Participate, You May!

Yes, I used Yoda to entice you!

Be Part of Baby K's Baby Pool

It is $5 to participate!

The winner will receive half the amount while the other half will start a college fund for Baby K!

Reason 235 I love living in the city: Banjo Night at Lincoln Restaurant!

I came home craving Chinese food and seemed to have convinced Nolan that he also wanted Chinese.  We hadn’t ventured out for Chinese food since moving into our new place but knew of one restaurant up the street, about a half-mile east, so we left our apartment seeking egg rolls!

CLOSED MONDAYS is what we found when we arrived.  Not being overly ravenous we continued south on Lincoln Avenue thinking, “how far could another Chinese place be?”  On the next block, 10 minutes later we found another CLOSED MONDAYS deflating our craving for egg rolls!

The next best thing we saw read BANJO MONDAYS!  Somehow we just couldn’t resist the gravitational force from that plastered sign in the diner window! Time to investigate!

Is there such a thing as a dive diner?  If so, Lincoln Restaurant might be the epitome of dive diner.  Their burgundy chairs with brass rivets, old musty red carpet, brown tile, faux-wood Formica just yells dive!  But we were greeted with the most sincere cheerful woman that was so excited someone under 65 might be interested in their Banjo Night!  We entered the back room 20 minutes before the band started to filter in.   A couple cheep beers and pork chops filled out mouths so we couldn’t gape at the scene from Cocoon we were suddenly apart of!  

Nolan and I along with the crying toddler at the table in the corner and the new trainee waitress lowered the average age of the room to about 72.    We had just entered Jessica Tandy, early-bird-special, blue-haired Mecca!  I couldn’t keep a straight face or my mouth closed most of the night.

At about 7 we noticed black instrument cases and music stands gradually fill the end of the room creating a circle of chairs for the impending performance.  7, yes S-E-V-E-N banjos, 2 guitars, 1 trombone, 1 violin, 1 clarinet, and 1 accordion, oh and let’s not forget the WASHBOARD that made up the group – WINDY CITY JAMMERS!

I even found a youtube video of them playing at Lincoln Restaurant! 


Later on we learned from Edward, who had been the guy trying to lure all the kids to come strum his banjo that the group has been playing for 30 years, he has been with them for 9, he was 70 years-old and has been playing since he was 11.  He also was kind enough to tell us a little bit on how to play the banjo.

Nolan promptly said, “I want to learn how to play an instrument,” something I hear him say every couple months since I’ve known him.  But this time it was accompanied with, “so I can have something to do when I’m old.” 

This time I think Edward convinced him he NEEDED to play! 

We’re now taking donations for a banjo for Nolan and earplugs for Camille!

Back to school.

We're going back to school. That’s right, both Nolan and I are heading back to the classroom to get learned.

The US Coast Guard accepted Nolan’s application last week for a merchant mariner’s license.  Meaning he’ll be traveling to Memphis, Tennessee to study at The River School for a series of tests that will result in his Steersman of Towing Vessels  - Western Rivers license, the first license in a series he’ll need before making Captain!  His classroom work will take place the week leading up to his tests, a total of four scheduled for May 6^th and 7^th.  The River School’s website says, “The River School focus[es] on providing individual rivermen with personal support in dealing with regulations, applications, and examinations.”

I too was accepted into school at the Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago.  My first of two classes was yesterday, Computers For the Arts, a computers based class focusing on software and programs used in future art classes.  Photoshop will be the primary program we’ll be tested on.  Other skills I hope to learn include web design and some HTML code which I am excited about.  So begins my first quarter back to school!  It only took about 10 minutes for my nervous butterflies to escape.

Meanwhile, I am in full swing of stationary design.  On my plate are two wedding invitation suites along with some Mother’s Day cards and Baby Announcements!  What a life I live while Nolan’s on the river!

Our Blank Wall

We've been staring a blank wall for about a week wondering what we'll do ... 

Yesterday Nolan and I visited the Art Institute - Chicago on Michigan Avenue - it was their weekly Free Evening!  We spent a couple hours exploring the old, the modern, the curious, the new, the unexplainable from 900 BC Asia to 2008 Canada.  

This prompted another conversation about our blank wall. Currently we have our Chicago watercolor hanging amongst the vast emptiness!  It is great but it looks puny in comparison to the wall.  Even though I had thought of an idea before I never shared it with Nolan thinking he'd shoot it down right away.  I kept seeing a trend on design blogs that I like dearly.  

