas menu” to my Private Dinner menus list in addition to the Thai, French, Italian and Southwest menus. I hope you will try it and learn the many flavors of this cuisine and have fun with your own Tapas Dinner.

I hope all of you have a wonderful Fourth of July and that it is filled with the tastes and traditions of summer. If you are attending the fireworks and festivities at Lions Park here in Zionsville, stop by and see us at To The Last Drop. we will be open until 7 p.m. that evening so you may grab a meal to go and some last minute spreads or desserts on your way to the park. We are located just up the hill-

Happy Summer, happy Fourth of July, and I hope….happy travels to Chicago sometime soon!

P.S. I now carry some of my favorite “Pops” in their original glass bottles from Chicago- chilled, refreshing and filled with happy childhood memories! Stop in a try some-

Claudia

I thought I would pass along some reminders for you this week as it is a busy summer with lots of special events and offerings….

Farmer’s Market: Each Saturday we have a booth at the Zionsville Farmer’s Market on Hawthorne. The Market runs from 8 a.m.- 11 a.m. and is a wonderful place to stock up on fresh produce, homemade baked goods, delicious soups, spreads and salads and flowers/perennials. we will be there each Saturday EXCEPT for this Saturday, June 27th. However, our shop will be open as usual from 11-5.

Brick Street Gallery Walk this Friday, June 26 from 6-10 p.m. I will be hosting an artist- Julie Houck- who will be doing some painting at the event as well as selling her work. She is a very special artist with many gifts- I hope you will stop by, meet her, have some wine and hors d’oeuvres and relax on our front porch.

Fourth of July- we will have extended hours for the Fourth from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. In addition to our ususal menu to go, we will also have boxed lunches and dinners to go for your picnic or fireworks snacks. Just up the hill from Lions Park, we are a great location to get your special menu items for the holiday. Check back this Friday for our menu online and at the shop and pre-order your items or plan on stopping by on the Fourth for delicious spreads, salads, wraps, entrees and baked goods.

A special note- I will now be carrying some special bottled sodas and drinks that hold memories for me from childhood. Stop in and get a bottle of Bubble Up, Green River….. we will have it cold and reafy to quench your thirst. And, if you are from the Chicago area…..bring back some happy memories I am sure!

Bon Appetit!

Claudia

I would like to thank everyone who stopped by for the Open House at the shop this past Friday. It was a beautiful night and so nice to see many familiar faces as well as new visitors. I always feel like I am about five whenever I give a party- that butterfly feeling of waiting for your guests and bursting to “start the party”. I loved seeing people flow through the door over the nights hours and be able to share what To The Last Drop is all about. It was especially nice to have my daughters there (my son is in Montana looking for snakes and having a post graduation trip with his three buddies) and to share the night with them.

To The Last Drop is like home for me in many ways. It is an extension of me, my family and the things that are special to us- families, friends and enjoying time together. It is a business, but it is more. Each day it grows, changes and as more new faces appear, it takes on a new family and sense of rootedness. I know I use that word a lot but it is to me- what life is all about.

We choose each day that which we let into our lives and that which we keep out. We are “gatekeepers” in a sense. I find myself continuously emptying out so that I can fill-up, letting out so I can welcome in. And I was happy to let the gate be wide open on Friday night, happy to welcome you and many new faces into my life and my shop. My gate opens wide and I hope you will walk through it often- I thank you for your business, your conversations and stories, and for allowing me to do what I love-

Claudia