ice cream sunda(y)

banana strawberry ice cream via create.your.happy

It finally feels like summer in Chicago and I've been craving ice cream…like a lot! If I didn't have to think about calories or love handles or any of that I'd satiate my ice cream craving by going here- everyday if possible. Luckily, I found this recipe for a homemade two-ingredient ice cream that you can eat guilt-free. The bonus is that you don't need an ice cream maker to make this delicious summer treat, all you need is a food processor or even a blender will work.

I will admit that this doesn't taste quite like ice cream even though it is quite yummy! The banana over powers the strawberry so I would recommend using half a banana rather than a whole one and adding more frozen strawberries (or any other berry of your choice). Surprisingly though the consistency is pretty darn close to ice cream.

So go ahead, enjoy two bowls of this ice cream without worrying. That's what summer's all about, right? Being carefree!

just for laughs

via upworthy

A great way to start the week...with lots of laughter! Happy Monday!

week in photos

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week in photos

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*guest photo by ebert

silence

wordsoverpixels

This past week I've been sick and just when I thought I was at the tail-end of it, slowly making my way back to health I lose my voice. It's been an interesting past couple of days- not being able to talk much. It's hard to sustain a conversation for any length so all I can manage is a few sentences here and there or tiny whispers in Ebert's ear. But what I've really noticed during this silence period is that I've been listening more and choosing my words more carefully. It's made me ask myself this question- "What do I really want to say?".

week in photos

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100 Days of Chicago

willis tower via create.your.happy

About a month ago I randomly found out about this 100 Days of Chicago photo contest. Without thinking too much about it I decided to just go for it and entered one of my photos into the contest. And what do you know…my photo got voted in as a finalist!

Now the final voting phrase has begun. You can vote for my photo once every day from now until June 11. All you have to do is click here, create an account and vote for my photo of the Willis Tower!

Basically, whoever wins this contest will have done so because they got the most votes from their family and friends. I'm not a huge fan of these popularity type contests but to be quite honest this is probably the only way that I even have a chance of winning. I don't think my photo is bad. I actually really like it and think it's ok, but there are some really awesome photos in this contest. The main reason I entered is because the grand prize winner gets a seven week class from the Chicago Photography Center. I would love an opportunity to learn how to take better photos, to go from taking an ok photo to taking a really awesome photo. And it would be a great way to end this photo project - year one, year two, year three and year four in progress.

Please remember to vote for my photo!

week in photos

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{all images via create.your.happy}

week in photos

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{all images via create.your.happy}

chicago style

I've lived in Chicago for 3 years and I can't believe I just tried my first Chicago style dog. Oh man, I had no idea what I was missing. It was amazing! And although I've only had it once my Chicago style will always be sans ketchup. This is summer at its best!

Here's what you need to make your own -

poppyseed bun

your favorite hot dog of choice, steamed or grilled

chopped onion (optional in my opinion)

sweet relish

tomato wedges

pickle spear

sport peppers

yellow mustard

celery salt

week in photos

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summer

via scoutshonorco

It's official…summer has arrived. So far it's been in high gear for us and I couldn't be happier. My sister and her boyfriend, Ben, have been visiting us for some good 'ol Midwest fun. Ben had to go back to the real world today but luckily I get another week with my sister.

Seriously it's been all about the summer fun- we've grilled pizzas, gone canoeing, rode bikes, sat on the stoop eating gelato from Black Dog Gelato, drank Old Style and ate hot dogs at a Cubs game. If the summer is off to this great of a start I can't wait to see what the rest of summer will bring. If anything it better bring some summer weather. Chicago needs some warmth and sunshine to accompany all this other awesomeness!

What fun do you have planned this summer?