Shopping in Chicago …

I have been away for a while,  but I am back in time for some summer fun. Just got back from Chicago and it stormed the entire time we were there. But I  had a great time shopping at Lincoln Square. The shops there in that part of town are truly unique.  The Merz apothecary shop had more herbs, and herbal remedies than I have  ever seen in one place. I walked out with some coconut oil, they say its great for your skin and hair . This shop was established in 1875.  Being the hat person I am I had to stop and get that cute beige hat with the black ribbon. A great buy and the perfect hat for the beach.  I always stop at Pot Bellys when I am in Chicago and have a wreck sandwich with an ice tea. This sandwich shop is so homely. This large sandwich chain started out as an antique store and the owners decided to make some sandwiches for the customers. Now it’s one of  Chicago’s largest sandwich shop ! Chicago was a great place to visit but  I am so glad to get back to sunny California !

Hope everyone is having a great summer !

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A small town 4th of July…

I love a parade and we are going to the main street parade in old town Corona this year, but there’s nothing like a small town 4th of July parade in Chicago. You can see a-small-town-4th-of-july parade here.

 Have a great week !

A small town 4th of July…

A small town  4th of July  in  Oak Park ,Chicago….

(#3 on the ten things we want to do for the summer )

complete with red , white and blue jelly beans…

an array of wonderful  breakfast food…

and red watermelon that Leo loves !

Leo finally got the hang of playing this game.

Here are all the  kids in a row waving their flags , waiting for the parade to start.

Leo was eyeing this cute little guys jelly beans….

he just couldn’t wait and  helped himself.

Here comes the parade now !!

The town’s firemen start the parade….

There was lots of people in their decorated cars to see, and lots of candy for the kids.

The end of the parade and  Leo waved goodby …Thanks Dave ,Paula , Cat and Maggie for

a simply wonderful day , next post stuffed pizza with Dan  !

A trip to Chicago ….in a carry-on

We are off to Chicago to spend 8 days, and we are not staying in one place. So since we are going to stay here and there and where ever , then we are going to end up at a hotel in the heart of Chicago,  I thought I would pack my entire  wardrobe in a carry-on. My girlfriends and daughter said impossible. Or at least impossible to look stylish for eight days with a just a few items and three pair of shoes. Well I beg to differ….I think I can and the challenge is on. My other quest for my trip is to find the best chicago dog, and deep dish pizza which will not be hard because Chicago is the place for  great food ! Another quest for my trip is  to have  a small town 4th of July  , parade and all..( #3 on”Ten things I want to do for the SUMMER). Chicago is a great city and I can say I know the city very well, I spent  6 years there , all the time wishing I was back in sunny California where I was born .   But I have learned to love Chicago for its food, its incredible buildings, its blues night clubs and for its jaded history . …and I must admit the best thrift stores . After all Chicagoans invented the word grunge, and they do it very well !

See you next week in Chicago…

The art of simply being

 

Last year at this time we were in Chicago, and I loved the soft overcast days that seemed endless… Today seems like a day that would never end. We drove to a  90 min. presentation for a time share in Oceanside,  that turned into a three-hour nightmare.  Leo was  running  amuck and would not stay in the babby sitting room. Darrill was  in a state of confusion with Leo running everywhere and salesmen putting some serious pressure on him. When the meeting was finally over we found out that Legoland was closed. That was the reason why we drove all the way down to Oceanside to this time share !  We finally decided to head to the beach and when we got there Leo fell asleep. I  walked along the waters edge , took a few pictures and simply let the stress of the day go. The water was so serene, the birds were flying overhead and I sat down on the sand and just relaxed.

                                                         

The art of simply being . 

 

 Just for those few wonderful moments.  When we got home I took a long hot bath .  I opened all the windows and the wind blew in  a wonderful fresh scent . I soak  in the tub for a long time.  I loved the silence.  Today I can honestly say, I learned the art of simply being. 

 

                   

 

 

  

 

                                    

        .. .I love September in Chicago.

 

  Hope everyone has a very relaxing week.