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We’re celebrating National Bacon Day with a list of amazing local restaurants that could use your support!  You’ll find amazing brunch restaurants, brunch recipes to make at home for the holidays, and fun bacon themed gear. more Amazing Brunch Spots in the Area These establishments all offer a host of menu items that really hit the spot after an evening of holiday parties and festive celebrations.  From Bacon Hash to Bacon Grilled Cheese to Maple-Bacon Pancakes, there’s a plethora of comfort food that’s perfect to pig out on. (Pun intended!)  Check them out below, and let us know your fave local brunch spots in a comment! Emily’s Pancake House in Waukegan Monica’s Diner in Waukegan Sunset House Restaurant in Waukegan Bob & Anne’s Restaurant in Waukegan Avocado Express in Waukegan Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Waukegan Coffee Break & Lunch in Waukegan Sunset House Restaurant in Waukegan Miramar Bistro in Highwood Garden Berry Cafe in Vernon Hills Taste of Paris in Mundelein Maevery Public House in Lake Bluff Caribana in Lindenhurst Brunch Cafe in Fox River Grove Egg Harbor Cafe in Libertyville Brunch Cafe in Roselle Brunch Cafe in Niles Best Bacon Centric Recipes for Holiday Brunches Get ready for Post-Christmas family brunch and New Years day hangover cures with these bacon-centric recipes to make at home!  Bonus: We’ve also included cocktails and desserts to round it out. Pioneer Woman’s Bacon Brunch Ring Cafe Delite’s Cheesy Bacon and Egg Hash Bacon Egg and Cheese Roll-Ups Alex Guarnaschelli’s Candied Bacon Dinner at the Zoo’s Breakfast Casserole with Bacon Tablespoon’s Maple Bacon Breakfast Pie Butter w a Side of Bread’s Breakfast Rolls with Bacon Damn Delicious’s Bacon Breakfast Pizzas Food Network’s Bacon, Egg and Maple Grilled Cheese Spruce Eats Bacon Me Crazy Cocktail Southern Kitchen’s Maple Bacon Old Fashioned Guy Fieri’s Maple Pig Cocktail A Breakfast Negroni Hy-Vee’s Bloody Mary Mocktail Pineapple and Bacon Infused Vodka Bloody Mary Tammi Lee Tips Bacon Manhattan Cocktail Jones Dairy Farm’s Bacon Pecan Bars Pepperidge Farm’s Brown Sugar Bacon Puff Twists Tablespoon’s Bourbon Bacon Crunch Cake Savory Experiments Chocolate Bacon Saltine Toffee Mr Food’s Maple-Bacon Ooey Gooey Butter Cake Sizzling Hot Bacon Car Decor Keep Calm and Eat Bacon Car Flag is perfect for announcing your allegiance to your top choice breakfast side far and wide! Accoutrement’s Bacon Air Freshener will give you that tantalizing breakfast aroma of everyone’s fave sizzling meat in your car 24/7! While you’re waiting for the MVC/DMV to ship you your new license plates, try this bacon centric license plate cover as a placeholder! This fully realistic bacon weave printed center console cover has your name written all over it!  Good news, it’s quirky, stylish, and it won’t get any grease on your clothes. The breakfast club can hold a new session every commute to work if you deck your ride out in these kitschy and fun pop-art style breakfast themed seat covers!

