Chicago 2015

It almost feels like coming home! 

After visiting this city for so many times I know my ways by now... though I still discover something new...

...like this new sculpture in the Millennium Park!

or a blue crab at the Shedd Aquarium!

A new viking exhibition at the Field Museum of Natural History

or the very unusual paintings of a native American artist!

Also unusual was the small theater (far away from Downtown!) where I took Jakob to see MacSith (a combination of Macbeth and Star Wars). His face says it all...lol

For me the highlight was (finally) visiting the Shakespeare Theater at the Navy Pier. They played Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility! It couldn't get any better than this!!!!

Another highlight: being together with my son who is getting taller than me!

Alone the view from The Institute of Art is worth the visit!

Last but not least: we enjoyed the company of our friends and some good food!

La Dolce Vita!

 

After almost 18 years we visited Italy once again. 

What a gorgeous trip! 

The places did not change (they are as beautiful as ever), neither did we...ha, ha. 

Oh, sweet nostalgia...!

Our trip started in Milan.

Next on the agenda: Florence! 

This was the view from  our window. We had a 12th century tower for ourselves. And a 360 degree view!

On the way from Florence to Rome we passed the Chianti region. 

The absolute highlight (for me) was to visit Villa Vignamaggio.

 Rome!

 Hotel Universo. 

We spent our honey moon 19 years ago here...

 ...and still going strong!

 On the way from Rome to Venice we had a nice lunch break in Todi (Umbria).

Venice!

The view from our hotel window...

A day in Padua.

Some things (and men) never change...!

And we need to practice to take selfies next time, ha,ha

La dolce vita! It's so easy to get used to it. And so difficult to leave it behind...

Make a wish!

Guess who's birthday was yesterday?

Joey is waiting for the spring...

We all do!!! 

The cartoon from our local newspaper shows pretty much our current situation...

Last Thursday:

Happy "Heart" Day from NY!

My husband still has a romantic heart... 

For Valentine's Day he got us tickets for Romeo and Juliet Ballet in NYC and invited me for dinner at the Lincoln Restaurant afterwards. Included was a black, flower printed  dress to wear it for that occasion. 

Of course, we had great time and the ballet was amazing.

During the intermission a very cool exhibition caught our eye.

The artist Dustin Yellin is from Brooklyn.
Definitely worth a visit!

Oh, winter joy...

I guess no comments are necessary here...

One silver lining: Olaf fished his newest masterpiece! Right on time before he've got too busy with snow plowing...