"What do you think of a collage of plates?"  I ask.  He thinks, he nods, then we draw up a diagram of how we might arrange said plates!  This isn't your grandmother's antique plate display!  I was floored that he liked the idea.  It seems like the most economical way to put a piece of art, 3D art in our apartment! Cue Excitement!

Beyond creating something unusual on our wall we also get to hunt for these  said plates at thrift shops, antique stores, garage sales, our parent's homes (just kidding)!  I am really excited about our new design project.

Do you need a visual?  Please see below.

CasaSugar blog offers a 'how to' in case you're wondering if you'd like to accomplish the same look.

For more inspiration and photos - visit these websites!

Remodelista Blog: http://remodelista.com/posts/dining-room-plates-as-decor

Shelter Pop Blog: http://www.shelterpop.com/2010/01/25/inspiration-decorating-with-plates-on-the-wall/

House and Home: http://www.houseandhome.com/design/hanging-plates-wall
Decor It Yourself: http://www.threadbanger.com/decorityourself/post/11062/how-to-hang-a-plate

Avoiding the "Big Game"?

Look into these suggestions for a good flick this weekend!

I’ve seen each of these movies over the last 4 years – they all stood out as movies I’d suggest to people when I was scanning Netflix for a new movie to see.

Enjoy a snuggle-under-a-blanket-and-eat-some-popcorn kind of weekend!

If you’re looking for a feel good romance movie (women):

Chocolat

2000 - Blown in by the north wind, an iconoclastic single mother (Oscar nominee Juliette Binoche) and her young daughter move into a peaceful French village and open an uncommon chocolate shop during the height of Lent -- directly across the street from a church. At first, the shop's rich, sensuous desserts scandalize the town. But the villagers (including Judi Dench, Lena Olin and Johnny Depp) soon learn to savor the sweetness.

If you’re looking for a romantic comedy (men & women):

Dan in Real Life

2007 - Advice columnist and widowed father of three Dan Burns (Steve Carell) has met someone new in this romantic comedy from director Peter Hedges. But even though Marie (Juliette Binoche) is beautiful and smart, she's also the girlfriend of Dan's brother Mitch (Dane Cook). With a publicly recognized moral compass, Dan finds himself torn between reaching for happiness and keeping the peace in his family. Dianne Wiest and John Mahoney co-star.

If you’re looking for a drama with a good story and action (men & women): 

Gran Torino

2008 - Curmudgeonly Korean War veteran Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood, who also directs) must confront his Hmong immigrant neighbors -- and his own long-held prejudices -- when the family's teenage son, Thao (Bee Vang), tries to steal Walt's beloved 1972 Gran Torino. Walt soon assumes the unlikely role of guardian angel to young Thao and his sister Sue (Ahney Her), both of whom are vulnerable to local gang influences.

  

 

If you’re looking for a drama with a good story and action (men & women):

Kite Runner

2007 - Years after fleeing the Taliban and immigrating to the United States, a privileged Afghan man (Khalid Abdalla) returns to his war-ravaged homeland to try to repay his debt to a loyal childhood friend whose trust he once betrayed. Marc Forster (Finding Neverland, Monster's Ball) directs this touchingly honest story of family, friendship and bravery, based on the best-selling debut novel by Khaled Hosseini.

If you’re looking for a fun children’s fantasy movie (adults & children):

Nanny McPhee

2005 - The recently widowed Mr. Brown (Colin Firth) and his domineering aunt (Angela Lansbury) can't seem to control the numerous and naughty Brown children until Nanny McPhee (Emma Thompson) -- a character based on the popular Nurse Matilda books by British author Christianna Brand -- comes to stay. Now, with the help of some magic and a little old-fashioned discipline, their household runs like clockwork.

If you’re looking for a romantic comedy (men & women):

Away We Go 

2009 - Buoyed by the news that they are expecting their first baby, Burt (John Krasinski) and Verona (Maya Rudolph) embark on a journey to locate the perfect place on the planet to raise their child. But their quest inevitably yields many unexpected surprises. Sam Mendes directs this quirky comedy while Allison Janney, Catherine O'Hara, Josh Hamilton, Jim Gaffigan, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Jeff Daniels co-star.