Maybe you don’t celebrate Christmas, or Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa but want to get into the holiday spirit nonetheless?  Well, there’s good news, because today is Festivus, the celebration for the rest of us!   The inventive holiday first appeared in 1997 on the hit TV show Seinfeld. Key components to the unique and wacky holiday include the Festivus dinner feast, the aluminum Festivus pole, “Airing of Grievances” and “Feats of Strength.”  This cheeky pseudo-holiday from TV has evolved from clever gag to an ever growing pop culture seasonal celebration! more Looking to throw an exciting Festivus event of your own?  We’re here to help with our fun guide!  So invite your friends to road trip for a visit and enjoy a festivus feast together. How to Celebrate Festivus At Home (image from Seinfeld TV series) Acquire a Festivus Pole and decorate: It’s best to keep it as non-commercial as possible, and thus upcycling is preferred.  The pole itself should remain undecorated, but you should place it in a central viewing area. Look around your home and find an aluminum pole of any size or length.  According to the holiday’s founder, one famed Frank Cosntanza, it cannot be made of any other material. Prepare the Festivus meal and call guests to the table: The traditional Festivus meal consists of your choice of meat served on a bed of lettuce - Turkey, Ham, Lamb Chops, or Beef Stew - or the traditional meatloaf on lettuce.   Place the dinner on the table and invite all of your guests to sit down to proceed in the first celebration. Airing of Grievances: Just before serving the meal, place a clock inside of a bag and nail it to the wall (don’t ask, just do.)  Prior to the meal in lieu of prayer during religious holidays, the Festivus tradition instructs us to go around the table and tell the others how they have disappointed you in the past year.  Once you’ve cleared the air and everyone’s said their peace, it’s time to dig in. Feats of Strength: After the meal it’s time to commence the final Festivus tradition.  The “Feats of Strength” tests are immediately following the Festivus feast (although some exuberant folks do start earlier as the meal winds down.)  The rules are as follows:  The head of the household chooses one Festivus guest, and challenges them to a wrestling match and test of strength.  The head of household must be pinned by other family members, the honor of which is given to someone seated at the main table.  Festivities do not end until the host is pinned, so choose wisely! Foods of Festivus Salted Soft Pretzels Turkey Chili, Crab Bisque, or Mulligatawny Soup Lettuce Wedge Salad with Large Cherry Tomatoes, and thick Carrot ribbons with your favourite choice dressing. Beef-a-Roni from a can, or a homemade Beefaroni Dupe Chocolate Babka and Cinnamon Babka Black and White Cookies Easy, No-Fuss Turkey Lettuce Wrapped Meatloaf Burgers Grilled Beef Lettuce Wraps Wear Your Finest Festivus Sweater Festivus For the Rest of Us Aluminum Pole Sweater Seinfeld Aesthetic Festivus Sweater Festivus Pole and Feats of Strength Ugly Sweatshirt Festivus Ugly Sweater Sweatshirt with Frank

What is the Winter Solstice? The Winter Solstice is on Tuesday December 21st at 10:59 EST in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s the shortest day and longest night of 2021. It has many names around the globe including Midwinter, Yule, Longest Night, and Jol.  