1000 days ago...

I walked down to meet him and this song was playing.

I said "I do", then he said "I do".

We kissed.

We danced to this song.

And we've been living happily ever after . . .

beginners

These images of LA from the movie Beginners is really making me miss my former west coast home. It seems like another lifetime ago. I wanted to see this movie when it was first released, but when Chicago only has a few months of gorgeous weather I just can't imagine spending any of that time indoors. Although, I did still spend quite a bit of the summer indoors escaping the humidity so I should have made an excuse to see this film. Hopefully, it's still playing somewhere or I might just have to wait until it's on Netflix. An even better idea would be to plan a trip to LA to see all the sights and persons I'm missing in person.

via focus features

happy monday!

A spontaneous overnight trip to Lake Geneva, WI makes for a Happy Monday...even when it's a rainy Monday!

via thecornerstoneshoppe

sunday supper: figs

I bought a carton of figs at Trader Joe's the other day. Can you believe that was my first time buying fresh figs? What's even more shocking is that up until then Ebert had only ever eaten a fig in the 'Newton' form. He was pleasantly surprised with how much he liked them. We have know been eating a lot of figs - for dinner I made a spinach, blue cheese, and fig salad with an olive oil and fig balsamic dressing. I've been putting fig and banana slices on top of yogurt with almonds and walnuts for a delicious, healthy breakfast. And I've been eating them whole for a quick and easy snack. I haven't been able to cook with them yet, maybe with the next carton I buy I'll be able to try some of these recipes.

rosemary-scented mascarpone fig tart via mikestable

quinoa salad w/figs via dishingupdelights

I also want to try her fig yogurt cake, it looks so yummy!

chocolate-covered figs w/sea salt via circlebkitchen

rustic fig & goat cheese pizza via sproutedkitchen

Happy Cooking on this dreary Sunday!

fall fun

{all images via create.your.happy}

I went to the Lincoln Square Apple Fest yesterday afternoon. It was my first official fall fun activity and it really got me excited about the change of seasons. I'm now looking forward to the crisp, cool air (although it's raining today and I am not excited about that), the aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg, and the wearing of scarves and boots. I was very tempted to take home that big skillet of homemade apple pie, but I decided that a bag of apples would be a better choice - I am now rethinking that decision. I love just walking through the crowds of people as I make my way to each vendor's tent to admire their artfully organized displays. There was something peaceful about watching people stand in line for a cup of apple cider, couples sharing an apple pizza, and parents helping their kids pick out the best little pumpkin. Maybe it was just all the smiles and laughter that filled the square, but whatever it was it was apple-tastic!

Here are some other fall fun activities I'm looking forward to -

Oktoberfest at St. Alphonsus

pumpkin donuts in a pumpkin patch at Pumpkinfest

apple picking and cider donuts at Kuipers Family Farm

autumn beer tasting in the garden

There will also be lots of new recipes to try this fall. I actually kind of missed cooking and baking this summer.

What are some of your fall fun plans?

first day of fall

via create.your.happy

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree."

~ Emily Bronte

It's the first day of fall, or autumn, and the leaves are just beginning to change into a gorgeous array of yellows, oranges, and reds. Pretty soon they'll fall slowly to the ground, then I'll walk down the street being serenaded by their crunching under my feet.

Here are some other fall pictures for you to enjoy.

Happy Autumnal Equinox!

cape cod

The second half of our East Coast vacation was spent at Cape Cod with Ebert's aunt. It was lovely! Mornings were spent walking along the beach, afternoons were spent picnic'ing on the beach, and evenings were spent watching glorious sunsets. We watched the fishermen coming in with their catch of the day while eager seals and seagulls swam around their boats hoping for leftovers. We ate the best fish 'n chips I have ever had here. I tried crab cakes for the first time and actually liked it. I was even tempted to try clam chowder because I figured if I was going to try it anywhere then the Cape would be the place to do so. But, unfortunately, I waited until our last night to do so and the restaurant we dined at only served it with bacon in it so I didn't order it. Next time perhaps. Because there will definitely be a next time. Thanks Aunt Laurie for being such a gracious host and showing us around the Cape!

(all images via create.your.happy)

happy birthday bill murray

via billmurray.tumblr

It's Bill Murray's birthday today! What's your favorite Bill Murray movie? Mine is this, this, this and... oh the list could go on and on. Seriously, I don't think there's a movie of his that I don't like. Although Ebert is shocked, shocked I tell you that I haven't seen this one yet.

happy birthday bill murray!

boston

The Freedom Trail

Faneuil Hall

Boston Common

Cheers

The Bell in Hand Tavern

Boston Harbor

MIT Campus

Posting pictures from vacation makes me want to be back on vacation. And spending time in a city filled with so much history makes me wish I had paid more attention in my high school US History class. Or maybe I should just read this book since it's been sitting on my bookshelf untouched for quite some time.

(all images via create.your.happy)

beginnings

create.your.happy

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."

~ Seneca

happy monday!

Watching the moon rise as the sun sets makes me happy!

create.your.happy

happy monday!

Being on vacation makes me happy!


See you back here on Thursday!

summer lovin'

Ebert and I are in Boston this weekend for a friend's wedding - it already feels like fall here in New England. I hope when we get back to Chicago that summer will still be lingering around for a bit. It seems that the change of seasons happen so rapidly in Chicago, I wish it were a more gradual transition. In hopes that we might have a few more weeks of warm weather here are a few things that I love (and will miss) about summer.


Enjoying a cool, refreshing treat.


The distant city skyline being surrounded by green trees.


The roaring crowd at Wrigley Field.


Sipping summer cocktails on the back porch.


Pretty flowers on my walks through the neighborhood.

Hope you have a happy weekend!

relax

via tinywhitedaisies

"Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering."

~ Pooh's Little Instruction Book, inspired by A.A. Milne

happy monday!

Things Organized Neatly makes me happy!

via Things Organized Neatly

sunday supper: miso soup

Ebert's been sick for about a week (poor guy!) so we've been eating a lot of soup. Today I made some miso soup for him because miso helps strengthen the immune system, among it's many other benefits. I remember having to eat miso soup as a kid and I hating it, so it's funny that I'm resorting to these natural remedies as an adult. Hey, whatever works right? And it helps that this soup is not only good for you but that it's quite tasty too.

Miso Soup

(adapted from learning herbs)

Ingredients:

olive oil

1 inch piece of wakame

1 cup water

2 cups organic chicken broth

1 carrot, diced

6 garlic cloves, minced

1⁄2 inch piece of fresh ginger root, grated

1 cup fresh shiitake mushrooms, slice

2 TBS miso

Soak wakame in a bowl of cold water for 5 minutes, once the wakame is done soaking mince it.

Put water and chicken broth in a pot and bring to a boil.

Heat olive oil, sauté carrot, garlic, ginger and wakame until soft and aromatic. Add contents of skillet to the pot of boiling water and chicken broth. Boil for 5 minutes.

Reduce to a simmer, then add miso. Simmer for 2 minutes.

Happy Cooking!

the makers project

reveriejewelry via themakersproject: photo by jennifer causey

I see this picture and it just makes my heart sing. It's overflowing with greatness. Now, typically I'm the kind of girl that likes Things Organized Neatly, but when I see a creative space that's messy and bold and beautiful it inspires me - a space like this is worked in and it abounds with creative beauty. There is so much potential lying here amongst the shiny, sparkly, colorful beads and baubles . . . what once was will now be something new. If you are in need of some inspiration then check out the other makers in The Makers Project because seeing makers make things makes me happy!