a few of my favorite things

herbal medicinal teas-christmas tree smell-jergens lotion-getting my toes painted-being finished with christmas shopping-a clean house-jars of clay-scrabble games with the husband-salvation

A little bit of city...

Jake and I do not really live close to downtown Chicago, it is about an hour from our house on the train and it could be longer driving in traffic. However, going downtown on the train is one of our favorite things to do. Whether we are going to watch the Chicago marathon, visit the Field Museum or see a show, it is always fun being in the big city!

Today we were downtown with Nana and the Wright family- Jake's grandma and cousins. We had a delightful lunch at Miller's Pub and then walked up and down the city looking at the Christmas decorations and lights. (I will add that Field's windows are not as good as they were before Macy's bought them out. ) Everything was festive and it was a wonderful afternoon.


I thought I would add some downtown fun pics...

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

The pictures are a little out of order, but there is a picture of the house we live in. The windows at the top are our apartment. The we drove to a tree farm in northern lake County and cut down our very first Christmas tree together. They take you on a tractor with a big trailer behind it. You get off when you see trees you like (they educate you about each kind they grow as you ride out to the trees) and chop the one you like down. It started snowing on our way there and it was beautiful as we picked our tree out and cut it down. We came home, decorated it and now it smells of pine goodness. And we are both exhausted.

10 things that let you know it's Christmas...Con't.

5. It starts snowing 2 hours before it is supposed to... and... You almost die driving in a car without all wheel drive trying to get your Christmas tree.
6. Snow turns to freezing rain and makes it impossible to do anything outside.
7. Mickey Finn's has "Santa's Brew" which is an awesome beer brewed and served once every year during the month of December.
8. Christmas lights all around.
9. We have our first Christmas tree.