Happy New Year

Well, I never posted this entry in which I shared about New Years Eve and posted pictures (in random order) of the rest of our week with Eliser. So, here you go. I'll start the blog with a Christmas day picture sent to us by Jim, my step-dad. It's called, "Spatula Bliss." The moment was really captured here.

We had a really nice, relaxing New Years Eve. The Bears played that night, and we met Erin at Merle's, an excellent barbecue place, to watch the (very disappointing) game against Green Bay. You might think that we chose this location because of their amazing vegetarian barbecue options, perhaps the BBQ seitan sandwich or mock-chicken wings, but no (not even their mac and cheese is vegetarian), we went because Erin's husband, Matt, is a manager there. We did enjoy some "carnitas," an inherently meaty dish that can amazingly be prepared without the carne--and Erin and I had the most potent margaritas ever made.

We went back to Erin and Matt's after the restaurant closed and hung out for a bit, then had a nice walk home to welcome the new year. It was a very nice evening.

We enjoyed the rest of our time with Eliser by sleeping in, then touring a different part of the city each day. While Eric worked one afternoon, Eliser and I went to the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen (the same neighborhood where I work). It was really impressive and will definitely go back--there is some more to see. If you haven't been there and you have the opportunity to go sometime, I would highly recommend it. This is the staircase in the 18th Street stop on the Pink Line. Almost every surface in the entranceway and platform is covered in murals. I love it!


After the museum, we visited Millenium Park downtown. Here's what the giant jelly bean looks like at night:





The ice rink, being Zambonied:

Wrigley Field from the el stop:

Our favorite sandwich shop, Potbelly:

From the point at Northwestern U:

Back downtown the day after Christmas--it was a zoo!

The view from the observatory in the Hancock building:


Eliser washing the windows:


Opening gifts from Sarah. The Oregon placemats are amazing!

The Sun Magazine--best publication ever.

I have no idea what this gift was:

One night, we helped serve and visited with folks at our church's weekly community meal, Dignity Diner. The kids up front are leading everyone in Christmas carols.

An intense game of Yatzee:

Christmas in the City

Our friend, Eliser, arrived from Oregon last night and we are so excited to have him here! This morning, Lewis cooked us an incredible Christmas breakfast! Pancakes, eggs, pierogis, Colombian hot chocolate, and cheesy bread balls (I don't know what they are actually called) directly from Lewis's mom!

After hanging out and relaxing with a movie (I would highly recommend Nueve Reinas, an Argentine film), we headed to Chinatown. We ate (what else?) Chinese food for dinner then experienced bubble tea for the first time at Saint's Alp Teahouse, whose Chicago location is one of only two in the U.S.

We also walked along the river and up Michigan Avenue--which is illuminated so nicely this time of year!



The Hancock building peeking through the fog.


Water Tower Place:


The tree in front of the Hancock was so nice!

We ended the evening back where we had started--at Lewis's place! This time it was to join Andy's family (who who spent Christmas in Chicago with him) and the guys for a game of "TV Scene It" (a game at which I am terrible and Goose is amazingly good--especially considering that we don't own a TV). By the end, Lewis and Nico were all tuckered out!


One last pic! Last week, Carrie arrived from the bay area to spend Christmas with family, and we all went out for crepes (near Margie's place--also very near Holy Covenant UMC)! It was so great to see her and her sisters--and it was a bit of an Albion reunion! Ginny, Andy, Katie, Lewis, Mira, Goose, Carrie, Margie, and John:

Christmas in Michigan

Merry Christmas! We hope you are well and having a joyful season!

This past weekend, we had the opportunity to join good Garrett friends Justin and Andria for their wedding in Grand Rapids! It was such a fun two days! Here they are at the rehearsal dinner:

And cutting the cake at the reception:

Erin, Andria, Justin, Mira, Goose at the celebration:





We celebrated Christmas on Sunday in Holland by sharing a wonderful breakfast, then gathering around the tree. These gift pictures make me smile.







