A day in Chicago

I find spending less time in Chicago has made me appreciate it all so much more. After running errands and having breakfast at the same place we did last weekend, we went to the Chicago Botanical Gardens on a whim. Therefore, no camera...but wow is it beautiful, I can't believe I haven't ever been there before! We walked around for several hours enjoying the many gardens and the water displays.

It is way north of Chicago - so we drove by the lake on the way back - not a lake view due to the big manisons that have lake views in their backyards - its pretty amazing. It was way past lunch when we stopped at a place that was called Japanese Restaurant - wow, again. Jim had really awesome beef served alongside several types of sushi and I had perfect Udon soup - it was a hole in the wall in all the great ways!

Continuing down the lake, we stop at the Ba'hai Temple. It is simply elegant. I had taken a summer staff several years ago there; but Jim have never been - he loved it.

Now, I pack and leave tomorrow to see Jannan, Betsy, Russ, Jackie and maybe meet Brandon!

DIA Musings

Found quote:

To fulfill a dream, to be allowed to sweat over lonely labor, and to be given a chance to create, are the meat and potatoes of life. The money is the gravy.

- Bette Davis, actress


Overheard:

Mom to small child: "We get to board first for once since we have small children."

Small child: angered "I am not small"

Mom: Of course not honey, its your brother they are talking about.

Our Faith and Our Fork

Last week, I went to a workshop about faith and eating - perfect for me, right?

I learned lots of things - but the thing I want to note here is a new image of God - Divine Chef - Oh, Amen to that one!

Oh, for the love of cooking

One of the best parts of being home for a week is that I get to cook (right up there with going to the gym, being with Jim, and sleeping in my own bed)in my new to me kitchen. Several weeks ago, Jim and I went to see Food Inc. Don't go see it if you want to keep eating the way you are.

Anyways, we both (not just Krista) came away thinking that we needed to think about some things - mainly eating meat that is locally grown or organic and thinking more about locally produced products in general.

Last week, Jim, expecting to go to a bbq over the weekend, bought some locally produced and grass finished bison that we have been working on eating since he joined me in Ohio last weekend unexpectedly. So tonight we had:

Fresh pasta from Wisconsin - boiled for about 2 minutes (wow was it good)
Sauted broccoli and squash from farmer's type market
1 tomato, chopped
The above were combined with a little olive oil and salt and pepper
Grilled Bison, mine med rare, Jim's med

Oh, a great meal - no matter where the food came from!

Selfish Self Promotion

So last week, I saw my book for the first time. I signed my book five times (but two were for my parents, so I don't think that counts). I got to have some good conversations about it as well. Oh yeah, and after J Denny Weaver telling me that I would write a book some day I got to sit by him and his new book (Defenseless Christianity written with Gerald Mast)and prove him right.

This week I am in Chicago, before I head out on Sunday to Denver. Its so nice to be home!