Good Cheer, Family, and Friends

I can't believe Thanksgiving just passed, and here we are, last day of November!

This week was busy seeing family, eating...but not overdoing it!  I made two incredible pies for Thanksgiving..I love pumpkin and apple pies.  Something about them just scream comfort food!  My recipes are on my pinterest page if you are interested.  I have made the apple pie before.  I will never use another recipe.  This one is just too good!

Preggo Mego.  I can't wait to have this baby girl!

I spent Black Friday downtown with my girls at Berghoff and the Christkindlemarket in Daley Plaza.  If you live in Chicago, are visiting Chicago, etc-YOU MUST go to the market.  I got a little hot coco and some non alcoholic spiced wine.  So good!

BFFs for life:)  

Now I am just trying to finalize holiday shopping, gift wrapping/mailing, decorating, and getting our cards out.  All while trying to bake this baby.  She is 33 weeks, and I swear every day she gets more and more cramped.

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

Baby Moon?

I have heard baby moons are all the rage, but I refuse to travel this far into my pregnancy.  My last trip I had a TON of braxton hicks contractions, and it freaked me out.  A lot.

The hubs is on vacay for a while, so we are taking care of baby business as well as just enjoying time together.

We tried out XOCO on Clark Street, which was awesome, but we had to wait 35 minutes for food.  Kind of a long time.  Love the churros.  OMG.  So good.

We went and bought nursery furniture for our girly, because I was freaked out at hearing that our friends had to wait weeks to get theirs.  Yikes.

We went apple picking, and tried out a brewery while we were out there.  So nice!

Picking some gala and suncrisp apples!

We went to my college's homecoming game and tailgated with classmates of mine.  Incredible to catch up with a great group of folks.  I went back in 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2010.  I love this tradition. Oh the 3 in 1.

Foam fingah and the baby belly

Love these gals!

Mike and I.  He loved Grange Grove!

We had brunch at the house for a few of my girl friends that haven't seen the remodel yet.  Yay!

So now onto more house prep and adventures.  Let's hope my body holds up for it all.  #swollenfeetsuck

Labor Day Weekend Recap

Well folks, I am finally back from my last trip of the year.  That is right.  Being 5.5 months pregnant, I won't take the risk to fly anymore, even though there are many events I want to go to.  It just isn't worth it.

I went out East, and spent time with friends and family.  My first stop was visiting one of my bffs and her husband and son.  My first time meeting the little dude.  He is a dead ringer for his dad, and just too cute.  We all went out on a grown up night, and got to catch up and she def talked to me about a lot of baby stuff.  So grateful, as I feel clueless and unprepared most days. We ate dinner at Bazins, which was excellent.  Then we found a tiny boutique that was moving, and I bought a bunch of stuff for the tiny human.  Made out like a bandit.  50% off everything. Woohoo!  We also went to Sweet City Desserts for a treat to go.  Such a wonderful day.  I left their house and went 30 mins west to my oldest brother's house.

Friday we went to Ford's Fish Shack for lunch.  So good.  I was in heaven.  We then went to Ritas for some ice, and then back home so we could get ready for some Friday Night Lights.  High School Football!  My niece, aka, mini-me's school was beating some serious butt until lightening made us evacuate the field.  Bummer.  We left after they called the game for weather.

Saturday I went to Alexandria to have brunch with my ILLINI ladies. I love and miss my college friends so much.  And it never ceases to amaze me that even 15 years after we have all met, we are close, and will drop anything/everything to help each other out.  We had brunch at Warehouse, which was incredible.  I will def come back whenever I am in VA.  It was that good.  We grabbed some cupcakes at Lavender Moon Cupcakery.  Highly recommend it.  I have had many a cupcake in my day, but this place was just wonderful.  After brunch I relaxed as the baby was wearing me out all day, and then had dinner and played Apples to Apples with the crazy family!

Post Cupcakes! And over 50 years of military experience.  Awesome ladies!

Sunday I drove to Annapolis for my friend's wedding.  What a whirlwind.  Brunch with my Navy gals, wedding ceremony, and reception.  Thank goodness I wore flats:)  I just can't get over how beautiful of a day it was.  I am so happy for my friend, and just find it amusing that our whole group found our "loves" so much later than most people.  Our husbands were worth the wait!

Alie, Me, Katie

Can't even describe how beautiful this is!!!

Love these ladies!

Me and Katie.  I met her 15 years ago, and we always pick up right where we left off!!

