Today's Joy: the Gourmet Cook-a-thon. Reader, one of the biggest perks of being back home in Chicago is being able to attend the monthly(ish) cooking sessions held by a group of family & friends. I've been waiting for that phone call with the magic words: dinner at Todd's. Tonight, it happened.

Todd Evanson, co-owner of Beef Villa (a delish chain of eateries in the northwest suburbs) and a good family friend, has a fabulously-appointed kitchen and usually hosts these over-the-top foodie nights. The gist is, we make dinner. But it's oh so much more than that. This group includes a restaurateur, a chef, a baker and several of us to eat the food and ooh & ahh. My job is to photograph the results.

What I enjoy most about it, is the fearless way these people I love try new dishes. They collaborate and read recipes to each other and put together a game plan. Then they dive in, sharing ideas & techniques, teaching as they go. It's like watching a culinary think-tank at work. When a dish works, they pull it off brilliantly and a delicious array of culinary creations parades across the table. On the rare occasion a dish isn't up to snuff, they sit down and taste it, inspect it and conduct a relaxed post-mortem round-table on how to improve the recipe. There is always laughter, stories to share and a signature cocktail.

I relish every moment of these decadent evenings and feel very blessed to be a part of this unique fellowship. May the love shared always be as good as the food!

Photos: Lemon & Herb Sauce Hand-Written Recipe; Part of the Table Spread.

Today's Joy: Dinner with an Old Friend. Aren't long-time friends a wonderful thing, Reader? I am very blessed to know several dear souls who have shared this life journey with me for 10 years or more. Can't think how life would have turned out (or how I would have turned out!) without their loving support these many years.

Tonight I had dinner with Keith, perhaps the kindest, steadiest man I know. There is something tranquil and calming about being around him. Convenient--seeing as he's a massage therapist. He is a good listener and a benevolent presence in any crisis.

A sweet soul with a great laugh (and the occasional snort), he has an intuitive understanding of people. We had a great evening just chatting over steak & a burger at Outback Steakhouse. I left there, as I always do, with the warm sense that all will be right with the world, even if it may not seem like it right now.

Today's Joy: Getting Back in the Game. Have been feeling a little disjointed, Reader. I didn't imagine 2010 playing out quite as it has and this last week has my head spinning. It feels strange to be back up north, shivering in the cold and starting over. I find myself seeking out old comforts, things that will help me re-ground myself.

Last spring, my head was full of the Chicago Flower & Garden Show. I submitted photos to their annual photography competition and was elated when two were chosen among 30 finalists to appear at the show. With an estimated 60,000 people attending, I was so proud to see my best shots on display at Navy Pier. The show was wonderful! Though, it was a bit surreal to see folks walking up and taking pictures of my photos. My mother was especially tickled--her roses were one of my subjects. It was an incredible day.

Just for fun, I got online and checked into this year's flower show. I'm delighted to find that I haven't missed the photography competition deadline. Now my head is all full of decisions--which photos to submit, which categories to enter, how wonderful it would be to see my work down at Navy Pier again in March.....

It just goes to show, Reader, even when the world is all upside down and you're feeling like you might not be up to the challenge, there is always an opportunity--always something to remind you who you are and what you started out to accomplish in the first place. Wish me luck!

Today's Joy: A Plethora of Color. Dear Reader, it's the dead of winter in Chicago and I'm huddled indoors, flanked by a foot or more of drifting snow. As I drink caramel cocoa and survey the miles of frozen whiteness outside, I'm daydreaming about color. Rich, fabulous, gorgeous color! Enough color to brighten my spirits and make me forget all about the frigid landscape.

I think I was bitten by the color bug while at the Home Depot earlier today. I was killing time between appointments and decided to visit Brother, who has been a Paint & Stain Guru at HD for several years. Next thing I knew, I was face to face with a wall of colors--so many I just stood there, slack-jawed! I was drawn to all the rich and wonderful shades of brown--some with red tints, some with yellow. They had wonderful names like Bitter Briar, Muse & Bison Brown. I grabbed every color sample that caught my eye. Then I remembered my Aunt, who has graciously put me up until I find a new nest. She is redoing her kitchen. So I grabbed every color I thought might work for her. Ten minutes later, I was waltzing out the door with an armload of samples and 5 pamphlets with color scheme suggestions.

Now seeing them all spread out on the table is color-junkie bliss! Can't wait to spend the evening perusing every shade. May your day be filled with color too!

Today's Joy: New Possibilities. Dear Reader, I'm settling in outside of Chicago. Diving into the job market and scoping out new creative pursuits! I'm a little anxious, but still hopeful. Am really trying to take a deep breath and be still--listen to God and what he wants for me. It feels a little like my soul is being scoured clean and definitely like I'm being prepared inside and out for my next incarnation. There's also a sense of excitement building. I can't wait to see what comes next!

Caprese Salad

Dear Reader, if you're like me, you have a weakness for simple recipes that yield flashy results. This salad is healthy, easy to put together and gorgeous on the plate.

Caprese Salad

2 large tomatoes, sliced horizontally (I use heirloom varieties whenever possible)

2 balls of fresh mozzarella cheese (packed in water), drained & sliced

24 fresh basil leaves

extra virgin olive oil (for drizzling)

sea salt & fresh ground pepper

On a small salad plate, layer as follows: one large tomato slice, 1-2 mozzarella slices, 3 basil leaves, then a second layer of each. Drizzle olive oil over top layer and season with salt & pepper.

Serves 4.

Today's Joy: Dinner with Mom & Brother. I am really enjoying being home and able to pop over and visit with family on a moment's notice. I walked into the family home tonight, welcomed by big smiles & the aromas of a home-cooked turkey dinner. All was right with the world!

Today's Joy: Coming Home. When I first set out on my great Texas adventure last spring, my biggest regret, dear Reader, was leaving my family behind.

They are a boisterous and vibrant cast of characters.

I enjoy them so much and really missed being a part of their daily adventures.

While there are many uncertainties in my current situation, I am very grateful to be back in their midst again.