First Night in Chicago

Sweet Sarah and I decided our Christmas gifts to each other would be a short getaway to Chicago.

We got in late afternoon yesterday. After some awesome recommendations from Facebook friends (I love love love that people, literally around the world, willingly and quickly respond to an ask for recommendations!) we plotted our course and hit the town.

First, we headed to the John Hancock Tower for a drink. The line to the elevator was snaked around the hallway, so we both thought we'd have to wait awhile to get up there. And then it was anyone's guess whether we'd get a table at the lounge on the 95th floor lounge.

Surprisingly enough...we waited less than 5 minutes. And walked right in to an awesome seat. (Actually our first table was ok. But after about 10 minutes the couple seated next to us RIGHT NEXT TO THE WINDOW got up to leave. I, of course, without missing a beat insisted we switch tables. Sweet Sarah thought better of it. I insisted. We moved. Turns out Sarah was content not being any closer to the window...she's not a fan of heights!)

Here's some pics from up there!


After that we headed to Pizano's for a deep dish pizza. And it didn't disappoint!!!! (They also have killer margaritas! HOLY.MOLY!!!!! KILL-ER!!!!)

Today's agenda??? First some coffee, some time at the spa (yes please!), then hitting the Mile for some people watching, window shopping and the art museum!

A Blessed Christmas filled with Peace

May your Christmas be filled with peace. May you be surrounded by those you call family. And may you stop long enough to recognize the gift born in a smelly barn, to a teenage mother who probably couldn't have been more scared. Yet she shared her baby boy with a world that didn't want him, but certainly needed him.

As I read the headlines, listen to others' stories and reflect on the past year it's even more evident that we still need him....even more.

As we wait for his coming birth, may we in one voice say "Come. Oh, come, oh, come Emmanuel."

Sweet Sarah's Dream Dinner

She may have had it last night. Well, in theory at least.

On our way home from an appointment last night and stuck in Hahribawl (that's my Long Island version of horrible) snowmeggedon traffic we decided to get off at the next exit, grab dinner and hopefully avoid the rest of rush hour.

We landed at Melt. A famous Cleveland establishment----think grilled cheese on crack!

And low and behold, the special for the Month....wait for it. Wait for it. Waaaiiiit.....

First, let me say that when I met Sweet Sarah if there was a kids menu, you could be sure she was ordering from it. Chicken tenders? She'll take them. Spaghetti? Perfect! MACARONI.AND.CHEESE??? SHUT THE FRONT DOOR !!! It's her favorite meal of all time !!!!!!!

And fast forward a few years and now Sweet Sarah has probably crossed the threshold to Food Snob (or at least she's near the entrance). But. But. But let's not go too far. Good ol Mac and Cheese still reigns supreme for her palette!

Which now concludes my preface and brings us to last night. The monthly special? That's right. You probably guessed it.....

The Mighty Macaroni Melt!!!! A grilled cheese sandwich filled with deep fried Mac and cheese.

Look at this beast!

As you can see, Sweet Sarah was one happy camper!

It's Coming on Christmas

Look at this snow at the back of The Drayer! We are expecting 6 inches. Perhaps I'll break out the cross country skis tomorrow!

The Drayer

the drayer

I've had a couple people ask about The Drayer.  What is it?  Who is it?  Where is it?

The simple answer: The Drayer is our house.  

The longer explanation:  Built in 1873 the house was once occupied by Otto and Gladys Drayer.

     sidebar:  You don't often hear the name Otto.  But, strangely enough, it actually happens to be a family name on my mother's side.  My maternal grandmother's father was William Otto and his son's first name was Otto. (Did I get that correct, mom?)

(Equally strange....Otto Drayer was a signalman for the Pennsylvania Railroad.  My maternal grandfather was a switchman for the railroad.)

And here she is, in all her 139 year old glory!

  

Random Bits

Well, it's been a few days since I've posted.  I'm actually quite surprised at how intentional I have to be to keep this up.  Sitting down long enough to write thoughtfully (although, I'm not promising all posts will be thoughtful) takes energy and attention....both of which I seem to be short on of late.  'Tis the season, as they say!

Thought I'd give a few updates....

YUMMY!

I pinned this recipe quite some time ago.  And made it on a whim this week while I was working from home.  Try it.  I'm thinking it'll become a staple at The Drayer.  You know....one of those, "oh my gosh there's no food in the house and I'm starving but need something filling" meals.  I ate it plain with crackers as a side.  But I'm thinking it'd be good in a flat out.  Sweet Sarah can't wait to try it in a toasted sandwich!

