Mmmm..Good Eats in Chicago

I have been lucky enough to spend two days having "going away" meals with some of my good friends this week.  The first place I went to was Cafe Ba Ba Reeba.  I always love going to this place.  Nothing like sharing plates of amazing tapas and drinking Sangria with good friends!  The bacon wrapped dates are a must have.  It is like meat candy.  No lie. 

I can't wait to visit Chicago after I move, just to make an excuse for a girls night out. 

The second place I went to is called Brunch.  It was pretty damn good.  Great ambiance, amazing menu, but our server was kind of a tool.  Eh, win some lose some, like our order.  He kept goofing it, but other than that, the food was incredible.  Must try the stuffed french toast bites.  Wow. 

Again, I must go here again.  I think I already have my itinerary complete for my next visit to Chicago.  Now I just have to figure out what weekends I will visit in the next 4 months..

Done!

I finally finished my move yesterday. The movers came on Wednesday, and after a day of exciting packing up my apartment, I decided I would clean the apartment on Thursday.  I went back, cleaned, and turned in my keys.  It wasn't sad like I thought it would be, kind of liberating actually.  I loved my building and most of my neighbors, but as soon as the building was remodeled, a lot of young, yuppie, a-hole neighbors moved in.  Some of the rudest people you would ever meet.  So, hopefully the next 3 states I move to in the next year will have better neighbors!  The ones who don't pull your laundry out of the washer while the cycle is still going, ones who don't always slam the elevator door in your face, etc. 

I spent yesterday having dinner with the girls, and it was nice to just relax, and enjoy the day.  I just finished bbq-ing and making dinner with my guy.  Glad to spend the next couple of days with him.  I definitely need it before I leave town. 

Waiting to start my next adventure.  Just hope I packed enough clothes for it all!

Moving Day!

Waiting on the movers. Yikes! Looking forward to this day to be done so I can clean tomorrow, and have a much needed girls night!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.8

2 Weeks...

Holy cow...2 more weeks left in this beautiful city.  Movers come next week, and I have a few days to say good byes, etc etc. 

Finally setting in, but I have to go.  Looking forward to something new..but will miss everyone!

The Bar Method

So, I decided I needed more motivation for cross training for my upcoming half marathon.  I heard of a lot of girls in the cyber world doing the bar method and swearing by it, so I figured I would give it a try. 

There are 3 locations in the Chicago area, which is kind of awesome.  I went to the suburban location, which is on my way home from work.

The studio was amazing, clean, and the instructor was very helpful.  She really helped me since I was new, and I had no idea what I was doing.  I did, however, feel like I was the odd ball in the room.  Won't stop me from going back.  I am so sore today, but a good sore. 

I will be doing this and Bikram hopefully once a week for my cross training.  Helping my core muscles, and helping my body overall. 

Weekend Recap

This weekend was for me.  I spent a lot of time at my apartment, organizing, cleaning, and relaxing. 

• Watched Hall Pass.  Hilarious.  Really.
• Cleaned the apartment.
• Did laundry and purged my closet for Goodwill
• Got a mani/pedi.  Which also has the funniest, Not rated for blogger story attached.  Yikes!
• Bought a gorgeous necklace from a local boutique
• Got some gelato, just because
• BBQd for my guy..

I am sure I am forgetting a ton of stuff.  Just trying to keep my head above water right now with packing and organizing.




Best. Gelato. Ever.



John Daly's.  MMM.  Summer Drink.

No Meat Athlete

So my friend Sarah has a wonderful blog, and she listed on it some new vegan/vegetarian websites.  The No Meat Athlete looked pretty good, so I took a look at it.  I found an amazing recipe for pasta, so I tried it out.

The recipe is for pasta with potatoes, pesto, and green beans.  I made some protein rich pasta, with white potatoes, and pesto, with a little bit of Parmesan cheese.  It was wonderful!  I didn't make my own pesto, I bought some pre-made at the store.  Pine Nuts are super expensive, and I have tried to make pesto before, and it never turned out right.  Fail :(  Except this time..this pasta was awesome.  So simple, takes just minutes to make. 

yum:)

Vacation Continued!!

So we drove to Missouri on day 6.  Road trip with my pup, and the family.  I had to move her, so I can do my moves.  They don't allow dogs in the barracks, so I have to be without her for 3 months :(  I get her back, then have to move her again whenever I deploy. 

I am going to miss this face.  I already do. 

The 6th day, we got to the house, and had some amazing homemade spaghetti, meatballs, and garlic bread.  Yum!

