A Whole Life

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Last December, I ran into an acquaintance whom I like very much. We were exchanging pleasantries and I asked how she was. Instead of issuing a standard “I’m fine” response, she shared with me some challenges going on in her life. I was taking in her candor when she said “But I asked for a whole life and this is it: a whole life.”

A whole life. Not a good life or an easy life or a perfect life, a whole life.

I really haven’t stopped thinking about it since.

Our interaction easily could have gone “I’m great! You’re great! Great! We’re great!” as so many run-ins like that do, which is perfectly fine. But the opportunity she gave me to consider that regardless of whether the things in our lives are going good, bad or ugly, it’s a part of a whole life and with that, there’s gratitude stopped me in my tracks that day and every day since.

A whole life. Yes. Yes.

I just wanted to share that story in case you are in a season that is ebbing and flowing between what you want or what you like with other things that might be perceived as, well, undesirable. It’s a whole life and not only is that okay, it’s pretty amazing.

Thank you, Callie.

(image via)

St. Patrick’s Day Weekend 2015

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3 years ago, it was 75 degrees on the day Chicago celebrated St. Patrick’s Day. In between then, I remember a year where we refused to go outside when freezing rain was slamming against our windows and last year, sprinting into Pequod’s in a little snow storm.

This year’s forecast of 50 degrees and sunny means being out and about will be pleasant. Here’s a list of happenings around town if you haven’t locked down your plans yet.

 If you want to keep it healthy or just stretch your legs before a few green-themed cocktails, the St. Paddy’s Day 5k & 8k kicks off at 9:30am in Lincoln Park.

Travelle at The Langham is offering up prime viewing for the dye-ing of the river for $30 and Chef Tim Graham is whipping up Eggs Benedict with Guiness.

Also on the river, Bridge Water Tavern has a $10 buffet brunch to enjoy alongside the great view.

Howell’s and Hood is steps away from the river and in addition to having Irish beer on tap and authentic Irish food on deck (what is colcannon?!), I would imagine that if the weather is decent that the party will spill out onto their awesome patio on Pioneer Court.

The new Virgin Hotel in the Loop is turning their street front cafe into a beer garden. Along with Chicago brews, homemade pastries and Bowtruss coffee (my favorite), St. Patrick’s Day revelry as the El rushes by feels very Chicago to me.

Smoke Daddy in Wicker Park has unreal bbq…and this is the only week during the year that they serve their Reuben. Not to be missed.

And no St. Patrick’s Day would be complete without the Shannon Rovers. This Irish pipe band will be all over the city, with stops at Quartino and Gibson’s, along with many others. Check out their full schedule here.

Are you a holiday purist and would never celebrate on a day that isn’t the actual day? Little Goat is having a Beer Dinner on March 17th, the real St. Patrick’s Day.

Savor

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Savor

Living abundantly where you are, as you are.

Living. Abundantly. Where you are. As you are.

When I received Shauna Niequist’s new book in the mail last week, I was delighted. I adore Shauna and her words and when I found out she was writing a devotional, I hit pre-order on Amazon before I had a chance to blink. And, in all irony of irony, it arrived, I admired it…and it went in the cupboard in my mad dash to clean my house for a dinner party.

Even though I know Shauna is an avid supporter of dinner parties, for a book called “Savor”…come on, right? Terrible move, Nina.

I’ve had a hard time finding my voice lately. Past fears, opportunities, future that’s here but not quite yet, everything has seemed to quite literally come to a head at the same time. So I’ve gotten quiet, just trying to get through whatever this weird season is. Make it through, just let the time pass.

The opposite of savoring anything.

In sending an email to an old friend today, I realized how badly I was craving the connection that comes from when we tell the truth and are heard. It breeds more truth telling and more connection.

I knew immediately that I needed more of this so I pulled Savor down from in between my salad bowl and dessert plates and the words below the title nearly knocked me over.

Living abundantly where you are, as you are.

In other words: today is enough. You are enough. There is no lack. Be here. Now.

In this book are 365 devotions, one for each day of the year. I flipped to March 9 and it was about creating space. You know what I absolutely, 1000% do not want to do when I am uncomfortable or afraid or frustrated? Create space. For anything or anybody. Shauna’s words on that page told me the truth through a beautifully selected passage and it opened up something in me that needed to tell the truth too.

I can hardly wait to start my days with Savor and, God-willing, do a little more savoring each day.

{the necklace in the photo is from The Giving Key, an organization in LA that creates these keys with the intention that you will give it away some day to someone who needs to message. They also employ people looking to transition out of homelessness. Cool, right?}

Hello, Monday and a Song

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Some Mondays are, well, different than others. My last Monday is pictured above. Today was…not that.

But I have great news (and a song)- Monday is under our belts and the forecast is in the 50s and it can only go up from here! Right?!

Now, about that song.

Good days, bad days, all days…the glory that is this 1991 gift of pop gold glory is becoming my go-to. Because the dance moves that can come when the bass line kicks in after “Everybody Dance Now” (bump. bump. bumpbumpbump) are without a doubt the cure for the common Monday. Amen, hallelujah and press play.

 

The Blue Hour

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Blue Hour

One of my favorite things about growing up in Michigan was the blue hour. Defined as the “period of twilight each morning and evening when the sun is a significant distance below the horizon and the residual, indirect sunlight takes on a predominantly blue hue”, this time each day felt like magic. With the incredible about of snow Michigan gets, the blue is so noticeable and I remember sitting in my mom’s living room when the blue hour would hit, as if time stood still for those few moments.

I was in the Mitten last weekend and was soaking up some sweet family time when I looked out the window of the restaurant we were at and there it was- blue hour. The snow had stopped falling, the lake was frozen solid and everything was just still. It was such a special evening, my entire family together, toasting to the future and the past and everything we have created together, with the support of this team, team family. If there was a moment to stand still and take in the blue hour, this was it.

I am bringing that with me into this week. I notice the blue hour far less back home in Chicago, I stop and pause far less on a daily basis here so the plan this week is to bring the blue hour into my days, regardless of whether the color is actually there or not.

Happy Monday, friends.

Home

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cuff links

Chicago is home. And last week, my husband made a big career decision that pretty much keeps us in our favorite city forever (cue the high fives, fist pumps and marching band!).

And then he came home that night with a new pair of cuff links. Not just any cuff links, Chicago Flag cuff links. It was almost enough to make a girl cry, all of this goal crushing/husband/Chicago pride.

This is Our Kind of Town, without a doubt.