While Gabe is out, I walk in front and get the Chicago Tribune and I read it at the table in the kitchen. I always read the sports page first, and this time of year, April, it's all about hockey. I'm a Chicago Blackhawks fanatic. My wife is a yoga teacher--I mean, a serious, heavy duty yoga teacher who's been teaching for 30 years--but when she puts on the Blackhawks jersey, she can scream like a truck driver. Pretty serious about her hockey. Around this time of year, I'll go in the backyard and garden for 45 minutes to an hour. I just weed and I'll plant one row or another, transplant something. I also have a bunch of hoop houses in the garden for the cool weather, but right now I'm getting ready for the warmer months, which I'm excited for.
I try to ride my bike almost year round to and from work, which is about 7 or 8 miles away. First I swing by Big Star, check in on the guys, say hello. Then I'll go to the farmer's market and shop. Generally, if I get there by 9 a.m., I can meet one of the other chefs: David from Blackbird, or Brian from the Publican, Erling from Avec. Sometimes they're all there at the same time--that's usually on Wednesdays and Saturdays. We shop together, walk the market, talk to purveyors, drink coffee, talk about ideas for dishes.
