Denise has lived in her 1928 English Tudor home for 10 years. She grew up in one and wanted the same for her 3 boys: Jake (17), Michael (15) and Nick (12). I have always been intrigue with mothers raising boys only. Through listening and learning about it through Denise, I can honestly say, I give mothers with just boys, my greatest respect. She talked about a recent trip to Paris. Through researching, Denise came across a cafe that was known to serve the best hot chocolate and croissants. She was anticipating the moment she could try for herself. The taste exceeded her expectations and was thrilled with the experience. On the other hand, the boys thought it was "a big waste of time". She spends a great deal watching sports, listening about brackets and fantasy leagues. They play golf, she does not. They all want to watch the same guy movies, she much rather pick a romantic comedy. There is one thing they all enjoy doing, traveling.
In Denise's favorite room, the study, where they spend most of their time on weekends, hangs an elephant mask they brought home from their most recent vacation to Africa. As her sons are getting older, she makes the time to take a family vacation once a year to a foreign land. With her oldest being a junior, she feels there is less and less time to spend with him. The family has traveled to Italy, France, Israel and most recently her favorite, Africa. She expressed that experience as "beautiful, surround by nature and animals and the friendliest people".
Denise's best advice in planning a vacation and enjoying the trip is to:
- Take the time to research. Read books, travel guides, look online and talk to people. Denise's typical planning can take several months of research
- Splurge and hired a tour guide. It will be worth all the money to see and learn about things you might miss.
Although Denise tries to bring something home from every trip, she said shopping with boys is "impossible". She brought home a kimono from Japan that hangs upstairs. Her prized souvenir is her Fortuny chandelier she brought home from Italy.
Going to museums while traveling is Denise's favorite thing to do. Her favorite is Musee Dorsay in Paris. It is housed in an old train station. There are so many other places she'll like to visit: China, Greece, Turkey and Egypt.
The special pieces Denise has in her home has been pass down to her from generations before. This is a picture of her grandma from 1930. In her own words she describes the sentimental value, "My grandfather, Joe Fineman, was a dentist with his brother, George. During the depression he did some extensive dental work on an artist named Issac Rader. The artist couldn't pay his bill and offered to do portraits of my grandmother, Rose, and George's wife, my Aunt Beck, to settle what he owed their practice. This was done in 1930 and both portraits became the most cherished family heirlooms in both families after this generation had passed on. I saw my grandmother every week growing up. She was a refined, beautiful woman, who loved to entertain. She was an amazing cook and loved her garden. I love to see my grandmother everyday in this portrait, she died at 93 in 2000."
In her own words explaining The Diego Riveria lithographs in her home: "My grandfather Nathan Milstein was a lawyer for a firm that represented Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit in the late 1920s. In about 1931 or 1932 Frida Kaho was in the hospital while her husband Diego RIvera was painting the mural at the Detroit Institute of Arts. They had immigration/visa issues and somehow found out about my grandfather through the hospital. My grandfather did the legal work for them and in the process traveled to their home in Mexico as their guest. This bill was paid and in addition, Diego Rivera gave my grandfather a series of 12 lithographs that he signed for him and a pencil drawing that he inscribed: "to my friend Nathan Milstein from Diego Rivera." After my grandfather died in 2003 at 95, the 4 grandchildren each got 3 of the lithos which I have here in my home."
Another family heirloom is their piano. The piano was a gift to Denise's husband, Daniel from his mother. It now belongs to her oldest son, Jake, a talented musician.
During my visit, I was fortunate to listen to Jake play the piano. It was mesmerizing to listen to, he plays so beautifully. Jake plays jazz piano in a quintet, Daniel Berky Quintet. He also plays gigs on the North Shore, including regular performances at JP McCarthy's in Winnetka.
Jake is available to play at events, anything from dinner parties to weddings. He can play classical music and takes special requests from the audience. He can be reached at jakeham@comcast.net or (847) 254-7269.
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