This Giving Thanks series was intended to reboot my 2013 and keep me more focused on gratitude. See the first post here.

This week, I am grateful for…

63. Hitting the rental car jackpot. I had a blast driving this on a quick trip to Michigan. Thank you, Hertz!

64. Breakfast for dinner. My favorite.

65. The first signs of Spring. The freeze broke, things melted a bit…it’s progress.

66. Holidays. Next up: St. Patrick’s Day, a Chi-town specialty.

67. Learning new things. Spotted this sticker at Whole Foods, acknowledged that I didn’t even know anything could be made 100% with wind power (or what that even meant) and after some Google perusing, I now know how, where, what, etc. Fascinating.

68. Home. Whether it’s a person or a place, I am grateful for the warmth, security and support that is home.

69. Springing ahead. I’ll admit that losing an hour today was less than desirable but the extra hour of daylight was appreciated. Ryan and I were able to get in a long walk on our favorite route, something we probably would not have done without some extra light.

The snow came. Not as bad as the Groundhog Day Blizzard but Storm Saturn (apparently, they now are named?) was legit. I am grateful I was able to reschedule my trip and spend my day safe and sound and drinking copious amounts of tea.

Stay safe and warm, friends.

Pro: Chicago has so many amazing restaurants. Con: Chicago has so many amazing restaurants.

So, yes, I know we are so lucky to live in a city that is increasingly known as one of the great foodie destinations, with amazing chefs and new restaurants opening every week. It’s great. It also means that going out to dinner means planning ahead and nailing down reservations. But I don’t always know what the week will bring, how I’ll be feeling, etc. Cue to yesterday- exhausted from the week, I felt like a truck hit me and outside of making it to Flywheel, my greatest ambition was to finish season 3 of Mad Men on Netflix.

But Ryan, god bless him, knew I needed a night out and encouraged me to throw on the heels and throw my “but we don’t have reservations” attitude to the wind- we were going to have a great night and have a good meal. Siena Tavern opened several weeks ago and since the addition of any Italian restaurant in the neighborhood is good news in my book, we decided to swing in for a drink.

The space is amazing- warm, cozy, lively. In addition to a huge oval bar and dining room, there is a communal bar in front of a wood-fired oven and crudo station. We snagged a seat and after a glance at the menu and the delivery of squid ink pasta with lobster to the woman next to us, we knew our night was beginning and ending at Siena Tavern.

That squid ink pasta? Lightly tossed in a spicy lobster sauce and the lobster was perfection. Ryan deemed his Seafood Brodhetto as “one of the best” things he has ever eaten, the Kobe beef meatball was divine and the sides that accompanied our charcuterie plate were beyond. Excellent, non-fussy wine and cocktails. I ran into a friend who was eating some sort of dessert and had he not been with a colleague, I would have asked for a bite. The team preparing crudo and baking pizzas were so efficient, quick and clearly having a blast. We met the chef, Fabio from season 5 of Top Chef, and congratulated him on what is clearly a home run. Everyone was so excited about what they were eating and drinking that conversations with strangers went on and on, a little food love fest. The transition to more of a bar scene was seamless and we stayed for more drinks than necessary, hanging out with our new strangers turned food friends.

Pro: Siena Tavern is perfectly reso-worthy and perfectly set up for popping in unannounced. Cons: I ate my leftovers the second I got home and have been craving that pasta all day long.

(Photo credits: top- me, bottom- eater.com)

56. The Oscars. Pizza, wine, 2 of our favorite friends and 3 hours of gabbing about movies, fashion and (given the theme of many of this years nominated films) politics made for the best viewing party in town.

57. Sobremesa My favorite part of every meal.

58. Leftovers Yes, I am still talking about this cake. The top layer fed 6 people at dinner, I took home half of what is pictured and it fed Ryan and I for 2 days. Big, indeed.

59. Staring contests. Luna Bell just kills me.

60. Great books. I received a pre-copy of Bread and Wine and am absolutely devouring it. It releases in April but I’ll be sharing my review with you guys right in a few weeks!

61. Unexpected great nights. I am a planner by nature…and I need to keep in mind that setting out with the singular goal of having a great night can be the best plan.

62. My grandmother. Grace and strength personified.

49. Donuts.

50. My little friend Jackson. This is one cool kid…and his little smiley face just melts my heart.

51. Cooking. I am grateful that Ryan and I love preparing meals side-by-side in our kitchen. Our cooking dance is down to a science.

52. Chicago Always.

53. Sleeping in.

54. Cleaning. I’ve inherited my Father’s voracious love of cleaning. There is nothing better than a few hours of rolling up my sleeves and the sense of satisfaction I get from the (sparkling, fresh smelling) results.

55. Faith. Romans 8:31: if God is for us, who can be against us?