The 7th day, we went on a float trip on the Meramec River.  Talk about redneck fun. Seriously.  6 man rafts, beer, food, sun, sunscreen, big floppy hat, and family.  It did, however, rain and hail on us about 3/4 of the way through.  That, wasn't too much fun, but did add to the adventure.  This is the 3rd float trip I have done,  and 2nd on the Meramec.  It is a great time! 

The 8th day was the 4th.  I went shopping with some of the girls to Osage Beach, and bought a new wardrobe.  I desperately needed some new summery clothes.  I can't resist buying new clothes, especially when they were so cheap.  After we got back, we bbq'd, watched some comedy shows (Jeff Dunham!), and watched fireworks. 

Family.  It was bright out.  Holy sun.

We had a little bit of sunscreen.  Just a little bit. 

The 9th day, we just relaxed.  I needed it.  Slept, hung out with my puppy, and ate some more.  I even got my one trip to Walmart in.  Very www.peopleofwalmart.com esq.  Seriously.  It was bad, and provided great entertainment for all. 

The 10th day, we drove back to Chicago.  It took forever...because of construction in Illinois, and police chases in Missouri.  Yup. 

And I am back...in sweet home Chicago.  I need to pack, organize, and get my stuff together so I can move on out to the East Coast. 

Staycation

I took about 10 days of leave so I could spend time with family before I move from Chicago.

The first day, we just hung out and went to the Ram to eat.
 

The second day, we got acquainted to the neighborhood, had lunch, and then went to the Cubs game. I re-enlisted one of my Sailors at Wrigley Field. First re-enlistment they have done. Thanks to the Cubs for allowing us to do this for her. I am not sure who had more fun that day! 

Me on the left, PO on the right.



Awesome pic taken from the field.


The third day we just hung out. Relaxed, and grilled on my rooftop. I also introduced my Mr. to my oldest brother and family. My oldest brother makes some mean bacon wrapped fillets. Yum!




I am pasty.  And this picture is awful.  But I did get some sun that day up on the rooftop!



The fourth day, we went to Navy Pier. It was a lot of fun! Billy Goat, Ferris Wheel, walked around, and went to Margaritaville. We went and met up with my middle brother and SIL for dinner afterwards. And enjoyed one heck of a storm that night.

Cheezborger, Chips, Empty Beer.  Yum.

Kind of an awesome ride.  Helluva view from the top, too!

Margarita on the pier.  End of a beautiful Chicago day!

The fifth day, we went to the Museum of Science and Industry. I love that museum. There is so much to see, and even though I have been there a million times, I can never get enough of the chick hatchery.

Oregon Trail??

Old time Berghoff.  I love this place.  Mmm..German food...beer..:)

The sixth day, we left Chicago, and embarked on our road trip...to be continued..

I'm Back!!

I just got back from my vacation.  It was part staycation, part visiting family.  We did so much, I'll have to post a few times about it, with pictures of course!

This first post will encompass all most of what I ate, and the motivation behind my workouts this next month er..year.

We went to many restaurants, and cooked a lot as well. 
Some of these include:

• Melrose Restaurant  Yummy diner goodness. Always good service.
• The Ram  Eh...so so.  Good fries. Really good fries.
• The Bagel  I can't believe this was my first visit here.  Can't wait to go back!! Pickles.  Yum.
• Wilde Can never say enough good things about this place.  Really.
• Pancake House Yum. 
• Billy Goat Cheezborger, chips, coke, beer.
• Bridget McNeills Can't ever get enough of their food. 
• Ruby Tuesdays.  List this mostly because the waitress was a hoot.  Literally. If I even told you the story, you wouldn't believe me. 

In terms of cooking, we bbq'd a lot.  Bacon wrapped fillets, orzo spinach salad, potato salad, more steaks, German potato salad, Sweetwater BBQ, coleslaw, etc.  Breakfast was southern food every day..grits (which I tried for the first time), bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, the list goes on. 

If you ever travel to the Lake of the Ozarks, or through the old Route 66, you must stop at Sweetwater BBQ.  A-m-a-z-i-n-g!  I have it every time I am there. 

I ate pretty healthy most of the time, salads, etc etc.  I am training for a half marathon, so I can't be too crazy!  Off to run!

4th of July

I am looking forward to the 4th of July weekend.  I usually celebrate it the same way every year.  Stay posted for photos and a re-cap of my staycation.  Trying to get some family time in before my move!

I love the 4th of July.  It brings back many awesome childhood memories, and makes me appreciate others more for what they do, to allow us to be free.

via Google.

How do you spend your 4th of July?  What does it mean to you?