Monday, May 30th, 2011

Yesterday we had a great time enjoying downtown Chicago even though the weather started out pretty crummy.  Elizabeth and I took the train downtown along with Mike & Sara.  We had breakfast at Clarke's diner on Belmont (and a couple drinks).  About the time we sat down it started to pour outside along with lightning & thunder.  We were worried that they may cancel the baseball game, but luckily for us it was only delayed a couple hours.  In the meantime we decided to stay at the bar at Clarke's which turned out to have some cheap drink specials ($2 bud light or coors light draws), and the bartender was telling lots of funny stories about crazy people he had met in the bar.

Rain delay at Wrigley (2 hours, 34 minutes).

Sara, Mike, & myself waiting out the storm at Clarke's.

Outside at Wrigley.

 

At the ballgame!

The view from our seats...

The game itself was fun because it was a close ballgame all the way until the final out, and because the Cubs beat the Pirates 3-2!  We didn't get to our seats until the bottom of the second inning, and at that point the Cubs were already trailing 2-0.  Then soon after we sat down we were able to see Aramis Ramirez hit a solo home run to left field which got the crowd excited.  The other Cubs runs came from a pair of sacrifice flys from Koyie Hill and Starlin Castro. 

Of course we had to sample some of the treats at Wrigley field including hot dogs, nachos, pretzels with cheese sauce, and cotton candy.  We enjoyed singing "take me out to the ballgame" during the seventh-inning-stretch, and the "Go Cubs, go" song at the end of the game after the win.  That was the first time I've seen the Cubs win a game in Wrigley (I've only been to one other game).  In all it was a very fun day downtown.

Saturday, May 28th, 2011

First off, I'm very proud of Elizabeth today for running a 10 mile race!  She ran along with Sara Bauman in the "Fleet Foot Sports Soldier Field 10 mile" race.  We spent last night in downtown Chicago so that we could get up bright & early for the big event.  I was able to sit in the stands at Soldier Field and watch them both cross the finish line.  Elizabeth did very well, finishing with a time of 1:41:16. Unfortunately the rest of the day she has been walking around like a grandma!  Poor Elizabeth!


Tomorrow will be a very fun day downtown as well.  We have tickets to watch the Chicago Cubs play the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Ryan Dempster (3-4) is scheduled to start for the Cubs against Jeff Karstens (3-3) for the Pirates.  It should be a good game, and I'm really hoping to see my first Cub's win in Wrigley field.  However, the Cubs have not been doing very well against the Pirates recently, having lost 4 of 5 games against them thus far in 2011 including a 10-0 loss today (the Cubs managed only 3 hits).  The last time I was in Wrigley, the Cubs lost 14-3 to the Reds and gave up an amazing SEVEN home runs to them.  So a good showing by the Cubs is anything but guaranteed.  I'm not sure what to make of Ryan Dempster, who has an ERA of over 6, but has pitched well during his last 2 home starts against the Giants and Mets (winning both games).  So, being the eternal optimist that I am, I will predict a 6-3 Cubs victory over the Pirates tomorrow.  Even if this is not the case, I really hope to see at least one Cubs home run.  I mean, they have to respond somehow tomorrow after an embarrassing 10-run shutout loss, right?  GO CUBS, GO!

Sunday, May 22nd, 2011

Weekends go by too quickly... especially when you have to work on Saturday.  At least we had an enjoyable Sunday to make the most of the shortened weekend.  Here's a look at what we did today:

Elizabeth & I started our day off by going out to breakfast at Billy's Pancake House here in Palatine.  She ordered some chocolate chip pancakes with strawberries & chocolate chips on top, while I enjoyed a corned beef hash skillet (corned beef hash, 2 poached eggs, cheese, grilled veggies, hash browns) which also came with buttermilk pancakes.

After breakfast we met up with Timmy & Alana and spent the afternoon watching Bridesmaids and browsing through Ikea.  Wow I realize how girly that sounds as I type it.  Actually the movie was pretty funny, and I would say it is safe for guys to see.  Nothing you have to run out and see right away, but it had many laugh-out-loud moments.  Then shopping all afternoon in Ikea wasn't my favorite, but I was able to put up with it and managed to have some tasty Swedish meatballs while I was there.  Plus it was good to see Timmy & Alana, so it wasn't that bad.