Learn more about different global solstice celebrations here! Celebrate with your loved ones and our list of festive Yuletime traditions on today’s blog. more Did you know: The word Solstice is based in Latin, combining the word for sun (sol) and word for standing (stit) as in “the sun stands still.” Ancient Romans celebrated the agricultural god of Saturn at the Midwinter Festival of Saturnalia. The days get colder following the Winter Solstice, contrary to the fact that the days get longer and it stays lighter each day. December 25th is the Yuletide celebration, inspired by the Sun Day, where people would burn a tree to celebrate the return of the sun and longer days. The Winter Solstice in China is celebrated as the Dongzhi Festival, a lucky day when the sun is more active, the past is gone, and hope is on the horizon.  Traditional foods consumed are dumplings or glutinous rice balls. Celebrate The Winter Solstice with These Winter Traditions Create a Yule Altar - A Yule Altar is created to welcome the return of the sun and the lengthening of the days. To create one, you’ll need golden, silver, or yellow candles to symbolize the sun.  Gather items that represent the winter season: pinecones, evergreen branches, pieces of cedarwood.  You’ll want to burn some sage or sweetgrass to cleanse the altar with positive intentions. Burn a Yule Log in the Fireplace or a Fire Pit - Historically, Nordic tradition was to burn a whole tree across 12 days leading up to Christmas.  Since that’s not exactly sanctioned by apartment management or condo associations (and definitely not feasible for modern hearths) the Yule Log is a popular alternative.  If you don’t have a woodburning stove/fireplace in your home, you can always cue up the digital version on Netflix (in regular or birchwood options!)  Don’t have a Netflix account? You can always bake and serve a Yule Log cake instead. Enjoy some Yuletide “wassail” cocktails! Wassail is a festive warm drink with mulled spices consisting of: 2qts apple cider, 1.5 cups of orange juice, ¾ cup pineapple juice, brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon sticks, and cloves.  You can also add a splash of Rum or Whisky if you wish! Take Some Time to Meditate - Since this is the longest night of the year, set aside some time to meditate and so some soul searching. Reflect on the quiet and peace that blanket the world on snowy evenings.  Think about your goals for the upcoming year, and how you can grow as a person and focus on propelling yourself forward towards your goals.  Reminisce about the past year, and what you would like to accomplish in the new year as the world begins to thaw and usher in Spring.  Focus on being present and how you can connect with your peers, loved ones, and yourself within your own space. Exchange Nature-Related Gifts with Loved Ones - Yule is a time to celebrate the changing of the seasons as the days grow in length and nights get shorter. Get your loved ones gifts that remind them about the beauty of the world around them!  Focus on things made from natural elements, plants for their home, bulbs or seeds to be planted in spring, or perhaps some books about nature or a documentary celebrating Earth!  Make some Orange Pomanders with your family.  Take small, firm oranges and whole cloves to create this craft.  You may use a sharp knife or citrus zester to create patterns on the orange skin (save the peel for your wassail or baking!)  Poke the cloves into the orange in pretty patterns (you can use a toothpick or chopstick to pre-make the holes for little ones!.)  They make a gorgeous holiday gathering centerpiece, or temporary ornament for live Christmas trees. Read a Wintry Theme Book with Family and Friends - You can try “The Mitten” by Jan Brett; “The Winter Solstice” by Ellen Jackson; “The Return of the Light: Twelve Tales from Around the World for the Winter Solstice” by Carolyn McVickar Edwards; “The Solstice Badger” by Robin McFadden; “The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice” by Wendy Pfefer and Jesse Reisch. Sending our best yuletide wishes to you and yours from all of us here at Classic!

