and nobody even missed me, right?  Spent the day at the National Restaurant Show at McCormick Place – do not believe how tired you can get from walking and eating.  It’s a chowhound marathon.  Here’s some pictures of what was available to eat and drink (they also had lots of wine, bloody marys, other booze).  So full of cheese I’m a rat magnet…

livingsocial had a large booth set up with a young woman making hand-rolled cigars.  Apparently her Uncle came over from Cuba and continued his profession in Florida.  As a young girl she would watch and learn.  Now it pays for her graduate school!

There were entire sections devoted to gluten-free products – very impressive.  There were a couple of vendors who will be trying out Amazon…I’ll keep an eye out for those because some good deals should follow.