2 Things @ Once

Saturday 3 p.m. ~ Paying Bills

NaBloPoMo, Day 30

 

Books and Buildings

NaBloPoMo, Day 29

I was back in Hyde Park again this weekend, exchanging a book I'd purchased at 57th Street Books. (And yeah, maybe buying a few others.) Stopped in to Medici's for breakfast and some of their delicious cafe au lait while trying to plow through another section of my book club book.

Afterward, went for a drive in search of a couple of historic landmarks that I'd never seen before. 5551 S. University Avenue (1937, George and William Keck), an early example of modern architecture in the "international style." I'd be curious to see what it looks like on the inside because it's pretty darn ugly from the outside. Does stand out even now in stark contrast to the buildings around it. I can't imagine how radical it must have seemed seventy years ago.

Then over to the Isidore Heller House (1897, Frank Lloyd Wright). Early Wright, early Prairie Style, definitely influenced by his mentor Louis Sullivan. Ornamentation and windows that hint at things to come yet with Gothic touches and a frieze of beaded ladies parading under the roofline. A very interesting example of Wright at a turning point.

Driving a few blocks on, we suddenly found ourselves in Obama's hood. Chicago cop cars blocking streets, police standing around, and metal barricades everywhere with clumps of people stopped on the sidewalk looking for the house. I've long wanted to take the Chicago Architecture Foundation tour of Kenwood. I suspect this neighborhood tour will get a lot higher profile in the coming years.

48-Hour Tour

NaBloPoMo, Day 28

Last weekend, my stepmother Diana and her boyfriend Richard visited Chicago for the first time and we gave them the whirlwind 48-hour grand tour. Turns out my hunch was right--they came to town to personally give us the big news that they're engaged, which was a very thoughtful thing to do. It was a memorable moment as Richard choked up while making the announcement over cocktails in the Palmer House lobby.

All in all it was a wonderful weekend. They had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed their taste of Chicago. I made a concerted effort to show them the people, places and food that I love about this city. It was great fun spending time with them, all along the way making plans for their next visit.

Here's a rundown of the highlights:

Friday --

• Picked up D & R from Midway airport.
• Hyde Park and University of Chicago campus. Walked around the neighborhood and campus. Grabbed a bite to eat at the Divinity School Coffee Shop in the basement of Swift Hall.
• Stopped in 57th Street Books, (Obama's bookstore!) and my favorite bookstore in Chicago. Bought something, of course.
• Drove north on Lake Shore Drive, from Hyde Park to downtown Chicago--my favorite drive in Chicago.
• Checked D & R into their hotel. Walked around North Michigan Avenue.
• Dinner at Twin Anchors. Richard is a movie buff and wanted to visit the restaurant used in the movie Return to Me. (It was also used in the most recent Batman movie and apparently was a favorite of Frank Sinatra's.) Luckily, it just happens to be one of our favorite dining spots, renowned for having the best ribs in town.
• Back to the hotel. Walked up Michigan Avenue, along the Chicago River, and back toward the Water Tower. Up to the Signature Lounge on the 95th floor of the Hancock for a drink and the view.

Saturday --

• Gathering at my house for light brunch. Gave D & R a tour of the house (which they'd only seen in photos) and had them meet a few friends, including Wee-J!
• Drive through Evanston, Northwestern and north shore suburbs, driving along Sheridan Road. Back south, via Wrigley Field, to Hot Doug's for a late lunch.
• Parked in the south loop and walked around downtown. Walked along south Michigan Avenue, through Millennium Park, popped into the Cultural Center, down along State Street, into Field's (sorry, Macy's is still Field's to me) and stopped at the Palmer House for a drink and the big announcement.
• Dinner at West Town Tavern.
• Drive down Michigan Avenue (post holiday parade) to see all the trees in their white lights and around the loop to see the Merchandise Mart, Lyric Opera building and Board of Trade all lit up.

Sunday --

• Brunch at Orange.
• Ride on the El on elevated tracks around the loop, over the river and back again.
• Back to Midway airport. Whew.

Happy Thanksgiving!

NaBloPoMo, Day 27

Best wishes to everyone for a warm and happy Thanksgiving. I hope you're spending it with people and food that puts a smile on your face.

Did Someone Say Pie?

NaBloPoMo, Day 26

This year I opted not to bake a sweet potato pie and chose instead to get our Thanksgiving desserts from Hoosier Mama Pie Company. If you've ever had their pie, you'll know what a no-brainer decision that was. Their coconut cream is to die for and the lemon chess is my all-time favorite pie on the planet.

