Plans for the Summer

If you aren't a blogger, you probably don't know this, so I'll let you in on a little secret. When we sign up for our domain we are required to commit to doing a few things during the tenure of our blog. We agree to occasionally take pictures of what we are wearing or what we're eating, use as many superlatives as we can fit into our copy, and post our fair share of lists.

So today's post is another example of how I definitely intend to keep my end of the blogging agreement I made oh so many years ago.

I give you my Chicago Summer To Do List.

1. Explore U of C and Picnic in Promontory Park: For an architecture geek like me the University of Chicago is a goldmine. And who doesn't need a picnic? I've heard Promontory Park is very picturesque.
2. Dinner on a Roof deck with a View: With the plethora of roof decks around the city surely we can find one where we can grab some grub and enjoy a sunset, right?
3. Check out a Cubs Game at Wrigley Field: Tickets are bought. Cards vs. Cubs here we come.
4. Fireworks at Navy Pier: I can see them from my couch, but just once I'd like to see them from the pier.
5. Movie in the Park: I'm seriously considering Clueless on Tuesday night at the Zoo. Plus the movies at Millennium park this year are all musicals! Just may cross this one off more than once.
6. Rivinia: I've heard great things about Rivinia's lawn. Another excuse to pack our picnic basket and enjoy a summer night outside.
7. Mini Golf in Lincoln Park: It's been years since I picked up a putter and I believe it's time to change that!
8. Take an "L" Tour: There are plenty of tours that the Chicago Architecture Foundation offers that I'm excited to take, but the "L" tour is one I'm really, really looking forward to.
9. Kayak the Chicago River: I was weary about this last summer, but Cait of Pretty and Fun fame has convinced me it is a spectacular way to see the city.
10. Take in the View from the Sears Tower: I still haven't been up in the tallest building in Chicago. There's something wrong with that.
11. Water Taxi to Chinatown: Let's face it, if there's a way to see those buildings from the river, I'm jumping at the opportunity.
12. Grill on Montrose Beach: I've never been a beach girl, but for a night (or afternoon) I could pretend to be. 
13. Ice Cream at Margie's Candies: I've read great reviews. We'll see if this landmark stands up to the hype.
14. Catch "Catbird" Filming: Divergent (aka "Catbird") is filming - as we blog - in this city. Must. See.
15. Chicago History Museum: Something tells me these mild temps aren't sticking around forever. I'm going to need some things to do inside. Plus there are FREE days in August.
16. Photo shoot at Bahá'í Temple: It's a beautifully unique spot in Chicago. Looking forward to putting the camera to work.
17. Make Dinner Using Nothing but what we Find at the Farmer's Market: Healthy and delicious (in theory).
18. Day trip to the Indiana Dunes State Park: Sometimes you gotta get out of town for the day.
19. Visit the Museum of Science and Industry: It's one of just a few buildings still around from the 1893 World's Fair.
20. Eat a Funnel Cake at a Street Festival: No summer is really summer until you've eaten some deep fried, powdered-sugar-covered dough. Extra points if I buy it from a carny.

What's on YOUR To Do List this summer?

Take Me Out to ... The Cell

Nothing says summertime like an afternoon at the ballpark. Since we're Chicago south-siders now, last weekend we decided to cheer on the White Sox and continue our stadium tour.


The White Sox play at U.S. Cellular field which, it turns out, is just a 15ish minute bus ride from our place in the South Loop. We headed to the park early to make sure we had plenty of time to get some Sox gear before we made the trek up to our seats.


As always, what we ate during the game was just as important as what happened on the field. I can report that both resulted in happy endings. Hot dogs, Nachos and a special U.S. Cellular treat, corn off the cob, were on the menu and the Sox won. We had literally nothing to complain about.


But during the fourth inning something happened for which I had no frame of reference. One of the Sox players, Adam Dunn, came up to bat and the entire crowd started to boo. I was completely confused. Why were they booing their own player? And it didn't stop there. The 4 tween boys in front of us started to heckle him. Like, SERIOUSLY heckle him. They were unmerciful. They were unrelenting. They were hysterical.

Now, I was born and raised in Cardinal nation. We are loyal fans. We love our boys of summer (Unless they ditch us for LA - Just ask Pujols). I have never seen a home crowd boo or taunt their own player. In fact, Cardinals fans rarely boo opposing players! At first, I was mortified. But then I couldn't help laughing.

Chicago is a tough town. Apparently Dunn hadn't been producing and so the fans made it known that they were disappointed. Loudly. As a side note, Dunn hit 2 home runs on Wednesday, so maybe the tough love worked. Regardless it was an eye opening and entertaining experience.

How The Cell Measures Up: 

Hot Dog: Obviously, the Comiskey Dogs (Just Chicago Dogs by another name) were fantastic.

Nachos: Pulled pork Nachos were okay. Is it strange to say we were hoping for neon yellow cheese sauce and were disappointed with the sprinkle cheese that we got instead?

Most Obvious Sponsor Presence: U.S. Cellular, Miller Lite and Pepsi

Unique to The Cell: We bought seats in the upper deck and weren't even allowed to VISIT or check out the stadium at field level! They definitely kept us, the unwashed peons, separated from the fancy folks.

Do you have any plans to catch a ballgame this summer?

 

Glen Hansard, Fog and 10 Million of Our Closest Friends

The night started out simple enough. It was our first (of many to be sure) summer concert of the year in Millennium Park. We were excited to see Glen Hansard and the Frames and meet up with our friends Kim and Jon. The lawn at The Jay Pritzker Pavilion was more crowded than I've ever seen it - we guessed there were approximately 10 million people there. But then, that might not be the most accurate appraisal.

Great music, great friends, great food and lots of laughs - who could ask for more?


And then the most magical, slightly creepy and totally beautiful thing began to happen. Fog started to slowly roll in and envelop the city.

Before our eyes the skyline disappeared and there was a blanket of fog covering us.




I've said it before and I'll say again, just when I think I've seen Chicago at its most beautiful, she surprises me. It was another night that won't be forgotten in a city that has stolen my heart.