Gotta love the Mom 'n Pop

Do you ever wish, out here in the 'burbs, that you could find that small town feel even in our busy area? I caught a taste of it recently in my own suburb - and I liked it.

I've recently been looking into the countless Halal sellers that are within a mile of my house. I knew living in a diverse neighborhood would come in handy.

And this led me to a delightful experience. After my online search I chose a Muslim grocer which I thought might be my best bet, and off we went. My son and I entered the small Indo-Pak store and went straight to the smiling couple behind the counter. The woman oooh'd and ahhh'd over Asher as I bravely summoned my courage and asked "Is the meat in this store Halal? Could you explain what that means?"

The husband graciously gave me a tutorial on meat that is Halal which, including my follow up questions and considering the language barrier, took a bit of time. They asked me "is your husband Muslim?" I was so obviously a young white American with a young white American child that I worried they would feel I was not being honest in some way, walking into their store and asking for a lesson in their food customs. So I explained that I wanted to honor God in the food that I ate and was hoping to learn from them.

I loved this couple. I wish I could have them over to my house. They were grandparent-types, friendly and hospitable. They answered my questions and offered my toddler some hard candy. After I turned it down the man walked away, perused his aisles, and came back with an entire package of cookies (energy biscuits from India!!) to offer. We happily accepted, but the gentleman refused my attempts to pay. Apparently, I was given a gift in exchange for taking their time, friendliness, and tutelage. I offered; they refused; I offered; they refused. I've never gotten the knack for how long this exchange is supposed to go on, or who is supposed to be the first to back down. I gave in and gave them hearty thanks.

As we turned to go, I felt discontented about having such a great experience, a package of cookies, and having given nothing in return. Half way out the door the obvious answer struck me - I couldn't pay for the cookies, but I could buy something else. Walking down the three short aisles I selected a box of green tea and a can of chickpeas. This gave me an opportunity to chat more with the couple - about my trips to India, about her chicken briani, about my interest in not only my Christian faith, but Islam and others as well. The woman nodded, telling me that her father had read the Qu'ran, the Bible, and the Hindu scriptures. We commented on the peace that comes when different peoples understand each other. We smiled. My son chomped on his cookies. I promised to be back with a meat order soon.

I'm not certain that eating Halal is something I'll continue to pursue but its a start for now - a baby step. Either way, this step was a blessing to me. I live in the suburbs, not the city, not the country. I don't associate a personality with my grocery store or my bank or my gas station. But I wish I did. This was a taste not only of India but of rich, full, real life - life with community.

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French Markets: A Sign of Spring

This year, spring has been a long time coming. We have had a long, brutal winter. But a sure sign that spring is here... outdoor market season!
This weekend is the inaugural weekend for most of the french markets in the Chicagoland area. The term "french market" refers to the style of market- outdoor booths with canopy coverings- and not the type of goods sold there. The aisles are packed with dozens and dozens of vendors of all varieties. The number of vendors at each market continues to grow and the variety of items is amazing: fresh cut flowers, annuals and perennials, fruit and vegetable vendors, handmade clothing, baked goods, soaps, jewelry, the list goes on and on. I love to browse the booths, smelling all the freshness and seeing all the creative products people have brought to share. The produce and plants are all from local growers ensuring the highest quality veges and flowers for your family. With going-green being all the rage these days and the economy being less than stellar, there is no better way to support local farmers and merchants and reduce your carbon footprint.
With markets in the city and many different suburbs, the chance is good that there is a market right around the corner.
Wheaton boasts one of the largest traditional French Markets in the country in terms of number of vendors and number of attenders. To walk the aisle-ways at the Wheaton market on a Saturday morning is to literally bump shoulders with hundreds of your closest friends (and their strollers). But the atmosphere is fun and people are in a good spirits (mostly). There is something about the smell of fresh flowers and PadThai that puts everyone in a friendly mood.
Other Dupage County markets include Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Lisle, Villa Park, Geneva, and more (most starting this Saturday or Sunday). Outside Dupage, there is the Chicago Green City Market which is outdoors in Lincoln Park during the summers. They move to their summer location on May 6th. Up for an little excursion? You could also try the markets in Wilmette (one of the largest in the state), Wicker Park, or Oak Park. There is also a traditional market in the city at the Nettelhorst Elementary School parking lot on Broadway on Saturdays from 8a-2p if you are really in the mood for an adventure. Check your village/town website to see if there is one in your area and what the hours are.

Making a trip to the French Market is not just a shopping trip. It is a fun outing for the whole family. It is family friendly, earth-friendly, and just plain fun! So, it is time to brush off those produce baskets and get out there and shop!


Want something else to do today? Here are some other ideas!
Wheaton: Native Plant Sale, Prarie path Clean-Up, Paper Shredding, Cosley Zoo's Party for the Planet

Naperville: Tree sale, Bike and Sport Goods Sale, Operation Safe Kid, International Children's Day


French Market post adapted from Farrah's post over at Chicagonista: Movers, Shakers, and Baby-Makers!

If you have information about an upcoming event in your area that you think other Dupage Mamas would like to know about, please let us know. And if you have pics or thoughts to share about an event you recently attended, we would love to hear about that too!!

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A whole new world

The library is, to me, a standby location when the kids or I need to get out of the house. So today my boys and I walked to the library. They're a bit young to really dive into book-world, but they did enjoy playing in the kids play area they have there.

Living in our suburb is kind of like living at the UN, or maybe Sesame Street. Most residents are first generation immigrants, and there is tremendous diversity of dress, food, religion, smell, skin, and language. We're one of only two households in our building that speaks English as a first language. I love this about our neighborhood.

We spent our time at the library today playing and chatting with a Hindu family from India and a Muslim family from Africa. Later in the day we walked to the park where we hung out with "big kids" who were Indian, Asian, African, Latino, and yes one Caucasian, Americans.

I am so, so grateful for the opportunities I've had to study and teach about culture and diversity. I'm blown away by the opportunities I've had to travel around the world, the relationships I've made there, and how these things have changed me.

And I'm also grateful that my sons will grow up not needing to take these classes or these trips to understand culture. Different languages, skin color, customs, dress, thoughts and values will not be "foreign" to him. He is growing up in the midst of it.

Catherine is one of the co-founders of DupageMamas. When she's not over here you can find her blogging about life in Dupage County at her personal blog, everyday life as lyric poetry.

Do you have a story about life in Dupage County? We'd love to have you guest blog for us. Email us your post, ideas, pictures - whatever!

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