Illinois

June 27, 2011 In Illinois, People, Photos, Videos

all colors of the rainbow

Yesterday was annual Pride Parade Parade Day and my first one in Chicago. It was quite an experience. After I attempted to get close to actually be able to watch the parade and got squashed in the crowd within 5 minutes, I opted to just wander the streets for a couple hours. There were thousands of characters, so even though I didn’t get to see many of the actual floats, there was plenty of entertainment.

As I walked in the direction of the parade, I saw bars and restaurants with signs of pride:

…vendors selling schwag to keep the sunshine way:

…people so excited to be in viewing distance they stood on porta potties:

…and some climbing on signs and poles wearing tutus and Speedos to get a look:

I saw a few floats and signs:

..and LOTS of colorful outfits. Meet Lauren:

She was all about me taking her picture. Then there was this lady dancing in her lime green spandex as the crowd at the bar cheered:

A couple guys thought less was more:

…and even prideful little cutie pie kids:

I couldn’t resist taking a couple videos after spying Tina shakin’ it:

…and a dance party in a Dunkin Donuts parking lot:

It was all a sight to be seen for sure and a fun day for people watching. If you’ve never been to a Pride Parade in a big city, add it to your bucket list.

Thanks Chicago, for making every summer weekend I have here packed with endless events to attend and interesting people to meet!

June 25, 2011 In De-lish, Food, Illinois, Photos

to market to market

This gorgeous Saturday morning got me up and out to explore the Green City Market. This Farmers Market is located on the south end of Lincoln Park in Chicago and it was packed:

I wandered through fruits and veggies:

…fresh-baked loaves of bread that made me want to bite right into them:

…and pretty pink flowers for sale:

I love that each vendor had a tag attached to their space with personal notes about them and information on miles traveled from farm to market:

I opted for a strawberry fruit smoothie for my treat from Seedling Farms:

Gorgeous color and totally delicious.

The good old American Saturday morning in the summer at the Farmer’s Market; Crowds noshing on fresh fruits right out of the baskets, chef’s stocking up on supplies for weekend dinners, and kids running around in the grass screeching with delight.

Simple things, happy places.

June 23, 2011 In Illinois, People, Photos

meet kevin and pedro

In a city fantastic like Chicago, in the course of just a few short hours you can have a delicious authentic Italian meal at Antica Pizzeria in a charming neighborhood like Andersonville, see incredible jazz a few miles away at a place called Green Mill, and wrap up the night just down the road at a honkey-tonk western, meets hipster bar called Carol’s Pub.

Yeah, a couple girlfriends and I did that a few weeks ago. Fun times.

At the door of Carol’s was bouncer Kevin who when stamping my wrist, looked at my Blue-Razz Blowpop tattoo and exclaimed in his southern accent: “Well that ther looks lahhck uh a suh-ckerrr!”

I was so thrilled he knew what it was without any hints I had to ask him if I could take a photo with him. Most people ask me why I have a tennis racket, spoon, baby rattle, or maraca on my wrist. (Humph. Sad face.)

If you know me, you know I beeline to the dance floor at any opportunity to shake it. That’s where I found Pedro:

Clearly 78 year-old regular Pedro has no problem getting the ladies to dance with him.

I really enjoy living life from A to Z.

Here’s to trying it all and spending time with people that make you laugh so hard your stomach hurts.

Thanks Al, Rebecca, Kevin and Pedro!

June 21, 2011 In De-lish, Food, Illinois, Photos

food porn

(I’m sorry, there is just no other term strong enough to describe the following!)

The famous chopped salad from Wildfire:

The famous cinnamon roll from Ann Sather:

…oozing with warm icing:

Frites and egg at the Publican:

…and their snap pea salad:

And this was just a small portion of my Wednesday through Sunday last week!

Chicago sure has been spoiling me on the food front. So much de-lish, so little time…

June 13, 2011 In Illinois, People, Photos

skinny chicks like ribs too

Meet Ellie:

All 86 pounds of our adorable little friend was going to town on some ribs this weekend at Ribfest. Â I love someone who has no shame when they’re hungry and can laugh at themselves while we laugh too:

Meet Stacey:

Stacey was in full support of the chow-down as well, after she downed her de-lish portion of the bbq good stuff.

