Into the Woods

Tomorrow morning we leave early, early, early to go spend the weekend at the cabin in the woods for a family reunion. (Dad's 80th birthday, shhh don't tell) It's a special place. Magical actually, it has 3 log cabins that my dad built with help from family and friends. I remember helping with the chinking, that's when you stick as much moss as you can into the spaces between the logs. Thats also the year my sisters and I learned that are many varieties of moss, so back to the swap we went.

Each of the 3 cabins has counters or cabinets that were either made or got from someone getting rid of them. Old kitchen tables and chairs all wood and nothing matches, but that's the charm of it. There's only an out house and the only water comes from a well. My Dad found the water source by using a branch from a tree in the shape of a Y (that must be where I get my super hero powers from)!
The largest of the cabins has a old wood burning stove in it. That means lots of chopping for the men, while the women folk cook then clean and then cook and clean again and again.
Almost everything is done like back in the "olden days", you boil water to wash the dishes, clean up, wash up. I don't mind it for a weekend and as I do the daily work I can't help but wonder about the women that use to live this way back in the day. Make your own bread, clothes, tools. Cook, clean, garden. No time for naps! Hard work no doubt. But seeing the sun through the trees, the smell of the moss and ferns in the woods, watching the birds and hearing them sing, the quite peacefulness at night (that is if bears don't come knocking)!

That's what makes it magical, that and our whole family will be together for the first time in a long while.

These pictures I just grabbed from the world wide web, just to give you the sense of wonder of it all!!!

A fun time was had by all

We all had so much fun in the city this past weekend. Friday night we ate at Brasserie Jo.

The sisters had Steak Frites with parsley mustard butter. Only because I told them if someone didn't order it I would, it is their most popular dish after all!

The whole experience was wonderful. I'm glad my sisters liked the place as much as the DH and I do. One sis even wanted to go back again the next night but I told her there's way too many great restaurants in this city to just hit up one, she'll just have to wait till next year!

Saturday we got the special tour of City Hall from the DH's good friend. What a treat that was!

After meandering around the compound we headed up to the roof to see the Rooftop Prairie Garden!

This is one of many birdhouses up there, who knew?!

They even have bee hives up there! I'd call that extra security.

And there's a view of the lake. Of course!

One of the best things was the bunch of huge dragon flies that were flying around above the garden. I mean HUGE, and there were about 20 of them. Try as I might I could not catch them on camera, I hope I will remember that tho, it was pretty amazing!
We got to see the Mayor's office but no picture taking was allowed. Made you realize he's human.
We shopped a little, went to a tapa's restaurant for dinner, that was really loud, I swear my ears are still ringing! The food was good but there are better ones out there, next time.
Here's a view out the condo window at night, we can't figure out why this building (the John Hancock) had all this haze around it. It's cool and creepy at the same time.

Sunday morning the DH dropped off the sisters at the train station, while I cleaned up a bit.
We walked a few block and had lunch at the Hotel Felix, which might just be the place to stay next year when we switch out the DH for JW. Look out Chicago the city might may never be the same again!

Not Quite a Foodie Friday

I know it's Foodie Friday but the only food thing I have is this, I'm so excited about this weekend I can almost taste it! The only thing better would be if my mom and JW could be there too! Eeeeeeeeeeee!
And here's a little teaser for you on the special outing we have planned.

Any guesses?

Whirlwind Weekend

First thing I must tell you about is the amazing birthday cake the DH made bought for my birthday.

I realize I only need to say "Triple Chocolate Bavarian Torte", but OMG the best cake ever, seriously ever!!!!! It melts in your mouth like a liquid truffle!

Saturday and Sunday was the art fair, if you want to call it that. My first clue should of been that it was at a mall, and it was only the second time they had an art fair there. I talked to a couple of people that were venders at the first fair and they had nothing good to say about it. Unfortunately that was after I was accepted for the second show. I remained positive and upbeat, and thank goodness it didn't rain, but it was not a good fair. I did meet some great artist and did a little bartering for some small oil paintings. And thank goodness for the artists, my only sale on Sunday was from another vender!
I guess the "remote control people" did not like the fact that I was happy and upbeat for such a dismal show because somehow, someway, I still am not clear how, I twisted my ankle! Once again DH to the rescue, I was so happy he was there helping me breakdown the booth. I'm also glad he talked me in to staying home from work for two days. When I got up in the middle of the night (as I am wont to do) I could barely walk on it. And coming back to work yesterday, he was right, I would have been busting my butt, gimping around while my co-worker hit up facebook, YouTube and finishing his homework.

But I won't even get into THAT!
The worst part is that we planned on spending the weekend with two of my sisters downtown Chicago! I've been so excited about this for so long, dreaming about all the places we'd walk to, and restaurants to walk to, damn it, we're going if DH has to carry me on his back, we're going! We may not get to all the places I wanted to but we have one special outing that is worth the trip alone! You'll just have to tune in on Monday to see for yourself!

Happy Birthday to Me, Me, Me!!!

The day started so nice with a sweet Birthday card from the DH! Thanks honey, you always find the cards that make me cry, love ya!

Yes I'm at work today, but with a cup of coffee in one hand and a chocolate croissant in the other! And tonight with dinner we'll have pink grapefruit margarita's.

It is "Foodie Friday" after all, so click on the name for the recipe, I plan on making it a little different substituting prosecco for the vodka and simple syrup.
Then for this special day I thought I'd post pictures that I have saved over the year and keep in a folder call "Things that I love"
I'll start with this quote that I found that I really like and try to live by.


There's quite a few pictures so sit back and enjoy. Believe me there are much much more than these, but these are some of the top favorites! Think of it as a present of me to you! And as always click on the pictures to enlarge them. Enjoy the day, I know I will!!!