The Magic Hour

Rodger's Park Beach at Sunset

Karma the dog.

Banksy and Little Goat in the Meatpacking District

Banksy's hommage to "Untouchables."  

After checking out the Banksy head around the corner to Little Goat bakery, dinner and cafe for some amazing food, pastries or coffee.  Current selections include crumpets with chorizo maple syrup, shrimp and cheesy grits, and fat elvis waffles.  Stephanie Izard, winner of Top Chef season 4 is the executive chef and Little Goat as well as Girl & The Goat. 

Yet another reason the struggle to stay svelte is real in Chicago.  

Mil-Wah-Kay

Depending where in the city your at, it can take as long to get from one end of Chicago to the other as it can to get to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Milwaukee has an interesting vibe and a much more laid back feel than Chicago.  I have yet to visit MKE when it is not cloudy and overcast, which makes it perfect for visiting Colectivo Coffee (http://colectivocoffee.com).  Their cortados and espresso shakes are worth the drive alone.  Colectivo's lakefront location is in an old pump room where you can still see some of the old machinery alongside coffee roasting equipment.  

The Pabst, yes as in PBR mansion is also in Milwaukee, as well hundreds of beautiful old chapels, churches and a basilica.  Leon's frozen custard has been a Milwaukee landmark since 1942.  Grab some cinnamon custard, bask in its creamy goodness and you'll be back to the city in no time feeling refreshed and dairylishious.

And of course a visit to the Cheesehead state would not be complete without a stop at one of it's cheese factories, marts, emporium's or castles where you can purchase hundreds of kinds of cheese as well as cheese popcorn, cheese pastries, and cheese curds and lots of sausage.  The Mars Cheese Castle even has a pub, because what goes better with cheese than a pint?    

The Tough Streets of Chicago by Rico Avila

Tough Streets Of Chicago

Tough streets of Chicago, you made me who I am.
Tough streets of Chicago, for me you had a plan.
You forced me to observe, what kids my age did not.
You taught me to look and see, always looking for a plot.
You taught me to react, and kept me on my toes.
You taught me to examine, the actions of my foes.
You forced me to react, in situations dire.
You made sure I would function, when I came under fire.
You made sure I was tough, made sure I'd understand,
the skills that I would need, when I joined uncle Sam.

Tough streets of Chicago, I almost went insane.
Tough streets of Chicago, you caused me so much pain.
You made me grow up fast, always dodging death.
You made me run from danger, could hardly catch my breath.
You took most of my friends, why, I'll never understand.
You made it possible to count, all my friends on one hand.
You took them in their teens, you took them very young.
You took them way before, to live they had begun.

Tough streets of Chicago, my tour is almost up.
Tough streets of Chicago, with your gangster posting up.
Tough streets of Chicago, can't get you off my mind.
Tough streets of Chicago, I miss those streets of mine.
Tough streets of Chicago...............................

Andersonville

Welcome to the hood La Colombe!

Thrift shopping at The Brown Elephant

The best Swedish breakfast at Svea.

Brimfield for all of your holiday needs.