Hopleaf is a Belgian eatery with unique dishes like duck reuben, mussels and fries and, my favorite, the CB & J. That’s cashew butter, fig jam and raclette cheese on fried bread. On a normal night, it’s pretty darn good. After a day of feeling sick but going to six meetings anyway, it’s downright DELICIOUS. Thanks Hopleaf (and the hubs and C and B) for a chill night after a long day. Very fun.
year of fun
HAVE FUN. EVERY DAY. SIMPLE BUT DAUNTING.
Category Archives: Chicago Specific Fun
Day 161: LSAC
The hubs and I joined the Lincoln Square Athletic Club this weekend and today I went for my first work out. It has been a LONG time since I’ve worked out. Walking the dog certainly counts, but it is not as strenuous and focused as working out at a gym.
After a five minute bike warm up, I did 15 minutes on an elliptical. The bike was hard at first. My knees were not used to that kind of motion but I took it easy and it got better as I went. The elliptical was harder because I wanted to go in at 100%. I am a person who likes to do very well at everything I attempt, so it was hard for me to go slower and shorter than I have in the past. I had to remind myself that I will be able to measure progress even if it is slower than I would like.
Here are some of my workout goals:
1. Increase time on cardio machine each week building up to 30 minutes at least three times per week.
2. Try a spin class.
3. Try a “Ballet Burn” class.
4. Continue to feel good about myself as I work towards a healthier body.
Now, here are some things I really like about this gym so far:
1. There are a lot of machines.
2. Each machine has a little cable TV.
3. They offer a lot of interesting classes at various times throughout the day.
4. THEY HAVE A POOL.
On Sunday, I will be trying my first water workout class. This is supposed to be the best kind of workout a person with arthritis can do because the water provides a lot of resistance, yet there is little to no pressure on the joints. Expect a post about this.
I’m very excited about this new addition to my lifestyle. No more sitting around being secretly jealous of my many friends who are fit and athletic!
Day 137: Chalkboard
The hubs and I love Chalkboard, a restaurant in Lincoln Square. No menus. Just a chalkboard with the day’s selections in an elegant atmosphere.
Tonight they had a special. Choose the tasting menu and get the Chalkboard Salad, an appetizer and an entree in smaller, tasting portions at a reduced rate. We took advantage.
I had the Crab Croquettes and the vegetable (mushroom, cherry tomato, kale and brie) risotto. The hubs had the scallops and their famous fried chicken. Equal parts crunchy and spicy, the fried chicken is the hubs’ favorite item on their menu.
It’s our go to place for impromptu date-nights (like tonight) and impressing out-of-towners. The food is part French inspired, part southern comfort and totally delicious.
Day 134: We are the UET
I had an amazing college experience at the University of Evansville. It’s hard for me to put in to words how it changed me from a shy, theater-nerd to a confident individual. In high school, I often felt like an outsider, but in college, I found an inclusive group of amazing people who where passionate about theater in the same way I was (am).
Tonight, along with a fellow alum and the hubs, I hosted an event in my home for Chicago area UET alums attended by the Head of the department and another faculty member. When I was in school, I was close with both of these professors, so it was great to catch up with two of my mentors. It was definitely a fun evening meeting recent grads, new Chicagoans, and even a few seniors auditioning for grad schools and catching up with friends from my time at UE that I haven’t seen in way too long. Some folks from Milwaukee even made the trip down for the party!
Sometimes I forget how much fun and how life-changing college was for me, but one night with all these amazing people reminded me. I’m so grateful for that time in my life and am thrilled to see more alums making their way to Chicago and doing well.
Love the UET.
Day 116: Experiment
Elphie’s and my walk today was more like an experiment: can I take pictures with my new camera and walk her at the same time? The answer, reached via the scientific method of course, is not really. But here is a sample of what I photographed anyway, along with some others of E at home.
year of fun 