If you’ve got a pal on your list that is hard to shop for, we’re here to help.  You can never go wrong with a box of chocolates for gift giving, and since today is National Chocolate Covered Anything Day, we’ve got a list of great local candy shops!  Give your loved ones something sweet to look forward to for the holidays. Why not try your hand at making your own chocolates? We’ve gathered some easy to make recipes and moulds to make your own candy!  Treat your loved ones or yourself this Christmas with these beautiful goodies. more Local Chocolatiers and Candy Shops with Chocolate In Greater Chicago Area and Wisconsin IT’S SUGAR in Gurnee Mills Cora Lee Candies Inc in Glenview The Chocolate Sanctuary in Gurnee Desiree Chocolates in Northbrook Uniquely Sweet in Grayslake Toffee Traditions LLC in Highwood Sweet’s in Lake Forest Long Grove Confectionery and Chocolate Tour in Buffalo Grove Belgian Chocolatier Piron, INC in Evanston Poparrazzi Gourmet Treats in Waukegan Something Sweet in Antioch The Chocolate Sanctuary in Gurnee Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates in Chicago Chocolat Uzma in Chicago Veruca Chocolates in Chicago Royce’s Chocolate in Downtown Chicago Katherine Anne Confections in Chicago Leonidas Cafe Chocolaterie in Chicago Fazio’s Chocolate in Elm Grove, WI Ultimate Confections in Wauwatosa, WI Kilwins Lake Geneva in Lake Geneva, WI Allo! Chocolate in Waukesha, WI Puna Chocolate Company in Wauconda La Macaron in Brookfield, WI DIY Chocolates DIY Chocolate Truffles Easy Homemade Filled Chocolate Candies How to Make Moulded Chocolates 3 Ingredient Homemade Chocolate Bars Homemade Chocolate Candy Cups Kid Friendly Chocolate Candy Recipe Homemae Chocolates in the InstaPot Car Themed Candy and Chocolate Moulds Silicone Chocolate Moulds Car Shaped Hard Plastic Mould Silicone Muffin and Candy or Cake Tray Silicone Candy Molds by Wilton

Today is National Hot Chocolate Day!  In celebration of this classic wintertime treat, and our love of shopping local businesses, we’re highlighting the best places locally to snag a cup of cocoa or custom hot chocolate bombs.  And plenty of fun things for home and your car with hot chocolate themes! more Where to Get Best Hot Chocolate in Local Chicago Area The Chocolate Sanctuary in Gurnee Gojos Cafe & Pancake House in Waukegan Coffee Break & Lunch in Waukegan Leonidas Chocolate Cafe in Northbrook Puna Chocolate Company in Wauconda Kroll’s Fall Harvest Farm in Waukegan Kilwins in Evanston Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Libertyville Drip and Culture in Waukegan Leonidas Cafe Chocolaterie in Chicago Morkes Chocolates in Palatine Mindy’s Bakery in Chicago Katherine Anne Confections in Chicago XO Marshmallow in Chicago Its All Good Coffee & Espresso in Zion Car Themed Mugs and More for Your Hot Chocolates Oil Drum Gas Pump Ceramic Mug Monopoly Car Sculpted Ceramic Mug Tire Coffee Mug with Wrench Tire Coffee Travel Cup 11oz Miniature Chocolate Cars Race Car Chocolate Covered oreos Untamed Drinking Chocolate Hot Chocolate Scented Items For Your Car Mexican Hot Chocolate Air Freshener and Odor Eliminator for Cars Milk Chocolate Air Freshener for Car Box of Chocolates Air Freshener and Odor Eliminator for Cars Cocoa Mog Car Freshie

It’s National Brownie day, yum!! We’re celebrating with a list of local community bakeries, great brownie recipes, and fun baking pans shaped like cars that you can serve those delicious recipes in.  Ready those engines and get in gear for the best holiday baking ideas on today’s blog. more Best Local Bakeries Serving Up Delicious Brownies Sweet Mandy B’s Bakery at 1208 W Webster Avenue, Chicago Bridgeport Bakery 2.0 at 2907 S Archer Avenue, Chicago Dinkel’s Bakery 3329 N Lincoln Avenue, Chicago Skinny Piggy Bakery at 1438 W Cortland Street, Chicago Jennivee’s Bakery at 3301 N Sheffield Avenue, Chicago Molly’s Cupcakes at 419 E Illinois Street in Suite 120, Chicago Goddess and the Baker, Wabash at 33 S Wabash Avenue, Chicago Defloured: A Gluten Free Bakery at 1477 W Balmoral Avenue, Chicago Vanille Patisserie at 2108 N Clark Street, Chicago Panaderia La Azteca at 814 10th Street, Waukegan Shril’s Drive-In Waukegan at 2132 N Lewis Avenue, Waukegan Dockside Ice Cream at 38 E Madison Street, Waukegan Tute’s Bakery and Taqueria 15 623 W Greenwood Avenue, Waukegan O Brothers Bakery at 2820 Belvidere Road, Waukegan Tina’s Italian Bake Shop 5101 Washington Street Suite 14A, Gurnee Blissful Brownies at 28566 Ballard Drive, Lake Forest Best Brownie Recipes Love & Lemons Best Homemade Brownies Cafe Delites World’s Fudgiest Brownies Inspired Taste Cocoa Brownies Once Upon a Chef’s Supernatural Brownies Gluten Free on a Shoestring GF Brownies My GF Kitchen’s Best Ever Chewy Brownies The Absolute Best Vegan Brownies The Best Fudgy Vegan Brownies Peppermint Mocha Brownies Holiday Tree Brownies Warm Chocolate-Nut Brownies One Bowl White Chocolate Brownies White Chocolate Blondies Simple Vegan Brownies from Minimalist Baker Great Baking Tins with Car Shape These amazon silicone car molds for baking would be perfect for XL brownies and fudge cake recipes. Yum! This great two pack of mini silicone chocolate car molds for cake, jello, candy and more!  Would also be a great way to make brownie bites or chocolate minis for cake decorating. For a little variety in your baking, try these clever little truck and car themed bakeware trays!  And buy an extra set for multipurpose use for crafting in addition to the ones used for baking.

