23 July 2010

In a long-awaited explanation of why pistachios are so yummy … they are somehow secretly, actually … gummyworms in disguise! I could find no other excuse for this display in the produce section of our local Pick n’ Save grocery store. It was as though the spell which should camouflage them as nuts had failed.  It amused me, and it’s the only photo I took today.

~MB

Tags: 23 July, Disguise, Excuse, grocery store, Nuts, PHOTO, Pistachios

22 July 2010

At first, neither of us could remember precisely where we were going to or returning from when I snapped this photo. As it’s my only photo from this day, I struggled with the memories until I figured it out. I worked in the glass studio during the day, and Kyle worked online. The plan was to take Kyle to dinner at Jose’s Blue Sombrero in Racine because we could delay no longer in introducing him to the fabulous guacamole and the immense choice of customizable margaritas. The weather turned nasty between the planning of dinner and the trip up there, and a number of our party decided to stay home. Something about tornado warnings and such .. psha! We were undaunted … there was tequila to be had! Kelly met us there, since she was already out and about, and we had a great dinner, with the stormy skies all around us. After dinner, (we’d been inside for much of the rain) Kyle and I drove downtown to meet friends for a drink at Ivanhoe’s—our first visit there since the non-smoking law went into effect. And, wow! What a difference new carpeting, a coat of paint and a good cleaning can make! We were very impressed.

The awful photo of the day today was taken on the way home from our evening in Racine. There was beautiful, nearly constant lightning, but I was unable to capture any of it.

~MB

Tags: 22 July, Beautiful, Blue Sombrero, Carpeting, Coat Of Paint, Customizable, Glass Studio, Guacamole, Ivanhoe, Lightning, memories, Non Smoking, Photo Of The Day, Psha, rain, Smoking Law, Stormy Skies, Tequila, Tornado Warnings, Weather

21 July 2010

So, it seems the only thing harder than being twelve hundred miles from the one you love, is being only fifty miles from him and not being able to see him! I cannot get over how hard the last two days have been! Even with the many chores and responsibilities that accompany living on faire site, I was constantly thinking about making the drive to Chicago! And, last night, that’s exactly what I did!

I drove to the hotel and just as I arrived at his room, I got a text that he was back from his dinner and in the hotel bar—a charming Irish pub with live music! I met him there, and we enjoyed the last couple of sets and a couple of beers. Then, as we left the pub, I remembered I’d heard a live pianist in the grand staircase area of the hotel, and convinced Kyle to go listen there with me. We walked around the amazingly beautiful lobby and took some photos and even snuck a peak at the phenomenal Grand Ballroom of this nearly-hundred-year-old hotel. And, we listened to the pianist play absolutely seamlessly, a varied medley of beautiful tunes from the jazz age and from the golden age of Broadway. It was a delightful ending to the day.

Then, this morning, Wednesday, we had breakfast in the hotel restaurant, and he went off to his meetings. I went back to the room, and got some work done on the computer, until check-out time, and when his commitments were complete, we headed toward Milwaukee, where we would be dining at the Giesen’s Annual RenFeast event. This would be Kyle’s first-ever opportunity to join in this long-standing tradition, and we were very excited about it. We opted for the scenic route north, along Sheridan Road, gawking at the lovely homes along the way. We fitted in a stop at the Vogue Fabrics store in Evanston, and a combination antique store/libation break in Highwood. I found a fabulous book in this cute little antique store—a 1930s Epicurean Travelogue of Britain—the perfect host/hostess gift for Larry and Denise, while Kyle enjoyed an ale at the Miramar Bistro. When I joined him there, I ordered a mojito and what I got was the best mojito (and notice the awesome mirrors in the background of that linked photo!) I’ve ever had, made by our charming Mexican bartender. My primary photo of the day is of the main dining room of the Miramar Bistro. Aren’t those candles amazing?!

After that decadent stop along the way, we needed to shift our travels into a higher gear and make haste to Milwaukee, for fear of missing out on the baked brie that has come to be the centerpiece of the appetizer spread at RenFeast. We got there right on time, and the brie was just the beginning of a fabulous meal. The food and the family of friends gathered were both second to none. After dinner, Kyle offered up a toast to our hosts and the hilarity that ensued was the stuff of which memories are made (thump … thump).

All in all, it was a truly amazing day and I’m so grateful I got to share it with Kyle.

