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 

Happy 2nd Birthday Gunnar

Last Thursday my nephew Gunnar turned two. He's growing up so fast. We celebrated at Lickity Split in Edgewater. Gunnar was very excited about his pink cupcake, but then only ate the frosting off the top (with a spoon I might add).

   

"Babies are such a nice way to start people." - Don Herrold

Visit to St. Louis

This weekend Meg and I drove down to St. Louis. 

The Arch on a Cloudy Day

Anna was in town for a young adult literature conference and we wanted to see Mahrya and Dave and finally meet the twins. It was a whirlwind trip. We got in Saturday afternoon and left Sunday morning. But it was fun to hang out with the girls and Athena and Evander are adorable. 

"Friends are those rare people who ask how you are then wait for the answer." - Unknown 

A Visit to Wagner Farm

Last Saturday Zach, John, Kirstin, Gunnar, and I went to Wagner Farm in Glenview. 

We met the animals.

Picked out pumpkins.

And rode the hayride. 

 A perfect fall afternoon. 

"Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." - Marcel Proust 

Scooter Meets Monty

Last weekend Zach, Scooter, and I went down to Decatur to visit family. We got to meet the newest member of the family, Whitney's puppy Monty. He's an adorable Pointer Jack Russell Mix. Scooter was an old grump to his cousin Monty  and didn't want to run around or play with him at all. Apparently he forgot what a pest he was to older dogs when he was puppy. I know someday soon they'll be great friends.

Monty with his Frog Friend

The Cousins

Zach Running Around with his Buddies

"Until one has love an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." - Anatole France