Feeling frantic with family and friends arriving soon?  Need some last minute pantry-friendly recipes?  Looking for something to entertain the kids?  We’re here to help!  We’ve got a great list of easy recipes made from pantry staples, along with activities to help keep kids entertained while you’re getting ready for guests today. more Print out the coloring pages and activities, and set up a coloring and crafting table for some easy projects that are sure to entertain younger guests as well as adults.  Check it out on today’s blog for easy holiday entertaining! Last Minute Thanksgiving Recipes with Pantry & Fridge Staples Forget to thaw the turkey?  Family members cancel at the last minute and you’re missing their famous sweet potatoes?  Forgot you volunteered to bring a dish?  We’ve got you covered with easy to make recipes that are ready in a pinch.  Yes, even easy enough to make on the day of Thanksgiving before guests arrive.  You can’t miss with this easy list of holiday favorites and staple Turkey Day Dinner classics.  We’ve even tossed in some no-cook appetizers if you’re running to the store this morning. Canned Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows Crustless Pumpkin Pie with Canned Pumpkin No Cook Thanksgiving Appetizers Classic Green Bean Casserole Instant Pot Thanksgiving Recipes NY Times Last-Minute Thanksgiving Recipes Taste of Fall Salad 10 Minute Cous Cous Salad 10 Minute Vegan Chickpea Salad 10 Minute Creamy Cucumber Salad 15 min Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs Instant Baked Mashed Potatoes Instant Pot Stuffing Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce Instant Pot Turkey Gravy Instant Pot Thanksgiving Turkey Breast Coloring Pages and Crafts for Families Crayola’s Printable Thanksgiving Coloring Pages Free Printable Coloring Pages for Kids 45 Free Thanksgiving Coloring Pages for Kids and Adults Autumn and Fall Coloring Pages for Kids and Adults Fall Coloring Pages for Families Glued to My Crafts: Paper Plate Turkey Cars Kid Craft Toilet Paper Roll Car Craft from A Little Pinch of Perfect Blog​​​​​​​​​​​​ ​​ TLC Me Blog: Thanksgiving Handprint Turkeys TLC Me Blog: Turkey Pinecone Crafts

It’s National Espresso Day today, and we’re going to celebrate with our favourite local coffee shops and great portable gadgets for the office or your next road trip!  Go on and grab your fave cup o’ joe as you peruse our list, and let us know your faves in the comments.  We might just include your suggestion in an upcoming blog post!  And be sure to check out our picks for great portable coffee makers if you’re looking for travel-friendly holiday gifts. more Best Local Spots for Espresso Prairie Espresso + Wine Bar in Lake Bluff, IL Drip and Cultur in Waukegan, IL Hansa Coffee Roasters in Libertyville and Lake Bluff IL It’s All Good Coffee & Espresso in Zion, IL AREA Coffee in Mundelein, IL Tina’s Italian Bake Shop in Gurnee, IL Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea in Vernon Hills, IL Gurnee Donuts in Gurnee, IL Coffee Break and Lunch in Waukegan, IL Milkcow Cafe in Vernon Hills, IL Birdy’s Coffee House in Libertyville, IL Conscious Cup Coffee Roasters in Libertyville, IL Dalton’s Cakes in Grayslake, IL Something’s Brewing in Grayslake, IL Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe in Libertyville, IL He Brews Coffee Shop in Winthrop Harbor, IL The Buzz Cafe in Kenosha, WI Harborside Common Grounds in Kenosha, WI The Daily Dose Coffee in Kenosha, WI Wilson’s Coffee & Tea in Racine, WI The Grind Cafe in Racine, WI O&H Danish Bakery in Racine, WI Shirl’s Drive-In in Kenosha Portable Espresso Makers for A Caffeine Fix On the Go Portable Electric Coffee Machine by YaoTown via Wayfair Despise the office coffee pod machine?  We feel you!  For just $69.99, this budget friendly portable coffee machine makes frothy espressos for professional cafe style drinks in a pinch. ESPRO Travel Press 16oz Bottle via REI From road trips to camping to picnic lunches in the park, this is a great portable french press style espresso maker.  And with the low price of $49.95, it also makes a great gift for the travellers on your holiday shopping list. Simpresso Portable Espresso Maker via Crate and Barrel Perfect for camping, beach days, picnic brunches at scenic overlooks, or just a quick morning brew.  This is a shatterproof, lightweight, travel friendly option for brewing espresso with crema under $100.  With options to use pods (coffee grinds in a fabric teabag style) or your own fresh grounds, it’s a double-walled coffee carafe for every java junkie at just $79.99 The Wacaco Minipresso via Amazon This wallet friendly option offers coffee on the go compatible with Nespresso pods for no-fuss no-muss creamy espresso.  You can even drink it right from the “lid” for a portable cup!  Just add hot water and you're ready to roll.  It’s $59.95, too, making it great for those who are minding their pennies while saving up for their next road trip.  Perfect for camping, van life, and more!