Sadly, I'm just watching my Chicago Bulls lose to the Heat and go down 2 games to 1.  Come on Bulls!!  Get it together!!

Thursday, May 19th, 2011

It's been a little while since my last blog, but we've had a lot going on recently.  Last weekend we drove back to Iowa for some premarital counseling, went to Philip Michaelsen's 3rd birthday party in Ames, and saw lots of friends.  This week started out very busy at work, but then today I actually had a somewhat slow day which gave a much needed mental break.  Finally the weather is starting to improve, and I was able to enjoy grilling out again in the mid-70's weather.  Other things going on: it's still fun getting the wedding RSVP's each day in the mail, my Chicago Bulls are tied 1-1 with the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, we have tickets to go see the Chicago Cubs play the Pirates on the 29th, my sister is in the process of buying a house, and the wedding countdown is reading 51 DAYS!!!

So back to my motivation for today's blog... grilling 1/2 pound burgers :)

Ingredients for tonight's supper: 1/2 pound pub burgers, pepper-jack cheese, turkey bacon, kaiser rolls, and other toppings (pickles, ketchup, mustard).

Tossing the burgers on the grill.

Elizabeth working on the bacon.

Heating up the buns while the cheese melts.

...and EAT ME!

Sunday, May 8th, 2011

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

I hope all of the mothers out there are able to enjoy their special day.  I was even a good son and called Lynn this morning after I got up.  Then, because apparently all I do are good deeds, I went and gave blood this morning at 9.  In case Amy is reading this, here were my vitals this morning:

• Hemoglobin: 16.4 g/dl
• Blood Pressure: 122/64
• Temperature: 98.4 
• Pulse: 68

If I check my lifesource account in a few days, I will also be able to see my cholesterol level.  They really love me at the blood donation place since my blood type is O negative.

I was glad that the donation process went very quick and easily this morning.  The last time I donated was around July of last year, and it was terrible.  I'm pretty sure the last time I went the lady who was sticking me with the needle was newly learning how to do it, and on her first attempt she was digging around and adjusting the needle for probably close to 30 seconds.  Eventually that failed, and after waiting to see if it would take... and getting a little blood everywhere... her boss came over to help and was able to stick my other arm quickly.  So I ended up with a bruised right arm, and the whole thing was not comfortable.  I was very unhappy, and I was considering never going back to donate while living here in Palatine.  But I did go back to the same place today, and it was no problem.  One of the ladies there today was telling me how it was ironic how all of the staff that had to work today were mothers, while all of the younger ladies who are not mothers somehow managed to get the day off. 

I'm looking forward to game 4 of the Bulls-Hawks series tonight.  Go Bulls!!

Sunday, May 1st, 2011

Here's a little look at the nice supper we had tonight:

Starting ingredients for the scalloped corn.

 Lynn's Scalloped Corn:

• 1 15oz can cream corn
• 15 oz frozen or fresh sweet corn
• 2 cups milk
• 2 eggs beaten
• 1/4 cup minced onions (optional if Elizabeth wants some)
• 3 cups cracker crumbs
• 4 TBSP melted butter
• Salt & pepper 

Combine corn, milk, 2 cups cracker crumbs, eggs, onion, half of the melted butter, and salt & pepper in a baking dish and mix well.  Top with the remaining cup of cracker crumbs and the rest of the butter.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes uncovered. 

Ready to bake.

Sweet potatoes ready to be peeled, boiled, and mashed.

Sweet potatoes in the pot.

Nathan's all beef hot dogs & buns.

Of course it wouldn't really be grilling without a beer.  Kathy brought me these from Kentucky.  They're stored in old Bourbon barrels and have a higher percent alcohol than regular beer because of it.  

Dogs on the grill.

The dogs are done...

The final product: Scalloped corn, mashed sweet potatoes, and grilled hot dogs.  Mmmm.