I flew back to Chicago Monday, and am glad to be home with the pups and my guy.  Now I just have to get my butt in gear and prep two more rooms in the house before baby comes!

Catch Up!

Its been busy the past two weeks.  Between trying to see friends, keeping up with small house projects, and morning sickness (back with a vengeance), its been nuts!

I have hosted a brunch at my house, ventured downtown a few nights for dinner with the girls, spent time with family to see my cute nieces from NYC, and spruced up some items around the house.

Making a house a home is no joke!  We installed all new lights, address signs, did more gardening, etc.  Now we just have to finish the office, and start on the baby's room while I still feel great!!

Summer nights on the Chicago River.  I love this city!

Dinner at Siena Tavern. If you haven't been, I highly recommend it! I had the linguine with lobster.  

Weekend in Da City..

This weekend was a whirl wind in ever best way possible.

Friday I spent doing stuff at our house which is being remodeled.  I cleaned, organized, and painted the front porch.  Then my in laws made some of the best hamburgers ever, and we relaxed and ate dinner together.

Painted this beast of a porch.  Flowers are growing.  New doors this week!!

Saturday I had brunch with one of my besties.  Such a great brunch.  We went to Zia's Lago Vista in Chicago.  Highly recommend it.
After brunch we went to the NFL draft.  I scored some VIP tent tix, and we went and looked at Draft Town USA.

Love her.  

Draft Town USA baby.

Da Bears!

Check out my Instagram and my Pins from the Draft!

Sunday I had to work, which was good, because I met my new boss, and got acquainted with what I will be doing in the Reserves.  I got home and relaxed, which I needed after such a great weekend.

How was your weekend?

Go Cubs Go!

I went to my first Cub game of the season this week.  The Cubs got their butts whooped, but I had a great time catching up with my girls.

A little bit of Goose Island, some girl time, Chicago baseball, and a live band to dance the night way from afterwards was a great way to spend the day!

Cubby Blue.  Great beer only available at the Wrigleyville location.

Let me take a selfie.  

Cheering on the Cubbies!

I love the friendly confines.  

Travel...with Chicago Girl

When I got Maddie's email about linking up about travel, it was tough for me to nail down one of my favorite places. 

I had to pick one with photos, as I never take a lot of photos when I travel to the Middle East. 

One of my favorite places from my last deployment was Muscat, Oman.  This is a place that if I took my husband on a vacation to the Middle East, we would to go Dubai and Muscat. 

You can read my original post about Muscat here!

Fort Lauderdale

Since the North was under a deep freeze and snow storm from hell, I traveled to Fort Lauderdale with my bff before I drove to Chicago.

I was pretty excited to just relax after my last day on the ship.  I literally stepped off the ship and got on the road, and arrived to drinks at our hotel.  We then went to have drinks at the Blue Martini. After some delicious beverages, we had dinner at Seasons 52. I love Seasons 52.  So much.  Especially dessert.

The next day, we relaxed, and then had lunch at the Royal Pig Pub. So amazing.  Worth the trip.  My bff went to a wedding, and I just relaxed at the hotel.

The last day, we went out and about on the beach front.  We had some drinks at McSorleys, and then lunch at Primanti Brothers.  Yes.  A NYC bar and a Pittsburgh deli in Ft. Lauderdale.  I thought the same thing.  But yes.  Yes.

We had dinner at Coconuts our last night, and it was worth the wait.  We drank a glass...er bottle..of prosecco while we waited.  Incredible meal, key lime pie, and company.  Couldn't ask for more!

First Night.  Love the necklace.  Got it at Versona.

Blue Martinia

Royal Pig Pub.  Yummm.

View from our balcony.

Suns Out.  Another Outfit from Versona.

Great artwork next to a tattoo parlor.  No worries, came out of there unscathed. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I had a great weekend out and about in the city I love.

I had a date night Friday with the husband.  Our fav sushi place, and a movie.  Couldn't be better.

Saturday I went downtown with my friends, met up with family, and spent most of the day downtown.  I ended up in my own neighborhood, and just relaxed!

Sunday, I stayed in my neighborhood with family and neighbors and had a great time.  I normally go to the South Side Irish parade, but decided on a change of pace this year..

Makes me so incredibly happy to be home!

Daley Plaza

Obligatory Selfie

What are your St. Patrick's Day Traditions?

Farewell to Jax

I hate goodbyes.  Like.  Hate.