QUIZ TIME

Take a few moments and label the following serving utensils.  I received my flatware in the mail this week and I was giddy seeing it's shinny unused surfaces!  I was stumped though, what are all of these serving utensils?  If you know, or think you know, leave a comment naming the utensil and describing it's use.  Better yet, if you don't know, make up a use and it could get pretty interesting!

   

  a-g

  h-n

 READY - SET - GO!!!!


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My Life in Chicago

I love weekends in Chicago - I never know what will happen, where I'll go, or what new fun place I'll explore until I'm there.  I enjoy that!

This weekend I happen to know where I'll go & what I'll see, and what I'll will explore!

Coworker's show

Piece Pizza

Blackhawks Hockey
 

Nothing says Valentine's Day like...

...White Castle!

Show her you love her -- take her to White Castle

January 19, 2010

BY STEFANO ESPOSITO sesposito@suntimes.com

 

You could blow a week's pay on fresh lobster, a bottle of bubbly and a quiet table with a waiter named Jean-Pierre to impress your sweetheart on Valentine's Day.

Or . . . you could surprise her with your, ah, thrift and willingness to stand out from the crowd by taking her out for the Valentine's special at your neighborhood White Castle, where, just for this occasion, they're offering a candlelit dinner, with tableside service and flowers.

Click to enlarge image

 

White Castle is offering a candlelit dinner with tableside service and flowers for Valentine's Day.
(Rich Hein/Sun-Times)

They've done this before. Some people even dress up and rent a limo, says Jamie Richardson, a White Castle spokesman.

They're taking reservations, too -- call (708) 458-4450, ext. 0.

I just help but post this from today's Chicago Sun-Times!

Chicago loves music...

I honestly can't believe how many concerts I've seen since I've lived in Chicago.

The number might be more than all the concerts I've seen before I moved here.  The number might have something to do with the ease of getting to the venues, the prices, and the vast amount of talent that comes through the big city!

Since being in Chicago I've seen:

Jason Mraz at the Aragon - Nov. 2008

 

 Slightly Stoopid at The Congress Theater - March 2009

Drop Kick Murphys played with The Offspring at the Charter One Pavilion - July 2009

 

Matisyahu at the House of Blues - Nov 2009

And that doesn't even count the number of nights I've spent at B.L.U.E.S on Halstead or the free festivals I've gone to at the parks.

The Evolution of the Bicycle!

Copenhagen Wheel - when your looking to be green NOT exhausted!

Anytime you step on the brakes, the generator collects power that it stores in an on-board battery. A sensor in the wheel’s hub can tell when your ride becomes strenuous, like when you’re heading uphill. The sensor then triggers an electric motor that boosts your forward pedaling power. The next time you hit the brakes the cycle starts all over.

But this next-gen bike doesn’t stop at regenerative braking and electric helper motors. A Bluetooth connection in the wheel can speak to an iPhone that fits snugly into the mount on your handlebars. From there it feeds you all kinds of information through an app, including map and traffic info, heightened pollution alerts, speed, distance, fitness data, etc.

I am pretty fascinated by this.  I wonder how this will change normal commuting!?   

Would you purchase this for your daily commute?

Surviving the Midwest Winter

This one goes out to my SHORTY - who is moving to Michigan for the next 2 months, because she is a traveling speech therapist.

I feel pretty fortunate that I've lived most of my life on the west coast.

I realize that I have been spoiled with sunny Northern Nevada weather.  It's cold during the winter and it snows, but generally it's easy to manage as the snow melts because of the consistent sun.  I have had to change my habits to survive Midwest winters.

After the first snow fall I wear my snow boots all winter.  Because I walk to the train everyday it is imperative that I have traction and warm piggies!  I refuse to sacrifice my toes to look cute, also I am clumsy and will fall!  This year I've fallen twice (in one day!).  Last week was the first snow, so I've sported my boots all week!  I also incorporate long underwear into my wardrobe on a regular basis.  It's dangerous to be waiting on the train platform with one layer and a -2 reading on the thermometer plus wind chill.

So if you ever are nutty enough to live in the Midwest during winter time you will need the following:

1. Calcium Chloride ice melt - It goes on your sidewalk but doesn't ruin your hard wood floor if brought into your home!
2.  Cuddle Duds long underwear - The thinnest long underwear and so warm!  Moisture wick away from your skin and stretchy for comfort.
3. A can of spray De-icer -  Especially if you own a vehicle in the winter!  It's handy to have if anything gets stuck!
4. Extend handle shovel - This is a MUST only if you have a vehicle.  The plows will no doubt block you in your parking spot the morning you're late for work!

