Key West

Monday we drove down to Key West since I had never been there.  Again it was a windy day, but not as windy as the day before.  We ended up meeting a high school buddy of my dad, who just happen to be down in Key West for the week, for a quick brunch.  We ate at Blue Heaven http://www.blueheavenkw.com/ and enjoyed the company of cats and chickens as we dined.

After brunch we said our goodbyes and headed out for a island bike tour guided by Lloyd.

Key Largo: Day 3

The winds blew in Saturday night.  We headed south down the Keys to do a little sight seeing.  The first stop was Annie's Beach http://floridakeystreasures.com/Beaches/annesbeach.shtml .

Next we drove down to see the Seven Mile Bridge.  First a railroad bridge, then a car bridge, the original bridge was turned into a pedestrian bridge http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Mile_Bridge .  We missed the turnoff before the bridge so we drove the entire length before we could stop and check it out.  The winds literally forced us along the bridge but the views, like the wind, were breathtaking.

Key Largo: Christmas Day

Christmas day was a beautiful sunny 74 degrees with light winds.  We rented two paddle boards for the day at what I was told was an obscenely low rate.  The hotel had a kayak, so everyone who wanted to be in the water could.  I tried out a paddle board for the first time and I think I will have to look into them next summer at Lake Michigan.

The paddle boards made great rafts to float and be able to see the star fish, snails, fish, and other underwater critters.  The water was very clear and even in the deeper sections you could see the bottom.

Key Largo: The Sunset

Words don't do justice to the sunset, so here it is without.

Key Largo: Day 1

Instead of spending Christmas in Ohio, the family decided to switch things up a bit and go to the Florida Keys.  Our home away from home for the long weekend was Sunset Cove in Key Largo http://sunsetcovebeachresort.com/ at mile marker 99.5.

Where the dinosaurs, lions, and zebras roamed the land as friends.

We sat outside under a thatched roof beach hut and enjoyed the company, drinks, and the most amazing sunset I have ever seen in my life.

First Snow 12-04-10

Random Chicago: street art

These are both on Ravenswood Ave not far from my condo.  No idea what they mean or why they were put there. 

Thanksgiving Weekend

This is what the El looks at 6:15PM on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving

My parents came into town from Columbus, Oh for the long weekend.  I took them to McGee's to watch the big Ohio State vs Michigan game.  I like to think they had a great time, I know I did!

Happy Hanukkah

The Star of David and lucky horseshoe combo for KL birthday.  PS I made this myself.

Veneer Menorah from Steelcase Menorah and Holiday Wreath contest

Too bad I don't know Hebrew.

Happy Hanukkah, a little late but still know what's going on!

Happy Birthday

We like to get them drinking early on!  Happy birthday D; hope it's a great one.  Love ya lots.

The Reclusive Ruby

Ruby loves to sit under this blanket, even if it's just her head.

Embroidery: WIP

I've started a cool sampler project, The Princess and the Pea, from Follow the White Bunny www.followthewhitebunny.com.  The pattern looks like a great way to learn multiple stitches.

Random Chicago: the bike ramp

These are at the remodeled Grand red line stop on the El.  A ramp up the side of the stairs for your bike; much easier than carrying it up two flights of stairs.  Thanks for the thought CTA!  It's highly unlikely that I will ever take advantage of this feature, but it's still cool.

The Association of Beer Vixens: the cheesey details

Beer being barrel aged

The cheeses

I went to Rock Bottom Brewery for the beer and cheese pairing event hosted by The Association of Beer Vixens.   Dave from Cheese and Cheers www.cheeseandcheers.com provided the five wonderful cheeses.  All were very good, except for the most stinky cheese I have ever met.  The Grayson cheese filled the room like the locker room aroma Dave used to describe it.  The other cheeses clock wise were fresh goat cheese, a farmstead mountain-style cheese, 10 year cheddar, the grayson, and blue cheese.  The cheeses were paired with Rock Bottom's Seasonal Wheat Beer-Hefeweizen, Fallen Angel Abbey Ale, Erik the Red Ale, 15th Anniversary Ale, and Dry-hopped Oatmeal Stout.  The jam in the middle was a delicious raspberry and pepper combination, the pepper hit at the end and really added to the flavor.  I think it was Robert Rothschild Farm Hot Pepper Raspberry Jam.

Embroidery

Here are a couple projects I've made.