Yep, this is how we roll on Saturdays in the summer in Chicago. Every time I hang out with these two I laugh until my stomach hurts. Needless to say good times.

Until next weekend…

June 11, 2011 In De-lish, Food, Illinois, Photos

chi-town saturdays

Rules:

1.) Get all your errands and “important” done in the morning.

2.) Get showered and dressed for the day by noon.

3.) Wear comfortable shoes.

4.) Leave your house and get on some sort of public transportation

5.) Plan on getting home at…???

Yep, that’s how you must do it. And you don’t even have to bring a ton of money either!

Last weekend a friend and I met up for free wine tasting. Wandered out of the building and into a guy who had some beer mugs, asked him where he got them and in a flash, we turned, walked up the street 4 blocks and voila! Maifest Chicago:

Singing, dancing, packed house and Mmm…pretzels and Hofbrau Haus beer. Prost!

It took me back to that summer in Germany when I was 15. That’s when nomad and adventurer Diane was born.

The marathoning of festivals and events continued as we walked and walked in the sunshine, hopped on a bus, got rained on a bit, walked some more, more wine tasting and then met up with some other friends at Big Star:

Yes, this is a veggie tostada, but I totally ate a pork taco, so broke my vegetarianism. The food at this place is smack yo mamma good, so when I saw the words “cilantro” and “grilled pineapple” in the description after the “marinated pork”, I had to. Oh was it so worth it. The vibe at this honkey-tonk-ish, tatted up joint was perfect, the place was slam-packed and people watching was a blast.

After Big Star we headed to Ukrainian where there was yet another festival. I went to bed so happy and exhausted that night I slept like a baby.

Yikes! It’s past the noon hour and I have a Saturday worth of festivals and friends to meet, so I’m off…

Can you tell I’m having a blast in Festival City, USA for a few months of good weather?

June 8, 2011 In Illinois, People, Photos

meet howard

He was looking very official when I met him last weekend near Lake Michigan with his smile.

It’s so fun to talk to nice, happy strangers.

June 7, 2011 In Funny signs, Illinois, Photos

words on bathroom walls

This one was in the ladies room at Big Star in Wicker Park. The love is alllll around in Chicago in the summer. I wanted to add a “MEE TOO!” – but I didn’t have a Sharpie on me…

June 6, 2011 In Funny signs, Illinois, Photos

one stop shop

Grab some lo mein and sell your phone at this Chinese place. How convenient!

June 5, 2011 In Illinois, People, Photos

meet sophia

Sophia was my running buddy for the Girls on The Run 5k yesterday.

This 5k is a huge event and the crowd was a buzz with excitement. The girls were all given tiaras to run in, which were decorated at the tiara decorating tent of course:

“Everybody knows you run better in a tiara!”

Stone Academy was the school I buddied with:

There were droves of people who showed up for this race. The energy in the crowd for an early Saturday hot, humid morning was fabulous. Here’s us all warming up and getting ready to go:

And the race began.

Sophia and I ran, walked, cheered and even danced a little. We stopped at Lake Michigan to splash around in the water about halfway through. I am used to the heat, but by Chicago standards this was a very hot day so I let the tiny adorable Sophia dunk her head to keep cool. She was a riot. Getting a 9 year old to finish 3.2 miles in the blazing sun when she’s sweating bullets and it’s her first race was a bit of a push, but we did it! Some things she said during the race; Sweet and hilarious:

*”Ugh, I had NO idea 3 miles was so far!”

*”Oh my gosh, I feel like I’m walking from Chicago to San Francisco!”

*(After she got sandy and muddy from our stop to cool down at the lake) “You know what they say; if you get dirty- you must be having fun!”

*”My Mom is going to be really proud of me when I get back.”

*I am SO going to do Girls on The Run next year!”

The last quote of course came after we crossed the finish line, high-fived and got our medals:

Poor hot and tired Sophia’s tiara was flipped and flopped by this point but she was so happy and proud of her medal. (I was too!) This was a treat to participate in, and kicked off a most fabulous Chicago summer weekend. I am always amazed how appreciative kids are when you pay attention and spend time with them. It makes me want to run around the world declaring to all young women that they really can be all they want to be.

Congratulations Sophia! Thanks letting me run with you and making my day. Three cheers to Girls on The Run for all you do for young women!