Avocado Egg Salad

MESSIAH

Sunday I read in the paper that there was going to be a Messiah sing-along with full orchestra Monday evening.  Sweet Sarah quickly put together a plan to make this happen......(involving a downtown work drop-off, dinner reservations and a checklist of items----gift card for dinner, messiah score, etc).  

        sidebar:  Whilst also reading the paper, I learned that                    Cleveland has one of the top 3 symphonies in the world.  WHO KNEW????

the list

I'm proud to report I've logged 20 miles on the bike this week.  Just over 20 actually.  And when I say "the bike" I'm referring to this beauty

She sits in the basement patiently waiting for me to join her and spend quality time.  I'd like to say I'm a die-hard cyclist and get out in the cold weather as long as the roads are decent.  But the truth is....I'm not.  I'm just a wanna be.  maybe someday.  (note: completing THE LIST is going to require some die hard training days.  so time will tell.)

two non-movie recommendations

Our good friends were here over the weekend.  We all agreed that staying in and hanging out together sounded perfect.  In preparation we rented a few movies.  [Sweet Sarah would want me to clarify that I rented two movies. In my defense, I always feel like renting from Red Box is like "renting under duress"  You're outside.  It's cold.  You [I] don't keep up with ANY current trending movies or new releases.  ALL the pictures and titles look decent....at least from what you can tell since you didn't bring your glasses.  Then you realize there's a line forming behind you.  And people are waiting.  And you can't quite figure out the difference between a romantic comedy and a comedy if they both star Meg Ryan.  Does Meg Ryan do comedy?  I want to phone a friend.  But I can't.  The line is getting longer.  And now I'm cold.  And WHAT IS THAT BEEPING?  WHY IS THE MACHINE BEEPING?  WHAT DOES IT WANT?  AND...AND...AND...you [I] forgot your glasses and the glare and the squinting you're [I'm] doing isn't really helping.  AND THE MACHINE IS STILL BEEPING.  What?  What's that? No, No thank you little 9 year old girl behind me I DON'T NEED HELP WITH THE MACHINE!!!!  I've got this.  Fine.  Fine.  Ok, there are two in my cart. I've got this.  I do.  Ok, swipe the card.  Swipe.  Swipe the card. Slower this time, swwwiiipppeee.  Swipe the card.  Flip the card over.  Swipe.  sigh.  Vending movies.  Lord, I hope they come with a chaser!  Grab movies, wind my way past the line.  Into the car.  Sweet Sarah asks, what did you get?  Oh, the new comedy with Meg Ryan.  The one about the marriage.  With Tommy Lee Jones.  Sweet Sarah....you mean, Meryl Streep?  Ahem.  As I was saying.  Duress.]

AND....I digress.  Needless to say, here are my two DO NOT RENT Movie recommendations:

Hope Springs (yes, the one with Meryl Streep)

2 Days in New York

oi vey!  Not worth your time.

christmas preparations at the dryer

As usual, things are well under way here at The Drayer.  Sweet Sarah and I successfully turned out four pounds of peppermint bark.  At least a pound of it was shipped to my sister and her family in California today.  The FedEx clerk, after inspecting the contents of the box, told me it was likely to not make it to California.  She said it looked too good to ship!  

Next up....white cookies, buckeyes, thin mints and cut-outs!

Music expresses that which cannot be said
and on which it is impossible to be silent.
~Victor Hugo (1802 - 1885) ~

In all the extremes of emotions in my life--happy, sad.  joyful, sorrowful.  numb, stinging with pain.  In all of those variances I am drawn and comforted with music.  

In those moments in life when I'm left speechless, sometimes there is silence.  And the silence speaks.  It works.  It expresses what can not be expressed or made tangible.  

Most often, though it's music.  

Today, after hearing about the unspeakable tragedy in Connecticut my prayers come in songs.  Lyrics.  And moving instrumentals.

First this by the amazing songwriter Alice Parker (I tried to find a video of this piece, but was unsuccessful.)

When our lives are torn by sadness,
heal our wounds with tuneful balm;
when all seems discordant madness,
help us find a measured calm.
Steady us with music's anchor
when the storms of life increase;
in the midst of hurt and rancor,
make us instruments of peace.

Turn our sighing into singing,
music born of hope restored;
set our souls and voices ringing,
tune our hearts in true accord:
till we form a mighty chorus
joining angel choirs above,
with all those who went before us,
in eternal hymns of love.

I often think of these lyrics when I hear of tragedy or sorrow or grieving.  Perhaps because it came to me in a time of my life when I was grieving deeply.  

I love how she weaves the idea of sighing--an emotion of sheer exasperation- turning into something that slowly evolves because of hope.  Exasperation can be turned to a thing of beauty because hope.  And faith.  Who among us can't imagine the day when we are able to sing again with those who have already passed?  (Shiver!  The idea gives me chills!)  

And then, my next knee-jerk prayer(you know, the kind you're uttering before you even know you're praying?) was the ultimate (in my theological mind's eye) striving prayer for Christians...St. Francis's Prayer.  

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

I could write more, but instead I'll invite you to join in prayer with these beautiful children for all of those effected by the shootings today.

NH Now Children's Choir