The Girl and Her Dog

In anticipation of an upcoming bike race and a burgeoning hobby, I took an hour and a half ride through West suburban Chicago on Saturday. Armed with a bottle of water, my trusty helmet and the volume turned all the way up on my phone lest I miss a text, I slowly made my way from one suburb to the next.

As I traveled along the sides of several busy streets, I eventually eased into the quiet roads of residential bliss. But not before hitting a crack in the sidewalk and spilling onto the grass. Oops. Streets only from now on, she said.

I passed by El Sierra School, a second home from grades K-6, including the former Butterfly Garden, now affectionately known as Monarch Waystation. The playground area too hadn’t seemed to change much in the past 10 (!) years.

From there I traveled down Parkview Drive, home since always, and did some major creeping on the little blue house that will forever be mine. My final resting stop: McCollum Park, a park Frasier and I walked around many a time.

Cheers to myself for making it back home without fading from hunger.

Earlier this week, I came across a dog-friendly event through an awesome company called Fido to Go. The event, called Dog Days at Cantigny Park, is held each year in West suburban Wheaton.

As the website says, “For one day only dog lovers can enjoy a fun day at the park with their ‘best friend.’ Bring your dog out and enjoy a special dog play area, vendors from the dog world and some specially trained pooches to entertain.” Obviously, I was immediately intrigued.

But the best part: the Dog Olympics portion of the festivities. With events like Temptation Tower, Musical Hoops and Doggie Limbo, I knew Frasier wouldn’t stand a chance. But then I came across the Peanut Butter Lick and Kiss Off contests.

So several minutes and one application form later, Frasier was signed up. Now all we need to do is practice licking peanut butter out of a spoon in record time while seeing how many doggie kisses I can squeeze in.

Not exactly the look of a champion.

Wish.Us.Luck.

When I read yesterday that Borders was going out of business, it felt like a blow to the stomach.

I grew up taking frequent trips to the library with my mom, reaping the benefits of school book fairs with my dad and relishing a good story before bed. When I was little (okay, maybe now too) I would have rather spent my time reading a good book than socializing with my neighbor. I can still remember summer nights spent browsing through the bookstore looking for my latest treasure.

Sure, I can still enjoy a good book on an e-reader or iPad, neither of which I have, but there is nothing quite like the feeling you get when walking into a real, live, breathing bookstore.

RIP Borders.

If my future house has a room like this, that would be alright with me.

{All images via pinterest}

Over the weekend I was lucky enough to catch up with two old (relatively speaking) friends from college. [She said as though she’s been out of college for years.] There is nothing like meeting up with someone who you haven’t seen in weeks, months even, and being able to pick up right where you left off. I am lucky to know such lovely and talented ladies. With one about to close on her first condo and the other teaching English in Costa Rica, I am in good company.

I started off my weekend with a midnight showing of the final installment to Harry Potter. While I was initially dreading seeing such a late show since I can barely keep my eyes open past 10:30 during the week, the movie more than made up for itself.

If only the same could be said for a Goose Rita. What is a Goose Rita, you ask? A margarita from Goose Island. While Goose Island has some worthy food (I recommend the vegetable chili) and some decent (I assume) craft beers (gross), their margaritas may need some work. Maybe.

Confession: I consistently order $5+ drinks that I think sound good, and then can’t drink more than 1/4 of them.

A problem my Gram just does not have. With the steamy weather this weekend, she was more than happy to accept a cool treat in the form of a chocolate Frosty from Wendy’s. Her face when she gets an ice cream treat is priceless. But not as amusing as when she falls asleep at the table.

Also priceless, er I mean grossly overpriced: homes in Hyde Park. After taking a tour of the Hyde Park and Kenwood neighborhoods on the South side of the city, I was more than impressed.

Aside from the homes however, I was unsure of what else HP had to offer, and so my quest for the perfect Chicago neighborhood continues.