~MB

Tags: Amazing Day, Check Out Time, Chores, Evanston, Fabulous Book, Giesen, Grand Ballroom, Grand Staircase, Hostess Gift, Hotel Bar, Hotel Restaurant, Irish Pub, Jazz Age, Little Antique Store, Old Hotel, Pianist, Scenic Route, Sheridan Road, Travelogue, Vogue Fabrics

20 July 2010

We girls of Kelly’s wedding party, gathered once more for some quality bridesmaid bonding time, only this time at one of our new favourite places … Jose’s Blue Sombrero in Racine. They offer an eclectic and unusual menu, featuring tableside quacamole and “Design your own Margaritas!” Is it any wonder I love it? What’s not to love?!

~MB

Tags: Beautiful Thing, Blue Sombrero, Girls, Guacamole, Margaritas, Menu Design, Wedding Party

19 July 2010

It was only out of love for Shannon and the desire to help celebrate her birthday, that I pulled myself away from the Park Hyatt Chicago, the air conditioning, the television, the mosquito-less shower, and, of course, my husband! He was ready for me to go, though! He claimed I was a distraction … I’ll take that label!

So, he immersed himself in his three-day conference, and I pointed my truck north (after paying $43 dollars for overnight parking!) toward faire and friends and family. We gathered at the lovely little park not even two miles from the faire site, surrounding a charming manmade water feature they call Lake Andrea. The weather was cool (where was this during the weekend?!) and a tiny bit drizzly, but under the giant weeping willow tree it was delightful picnic weather and picnic we did! Sean ruled the grill, and Amber ruled the guacamole and Ginger brought the wine … and I was a happy girl. My best photo from the event sadly isn’t one of the gaffer at her birthday party, but of Kelly with the new puppy, Randy. Are they cute, or what?

~MB

Tags: 19 July, AIR CONDITIONING, Amber, Andrea, Birthday Party, Distraction, Gaffer, Ginger, Ginger Wine, Guacamole, Happy Girl, Little Park, Manmade, Mosquito, New Puppy, Park Hyatt Chicago, Picnic, Tiny Bit, Water Feature, Weeping Willow Tree

18 July 2010

Well, business wasn’t much improved today over yesterday, but at least our level of fun was elevated! This is a photo of the much-loved, infamous Sir Clisto … wearing the net dome that usually protects our food from flies—as a hat.  I think the heat pickled our brains!

And, because I’ve certainly missed days of posting photos … today I offer extras! After a horribly hot weekend, Kyle and I (yes! he’s here!) packed up and drove to Chicago tonight to get him checked into the hotel where he’ll be attending a business conference this week. I was very impressed with the beauty surrounding us at the Hyatt Chicago, and I amused myself taking photos of the carpets and such, while Kyle dealt with the hotel clerk.

~MB

Tags: 18 July, Brains, Business Conference, Carpets, Clisto, Flies, Hot Weekend, Hotel Clerk, Hotel Details, Hyatt Chicago, New Fashion, PHOTO, Posting Photos, Taking Photos

17 July 2010

At the end of a disappointing faire day, my only photo was this one of a fabric about which I need to ask Nicole a question. Tomorrow perhaps, will be better.

It is noteable that I did learn today that we apparently have a unicorn here at the Bristol Renaissance Faire. Who knew?

~MB

Tags: 17 July, Bristol Renaissance Faire, fabric, PHOTO, Unicorn Girl

16 July 2010

Although not much bigger than the bed itself, I am thrilled that at least the bed is no longer shoved in a tiny little alcove barely five feet long! I can actually walk all the way around the bed … provided of course there are no pillows on the floor and no cat in the way! I have decorated with Indian saris and the room is soft and delightfully relaxing to me. I hope Kyle doesn’t think it’s too girly when he gets here … but really … what’s wrong with surrounding oneself with feminine energy?!

~MB

Tags: Alcove, Feminine Energy, Five Feet, Indian Saris, New Bristol, Pillows

15 July 2010

This is Randy … although I’m not sure of the spelling, I am sure she’s the cutest thing I’ve seen in a very long time! She is a Schipperke puppy—the newest dog in Shannon and Kyrana’s pack of canine delights.

~MB

Tags: Long Time, Pack Member, Puppy Dog, Schipperke Puppy, Shannon, Spelling