So, that's my 4 recommendations for surviving the Midwest winter.

Now, what to do for fun when your visiting us in Chicago during the winter... think - most of these things to do are FREE!

1. Ice Skating in Millennium Park 2. Christkindl Market  3. Polar Express Train!  4. Santa in Daily Plaza 5. Eat under the Christmas Tree in the Walnut Room at Macy's 6. 12 Bars of Christmas Pub Crawl 7. Light Festival and Parade 8. Zoo Lights!

This doesn't even cover half the holiday events in the city.  Consider the other sporting events, theater, caroling, and holiday tours also!

Come to Chicago so we can go play but make sure you pack your long underwear! 

I've booked my weekend -

Saturday - Friends' winter wedding!

Sunday - Renegade Craft Fair!

I am excited to attend my friends' wedding and see how they put together their winter theme, it should be spactacular!  The bride is a crafty little thing and he is a music loving dance machine!  Tell me how much you love this: at her bridal shower she had everyone make an ornament for a Christmas tree she's displaying at their reception!  I've also caught wind that their introductions will be Michael Jackson themed!  Awesome?  I think so!

To extend my fun-filled weekend I am so excited for The Renegade Handmade Craft Fair on Sunday.  Renegade Handmade is a local shop in Chicago that sells only handmade products - talk about supporting small business!  They started the fair in 2003 and now have over 150 artists on site this year!  This is my kind of thing!  I am ecstatic to be attending!  One day I hope to be one of their vendors! 

The fair makes it possible to complete your Christmas shopping list!  

Renegade Craft says "those looking to shop handmade and support small business this holiday season will surely find something for everyone – from jewelry and clothing, to ceramics and stationery, with everything from bath products, housewares, posters, comics and plush objects in between – at this large-scale, free-to-attend art, craft and design extravaganza!!"

Happy Holiday Shopping Everyone! Next year come to Chicago!

Thanksgiving in a NEW state!

Most Thanksgivings I spend with family - travel to wherever they are. This year I am heading East when they are West.  

Nolan and I are visiting my mom's friend, Donna and her family in Tennessee.   Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee to be exact and I couldn't have come up with a better name of a town to visit than that.  Both Nolan and I are really excited to visit Donna and her family.  She has a whole slew of activities for the weekend and I am really excited to explore TN, a new state!


Some of the activities Donna has lined up:

• A Men's Golf Outing
• Rockettes Show on Friday night
• Shopping in Nashville (~1 hour north)
  
• See her daughter sing - Jen Mize

We'll be driving to Donna's from Chicago with our friend, Brian (Buddha).  We expect it to be an 8 hour drive, YIPPEE! 

We leave Wednesday and we'll be playing it by ear about when to return.

Quality Time - Cooking

Newport Hostel Meals! (a series in the making)

Newport Hostel, as the residence fondly refer to their apartment as, serves an array of delicious meals.


Nolan was an avid cook long before we met. I've heard rumors of a home video featuring a fictional cooking show that where he and his sister "hosted." I am not entirely sure what to think of this except that I would love to see it!

Things haven't changed much. Nolan still loves cooking, experimenting with food, and eating food! I can't tell you how enjoyable it is to walk into the house after a long day to the smell of fresh bread or dinner! It still amazes me that I found a man who loves to read and loves to cook! Due to the nature of Nolan's job, he has 3 weeks to devote to his cooking experiments. I reap the benefits, so does Jackie!!

Jackie loves to cook - her Pilipino influence brings in a little bit of culture every now and again. She doesn't have as much time as Nolan but she occasionally enjoys whipping up adobo or a mean shrimp Cesar. Jackie is a non-recipe cook. She bases her meals off the triumphs and failures of her past; I've yet to dislike any of her meals!

I'd like to consider myself more of a baker than a cook. I continually get made fun of for having the least amount of cooking experience in the house. (I'll notice the sticker on the whisk before I notice the burnt gravy the whisk is in). Not that I mind because they can't get enough of my baked goods.

Here are a few Newport Meals:

Corn Dogs - Nolan

Batters - plain, jalapeno (from the garden), and chipotle

First dip in the HOT TUB

Sizzle!

Nolan had the biggest craving for corn dogs and it didn't take him long to look up a basic batter recipe and modify it to his liking.  He loves flavor so he used what was in the fridge to create a few different variations.  They were tasty!

