The funniest thing during the entire trip happened on the red-eye at 1:00 a.m. this morning (er, 4:00 a.m. in my home time zone). When the gentleman arrived to take his seat next to me on the flight, he commented, “If I start snoring, and I will, hit me in the head. It’s the only thing that works.”

Yes, he did start snoring. No, I definitely did not hit him in the head.

Made a slight detour into the city before heading for Gurnee. Fun weekend with Renee and Viv. Tired now. Unpacking still to do. See you soon.

Spinach and goat cheese ravioli in mushroom sauce from Timo

We saw the forecast before we left. Our lovely mid-60s temps plummeted to mid-40s and slightly higher, accompanied by plenty of drizzle and gloom. As a result, we spent a lot of our time indoors. I wasn’t inspired to snap anything outside, between the rain and the overall feeling of grayness. But we got lucky with plenty of nice restaurants with window views. So food pics reign!

Just returned from another trip to Chicago. Hoping for one more this summer, with toddler in tow. Kathy and I got our exercise for the day, stomping around Old Town and the Armitage Corridor. This was yesterday’s highlight at my fave, fave, fave breakfast joint ever — Uncommon Ground. To my delight, rather than disappearing as so many of my favorite dining places have done since we migrated east, UG has actually expanded. We nabbed a lovely outdoor table (and a great parking spot) and chowed down.

Red Hen Bread — super yummy

Let’s see…what did we do? Drinks on the 96th floor (my way-too-sweet Green Envy Margarita went unfinished, but the view was great). Breakfast at the Elephant & Castle where we were attended by a smart-ass waiter named Chris, who I do believe called me obnoxious — the nerve! Tour of Wicker Park and Bucktown, which included cool houses, a cool bakery (see above), a cool bar (Charleston Bar on Hoyne), and a cool church (St. Hedwig’s). Ice cream sundaes at Margie’s Candies. Downpour along Armitage with no shelter in sight. Drenched. Bus ride back to Lincoln Park. Cab ride back to hotel. Shower. Shopping at P.O.S.H. Dinner at Reza’s with the doors next to our table open to a glorious summer evening. Wicked at the Ford Theater. Sleep. Breakfast at Cambridge House. Driving tour of Hyde Park. And finally back on the road.

Nantucket Harbor

…we were hitting the end of our eight-day New England jaunt. After Nantucket, we made a stop to visit family in Middletown, then headed back home. Today’s journey will be much shorter. Good thing…I have plenty of plants to tend to when we get back. Potting soil and shovel, here I come!

Lovely weekend weather was predicted so we decided to forgo the house and yard work and take off to the lakeshore. I usually hate parking in Saugatuck, but this is the weekend BEFORE Labor Day. Wise choice. And lunch at The Loaf & Mug was excellent. Love their beautiful courtyard.

After our return I ran out and bought some vegetable plants for the garden. Can’t wait to get started on those. Happy sunny Saturday to all!

According to my husband, I say this word a lot

He was such a good boy all day

The kiddie macaroni — looks better than most grown-up versions

My spinach salad — tres good

Sliding up

Dad calls this “hat practice” — preparing for the sun

Goofing around in the hotel room

Devin’s favorite animal attraction at the Central Florida Zoo

Now how adorable is this?

Like father, like son

Family pics in Winter Park

The fountain in Winter Park

The youngest cousin, Kianna

Smooching with Daddy

Cousin Chloe and Uncle Jon

Lovin’ the beach

View from the Riverwalk in Sanford

Three and half hours isn’t very long to explore The Big Apple. But we made our best effort. All snaps taken in and around Greenwich Village.

Stonewall, the bar

Stonewall, the man (er, statue)

Just a building

Shops

Outside Taylor’s Bakery

Inside Taylor’s Bakery

Humor

Wines and liquors

Our dinner destination — a good one (I had the butternut squash ravioli. Yum!)

Window shopping

Mac ‘n Cheese Florentine

Antique Elements: Roslyn, New York

Gerry Park: Roslyn, New York

Louie’s Oyster Bar & Grill: Port Washington, New York

The view from Lou’s: Port Washington, New York

Bethpage State Park: Farmingdale, New York

Unknown beach on Long Island

Same unknown beach on Long Island — with a swan

Downtown Sanford, Florida

From sunny Florida to hopefully-not-dreary Long Island. This wasn’t my idea. Vacation followed by work obligation. The upside? A night to explore New York. The downside? I’m leaving Devin for the first time. Dan had better bring along some tissues.