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Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Spring Break in New Buffalo, Michigan

After many recommendations Zach and I decided to spend a long weekend in New Buffalo, Michigan. Our first visit to Harbor Country and hopefully not our last. We left on Thursday morning and went straight to the Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets in Michigan City, Indiana. Zach decided he needed a new wardrobe following his promotion and I, of course, couldn't resist buying a few new things. We ate lunch at Shoreline Brewery in Michigan City, which was one of the highlights of the trip due to some amazing fried pickles. 



Best Thing Ever
We took some pictures of the Michigan City Lighthouse...


...and headed off to our luxury accommodations: The Comfort Inn in New Buffalo. In the evening we awakened our inner gambler at Four Winds Casino. 



We ate dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe and were serenaded by the band Alligator Blackbird. We'd never heard of them before, but they were pretty good. 


I was surprised and impressed that the Hard Rock Cafe Four Winds had some impressive rock and roll memorabilia. 

Picture of Cheap Trick Guitar for My Dad

Me and Madonna's Coat

We didn't lose too much and Zach was happy to find the video poker. A very fun night. 


On Friday we went to Grateful Diner for lunch. Food was delicious. We had to take a picture of the Buffalo and Chicago street signs: 


Friday afternoon was filled with antique shopping. We didn't end up buying anything, except a non-antique puzzle for Gunnar, but it's always fun to look. 


I think Zach was happy when we got to the Round Barn Winery. This is my favorite picture of him from the trip: "Zach the Sommelier" (he doesn't read my blog, so he will never know I posted this). 


Such a fun winery/brewery/distillery. 



Friday night we ate dinner at the famous Redamak's. One of the only places that's still crowded in New Buffalo when it's forty degrees. I think we got the best seat in the house, next to their vintage sign. 


On Saturday we had breakfast at Michigan Thyme Cafe. Good quiche. 


Then we drove back to Michigan City to see Admission. I couldn't wait until we got home to see my two favorite actors star in a movie together. I recommend it, if only for the adorableness of Tina Fey and Paul Rudd. 


For lunch we went to El Rancho Grande because Zach loves Mexican food. The best part was the toy train going around and around above our heads. That might read sarcastic, but I really did think it was fun. It was going too fast to get a good picture.   


We planned the rest of the afternoon to walk around downtown New Buffalo and walk on the beach. Most of the stores were closed and it was too cold for a stroll along the water, so we took a few pictures and went back to the hotel to watch March Madness. 



Saturday night dinner was Brewster's Italian Restaurant. It was also crowded so we knew the food would be good. My tortellini was homemade and huge. 




This last picture is the only one we took of the both of us...and you can see why because it is out of focus. Oh well. It was a wonderful trip. Can't wait to go back!

"We held on to each other and looked out at the sea. It was impossibly large and full of beauty and danger in equal parts-and we wanted it all." - Paula McLain, The Paris Wife

Monday, March 18, 2013

St. Patrick's Day at The Grafton

Unlike most Chicagoans I prefer to celebrate St. Patrick's Day on March 17th rather than the Saturday nearest to March 17th. This year we went to The Grafton, my favorite Irish Pub in Lincoln Square. Zach and I were joined by John, Bethany, and Nigel. I chose The Grafton specifically to hear the Irish music, but we couldn't hear it because the musicians were playing at the very front and we were sitting in the very back. Oh well, we'll just have to go back on a different day. Grilled cheese sandwich and curry chips...yum.  


"May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow, and may trouble avoid you
wherever you go." - Irish Blessing