Sewanee, Part 1

We got to Kevin and Pat's, and had to get re-acquainted with the family--Rocky, Maggie and Spike.

We took some time to admire Kevin's new shop, and walked around catching Lori up on all the new developments.

Then we had drinks and supper. We had grilled pork loin, butternut squash and butter beans--southern living at its best, with more to come down the road.

Next, it's on to Jacksonville!

Road Trip!

We got up early and hit the road--out of the garage by 6:15, and out of town an hour later.

Leaving the snow and wind of Chicago for warmer climes, or so we hoped.

We went through Indianapolis at around 9:00, Louisville around 11, and Nashville at 2:00.

We made Sewanee by about 3:30.

As we head south...

...we take one last, fond look at sweet home Chicago, where the snow is finally melting. It has been a long and snowy winter this year, and it's probably not over until May. But for now, for us, it will be over for about ten days.

We hope to blog from the road, but you know how that goes sometimes.

Oh, and here's a look at the materials for our bathroom re-do, which begins on the day after we get back. I think after a trip like ours, we'll need something to look forward to.


Hardy har har.

Phat Phun

Last Saturday night Glenn and I drove to Elmhurst College for their annual Jazz Festival. This night's performances were in the Hammerschmidt Chapel--it's rather weird hearing jazz in a church, and the booze service was really poor.

We heard three very good college big bands, and then Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band from L.A. took the stage at about 9:30, playing until around 11:30.

Goodwin and his band have scored and played in dozens of movies and TV shows, they have a number of CDs out (and a new one coming in the fall), and the various musicians are all among the top session men in Los Angeles.

Glenn noted that their showmanship reminded him of the old bands of the 30's and 40's, and they are by far the best big band I've ever heard in person.

I'm putting up a photo and a couple of video clips--not sure if the Powers That Be will let the clips remain or not, so if you read this and they are still there, get 'em while they're hot.

Meet Us in St. Louis

We got up last Saturday and drove to St. Louis, getting in around 3 in the afternoon.

We spent the afternoon and evening with Chris, Terri, Kaz, Max, Zak and Nini.

Chris made us fennel soup and some really good sandwiches for supper.

'Sno Problem

Like everyone else in the family, we've gotten more snow than usual this year--topping our average for an entire winter by 10 inches so far, and it's only mid-February.

This is a 14-incher from last week.

Superbowl 44

We had Glenn and Marlis over for the Superbowl, as we've done for a few years now.

We decorated a bit down in the basement, and had snacks during the first half.

At halftime, we had grilled pork burgers with a slice of sweet onion and broccoli-slaw.

And during the 4th quarter we had a ginger cake that Lori made, with some Cool Whip.

And the Saints won, which was pretty cool.