So instead of just looking at a goodbye in the face, I tend to avoid them at all costs.

I had a good few final days in Jax.  You can see them in pictures below..

Date Night at Marker 32.  

Dinner with Friends at the Schnizel Haus

Quite Possibly the Best Sandwich I have ever had.

Last Duty Day.  See that smile!!

Day trip to Savannah, Georgia

My ship took a quick voyage to Savannah this past summer, and I loved it!  You can read about that post here. I went during Presidents Day weekend to visit a friend, his wife, and two kids.  I hadn't seen him since his retirement almost 4 years ago!

We stayed at the East Bay Inn once again.  I just love that place.  It is so cozy, and just screams southern hospitality.  We did a tour of the city, and ate at the Cotton Exchange. What is a trip to Savannah without a stop to the Candy Kitchen?  Best.  Prailines.  Ever.

It was a great quick trip, and just what I needed before I left Jax for good.

Great view on the river..

Candy!!

Cozy Room!

Neighborhood Highlights: San Marco

So I feel like I never get out and about in Jacksonville.  Mostly because every chance I get, I fly to Chicago.  Can't blame me!!

So for my big 33, I had a friend meet me up at Taverna in San Marco.  It was December, 79 degrees outside, and pure heaven.  We sat outdoors, and just soaked up the weather, and amazing food.
Must try their caprese salad.  Best I have ever had.

Friends since 2000.  College life, ship life, real life.  Love her!

Complimentary Prosecco for my birthday.  Yesss! 

We then went out to Painting with a Twist.  We didn't do the "twist", aka, drink while painting.  My work would have been a disaster, albeit fun.

Starry Night ala Jacksonville

Finished Products

Can't wait to display this at my new house!

You may remember that I had an incredible date night with Mike last year at Matthews.  Such a great "fancy, shmancy" date spot.  Must for anniversary dinner.  Dress up, eat escargot.  Win. Win.

Rent the Runway baby!

2015: This is going to be a great year!!

Well folks, we are all doing it.  Stepping on the scales, scrubbing the house, spending time with the family...whatever it may be that we do after the clock strikes midnight on NYE.

This New Years, I spent the day with a good friend, and we hung out with her family.  It was just what I needed.  A change of pace from a club, or a bar..or even duty.

Mindie and Me.  Illini for Life!

I am looking forward to this year.  There will be a lot of change.  A promotion, a big move, leaving Active Duty for the Reserves, a honeymoon, a home remodel..and hopefully, expanding our family of two...:)

I get so discouraged from the "2014 sucked" posts.  Yes.  It was a rough year for many of my family, friends, and even myself.  My friend Ang said it best "2014 was a year that consistently reminded me to cherish every moment, hold each hug a little bit longer, love with every ounce of my being, and never, never take anything for granted."  Amen sister.  That sums up 2014 for us all. 

Kate Spade planner, and some water.  Planning 2015, 1 day at a time!

Hi My Name Is...

Megan.  This week I was able to go to work for an entire week and be known solely as Megan.  It was a bit liberating, frustrating, educational, etc.

I took a transitioning class from military to civilian life, and I am glad I took it, even though it is mandatory.  It is mandatory due to the ever growing number of homeless vets in the US.  I took away many great tools to search for a job, as well as all of the info needed for the VA.

I am looking forward to this step in my life.  Being Megan, being a wife, being back home in Sweet Home Chicago!

Trip Down Memory Lane

Back in August..I know..I know..this post is late..I took a trip to my first ship, the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7).  I was stationed onboard this ship in Norfolk, VA, and she just home port shifted to Mayport, FL.

So many memories of that girl.  I spent my first two years as an Officer onboard that ship, and grew as a professional, a woman, and as a friend.

Here are some incredible pictures from my visit!

I created this wall with another Officer back in 2005.  So amazing!

Suribachi Room.  Turns out my friend's grandpa donated the poster on the right!

Seriously.  One of the most proud accomplishments in my career was making this wall. 

I spent many early mornings practicing fire drills in Repair Five Main.

Land Ho!

Well folks.  I am back.  Dry land it is.  First order.  Wine.  Then Laundry.  Then the rest of life.  

Here is a pic to fill my quota.  I had to take the dreaded XO duties for the underway while he was on travel.  Captain told me a "picture in the chair was needed.  I did the job, thus-you get the chair".  Felt good.  For a minute.  Looking forward to April of 2015.  Going from LCDR Gill to Mrs. Gill!