We love supporting our neighbours in the area, and so we’re bringing you another great Local Eats Guide from Classic!  Take the stress out of Thanksgiving by Ordering a Dessert from these nearby Bakeries and Dessert Shops.  We recommend calling ahead to make sure they’ll have everything you need on Turkey Day. more Great Local Bakeries for Thanksgiving Desserts O  Brothers Bakery at 2820 Belvidere Road in Waukegan Tina’s Italian Bake Shop 5101 Washington Street in Gurnee Tony’s Bakery at 1117 Washington Street in Waukegan Tute’s Bakery & Taqueria at 623 W Greenwood Avenue in Waukegan The Authentic Cheese Bread Co at 3900 Washington Street in Gurnee Panaderia y Pasteleria Arizmendi at 808 W Glen Flora Avenue in Waukegan Gurnee Donuts 4949 Grand Avenue #9 in Gurnee Santa Anita Bakery at 701 Yeoman Street in Waukegan Rubi’s Bakery at 1703 Washington Street in Waukegan Illusion Bakery at 2110 Grand Avenue in Waukegan Nothing Bundt Cakes in Gurnee, Vernon Hills, Deerfield, Kenosha WI Lakebilly Pies in Lake County IL Elsie Mae’s Canning and Pies at 3203 52nd Street in Kenosha WI Oliver’s Bakery at 3526 Roosevelt Road in Kenosha WI Paielli’s Bakery at 6020 39th Avenue in Kenosha WI Sweet Something’s Pastries at 2542 18th Street in Kenosha WI Hoosier Mama Pie Company in Chicago Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits in Chicago First Slice Pie Cafe in Chicago Spinning J Bakery and Soda Fountain Main Street Bakery at 328 Main Street Bakery in Racine WI O&H Danish Bakery at 4917 Douglas Avenue in Racine WI Racine Danish Kringles at 2529 Golf Avenue in Racine WI Easy Pie Recipes To Try Easy All-Butter Flaky Pie Crust Pillsbury’s Perfect Apple Pie Country Apple Galette Nora Cooks Easy Vegan Pumpkin Pie Easy Pecan Pie Apple Pumpkin Galette Once you’ve secured the goods, you’ll need something to carry it in safely.  Why not try one of our recommended pie carriers to fit just about every budget! Great Gadgets for Carrying Pies on the Go The Sweet Creations Pie Carrier is just $12.99 and is a great choice for taking your Thanksgiving pies on the road! The LocknLock Pie Carrier with Handle is a fantastic option under $30 available from QVC. The Single Pie Basket is handcrafted and would make a great transport for your pie as well as a hostess/host gift for the holidays!  Gift the pie from your heart, and the carrier for just under $70. The Snap & Lock Pie Carrier is a fantastic budget friendly pie carrier that fits a variety of sizes of pie dish from 6” 8” or 9” and is priced under $200 Maybe you’re the family baker and you’ll be bringing multiple desserts for the whole crew!  You’ll definitely want this Pie Saver Carrier kit with room for 4 pies in disposable pie tins. It’s a pricier option on our list but worth the funds for convenience of all-in-one multiple pie transport.

We’re excited for all of the upcoming festivities during the holidays, and look forward to spending time with family and friends doing lots of fun things in the holiday spirit!  Here are some great ideas for ways to reconnect with family and friends and find some unique gifts.  We encourage our customers to shop small and support local artists, artisans, and small businesses this year.  Let’s spread some holiday cheer and the giving spirit, right here in our own backyard. Check out these great markets, events, and activities in Southeast Wisconsin, Lake County, and the Greater Chicago Area! Your November and December Local Community Calendar On Tuesday November 9th, November 16th, and November 23rd from 10AM to 10:30AM, come over to the Kenosha Uptown Neighbourhood Library in Kenosha and enjoy a family story time for all children ages 2 and up.  Enjoy stories, singing songs, and lots of fun activities! Wednesday November 10th from 6:30PM to 8:30PM come out to Pinot’s Palette in Pleasant Prairie, WI and paint yourself a beautiful monogrammed piece of artwork for a holiday centerpiece! STarts at $38 per guest, supplies all included. On November 12th and 13th, get ready to rock your heart out at the Nightmare in November metalfest concert in Kenosha. Order your tickets here. Running from November 12th through January 2nd 2022, the Lightscape exhibit is a beautiful holiday lights spectacular at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, IL. Order your tickets and get more info right here! On November 13th, shop small and shop local at the Holiday Handmade Market at the Streets of Woodfield in Schaumberg from 10AM to 3PM. It’s a great way to support the community and find the most unique and beautiful gifts for loved ones! On November 13th, grab a ticket to the Lunar Tide Music and Arts Festival in Waukegan.  