Reflecting on Chicago

I'm linking up with sweet little gals for this post.

Chicago, chicago, the song keeps running through my head. It's an exciting city, and a beautiful city. Filled with magnicifent shopping, restaurants, and a lovely theatre district.  Only two nights in this fun city, but we made the most of it.

I was most excited to have brunch at Table Fifty Two, the fabulous restaurant of chef Art Smith.  I first learned of Art while watching Oprah. He worked as her chef for several years, then opened Table Fifty Two.  Now he's busy with television, and has opened a restaurant in Washington DC.  I rooted for him on Top Chef Masters, and could hardly contain myself at the thought of eating in his restaurant.

Let's just say, it did not disappoint. Everything was so delectable, and we ordered more than the six of us could consume, but didn't want to miss out on anything.  The service was impeccable, and the decor made me feel like I was in a fine southern home.

After brunch, feeling as though we'd eaten a Thanksgiving meal, we began to walk the town and see the sights. We had such fun.  Taking an architectural boat tour, going up in the John Hancock building, and walking the Miracle mile. We stopped when we wanted to stop, refreshed, and the weather was the perfect temperature with little humidity. 

It was September 11th.  Many, many flags, many, many thoughts of what happened ten years ago. Time to reflect, time to remember.

seems to be the only way I get in any photos! Mirror shot

first reflection in the building next door to Table fifty two

I was obsessed with the gorgeous clouds while we were visiting. this is my favorite photo. The clouds reflecting in this building make me happy

The Bean in Millennium Park.  Do you see me?

Wisconsin and Chicago

Tomorrow will be 36 years of marriage to Mr. Mark.  Wow. Where did the time go? To celebrate, we took a trip to Wisconsin / Chicago.  The Oregon State Beavers were having their first away game, and it is a state we had never visited so it sounded good.

More than good, it was fantastic! Aside from the football team not showing up, it was a perfect get away filled with our favorite things. We saw professional baseball in a park neither of us had visited, we were with old friends and laughed so hard we almost cried, and met some of the most friendly kind people ever.

Traveling can bring challenges, and patience and courtesy need to be top priority. I'm happy to say that our group scored an A+ in both areas. One bus to the game was 30 minutes late, but aside from that, all our transportation came off without a hitch.

I have a new fondness for the state of Wisconsin, and I will smile huge smiles each time I see their cheese, or the mention of their state.  Madison was a fun filled college town, and the students really get behind their football team. They were half of the entertainment.  Sometimes crass, but always energetic.

Being short on time, I'll just post some photos, and perhaps tell more travel details later.

my first peek at Wisconsin.  I loved all the green!

all the farms were so clean and picturesque

our lunch stop

Brewery tour with brewmaster.  You are looking at Laverne and Shirley!

billed as quite the pitching duel, the Phillie's took this game. Would have loved for the Brewers to win, so we could feel the electricity from the home crowd, but alas, they lost.  Gorgeous park, and great atmosphere.

our final look at Miller Park as the rental car headed back to Madison.  Milwaukee was fun, historic, and a nice stop along the way.

Fresh photo

A photo challenge this week is "fresh" When I think of fresh, I think of air, lemons, or water.  When I took this photo on Sunday, it really made me smile.  This is the "bean" in Chicago. It's so fun! The fresh air, the billowy clouds, and the fresh perspective make me think this photo works.  What do you think?
check out the other photos here:  http://mylifeinwords-m.blogspot.com/2011/09/photo-challenge-photo-of-something_11.html

Scavenger Hunt Sunday 9-11

So this Sunday, I am posting from Chicago. We took a quick anniversary trip to Wisconsin to watch the Oregon State Beavers play  football, only our team forgot to play.  Oh well, the people of Wisconsin were very welcoming, I got to see a baseball game in Miller Park in Milwaukee, and combed the streets where Laverne and Shirley were from.


