candy coated rose petals

The Yarn Harlot, aka Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, made an appearance in Chicago last night to read from her book All Wound Up: The Yarn Harlot Writes for a Spin. I saw her back in 2007 when she was promoting another one of her six published books. As always, she was delightfully warm, funny and honest about the inner workings of the knitting world. She read two excerpts from her most recent work, which I’m looking forward to devouring this weekend.   [ Read more ]

Sunday I ran. I ran 13. 1 miles. I ran 13.1 miles for the first time in my life. I also ran in a historic half marathon that occurred on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. To say it was a special race is an understatement. I’m so proud of my accomplishment, of participating in this race and overcoming various health related issues to complete this race.   [ Read more ]

Today is the first day of my 30-day no car challenge. I have to say, I have mixed emotions. I’m excited by the challenge: reacquainting myself with my bike, getting more exercise through walking, discovering the possibilities (and likely frustrations of the Chicago public transit system), reducing my impact on the environment, and hopefully my wallet. But of course I have reservations: It’s going to take a lot longer to get where I want to go … or maybe I just think that’s the case. Because time passes a lot faster when you think you’re in control. Or better put, I feel more in control of my destiny behind the wheel rather than having someone else direct my travels.   [ Read more ]

The Dill Pickle Food Co-op, of which I am a member, opened this weekend at 3039 W. Fullerton. I headed over there today and enjoyed looking through the store. The prices aren’t necessarily comparable to big-box chains, but the organic selection is really nice.

Stocked with some artisan breads, a small sample of produce, dairy products, food stuffs and cleaning products, there are quite a few things at the store you won’t find anywhere else. You just have to watch the prices on products found at other stores.   [ Read more ]

I took Hot Pinkness on her first full ride of the season to the Green City Market. It was in the 60s when I left—definitely doable working up a sweat on a bike. However, the temps dropped to the 50s the closer I got to the lake and the later into the morning it got. It was a pretty chilly day for the market’s Saturday debut.   [ Read more ]

I tried out Fox & Obel today. It’s located at 401 E. Illinois and is a market and cafe. It was dewishious. I had the tuna melt from the cafe. I didn’t do a lot of shopping, but would like to go back to check out the offerings. Unfortunately, I’m not sure the next time I’ll be down that way, but there was some free public parking across the street so that might work out if I plan ahead.

Today was Earth Hour. I participated in this last year with La Petite Tricoteuse and the Captain but I can’t seem to find an old post about it. Maybe I didn’t post anything … Last year we sat around my apartment and played guitar and sang in the candlelight. A fitting activity for the evening.   [ Read more ]

Welcome home, new prez!

I saw The Secret LIfe of Bees with Laurie and the Petite Tricoteuse. It was super sad and maybe not the best movie to watch in our current states of mind but was deliciously good all the same. All-star cast, amazing story, all around good.

Earlier in the day, we rode over to Tweet for some brunch. It couldn’t have been more delicious. I got this egg burrito thing. SOooo good.   [ Read more ]

Today I voted. That’s right people, I took advantage of early voting. The wait wasn’t too terrible either. I was able to run over to Humboldt Park Library and cast my vote. Because the poling place didn’t open until 9, I worked from home today so I could run out really quick.   [ Read more ]