Event Runs from 7PM on Saturday through November 14th at 3AM. On Saturday November 13th from 3PM to 5PM, enjoy an afternoon of pumpkins and flowers in a painting class at Pinot’s Palette in Pleasant Prairie! $38 per person with supplies included. On Friday November 19th starting at 8PM, enjoy an evening of wonderful music with Phil Vassar’s Piano Bar Tour!  An intimate showcase of this singer-songwriter’s best work with limited seating. Check for Tickets here. Open Nightly starting on November 20th and running through January 2nd 2022, the Willow Hill’s Winter Magic Drive-Thru Christmas Lights Experience is great fun for the whole family! Check this link for ticket timeslots and a calendar of availability. From November 20th through November 21st enjoy an evening of fine holiday shopping with local artisans and craftsmen at the Island Lake Holiday Art and Craft Faire. Forget about the stress of shipping holiday gifts and check out these local exhibitors and artists isntead! Admission is $1 and includes food booths and artist shopping stands. On Saturday November 20th at 2PM and a second performance at 6PM, head over to Genesee Theatre to enjoy a bit of holiday tidings with “A Charlie Brown Christmas” play!  It’s fun for the whole family; check availability of tickets here. Saturday November 20th from 11AM to 1PM bring your family and friends to paint a beautiful autumnal turkey for just $25 per person at a Pinot’s Palette painting class in Pleasant Prairie! On Saturday November 20th from 11AM to 12PM at the Civil War Museum in Kenosha, come and visit The Young History Heroes Storytime session for ages 4 through 8. A new hero will be highlighted every month!  “How Kate Warne Saved President Lincoln” will be the topic of 11/20’s session.  The following storytime will be December 18th! Enjoy the celebrations of “Long Grove Vintage Holidays” from 11:30AM through 6PM in Long Grove downtown! This free event first runs on November 20th and runs again every weekend from 11/21, 11/27, 11/28, 12/4, 12/5, 12/11, 12/12,12/18, and 12/19.  Enjoy caroling and vintage carriage rides for the whole family.  Event is free but registration is required On Sunday November 21st from 10AM to 3PM, The Vault Banquet Hall and The Pine Blossom have partnered up to host the Winter Wonderland in Kenosha! Come and visit for a little early holiday fun, and kids can even meet Santa from 12PM to 3PM. On Friday, November 26th from 4PM to 5PM, head over to the Kenosha Public Museum and enjoy the annual “Lightin’ Up” celebration and Christmas tree lighting ceremony downtown!  It’s a free holiday program for all to enjoy. On Friday November 26th, skip the shopping madness and opt into a quiet afternoon of fun with friends and family by painting a snowy moon and stars landscape.  Or paint a festive Christmas Tree rustic truck painting from 6:30PM to 8:30PM Just $38 per guest at Pinot’s Palette in Pleasant Prairie. On Saturday November 27th from 4PM through midnight, come kick off the Holidays with the Holiday in the Park & Parade event in Glenview! Fun for all ages starting at Glenview road and going through town. On Wednesday December 1st, paint this cheeky little gnome from 6:30 to 8:30PM and gift it to someone special for the holidays! Painting supplies and a lesson are just $38 at Pinot’s Palette in Pleasant Prairie. On Saturday December 4th, paint a family heirloom winter painting of “The Perfect Tree” at Pinot’s Palette in Pleasant Prairie for just $38 per person with supplies all included! On December 4th, come listen to an evening of music by Yheti and Toadface at the Lakehurst Events Center in Waukegan. More event information here! On Saturday December 11th starting at 7PM, head on over to the Genesee Theatre for a wonderful festive evening as they host The Chris Isaak Holiday Tour!  Event and ticket availability may be limited, check here! Are you hosting a local event or market?  Got plans to take your family to a fun holiday event nearby? We’d love to hear from you! Tell us in a comment all about how you plan to spend your holiday season together.

