The first day of Spring is 4 weeks away. We can do it! And in the mean time…fresh flowers. Lots of fresh flowers.
On Dates
On Saturday night, we went on a for real date. This last decade month of snow and subzero temps has meant lots of cooking at home, fires in the fireplace and sticking close to our neighborhood restaurants, which is fine but saying we felt cooped up would be an epic understatement so snow be damned, reservations were made and to Balena we went.
We had a fantastic meal, a really great bottle of wine and it just felt so good to be out. One of my favorite things about this guy I am marrying is that he is fun. 5 years later and we still have these dates that last for hours where we laugh super hard, share things we love with each other (in the case of Balena, that meant me actually sharing the polenta- so wildly delicious, that dish), plotting out our future, incredulous at the life we love right this very second. It’s my very favorite thing, these dates.
Fast forward to Sunday. More freezing temps and a craving for pancakes. To the local diner we go, for a short stack and some peekaboo with the little nugget wearing Chicago flag footie pajamas in the booth behind us. We are years away from kids but in watching that really nice, normal looking family eat eggs with their little one, in that moment I thought that maybe that would be a good move someday.
Someday being the operative word.
The day progressed with naps and online shopping and plotting out the room that will be an office by end of day Friday. Thai food was delivered that we ate in bed because YOLO and we watched True Detective. Looking down at my pad see eiw, I realized that this was this unintentional day was the best, a date in it’s own right. More time with that fun guy I get to marry.
Like I said, dates are my very favorite.
A (warm) Break
On the night of the -15 degree freeze about a month ago, I was so disgusted that I booked a flight to Florida. I knew it was shaping up to be a long winter and the end of my rapidly fraying rope was coming up. But in the back of my mind, I thought that if it was that cold/snowy/terrible then, in a few weeks it would surely be better. Glad I went with my “get me out of here” instinct because 8-10 inches of snow in Chicago? Again? Come on.
It’s only for a few days but I am hoping a few naps on the beach, being able to run outside and some time with my parents will recharge my batteries for the rest of winter.
Here’s hoping…
Someday.
Just a reminder that it has to get warm again someday. Is a summer vortex a thing?
Chiberia
Take a look at photos of the polar vortex’s impact across the country: http://nyr.kr/1lNzjqe
Above: Ice builds up along Lake Michigan at Chicago’s North Avenue Beach, as temperatures fall below zero. Photograph by Scott Olson/Getty.
Images like this one and news that it was actually colder in Chicago than it was in Antarctica or that they had to bring the polar bears inside at Lincoln Park Zoo because it was so cold are really incredible. Here’s hoping this polar vortex is hitting the road soon…
Chia Water at Lyfe Kitchen
Post-Flywheel sweat fest, a colleague and I stopped by Lyfe Kitchen for a healthy bite and I happened upon another use for chia seeds: ginger-chia water with strawberry and mint. Just what I needed to rehydrate. It was so good that I am currently soaking sliced ginger root and chia in water so I can have it at home. Stay tuned.
Related: it’s so nice to have places like Protein Bar and Lyfe Kitchen available when out and about for food that is whole and healthy. Ryan and I went to Protein Bar last night and the vegan chili quinoa bowl was exactly what the 7 degree cold night called for. Gluten free and vegan is a no-brainer at both places.
Excessive Christmas Cheer
I refused to tell Ryan where I went shopping tonight because he is the worst with gifts- the second he knows they’re purchased, he wants to open them. “Fine.” he replied. “I’ll just call the stores and ask if you were there. Green hat, green eyes, humming Christmas carols under her breath, glitter and Christmas cheer shooting out from her pores- someone will have recognized you and tell me what you bought.”
So close, baby. So close.
While he is delusional that calling any retailer at any time will yield him a “Oh yes, her” result, he pretty much nailed the description of me tonight. Oak Street, Christmas lights, loaded up with bags, full moon rising over the lake…there is just nothing like Christmas in Chicago. So in love with my city, the holiday and my shopping is done. Falalalala….
Caroling at Cloud Gate
Caroling at Cloud Gate, aka the Bean, is the most festive thing I have ever done in my life. The high school choir girl in me totally geeked out. I made friends with the people standing next to me and by the time Ryan arrived, we were trying our best at a four part harmony of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”. Seriously, next Friday night at 6pm-go. It’s beautiful and festive and there’s so much Chicago love that you won’t be able to stand it.
30th Birthday Surprise
The moral of this birthday story: the Langham Chicago is unbelievable. We’re having our wedding reception at the Langham so I turned to them when it was time to plan Ryan’s 30th birthday. I figured that it will be a special place for us, celebrating our marriage there and all, so celebrating another milestone at their riverfront hotel was a perfect way to kick things off.
Apparently, perfect is the Langham’s middle name. From the warmest welcome at check-in to the amazing suite to the bottle of champagne chilling when I walked in…perfection. We had a birthday happy hour with my parents at the Tortoise Club before heading to our dinner at Travelle and, ultimately, the surprise for Ryan that was a nightcap, chocolate ganache cake and macarons in our suite at the Langham for the night. It was both laid back and over the top, just as entering a new decade should be. I wanted Ryan to feel celebrated and he said it was the most celebrated he has ever felt so this birthday surprise was a success (Travelle still had Pappy Van Winkle so I think that helped too!). Going for a Thanksgiving morning swim was also a lovely treat before heading home to put in the turkey.
I may be biased based on our experience last week and the fact that it’s a big part of our wedding but the Langham Chicago comes with my wholehearted recommendation, whether it’s a special occasion meal or an overnight stay. Gorgeous from top to bottom, start to finish. What a lovely start to the holiday season!
Perfect Saturday
It’s mid-October and 70 degrees outside today. Chicagoans, now is the time to spend all day outside- go for walks, run on the lake, maybe do some day drinking in a beer garden- and tuck this day away in the memory bank to bring out when it’s frigid in February. Winter is coming but it ain’t here today. Today is perfect.
Happy Saturday, friends.