Monday, January 25, 2010

Oh what a difference a day makes...


Literally the very next day. Driving from Iowa to Illinois in a mushy, sleety, wet, freezing rain mess. Yuck.

Illinois sunset


It was as beautiful as it was blinding.

Sunset drive through Illinois


I was driving into the sunset on one of those rare frigid but sunny January days and captured this picture. I'm about 120 miles from the Iowa-Illinois border here. It was an absolutely beautiful (and somewhat blinding) trip. Reminded me of driving from Denver to Wichita one year for Christmas when Tyson still lived out there. This was taken with my phone.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Movie star

*Originally posted on 7/6/07 at 12:47pm
Michael Keaton filmed scenes from 'A Merry Gentleman (2008)' directly across the street from house.

I'm getting close to being famous. My apartment building and possibly car is debuting in its first feature film. Let's hope this movie does well.

*Update from 1/14:
We finally watched the film. I enjoyed it more for the "oh, I know where that is!" aspect than the film itself. Funny thing is, the main character lives across from my old place, but spends her time by the church (DePaul) and in the area around our new place. And, my car did not make the film, sadly.*

January Girls Getaway

Along with the engagement party, we had an eventful girls weekend with visits to the French Market, Art Effect, The Poison Cup, Blue Line Lounge, the infamous Violet Hour. (It was overated, but we still had a fine time.)

We enjoyed a bellini brunch at John's Place on Sunday. We also managed to eat lunch at Hub 51 in the Gold Coast and squeeze in a little shopping on Michigan Ave.






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Engagement Party

Last weekend (1/8) Tyson & I celebrated our engagement in Chicago with a group of 16 close friends from here and Kansas City. Annie and Jess Stelz organized cheese + chocolate fondue with champagne and prosecco for all. We munched on a standard Swiss fondue (jarlsberg, gruyere, white wine, brandy) along with a German beer fondue (sharp cheddar, gruyere, German lager). Both fondues turned out perfect - creamy and smooth. We dipped all types of bread from Trader Joe's, pretzels, sausages, broccoli, etc.

The chocolate fondue (milk chocolate, cream, brandy) also turned out well; it was paired with fresh strawberries, sliced carmel apples, graham crackers and marshmellows. We are lucky to have such great company and thoughtful friends.




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Wednesday, January 6, 2010

ATL

So it's a terrible picture, and it was rather bleak that day: but here is the Olympic torch in ATL.

Charming Savannah

I recently visited Savannah for work. I was only there for 2 days, but found it quite charming. This is my view from Hilton Garden Inn in the old downtown historic district. I want to go back for a weekend getaway; stay in a B&B on the river, eat beignets, drink coffee and relax...

The food was equally as charming; And I ate my first low country boil at The Shell House.