You can’t go wrong with those crispy chips, melty cheese, spicy salsas, and whatever your heart desires as a topping be it meat or veggies. Nachos are the ultimate in comfort food feasting!  Today we’re celebrating National Nachos Day with a great list of restaurants who have creative and delicious nachos as well as more traditional nacho fare! more We really enjoy creating these local food and travel guides for our patrons and visitors.  And we’d love to hear from you! Let us know your best picks for local eateries in any cuisine you enjoy, and your suggestion might just end up on a future blog post! Check out our picks for best local nachos: El Famous Burrito in Waukegan Big Ed’s Barbecue in Waukegan CYOC in Waukegan Anastasia’s Restaurant & Pub in Waukegan Green Town TAvern in Waukegan Dockside Dogs in Waukegan Isla Del Mar in Waukegan La Michoacana Premium in Waukegan Jesters in Waukegan El Rey del Pollo Asado in Waukegan Chuck Wagon in Waukegan Avocado Express in Waukegan Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant in Waukegan Big Norm’s in Waukegan Catrachos Restaurant in Waukegan Golosinas El Encanto in Gurnee Timothy O’Toole’s Pub Gurnee Tacos El Durango MExican Grill BBQ’d Productions in Gurnee Taqueria Toluca in Waukegan Zocalo Mexican Bar and Grill Austin’s Saloon and Eatery La Fogata Mexican Grill Los Compadres Mexican REstaurant in Kenosha El Sarape Mexican Restaurant in Kenosha Iguana Wana Mexican Grill and Tequila Bar in Kenosha Waterfront Warehouse in Kenosha Le Fe Cafe in Kenosha Tacos El Norte in Kenosha If you love nachos as much as we do, we think you’ll love these fun car accessories: Nacho Average Friend Car Air Freshener, Available from FriskyBusinessGifts on Etsy Nacho themed Seat Covers for the Car, fits most models, Via LoveMineGifts.com Nacho Business Car Mats, via Zazzle Nacho Business Bumper Sticker from Etsy Seller SketchAndStick If You Don’t Like Tacos then I’m NACHO Type Sticker via Etsy Seller LunaLemonsDesign

We’re really excited that the holidays are just around the corner, but we also know the hustle and bustle of the season can feel a little overwhelming.  We’re here to help alleviate a little bit of the pressure, though, with some tips, tricks and gadgets to make it all easier when prepping big family meals! more Today we’re sharing some of our favourite mealtime ideas for Thanksgiving and Harvest dinners.  And of course, after working so hard on your main dishes, sides, and desserts, it’ll be time to take them on the road to your family and friends!  That’s why we’re also including our picks for great carrying items and to-go containers for traveling with food.  After all, we can’t forget grandma’s apple pie -- it’s a Classic! Learn about the Native American traditional meals in Harvest and Autumn season, as well as a brief History of Thanksgiving foods: Native American and Indigenous Meal Ingredients. Add more Native American ingredients to your menu this year with this list from Forbes: Native American Thanksgiving Recipes and Food Timing Tips and Tricks and Full Easy Menu Lists Road trips and travel during the holiday season can be plenty to contend with on their own, but if you’re hosting the gatherings or family shindigs you’ve got your own timelines to contend with.  Alleviate the pressure of “doing it all” with our roundup of helpful tricks to getting it all done on time.  That’s right, we’re helping you find a way to get that meal on the table as soon as your famished family arrives.  Tempt your travelers with piping hot appetizers, fresh hors d'oeuvres, and a perfectly cooked meal right on schedule.  And if you’re taking a dish on the road to mealtime, these tips might still be of good use to get it all done so you can get out the door! Four Tips for Holiday Meal Timing Meal Planning and Timing During the Holidays A pre-planned holiday meal with timing and list! When to Cook and Prep Every Dish: A Thanksgiving Timeline The Easy Thanksgiving Menu Easy Thanksgiving/Christmas Dinner Menu from RecipeTinEats Fast, Easy, and Delicious Holiday Meal Recipes Here’s some of our favourite online recipes you can print-and-go or queue up on your tablets for fast reference. 10 Minute Thanksgiving Appetizers and Snacks 10 Minute appetizer Spread for All Occasions 10 Recipes for 3-ingredient Appetizers 33 Last Minute Thanksgiving Appetizers 3-Ingredient Thanksgiving Stuffing 1 Hour Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Sides Thanksgiving Salad Easy Pumpkin Soup Recipe All in One Thanksgiving Casserole 5-Ingredient Sweet Potato Cassero le 60 5-Ingredient Thanksgiving Recipes 27 3-Ingredient Appetizers, Sides, and Desserts for Thanksgiving 100 Thanksgiving Recipes Ready in 30 Minutes Or Less Soul Food Thanksgiving Recipes 8 Must-Make Soul Food Thanksgiving Items Sean Sherman’s 10 Essential Native American Recipes Native American Chefs’ Recommended Fall Recipes Kid Friendly Thanksgiving Recipes Great Food Storage for the Holiday Traveller We know how hard you’ve worked on these holiday dishes, and we want them to arrive safe and sound at your get togethers!  That’s why we’ve selected some great items to keep your food safe while traveling in the car. From pie keepers to storage crates and more, we’ve got it all: The Sweet Creations Pie Traveler, $10-$15 The OXO Glass Pie Plate with Lid, $13-$15 Insulated Round Thermal Casserole Carrier, $15 The Cam Go Box via Walmart, $45 Instacrate with No Lid, $15 The Collapsible Rolling Crate, $30 Non-Slip Car Trunk Mats, $15 The Cater Gator Multi-Tray Insulated Food Storage, $250 ArcticZone Food Thermal Carrier, $30 Insulated Food Delivery Bag 23”x13”x15” size, $21