Happy Birthday Mom!

Cathy Week has officially begun. Usually National Nurse's Day, my mother's birthday, and Mother's Day all fall within a week of each other. It's great for my mom to get all the gratitude she deserves! Love you MOM!

I didn't have a photo of just her so here's one of both her and my dad. I hope you have a lovely birthday mama!

Spring Birthdays!

Yesterday was my sister in law's birthday and her boyfriend Craig had a nice BBQ in her honor in the park. Delicious ribs and brisket were enjoyed by all as well as a lovely red velvet cake.

Unfortunately the weather did not really participate. It was cold and a bit overcast most of the day but we didn't let that stop us from celebrating. My mother also celebrates a birthday this week but more to come on that later. Happy Birthday CLAIRE! 

Nice Nuptials

This past weekend my big little brother got married! Ali his new wife has been a part of our family for going on 5 years but now they are officially bound in matrimony. Per the usual I forgot to take photos so I'm borrowing one from my Dad.

The weather was amazing, the bride was beautiful as you can see and we had a jolly good time! Morning after we were having breakfast with the newlyweds and my brother says "Not to be biased or anything but that was the best wedding I've ever been to." It's good to think that about your own wedding I know I do!

Blown Away

Tuesday evening Peter and I went to Schubas for one of the best live performances I have ever witnessed. We saw Colin Stetson. He has toured with Bon Iver, Arcade Fire, Tom Waits, and countless others but he was flying solo on Tuesday. If you count a man and three saxophones as solo. He had in tow a bass, alto, and tenor saxophone and I was super giddy having never seen a bass saxophone in real life. It was almost as big as me as you can see from the photos below.

I like to think that I have a very eclectic taste in music but usually experimental music makes me want to leave the room. For instance the man that opened up the show was so terrible and at one point I had to go to the bathroom and just let myself laugh. I had a very hard time keeping a straight face throughout his entire set. Peter said it was good music to fall asleep to with ear plugs in. Thank goodness Colin Stetson came and saved the experience for me. 

Through multiple bizarre techniques like overblowing, circular breathing, and having a microphone strapped around his neck to pick up the sound of his vocal chords, he produces a multiphonic wall of sound that is by all definitions of the word UNBELIEVABLE! There were moments during his performance where I literally forgot to breath. 

Most of the things he is doing I have heard of but never seen executed successfully. He somehow has found a way to create a symphony of music with just him and one instrument. At one point I realized that there were 8 distinct different sounds coming out of the saxophone not to mention he was singing and the vocal chord mic was picking up this eerie lion like roar. I could write a whole book on all the different techniques he uses but I think instead I will just suggest that given the opportunity you HAVE to see him live. No words can truly describe what that experience was like. 

Happy Easter!

Peter and I spent a lovely weekend out in the suburbs having dinner and hiking with his family. Below are some photos of our adventures. 

Peter and I at the Giant's Bathtub in Matthiessen State Park

All who were in attendance from left to right Craig, Claire, John, Bernice, Me, Peter and Rob. 

It was a wonderful family visit with beautiful weather and very enjoyable company. While out hiking on Saturday I did work up a sweat which I haven't done in nearly 6 months. It felt good to be outside and outside of the city. Hopefully now that Spring is officially here I will have more lovely photos to share. These photos brought to you courtesy of John Tulloch. Thank you John!

Spring has Sprung

I do believe I can officially say that spring is here. Although I fear once this post goes out to the internet we will get a foot of snow dumped on us. I am contented to know I made it through one of the harsher winters in Chicago's history. Peter told me that it was kind of like Canadian winter a few days this season so I feel I could probably take on the great white north and survive through at least one cold season. Yesterday we broke 60 degrees and finally all the built up ice on the sidewalks melted. Today is a bit chiller but at least it's going to get above 50. It's interesting after such a wintry few months 50 degrees almost feels warm. I'm also very proud to announce that I only missed 10 days biking this winter. That I feel is a much bigger accomplishment. The coldest temperature I biked in this frosty climate was -5 degrees F. That's -20 in C which makes me seem more like a badass! Expect to see a lot more outdoor and backyard exploits as the weather warms.

The Missing Link

This past Friday my husband turned 31. Recently I found out his birthday, March 28th, falls on national food on a stick day. So of course Saturday night we threw a party in his honor with all food being served on sticks. The most plentiful bounty was the homemade corn dogs. Friday night we were up until midnight making homemade sausage.

Unfortunately I was too busy enjoying the merriment that I forgot to take any pictures of the finished corn dogs. It was a fantastic party and I look forward to growing another year older with Peter.