121/365 Chicago food tour with Joan and David

David and Joan.

Each year Eric and I get together with our good friends David and Joan.  They live in New York, we're here in the Pacific Northwest.  This year we decided to meet half way (sort of) in Chicago.  Our first day we went on the Near North Chicago Food Tour.  Part Chicago history tour, part architecture tour, and mostly a food tour, we walked about 2 miles, sampling at eateries and shops along the way.

At Ashkenaz Deli we made our own Reuben sandwichs with warm pastrami, sauerkraut, and beet dressing on rye bread....the best sandwich I've ever eaten...ever.

Tour guide Jessica teaches us about cinnamon at The Spice House.

At the Fudge Pot we got to go back to the candy making kitchen...oh, the temptation.  A family business for years, in this photo the third generation teaches the business to the fourth generation.

Apples waiting to be dunked in glorious vats of warm caramel.

The tour finished at Bacino's Pizza where we had stuffed pizza...bascially pizza pie.  One slice was a meal.

120/365 Moulton Falls

In late summer in Portland you view each warm sunny day as a gift A gift you want to grab fast knowing autumn and the rainy season could be here tomorrow. Saturday was one of those days, so we decided to try a new hike and went to to to Moulton Falls.  I can't believe I've lived in here for almost 9 years and I've never found this spot.  Beautiful and peaceful, with several easy waterfalls all in a short 2 mile hike, you can picnic, swim (in ice cold water if you dare), explore an old train station, and traverse some cool footbridges.  All this, just about 30 minutes from home...nice.

Someone created a large peace sign from rocks in the stream that runs from the falls....natural graffitti.

View from one of the bridges over the falls.  Liberty was pretty nervous crossing since she could look down through the grate on the bridge.

This railroad was built in the 1800's to transport logs.  The tunnel goes through the cliff.  It had no supports....just a hole blown in the rock.





119/365 Take me for a spin

Remember how much you loved spinning as a kid....even better when a strong grown up was spinning you around.  This little girl could not stop giggling!

118/365 Josh and Destinie

I had the opportunity to be the second shooter at a wedding last weekend.  The wedding was held at the home of the brides uncle.  The wedding was simple....the chapel was a gazebo by a pond, the pews..folding chairs, and the reception pot luck. Both the bride and groom have large families who were there to share the joy of the day.  I adored these families...diverse, happy, full of life and love.  Congratulation Josh and Destinie!

117/365 Bubbles

116/365 Palmer House Hilton

Beautiful lights at the Palmer House Hilton, Chicago.

115/365 Gospel Service - Chicago

While visiting friends in Chicago, Eric and I walked over to Millenium Park and stumbled across a gospel service in the ampitheater.  The singers were so joyful, so full of life, so full of spirit...it was inspiring and contagious.  I was clapping, dancing, and smiling, and I couldn't help but think that God, too, must have been clapping and swaying as He watched the joyful way these talented singers were honoring him.  I think if I had this waiting for me at church every Sunday, I may find myself there more often.

Little Andre is a straight A student, and this was his first solo.  He had a full choir and backup singers behind him.  Proud Dad, Andre Sr., was standing next to me taking photos...I can see why he's so proud.

These little girls were tapping their feet and wiggling in their seats until they couldn't contain themselves any longer and jumped up as Dr. Rebecca sang.

Aretha Franklin ain't got nothing on the powerful lungs of Dr. Rebecca.