It was a wonderful weekend with my family -- and we also very much missed seeing Eric's family!

Catedral

Mira here. Last night, after quite a long week of work, the citizenship staff got to play a bit at our Christmas party. We met at the Catedral Cafe in La Villita (Little Village--the primarily Mexican neighborhood close to our office), which has recently become famous for its role in the movie Stranger Than Fiction with Will Farrell. The building is castle-like on the outside (we haven't seen the movie yet, but in the trailer, there is a scene where the main character is yelling to the sky in front of the cafe) and the inside was transformed from a religious-themed cafe/restaurant to a trendy bakery for the film. Here's another pic. Pretty cool. You can see pictures of the filming and remodel on Catedral's website.

Here I am with Jesus, who sits across from me in the office.

There were gifts flying all over the place. This is Sonia, the director of the Citizenship department, and Luis. Raquel and Osvaldo are in the background.

Edel also works in the office and Carlos is one of 10 Citizenship Teachers.

Happy laugh-y Eric.


Today was a wonderful, restful day. We didn't make it outside until after the sun went down because we slept late, then cleaned the apartment, then left for the Y-- around 6:00 pm! We also got in a bit of holiday shopping (early for us, I know). One of our new favorite places is American Apparel, which offers very simple cotton clothing made in USA. Actually, every part of the process happens under one roof in LA--no outsourcing, no sweat-shops, no outside ad companies. And they seem to treat their workers quite well. You can read the company's mission, if you like. We're doing our best to buy local and avoid things "made in China" this year, especially after reading a sad article about the impact of the Cashmere sweater craze to the environment in some parts of China.

Hope y'all are having a meaningful Advent season.

Such great folks

Eric and I have been so thankful to spend time in the past several days with wonderful people. Life can be crazy and up and down, but we've been trying to make time for each other and for other folks that make us happy and give us energy. Saturday afternoon was winter beer-tasting at Delilah's with Josh, who just finished got PhD in bio-medical research but dreams of opening his own brewery. We determined that attending this event with him would be like going with Eric to a film festival showing documentary trailers all day. Josh was really happy. And thankfully, they let everyone in, even those of us who don't like beer :).

When the beer tickets had run out, we wandered up to Cousins Turkish restaurant, with the low tables and cushions all around, and plenty of room to recline once your belly gets too full to sit up anymore. After the appetizers and vegetable Mousaka, we sipped some Turkish coffee to get us going again.

We were already in the same neighborhood as the church, so we then wandered back down the street for the Advent party at the parsonage (where pastor Trey lives)--which happens to be directly above the church! It was so great to visit with folks over good food and mulled cider, and then squeeze into the living room, gather around the piano and sing carols. There are so many great singers in our church--I am truly amazed! I love singing in a group when I can't hear myself!

Sunday evening, while Eric worked, I went to the Women's Group Christmas party at Linda's house. There were 12 of us and we ate incredible artichoke dip and salads and other delicious things--including chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream (Bryers natural). This picture is of Linda with the cake and the trophy she won in 7th grade for the recipe (she is very proud). The cake contains an entire can of Hershey's syrup.

A few folks had already left, but here are most of us at the end of our lovely evening.

Last night, Eric went to a going-away party for Eddie, a co-worker who will return home to Mexico in just a few days. I couldn't convince him to take the camera with him (is there something not cool about taking pictures of your friends??) but he had a great time and I know Eddie really appreciated that he was there.

Usually (on Tuesdays at least) I just get up and go to the gym and then to work, but this morning, because Andy's friend Sachako is visiting from Japan, I stopped by his place. And from there, I met Joey at a coffee shop before we both took the train downtown. We always run into each other Tuesday mornings, so we though that today we would actually plan to meet!

We are so thankful for all of our new friends from church and work and old friends from all sorts of different parts of our lives. And of course for those who are far away, but with whom we have a deep, sustaining connection. We love you all!