Pretty bird

This cardinal was right outside my back door this afternoon, making August a little crazy.

Garage flowers

More flowers blooming by our garage. Looks more colorful than it did last month.

Successful shopping

Carson's is closing so I thought it would be a good time to buy B some Levi's, if he could find some. He tried on at least 15 pairs (what a trooper!) and found two that were identical that he said would work. The discounts made them about $22 a pair. Glad he found a couple that he will wear. I couldn't resist correcting this sign that was in the men's dressing room when B was trying on the jeans. Had to add an apostrophe and an "E" to the word your and had to add an "N" to thank you. Really? Wish I had my Sharpie.

Andy found a Tommy Bahama shirt. Guess we'll have to go back to Jamaica so he has somewhere to wear it.

L was very excited when E and B decided to transfer some birthday money to her account so she could go on a mini spending spree at Hot Topic. We had to have L back home so she could ready for work at 4 p.m. She worked the closing shift again and brought home even more baked goods this week - biscotti, cookies, scones, honey pie slices, part of a stone fruit pie, almond tea cake, cinnamon rolls and this:

A gorgeous Chocolate Cream Pie, the shop's specialty.

It was delicious.

Early anniversary dinner

After going somewhere else last year, Andy and I were back at Frontera Grill for our anniversary dinner. We took advantage of a gorgeous summer night in Chicago to go out a week early to celebrate. We didn't have to wait for a table at all and were offered seats at the chef's table by the kitchen.

I wasn't too sure I wanted to sit at the chef's table but it was fascinating watching them turn out so much food. And we saw Rick Bayless going in and out of the kitchen several times. In past years, I usually see him when Andy's away from the table.

Celebrating with margaritas!

We had the Summer Queso Fundido dip as an appetizer - creamy cheddar with smoked chicken, caramelized onion, huitlacoche and serrano chile.

Andy's entree was the Oaxacan Carne Asada - red chile-marinated prime ribeye with black beans, sweet plantains, homemade crema, fresh cheese and guacamole.

I had the Saturday night special, Costillas - chipotle-glazed pork back ribs, spicy-tangy slaw and cheddar grits.

It's hard to leave without dessert. Andy tried the Cafe Playa - Kahlúa, tequila, steaming Americano (espresso, hot water), whipped cream with a dusting of Mexican chocolate. That's quite a nightcap. We shared a slice of pecan pie with Kahlua whipped cream.

After dinner, we walked along the Chicago Riverwalk for a while and sat to watch people and boats go by. It was the perfect night to be there, but I wasn't wearing the perfect shoes to be walking all over Chicago.

A picture L took of us before we left for dinner.

Sweet 16 party

L has been preparing all week and tonight was the night of her Sweet 16/Christmas in July party.

The basement looked great!

The people at Costco thought we were a little strange when we asked for a Christmas-themed birthday cake, but look how cute it turned out!

Eight of L's friends arrived by 5:30 p.m. and Andy and I drove them to Yorktown Mall where they chose ceramics to paint. Every time we stopped back in to check on them they were intently painting.

L's friend, A, did a fantastic job on an "N" for her mom. We got the kids to leave the mall around 8:15 p.m. and Andy ordered pizza while driving so it was ready by time we got home.

After pizza, we had the kids sing "Happy Birthday" and cut the cake. L was a little scared of the "blow torch" lighter I was using to light her 16 candles.

All lit! Make a wish, L.

L and her friends. They're a really nice group of kids. They played some games downstairs before everyone left around 10:30. L has to be at work at 7 a.m. tomorrow. She was hoping to have a sleepover, but I said there's no way that would work. L and I drove her friends, A and T, home. On the way home L said, "Well that was a fun night. Thanks." Aww!

Andy's home

You know Andy's back home from a business trip when there are surprises on the dining room table. He's been gone to Colorado and California since Friday. He brought home lots of candy bars. Interesting that the three Snickers say Brat ... and we have three kids. Coincidence? I think not.

And he brought home L's purse that she left in his car, which was parked at the airport since Friday. The bad news was that she couldn't remember whether it was in his car or not. The good news, aside from being in the car, was that she couldn't spend any money for six days. When she deposited a birthday check from grandma yesterday the bank notified her that there was activity on her account which hasn't been used in days. Lol.

