Starting my summer off with the National Restaurant Show at the McCormick Place is a delicious beginning. The ticket is good for four days of eating, drinking and networking. My belly can only stand to attend for two days. The experience is always amazing. This year’s favorite was Allen Brothers.

To meet visiting celebrity chef Rodney Scott at Big Star was simply breath taking. I arrived early enough to watch him work. Turns out that we were wearing the same shirt. He is a very humble man with amazing pit skills. He believes in whole hog barbecue and it was really good. May have to visit his restaurant in Charleston, SC. Chef’s Table on Netflix is a good introduction of Rodney.

Kurimu had the most natural tasting flavored ice cream and drinks and the entire shop was Care Bears themed. So many wonderful photo opportunities. Look at that watermelon soft serve. Delicious.

Have always wanted to be a part of the craziness of Lollapalooza! Yes, it was pure excitement; the heat, the crowds, the music and all the lines. Didn’t bother me at all. Lots of amazing photo opportunities. One of the vendors encouraged us to give the FLUFF a try on top of fresh strawberry lemonade. Too sweet.

Truly a Chicago fan! I will go to a Cubs game as well as a Sox game. In my opinion the Cubs have a livelier time, but the food in Sox Park is so amazing. White Sox won on the day I attended.

Kayaking takes the meaning “good vibes only” to another level. The office on the riverwalk is a must do! The view is breath taking, it’s relaxing and has the ability to quiet all the noise in your head.

If you scream, I’ll scream, because I love ice cream. A visit to the Museum of Ice cream includes unlimited tasty treats. The chef actually created a hotdog flavored ice cream and served it with a pickle.

Jumping out of a perfectly good airplane was INSANE-ly amazing! Yes, I would do it again!

Nothing like a trip to Orlando to wrap up all things summer and bring out the kid inside of you. Beautiful resort hotel that included FREE water taxi rides to Universal City Walk and FREE express passes to the theme parks. Voo Doo Doughnuts served the biggest, tastiest treats in pretty pink boxes. Harry Potter’s butter beer is STILL the bomb. Star Wars Rise of the Resistance did NOT have express rides; but the two hour wait in line was well worth it.

It is my prayer that everyone had a beautiful and fun summer. Hello Fall.