Holiday Weekend

Thanksgiving came and went and the entire weekend flew by. It’s Monday already. Kim left yesterday for Europe, and Michael Anne returned to Madison.

We spent a very enjoyable Thanksgiving with the Handzliks. Hattie as usual outdid herself and made everything perfect. We still love her in spite of that. It was good to see so much of the Handzlik family together, and it was fun catching up. Susan and family were missing, but we talked with her on the phone.

Friday – up early (well, relatively) because Kim and Michael had to get to the Italian consulate in Chicago to make sure Michael’s visa is in order for next semester. We were joined early afternoon by the Andreuccis (Jim, Marie, Kate and Michael) then went to see some Chicago sights: Marshall Field’s (now Macy’s) Christmas window displays: Millennium Park, and in particular, Cloud Gate (www.millenniumpark.org/artandarchitecture/cloud_gate.html); and the shops and the Christmas decorations along Michigan Avenue. In the evening we all went to one of my favorite places for dinner: Big Bowl. It’s just around the corner from our condo and is known for its create-you-own stir-fry. Always fresh and tasty.

Saturday, breakfast with the Andreuccis at The Original Pancake House, noted for its apple pancakes, which, for some reason none of us ordered. That’s not to say we didn’t all have plenty to eat. Michael Anne slept in so that she wouldn’t be tempted.

Saturday evening, the three of use celebrated Michael Anne’s twenty-first birthday. A bit early, but she has final exams on the actual date. We went (by horse and carriage) to the Rosebud, arguably one of Chicago’s finest steak houses for Michael’s favorite meal: steak. Decadent birthday cake from Sarah’s at home after dinner.

Up early again Sunday to see and have breakfast with Dennis and Marsha Kuhnke and Jeff McDonald who had stayed overnight in Chicago after attending a wedding. Sunday afternoon – recuperate, pack, and catch a bus (Michael) or plane (Kim).

I think it was only as we were saying goodbye that Kim and realized just how quickly the week went by. We didn’t get everything done we had planned, and we didn’t really get a lot of rest either. That obviously won’t be a problem for me, but it might be for Kim.