A Fast Getaway

Oh....we can't wait! We just love it when we can make a fast getaway....naw...we aren't robbing the bank - we're taking an unplanned trip to CHICAGO!
We just love Chicago....so much to see & so much to do....but mind you, this is a quick trip, so we thought we'd share what we expect to do......
First....we are staying in the Palmer Hotel - that is exciting enough! The architecture there is "the bomb!" Ever since we went to Chicago on a tour in design class, The Palmer has been on the "to stay at" list! I can still hear it in my head when my professor said that "Anytime you come back to Chicago, try to stay at the Palmer....this is the place to stay" Now, there might be nicer rooms, or a better staff at another hotel....but hello people....the history of this place is amazing!


*sigh!*

Moving on.....even though we didn't know about it, it seems that the Chicago Air & Water Show will be held this weekend....guess we timed that right!


....And, it looks as if we will spend a whole day at The Museum of Science & Industry

Kid's list:
Board the German U-505 Submarine - big brother will love this - he is all about anything WWII and German.....and little brother - he'll love it too, just because big brother does!



Little brother loves sharks....and for an 8 year old, knows just about anything about the creatures! This is his choice (other than anything big brother wants to do....), and he'll want to watch this show where he can swim with sharks in Africa.


OK...the real reason we are going to Chicago, is that daughter wants to see the Harry Potter Exhibit....cheaper than a trip to the London HP exhibit...plus, it moves out of town next month & goes to Boston.

Mom's list:
Well....wondering around the Palmer suits me fine...all of that architecture - heaven! But, I do have one request...

I can't wait to visit P.O.S.H for vintage goodness, I don't know if I'll ever come out of the store! Check out their online store....go on & pick your favorite thing!

Dad's list:
Of course....anything that mom or the kids want to do is fine with him!

However, a visit to Wrigley Field would be nice...and it looks as if they are playing Pittsburgh while we are in town....we'll give it a good try to get a game in!

We are meeting up with friends and are going to the Weber Grill, and we are going to go on an Architectural cruise on the river with them as well. We are looking forward to that, as we've never done the crusie before!

So....what kind of "Fast Getaways" have you been on?!

Handy Shadows

While on vacation last week we visited this place...an art gallery? No, actually we were at The Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This was the most amazing shadow that I took {and believe me, I took a LOT of shadow pictures!}

These were casts of astronaut's hands. Each astronaut gets a full body cast, to form their suits to them. The hands are the most important cast, as the gloves are made specifically to fit each hand.

I couldn't help but hum that folk song...."Put Your Hand in the Hand" ~ was it from the 70's? Anyway, it was in my mind all day then!!


Enough said {or sung!}, let's give Tracy from Hey Harriet a great big HAND for hosting our favorite meme: Shadow Shot Sunday! Come on along and visit to see what kind of shadows are around this week....!

Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler! (Let the Good Times Roll!)

Last week, Karrie and I were preparing a huge garage sale for mom's (and our) junk......in that time we received a package...and not just any package - a winning package! We won "the booby prize" from Natalie at Curly Wurly Gurly - don't you just love that name! Anyway, Natalie had sooo many people signed up for her contest, she felt guilt and decided on giving away a small prize to another lucky winner (what a lucky month for The Summer Kitchen Girls! - see Fun In A Box). Yesterday I finally got to open it up (Karrie's on vacation this week, see, and I need to entertain myself somehow!!)


Inside this festive package was....pure heaven!
Have you ever had beignets? Have you ever had them from Cafe du Monde in New Orleans?? Well, let us tell you......


Here is a picture of those lovely hot and delicious beignets from Cafe du Monde........I can't wait until Karrie gets back from vacation so that we can partake in them (mow them down)!

If they look so incredibly delicious to you, you can hop online and visit Cafe du Monde. Not only can your order the beignets, but you can get their coffee, and lots of other merchandise. You can also find out about the history of Cafe du Monde. They have pictures of the store now, and pictures of it "then" - it's a neat history lesson that you might enjoy!

So - since we are on the subject of one of my favorite cities....let's take a visit, shall we.......

If you are looking for somewhere to eat in New Orleans, check out Mulate's restaurant. Not only do you get great Cajun food - but you get great Cajun music and dancing. This is just a happy place - lots of toe tappin' music that makes you see what being Cajun is about!





George Rodrigue is an artist in New Orleans that we became familiar with back in 1996. We loved his paintings of Cajun life and especially the vibrant and famous Blue Dog. Some day - a dream of mine - is to own a Blue Dog painting - how fun is she? There are so many to choose from. This one is my new favorite - "Falling for You" . If you like Blue Dog - you'll love seeing all of the other works of art - with Blue Dog, and without, at George Rodrigue's website here
Below, in the next post I found a clip when George Rodrige was on the CBS Sunday Morning News - check it out, only be sure to turn the music off on the left hand side here - or you will hear George, the interviewer, and Bing - or whoever else is singing at the moment....which we've found to be a bit confusing!!



