Chicago Trip

Before I tell you about our short trip to Chicago, I have some Jack in the kitchen photos. I was working hard so Jack stepped up and made a wonderful squash and kale soup. And I do mean wonderful.

The recipe called for two garlic cloves. He used six. I have taught him well.

We left for Chicago early on Tuesday morning. Well we left the house early. Due to switching problems the train was delayed by an hour. We had the first measurable snow for the year Tuesday morning. The amount varied depending upon where you were. I don't know how much ended up falling on Grand Haven because it was all gone when we got home.  The views from the train were great. It is a great way to travel. No worries just enjoy the scenery.

Blueberry bushes. Hopefully we don't have the crazy weather like last year that destroyed the crops.

They made up a little time along the way and we got into Chicago around 11:30. First we hit the Christkindlmarket. We didn't buy anything on Tuesday but did go back on Wednesday and bought a tree topper - blown glass from Germany. You'll see that when we get the tree decorated.

Then we checked out the windows at Macy's on State Street.

After that we walked over to the Goat for lunch. Then we hopped in a taxi to take us to the Hotel Lincoln. I cannot say enough good stuff about this hotel. It is across for the Lincoln Park Farm in the Zoo. We had amazing views from our room.

We wandered a bit ending up at an Irish pub where Adam and Steph caught up with us. This is Henry. He doesn't like most dogs eat the peanut shell and all. He shells them. No kidding. He cracks the shell and just eats the nuts. Too funny.

We went out to dinner and ended the evening in the roof top restaurant/bar of the hotel. The views are amazing. I can't wait to go back when the weather is warmer and sit outside.

On Wednesday morning we started out by wandering around Lincoln Park.

Wool on the hoof.

Lagoon. Just ducks. No boats this time of year.

More wool.

Lawn ornaments.

 I'm thinking there was food in that bucket.

Jack making a flat penny with Lincoln Park Zoo on it.

Puppies!

Jack on bench. Some day I'll put together all my Jack on Bench series.

The Conservatory.

After the Conservatory, we wandered around the neighborhood. We think next time we'll spend two nights at the hotel as there is a lot of interest around it. After checking out we made our way to the Loop where we walked around a bit more and had a late lunch of a great quesadilla then headed over to Union Station to catch the train home. On-time all the way. This was a great trip. We've spent a lot of time in Chicago but this was the best.

Jingle Bell Parade

The weather started out great for the parade. It was warm and no wind. We stopped by the Post and saw Sally and then went out to dinner. Some places had over an hour wait but we were able to find a couple seats at the bar at 22 where we had pizza. Then as the parade started, and all seats in restaurants emptied, we walked along with the parade and stopped and watched across from the tree to be lit in Central Park.

No idea....

It was a fun parade. It was over an hour long, and then Santa was set to light the tree...And the rain came, hard and fast.

You'll have to wait for a picture of the tree lit up - we sprinted for home. All and all a very nice evening out.

Around the House

Thanksgiving was great in our new home in Grand Haven. It was just the two of us. Adam and Steph spent T-giving in Boston. I made three new recipes - home style meatless loaf, green beans and rolls. Probably not the best of ideas but I had a great time chopping and Jack was a big help. He did the green bean prep and kept up with the clean-up. We started the day with squash bread loaves. Those are not full size bread loaves. They are mini loaves. Two are in the freezer for future breakfasts. OK it was four new recipes. Squash loaves excellent - will come back again.

Table with the center piece I didn't know I needed until Dale at the local garden shop sent out an email saying they had center pieces.

Meatless loaf comes together.

Loaf recipe - excellent and a keeper.

Green bean casserole - not so good won't come back again. It wasn't Jack's help that didn't work. Just not the best.

Biscuits ready to go in the oven. They were wonderful. Nice and flaky, they will make a comeback.

Jack and I agree this is my best gravy ever.

Rounding it out, garlic smashed potatoes - no recipe needed. And of course, Jack's jellied cranberry sauce from the can - he won't eat fresh.

Thanksgiving evening we went out for a walk. It was in the low 60s. On Friday morning we had snow showers. Michigan, got to love it.

 Our Halloween/Thanksgiving decorations. Jack got the shovel ready a bit early.

Decorations as critter food.

Christmas decoration. We don't do a tree or anything. So this is it with a poinsettia for the house when the center piece dies.

New living room clock.

And we have a new Spike. I spotted him in the greenhouse when we bought the center piece. My plan was no house plants as we're travelling a lot now and didn't want to pay someone to take care of plants. But Spike 2 can live without water for a long time so no problem. Original Spike we got before Adam was born and gave him away when we moved from Illinois. He was about the same height as Spike 2 when we got him. He needed to be cut off twice as he hit the ceiling. We have nine foot ceilings here so Spike 2 will not need to be cut in our lifetime.

Happening Around Town

I've been busy with work since returning from our Dearborn trip. But we have had some fun around town. Jack helped out in the kitchen. He made tomatillo salsa twice and processed his horseradish. It was a small batch this year.

Then I used it in a variety of dishes. There is a Mexican market in Holland so I'll never be without tomatillos, peppers and beans.

Horseradish.

Gourd totem pole.

The Board of Power and Light had an open house at the diesel plant. I don't know what the workers get paid but it probably isn't enough. When they fired up just one it was deafening and the heat must really be something.

Really big tools.

On a nice warm day, we went to Kirk Park. Very pretty and off season very quiet.

Jack on bench.

Well that's what we've been up to. Now I'm back to work. Lots of indexing to be done!