I ordered two pies, maple pecan and cranberry chess, which isn't usually on the menu and I cannot wait to try. Right now, they're calling to me from the fridge and it's taking all my will power to resist.

Mayonnaise Creme -- Think of the Possibilities

NaBloPoMo, Day 25

My friend and culinary compatriot Karen (we share a box of organic produce every week from a local farm co-op) collects cookbooks from the 1950s, '60 and '70s, basically the period of time that informed the cooking we were raised on. A few months ago she acquired a new, or should I say old, cookbook that was chock-full of hilarious recipes.

She emailed me one for Mayonnaise Creme, which I thought I'd share just in time for Thanksgiving. I'm including Karen's comments, as well as her mother's well-informed responses.

Mayonnaise Creme
[I'd just like to point out that this is a
stand-alone recipe - it's not served with anything.]

1 cup marshmallow creme
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon orange juice
1/4 cup mayonnaise

With rotary or electric beater, whip marshmallow creme, lemon juice, and orange juice till blended. Stir in mayonnaise. Chill.

Bonus questions: How did any child born into this era develop into an adult with fully functioning limbs and organs? Seriously. This is what we were raised on? How is it that we developed teeth and bones? How is it that any of us managed to develop an IQ over 10?

Another bonus question: Is "Potato Fluff Topper" the name of a food item or a stripper?

Tie-breaker: What is a "salad-maker"?

Raja replies:

This offered a flexible choice:
You could put it on a leaf of iceberg lettuce with a perky red--offering another fruit-- cherry on top for a salad. It could be spread on graham crackers for a tasty after school snack (after all--it has 2 kinds of fruit.) Spread between 2 slices of Wonder bread for lunches. Squirt cheese could be added for extra nutrition.

#2 Potato fluff topper was to turn a plain meal into something FUN. Sprinkled with dry parsley it added color to the plate--it was all about looking perky and pretty--the hostess and what was on the table. Everyone drank so many cocktails they would have eaten Styrofoam with paprika on top of it and complimented the hostess.

Kids got their nutrition, not from these foods but from sugar-coated cereal.

Because it's not enough that I have to visit two different grocery stores to get everything I need

NaBloPoMo, Day 24

As much as I love (read, loath) grocery shopping at Food 4 Less in general and for Thanksgiving in particular, it's all the more enjoyable when you get to do it twice. After nearly an hour of slogging up and down the aisles, with just one item away from the finish line, I left my cart for about two minutes to choose a cheap white wine for making turkey stock. When I came back, it was obvious someone had ransacked my cart and I could tell things were missing.

I knew who the culprit was too, since I'd seen a store employee nearly pilfer another shopper's cart earlier. This guy was way too enthusiastic in his duties, cruising the aisles for abandoned carts and returning merchandise to the shelves. Inexplicably, there was no rhyme or reason to the items he removed from my cart. This meant I had to start at the beginning and reconcile my list to what he'd left in the cart. Talk about a pain in the ass.

Saturday 3 p.m. ~ Hot Doug's, Here We Come!

NaBloPoMo, Day 23

No visit to Chicago would be complete without a trip to Hot Doug's.

Lame, Quick Post

NaBloPoMo, Day 22

In between activities, having a great time showing off the sites of the city. Just a quick post to fulfill my post-of the day. Off to Hot Doug's!

Two years, 2000 Miles and a 40-Degree Difference

NaBloPoMo, Day 21

T-minus two hours until Diana and Richard arrive from San Diego!

We're as ready as we'll ever be. The house (which they've never seen) has been cleaned and de-cluttered as much as a house where people actually live can be. (I went a tad overboard and used their visit as an excuse to give the place a thorough going-over. At times it felt more like we were moving and not just cleaning up for out-of-town guests.)

The weather, on the other hand, is completely out of my control. While I'm thrilled that it's a bright sunny day (which will give them a great view of the city as they fly in) and will set off Chicago in its best light, an arctic chill is sweeping through and we'll be lucky if today's temperature hits 30. (Currently, the wind chill is a biting 16.) Diana and Richard will get the full-on chilly Chicago winter experience.

I've compiled a list of highlights to hit (thanks to everyone for your great suggestions!) and reservations at one of my favorite restaurants have been made. This will be an especially fine reunion, since it's the first time we'll have all been together since Jenny's cancer diagnosis and treatment two years ago.

Fun times in the old town tonight!