St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square is a popular tourist spot in New Orleans. It is also nice because - if you're traveling with kids, there is plenty of room for them to run around! It is a beautiful church, and it still holds services. When people see pictures of the cathedral - they think of New Orleans.
As I was doing some research about our New Orleans post, I ran across this artist's site. Heather Elizabeth Designs has all sorts of jewelry with pictures of New Orleans in it. I fell in love with the cathedral necklace - isn't it cool? I really liked the back of it too.....and then I found out about that writing on the back of that necklace. On her site, she tells about her great great grandparents love letters to each other. It is really a very sweet story and I love how the letters add a nice touch to her jewelry. To read about the letters click here. You will be enchanted - and perhaps, you, too, will have to purchase a "piece of history"......we can be such suckers for a story that is associated with something can't we??






Of course you can't talk about Louisiana, unless you talk about Tabasco sauce. This is a staple at our homes....how about yours? At times I think we need a big ol' gallon sitting in the cupboard - if you do too, pick your own up at Tabasco.com









Last, and defiantly not least - you'll need some music from New Orleans......may the Summer Kitchen Girls suggest one of our favorites - none other than Harry Connick Jr. ? If you like Harry, and have never attended one of his concerts - you have missed the best entertainment of your life! His band is one of the best sounding (and entertaining) that you'll ever hear - really.....you should make it a point.

These two albums were released at the same time last year - we have them downloaded on the store's ipod and play them in the mix. Pop on Amazon.com and play some clips and hear it for yourself......and....don't forget to "Let The Good Times Roll!"

A Photostory Friday

Today we thought we'd join Neutral Dwelling for her Photostory Friday.

This is one of my favorite places for great architectural pictures. It is the San Cristobal Fort in San Juan, Puerto Rico. There were so many neat architectural elements there. I love the peeling paint, the layered colors, the history - and being right off the water helps....did I mention the gorgeous blue sky?


(My absolute favorite one is on my cell phone....and I haven't figured out how to get it on the blog yet......I could send it over on your phone though - I have figured that out!!)

Remember to look at all the details - they are the best part!

Farmer's Market

Well....it was big - bigger than anyone expected! In downtown Fremont they had the most wonderful Farmer's Market - one the city hasn't seen for some time! I overheard so many people talk about how nice it was and how nice it would be if it were going on every Saturday, instead of once a month!
People, food, fresh veggies, wonderful flowers, music and lots of artisans.





















Of course, or herb expert Catherine of Reiter Landscaping was there - we had to buy some of her great organic granola (the kids loved chocolate chippy best!).


Then, Theresa was there from Cheeky Chic-y Studios. I have to tell you that she makes the most unusual purses. I just purchased on that is made from a vintage calender - LOVE IT!! The inside is just as cute as the outside -
so fun! What is really cool about Theresa, is that she has some of her fabric vessels in the new show "Material Matters" at The Columbus Museum of Art - we are so impressed!!
















Theresa is such a creative artist - check out her work online, and if you can, the Columbus Museum of Art!

Christkindle Mart

Today was such a fun day in Pemberville. Not knowing what we needed to take - we feel that we gave a glimpse of what we had in the physical store! Lots of people came through, and we gave out almost all of the fans we made to keep cool! Here's some snapshots of things going on around town...

Brats and German potato salad.....ice cream and french waffles - all this and a cute little area to eat!
We were nestled in between Marcy "the candle lady" (who was just a delight to meet and chat with all day) and our very own Pat Wilson of Tea S'il vous Plait (nothing like having tea-o-plenty all day!!)

The rain is coming.....or is it going????









I have to stop here and say - that it did rain, but did not keep anyone from shopping....the big storm with hail and wind never came. It rained for about an hour - then cleared up nicely! Our favorite shop/stop in Pemberville is Beekers General Store. We tell people all of the time to visit - it is well worth it! It just has that quaint old-fashioned feel that you just don't get anywhere - you know?? Check out the inside - what fun!





This is such a fun store - and just look at all of the candy.....it's a sweet-lover's paradise!! No wonder their t-shirts boast "sweet" on the back!!




This is one of my favorite photo's from Beekers......call them anytime - and they will answer you on this phone! Isn't this place the cutest???

Thanks for coming along today!!
Don't forget to enter the drawing for the giveaway below - comment on any post from now until July 31st!!

A Day Trip

An annual tradition in July - The Summer Kitchen Girls (& company) take off the first part of July and drive down to Dresden, Oh to visit The Longaberger Homestead. If you aren't familiar with Longaberger, it is a company that started selling baskets, but now carry pottery, jewelry, and have a line of food items, along with the baskets. Normally we go down to have a tea party at The Sentimental Tea Room in the big Victorian house below. This year the tea house is no more.....we had very sad little girls (counting us in with that!!), however we all had a nice "together" time!! Enjoy the pictures of the sites we saw.......one thing we like about Longaberger's Homestead, is that there are flowers galore - beautiful ones...everywhere!!


We saw everyone making baskets....













If you have baskets that need repaired....here's they guy that takes care of that!

Here's more buildings on the Homestead's grounds...including our tea house...





To end - the statue of Dave Longaberger overlooking the pond. Dave Founded Longaberger in 1978. The company has an interesting history and has changed in many directions to meet the new demands of the consumer of today. If you find yourself in the area - stop in and check the company out. You'll also find the city of Roseville (of Roseville Pottery and McCoy Pottery) nearby - and there are lots of antique stores on the way......there's lots of fun stuff to see!!