Good morning!
Last night was filled with email catch-up, unpacking, laundry, and finally the most recent Lie To Me episode! A nice mixture of work and play.
I realized that I forgot to show you a few of my favourite pictures of the trip! These pictures were taken by Eric on Friday night when he went out to explore the city.
![20100813-IMG_0204 20100813-IMG_0204](/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/20100813IMG_0204.jpg)
I forgot to mention, but the Congress Hotel that we stayed at is supposedly haunted! I will verify that while I am not a ghost believer, I did hear the ghosts on Saturday night at 2am. It wasn’t pretty.
![20100813-IMG_0192 20100813-IMG_0192](/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/20100813IMG_0192.jpg)
The gorgeous fountain near the hotel is below. At night they play classical music and the fountain changes colour according to the song. Eric and I went there one night and just sat by the bench and it was so romantic.
![20100813-IMG_0194 20100813-IMG_0194](/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/20100813IMG_0194.jpg)
![20100813-IMG_0195 20100813-IMG_0195](/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/20100813IMG_0195.jpg)
![20100813-IMG_0198 20100813-IMG_0198](/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/20100813IMG_0198.jpg)
I love this picture below so much. It looks straight out of a movie or something.
![20100813-IMG_0202 20100813-IMG_0202](/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/20100813IMG_0202.jpg)
And now for my first homemade breakfast in a week. I was waiting for this moment to get back in my kitchen. Nothing beats it. I can’t wait to start creating recipes again.
Eric was looking forward to his beloved Nature’s Path Raisin Bran cereal too! :) He has already had it twice since we got home. He says it is his ‘comfort food’, lol.
First things first, we lost an hour of sleep last night with the time change, so I needed to pull out all the stops today.
Meet my newest tea love:
![20100819-IMG_0499 20100819-IMG_0499](/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/20100819IMG_0499.jpg)
This would be Samurai Chai Mate loose leaf tea from Teaopia. It tastes SO good. It basically tastes like Fall in a cup. A bit spicy, a bit cinnamon flavoured, and super comforting. I know you probably don’t want to hear the word Fall right now, but trust me when I say this is the perfect Fall tea. No sweetener or milk is required for it to taste amazing either.
The salesman told me that it has as much caffeine as coffee! I knew this would be a perfect tea for those mornings when I need an extra boost.
![20100819-IMG_0501 20100819-IMG_0501](/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/20100819IMG_0501.jpg)
I definitely had tons of energy after drinking a cup! I am almost bouncing off the walls- but in a good way. ;)
![20100819-IMG_0485 20100819-IMG_0485](/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/20100819IMG_0485.jpg)
I chose Pumpkin Pie Vegan Overnight Oats for the first breakfast at home. (PS- I have now added this recipe on my Recipes page, sorry I did not put it up last week).
![20100819-IMG_0489 20100819-IMG_0489](/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/20100819IMG_0489.jpg)
Loved using my new wooden twig spoon from Anthropologie!
![20100819-IMG_0491 20100819-IMG_0491](/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/20100819IMG_0491.jpg)
![20100819-IMG_0493 20100819-IMG_0493](/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/20100819IMG_0493.jpg)
I topped the pumpkin VOO with some swag bag food- Barney Butter and cranberries.
Oh Barney, it has been WAY TOO LONG!!!!!!!!!
![20100819-IMG_0496 20100819-IMG_0496](/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/20100819IMG_0496.jpg)
For some reason, I don’t remember coming across the Barney Butter in Chicago! It is probably best that I don’t have it in the house though….
![20100819-IMG_0484 20100819-IMG_0484](/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/20100819IMG_0484.jpg)
Work beckons me. I think I am in the hole about 500 Glo bars at this point. Luckily I have the Samurai tea in me today. :)
![20100819-IMG_0483 20100819-IMG_0483](/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/20100819IMG_0483.jpg)
As my dad always says, ‘Another Day, Another Dollar!’
Today is a ‘rest’ day off exercise for me. I missed my 10 mile long run while I was away on vacation so I am hoping to squeeze it in the next couple days.
Enjoy your day. :)
Loving the spoon! Good luck with the baking :)
Just yesterday I was looking for that recipe on your page! No worries, because I found it with the search. Funny though!
Mmm I’m always on the lookout for good chai teas! I’ve tried so many, but I still haven’t found a favourite yet.
You were in my dream last night, too! I made your patty pan squash recipe last night (delicious, by the way) and saw all your Chicago pictures (I live here!). We were on some kind of road trip in my dream, and you offered me a Glo bar. It was the most delicious thing I’ve ever had. I guess that means I need to order some as I’ve been drooling over them for months!
I love all of yours and Eric’s pics of Chicago. When I read you were on the way to my city, I knew your photos would be stunning. I’m so happy you enjoyed it and also found some vegan restaurants. I haven’t even heard of some of those, so I definitely have them on my list!
Good luck with all the orders!
First – I just recently came across your site and I love it! I plan to spend a lot of time here.
Second – Your posts make me crave hot tea so much! I need to try loose leaf tea and kick the bag habit.
Third – I’d love to hear about your ghostly experience. I’m not sure if I believe in ghosts – but I’m fascinated by the idea of them. Not that I ever want to meet one…