Look for more Newport Hostel Meals soon!

My saving GRACE

I know it's kind of strange that the one thing I am most relying on is my email - but it is awesome! I use Gmail - a free email from Google.

It has everything you might ever need associated with your email - a calendar, a google look-up bar for your email - folders - and my most recent discovery, a tasks list! That's right, your very own electronic list maker!

I stumbled upon this element about 2 months ago and it has been invaluable for wedding planning! Because I log onto my email at different computers, it's been easy to keep track of. I don't have any more loose papers in my purse that I inevitably misplace.

Currently my tasks list looks a little something like this:
If you can't make out the list - it's only showing 1/2 my list and it includes:

• Parent's thank you cards
• Call Stefan about schedule
• buy bridesmaids gift
• post canvas bags online to sell
• pack origami paper
• write letter to Nolan
• pick out photos for guest book wall
• leave a rent check for Jackie
• print guest book inserts
• get wedding photo blurbs from family

There is more to the list, but it's an ongoing list and well, it's too long to write!

The list allows you to check a task off and move it to the bottom or delete from the list once you've accomplished it. That way if you need to revise a task it's still there to be unchecked if need be.

There you go, my current saving grace!

I am blessed beyond belief!

I was overwhelmed this weekend with the amount of love I felt from my friends and family!

I spent 4 nights in Reno that spanned over my bridal shower and bachelorette night out! It was so much fun!

I hope everyone had as much fun as I did!

Saturday began with some wedding business then transitioned into a bridal bizarre! I arrived into a room full of almost all the women that have influenced me and helped me become the woman I am today! I was absolutely thrilled that so many ladies were able to make it! I had my sassy Aunt Betty, her sassier daughter (also a former rugger!), my surprisingly calm mom, my favorite island Aunt, a stinky girl, a soon-to-be sister-in-law, some crazy ruggers, my insanely talented soon-to-be mother-in-law, my mother's friends who've helped taught me more than they know, some of my oldest, dearest, friends and sprinkle in some true blue college buddies and there you have a group of 25 ladies rockin Roses! As for everyone who wasn't able to make it, I thought of you that day, multiple time!




The shower was alphabet themed! Yes, alphabet, ladies were assigned a letter and they brought gifts relating to the letter! It was so stinkin' creative! My maid of honor outdid herself, she put on an awesome get together full of food and fun! She could do this for a living!

Maid of Honor and her Mother

Alphabet Invites

Little liquor!

Pretty Panties!

The evening portion included a pub crawl and scavenger hunt all in one! Kerrie made some crazy maps and we almost hit all the bars! Here are some photos for your viewing pleasure!

Thank you again for one of the most amazing weekends EVA!

Fair Trade?

Sunday, Nolan and I were able to spend some nice downtime at the beach (meaning no wedding talk, no company, no worries)! Yes, that's right, Chicago has beaches! It was a relaxing time riding our bikes north to Foster Beach, laying our towels out, breaking out the Cheez Its and reading our books.

We hadn't visited Foster Beach before, so when we rode past it, we thought, "Well, good enough!" It was about 3-5 miles north of us and 15 minutes using the Lake Shore Path. The day was sunny and with little humidity! It was fantastic, I couldn't have asked for a better afternoon! Cocktails could have improved it, but I digress.

On our way home we planned on hitting the store to pick up some necessities to complete our spaghetti and meatball meal we had spent hours masterminding. Nolan's bike chain popped off 2 miles into our ride home. No big deal, we were once 8-years-old with bikes. Chain back on, off we go.

2 minutes, chain's off! Frustration, from both of us, as he won't listen, and I won't shut up! Good communication lesson: when he's too frustrated to answer, walk away and patiently wait. Chain's back on. Smile!

Chain's off!!! Grimace, I gauge the frustrated face... oh, more mad this time! He threatens to leave the bike where it stands, or give it away to a bum. I tell him to stop being irrational, there's a bike shop that can fix it tomorrow. He doesn't put the chain back on, he scooters it home (one foot on the peddle and the other advancing him while he steers).

We hit the store and as we leave there is a yard sale. Yard sales are rare in the city but when you see one, it's fun to pass through, as you're almost obligated to since it's more of a sidewalk sale than anything.

Nolan trades his bike for some nice, tall golf clubs! Good trade, they're in nice condition.

We're home, unpacking, defrosting the meat, he takes out a club to admire it. LEFT-HANDED CLUBS!

Craigslist.