Sweet 16

L spent most of her birthday getting ready for her party on Friday. The basement looks like a winter wonderland. She even wrapped little boxes so she'd have gifts to set under a little Christmas tree. Aunt Allison stopped by and took her to Starbucks. L didn't have her birthday registered with the Starbucks app, but they did upgrade the size of her drink because it was her birthday and printed "happy birthday" on the cup.

Burstin' with blooms

These coneflowers have been blooming for at least three weeks now. It's the first time we've had so many flowers.

Warehouse sale

L, her friend A and I went to warehouse sale the other day for Paper Source. We fond this cute Christmas garland for $3 so L, of course, had to add it to the decorations for her upcoming birthday party.

I'd say our big find of the day was these pie soaps. We thought they'd make great Christmas gifts for L's bakery bosses - the shop specializes in pies - if she's still working there in December. We assume she will be, but you just never know. They retailed at $24.95 each and we got them for $5 each. We bought one pumpkin pie and two sugarplum. We also got some Halloween garland, Christmas table glitter and Christmas gift bags.

My working girl

L started her very first part-time job today at a local bakery. She was so excited. She worked from 1 to 6 p.m. She applied for the job while she was in Japan, sent them her resume and pictures of cakes she had decorated. They interviewed her when she got home, gave her a trial shift and then hired her!

Cute shop right by the Green Line station.

Since the bakery is closed on Monday and L worked the closing shift, they packed up some of the items to send home with her. They look absolutely delicious.

She even brought home a whole pie. There's no way I was going to eat that by myself with Andy gone on business. She decided to take it to her friend A's house where she's sleeping over.

Party decor

L has decided on a "Christmas in July" Sweet Sixteen birthday party so she and her friend, A, spent today carting in Christmas decorations and putting them up. At least we have plenty. They also strung Christmas lights all over the basement and decided it looks better with Christmas lights than real lights. Doesn't everything though?

L's pink Christmas tree is now in the dining room. At least until next Saturday.

Rude awakening

The sound of two cars colliding woke L up this morning. I was already awake and drinking some coffee, enjoying the quietness of the house when I heard it.

We're not sure what happened, but it looks like a car heading south on Ridgeland sideswiped a parked car (and broke its axle) and spun around because the street was wet from light rain. Both cars were towed away.

Puzzled

B started working on a new 1,000-piece puzzle today. August is not helping.

Saying goodbye

My old work friend, C, came over tonight and we went together to the wake for our former boss. We met his wife and she told us he used to refer to the two of us as "his little girls." She thanked us for keeping in touch with him and told us it meant a lot to him. Despite the circumstances, it was nice to see a lot of former Pioneer colleagues.

Cozy cat

Birthday(s) dinner

Andy and the kids took me out to Maggiano's for my belated birthday dinner. I had the lasagne and when you buy a classic pasta you get one to take home. I took home half the lasagna and a baked ziti that I'll have for dinner some night soon.

Since it was my birthday dinner, they gave me lemon cookies for dessert. Not sure why the plate says congratulations. Congratulations on getting older? I suppose.

I let L blow out the candle since she decided it should be her birthday dinner too. She wants to have a Sweet 16 party with a few friends so she thought we shouldn't have to take her out to dinner separately for her birthday.

You know you've been to Maggiano's when you come home with three bags of leftovers.

Maximo toy

We received a box of incentives that we got for renewing our membership to the Field Museum. August isn't sure what to think about this stuffed Maximo.

He's famous

Andy made it on TV today at the U.S. Senior Women's Open.

Craft show

E went to U of I for Greek Weekend, L was at a friend's Sweet 16 party tooling around Chicago in a limo and B was relaxing at home so Andy and I drove to LaGrange for its annual craft show. We were looking for garden decorations and couldn't decide on the few we found interesting. We were able to decide on stopping to enjoy a margarita on the sidewalk and watch the people go by.

Doesn't he look excited to be at a craft show?

Yummy queso dip.

Beautiful sunset