Chi-town

My trips to Milwaukee and Chicago were wonderful, short and sweet. I spent my first evening in Milwaukee with Cristina's family eating an incredible dinner that her dad cooked for us, homemade pasta and all. The following day, Sunday, I went with her family to Catholic mass because her father is the deacon. It was fun to hear him speak and feel a more personal connection to the service because I knew him. After church, Cristina and I went out to lunch with her mom at the most 'Olympia-like' restaurant in town, Beans and Barley. I had a great eggs benedict with salmon and avocado, but it didn't compare to Sage's, my favorite breakfast nook in Olympia. After lunch, Cristina and I walked from her home down to a park on the shore of Lake Michigan. The weather was perfect and the shoreline is gorgeous there. That evening, we went to her aunt's birthday party and I met aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents. They're all Italian, full of friendship and food!

Monday, we took the train into Chicago to meet Mom, Lee and Erin. We checked into the hotel room first, and to my great surprise, the cheap room I'd found us had a breathtaking view of the Buckingham fountain and Lake Michigan! We spent the afternoon walking north along the Magnificent Mile, shopping all the way to Water Tower Place. We zoomed up the Hancock Building with no wait in line to catch the birds eye view of Chicago. Next, we had dinner at our favorite restaurant, Bistro 110. It's a fantastic little French place that I've gone to with my family every time I've been in Chicago. Dinner was hilarious. I wanted to try a piece of Cristina's mushroom ravioli. Mom was sitting between Cristina and I, so she picked up a piece and swung it over to my plate, plopping it precisely into my martini! The drink splashed all up and down my blouse and skirt and I burst into uncontrollable laughter. The server came over within moments and said, "Looks like you're making your own drinks over here!" and quickly brought me a new drink. That evening, Cristina and I grabbed some cheesecake to bring home with us, and we all went to see the new Indiana Jones movie. The new one was just as cheesy and goofy as the last few. Harrison's still got it.

Tuesday, we spent the morning in the Art Institute museum soaking up Asian sculpture and American furniture. Lee and Erin went to Navy Pier and Mom, Cristina and I wandered around looking for a good place for lunch. We had to start rounding everyone up by 3:30 to get me to the airport at a decent time, so the day was cut short. It was quite the whirlwind trip and I had a great time. I don't know what it is about Chicago exactly, but I just love it. I can't wait until I have a whole weekend to spend there catching live blues in all the great bars. I haven't had my fill of Chicago yet, so I can't wait to go back.