This week's items are bokeh, statues, flying high, remember, and process of elimination

                                                                             Process of elimination
See original photo below..took away the handle

                                                                   Bokeh

                                                    Remember when

On my son's wedding day, he had my father's pocket watch that had been given to him by his mother. Now as the story goes, my father carried this with him all through WWII. He was in the Bataan Death March, and a POW for 42 months. I don't know how he kept this hidden, but it was something he cherished.  In his will he left it to his first born grandson.  I waited until his wedding day to pass it on to him.  He also wore one of my father's medals from the war.

                                                                                      Flying high
This was taken from the hot air balloon that I was in.  Such a wonderful experience. Flying above the clouds in a silent balloon.  The early morning air so crisp and clean.

                                                                              Statue
This is Robin Yount's statue. Famous Milwaukee Brewer.  When our son was little and went to spring training, he got to be the ball boy for the Brewers.  One time when we were vacationing in Hawaii, there was a young couple with two small children playing in the waves. My son informed me it was Robin Yount. I doubted him, but later when the young man split his head open on the boogie board, he approached us to see if we had a first aid kit because my husband was wearing a Brewers hat.  My son definitely had a "I told you so minute"

School days, school days

Oh I'm feeling so melancholy. #1 started first grade today.  His excitement was hard to contain.  He was telling me all about the latest beyblades (his new obsession) and his mama was trying to get him to sit down and eat some breakfast.  I was there to do my "capture" on the first day of school.  I was there an hour before he needed to leave, and you could just feel the electricity in the air.

#1 will be going to school with two buddies who live on his street.  Not only will they attend the same school, they have the distinction of ALL being in the same room.  #1 has a front row seat (phew) and the others are seated behind him.  It had me flashing back 25+ years ago when my #1 son was heading off to first grade.  He was in the same classroom as his buddies.  One lived next door, the other directly across the street.  These high spirited, bright young boys were ready for first grade, more so than their mamas.  As we stood outside the room, trying to not let them see us, with tears in our eyes, and laughter spilling out into the hallway, we looked in awe at our sons.

There they sat, hands folded neatly on their desks, straight faces, looking seriously at the chalk board ahead of them.  No signs of the high spirits, the giggles, the endless chatter that we were used to.  Were they scared? Would they do well?  So much uncertainty on that day, and yes, it seems like such a short time ago.  Some images are burned into my brain, and I hope I never forget them. They are the sweet memories of letting go. It's hard, I don't deny it.  I loved having little children, I loved having them close.  Once school came, and they were gone all day, others took over and had influence on them.

I think my children fared well.  I think they grew up strong and confident.  Of course they took their licks, everyone does.  I felt my job was to make them think they were so awesome, that even when others took chinks out of their armor, they would never get all the way through. 

The final wave as he's "off"  I get to pick him up, and can't wait to hear how his day went!

I have given this advice to others, and think it still applies.  Children can't be good all the time, so just hope they choose to be good at school!  Here's to #1 stealing his teacher's heart, and that she has a fondness and patience for the bright, chatty, sweetest of sweet boys.

Black and white photo challenge

Well, I entered this site last week with someone/something you love, and it must have been beginners luck, as the photo was chosen their favorite! Enough praise to make me submit another one (I know, twist my arm :-)
Here are my favorite little guys in black and white.

Savenger Hunt Sunday 9-4

Such a busy week, but here is what I came up with.

                                                                    CLOUDS

                                                                             MACRO

                                                                              ABSTRACT

                                                                               SMILE

                   Here is my friend with her grandson who is visiting from out out of state.  He loves his Nana so much and has the sweetest smile when he's near to her.                                                        



                                                                        STAIRS

This is the view of our Oregon State Football stairs. We sit in row nine, and run to the top when the game is over.  It's a nice quad workout. We had run to the top after a touchdown, waiting the field goal to win the game, and alas, it hit the uprights. Woe is me, it's going to be a long season for us!

check out the other entries here:     http://www.ashleysisk.com/search/label/Scavenger%20Hunt