Christkindl market Chicago

I went with my neighbor to Christkindl market in Chicago's Daley Plaza. It was my first full day exposed to the cold. I didn't really mind it.

First hot dog in the city

After getting some Hot Chocolate and some fantastic glass ornaments we headed over towards Macy's to do some shopping.

 Macy's windows

The Walnut Room

6 of the 8 retail floors of Macy's

Christmas Lights

JP and I headed out to go check out this crazy house I heard about. It was insane!!!

Giving thanks

Today is a day to reflect on all the goodness in my life. I have so much to be grateful for and I am more appreciative of it now than ever. 

I'm grateful for family. They have made me who I am today and have always supported me in all of my decisions both good and bad. 

I am grateful for friends. They listen when I need someone to talk to. They keep me company when I am lonely. They offer guidance when I feel lost or confused. They make me laugh when I am sad. They tell me I'm wrong and keep me in line when I start to deviate from my true self. 

Most of all, I am grateful that my family are my friends and my friends are my family. 

I am grateful for work even though it's not my favorite job, it has given me this great opportunity to live in a new place. 

I am grateful that I have finally decided in what I want to do when I grow up. It has given me the drive and motivation that I have been missing in my work. Although I have a lot of work ahead of me, I finally feel like I'm moving in the right direction with my career. 

I am grateful for my dog. He has taught me what true loyalty and unconditional love is. No matter how much I leave him or ignore him, he is always there with a wagging tail wanting my love. 

I am grateful for my faith. 

I am grateful for good people who open their homes to a stranger so they they aren't alone in a holiday. I felt like I was part of the family. 

Officially a resident

It only took a month for me to finally cave in and put them on but... Illinois plates!!!

Cloud Gate

Since we were already in Millennium Park, I wanted to cross one of my "Top things to see in Chicago" off the list- the bean. Apparently, if you're a local, you call it the bean and not it's real name-Cloud Gate. I'm not sure that I consider myself a local yet but it's definitely home for now.

Stanley Cup

I kissed the Stanley Cup!!

The Blackhawks and the City of Chicago hosted a public viewing of the cup at the Jay Pritzker pavilion in Millennium Park. I talked Becky into waking up early (she works 2nd shift) to go with me. She is a die hard Hawks fan so it didn't take much persuasion.

After 3 hours...still a long line

More in line behind us to see the cup...and Chicago in the background

It lasted a split-second and went like this...

It's the cup!!

Going in for the kiss

Almost kissing her hand

A bit of confusion

Done!

I love her face!!!

It was an awesome experience!!! Totally worth the long wait! I can mark another thing off my bucket list...Kiss Lord Stanley. Plus, how many people do you know that can say they took a selfie with the Stanley Cup??

Oberweis Dairy

There are a few things that are totally Chicago. Stuffed pizza, italian beef and Oberweis Dairy. My co-workers were going on and on one day about how they love Oberweis' ice cream and milk. They have a store about 10 minutes from my apartment so I decided to venture out and try it. I usually get organic milk because it may take me a month to go through a carton. I was hoping that since they bottle the milk in glass it may last as long as well. It didn't need to...it was gone within 2 weeks.

A pint of ice cream was a bit pricey so I opted for an ice cream sandwich. It would be an awesome spot for a date or after church with kids because they make real sundaes and other ice cream treats! You could definitely tell it was homemade ice cream.

 

It was actually really good! A little sweeter and it stayed super fresh in the glass bottle. I felt like I stepped back into the 50's. They have a home delivery service for milk. I was surprised that anyone did that anymore. Only in Chicago!!

Holy Family Church- Chicago, IL

A few weeks back, I went to mass with my neighbor at Holy Family. It was pretty neat going to a church that she grew up around. She hadn't been back in 40 years. The church is in Little Italy- South Chicago. It's right around the corner from the University of Illinois. The church is one of the few buildings that survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
 

A shrine to Our Lady of Perpetual Help and 7 candles lit because the church was spared by the Great Chicago Fire

After mass, we went around the corner to a well known Italian lemonade stand to the locals in the little Italy neighborhood. It opened in 1954 and has been open ever summer since then.  

We sat on the steps to a building across the street and people watched while we had our lemonade. It was awesome!! I felt like a local!!