Jammin!

A visit from a dear old friend, and a delightful brunch - perfect summer day.

With Sarah making a mad dash through Chicago to help her brother move into Marina City, I knew there were a few activities we had to make happen hurriedly.

Mainly: brunch. Our old favorite!

I'd heard nothing but great things about Jam, a hip local brunch place just down the street, and having not been yet myself, it was a perfect fit. In true form, I order a savory meal, Sarah a sweet one. (We're the happiest odd couple imaginable.)


Note how BLUE these blueberry pancakes are! We asked the chef - there is nothing artificial involved, simply fresh berries turned to a jam and then added to the batter. Every bite is steeped in berryliciousness. And note those cute little toppings on the side? Adorable AND yummy.

Color me lovely! Pretty pink and gold and blue!

Its official: I'm in love. With this phenomenal savory buckwheat lamb crepe. I died a little...

Nom nom nom...

And of course following brunch, we walked to two of my favorite local shops, Greenheart and Renegade Handmade, where Sarah grabbed some gifts, and I grabbed her a felt pin shaped like Illinois with a heart on it, in my continued efforts to encourage her to return to this beautiful city. And in our gift bags from Renegade? Bubbles! So what else would two gals do but walk down the street and blow bubbles to celebrate a beautiful day?

A Beautiful Day!

Today was such a lovely day! Eighty degrees out!

I started my day with an interview. I am 99% sure that I'm going to be in charge of the Family Fun Festival at Millennium Park this summer! They loved me and I loved them and I'll know for sure next week! (I'll keep you posted...)


And after that I sat at the Crown Fountain at the park and watched the little ones play in the water. There is nothing like water to bring people together. Its a wonderful force. And I sat next to the cutest family. Two little girls were running around in matching dresses, and their brother had a shirt to match as well. Their mom said grandma had made them all for the kids. Too sweet. I need a sewing machine and some lessons some day...
And I chuckled a little watching one poor, anxious mom insist that her little boy keep his shoes on (because the water is dirty), and not run (because running in dangerous)...

After that I wandered around downtown for a bit, entertaining myself and riding buses until I road back to my own neighborhood to take a walk at my local beach. I love being outside in the spring in this city. People come right out of the woodwork, and everyone is so happy just to get out and play, or walk, or lie in the shade. I've always loved people watching...

But I did forget something... I forgot that sun, plus fair skin, plus being outside... requires sunscreen. After so many months of winter, you sort of forget sunscreen exists...
I was wearing a pretty little sun dress! Which I'll remember for a few weeks now, courtesy of my very sunburned shoulders. (Note the little circle the bow on my dress made?)


Well, lesson learned! And now I'm remembering a long lost product called Aloe Vera....