A Taste of Bucktown/Wicker Park

This weekend was supposed to be a trip to Boston and NYC but that, long story short, was cancelled. And although I know we missed a celebratory wedding, I'm really glad I've had Labor Day weekend so sleep, rest, and EAT. My bucket list for this year near Chi-town includes checking off as many eateries as I can... nice restaurants, hols in the walls, dessert places, etc. So last night, Taylor, Linzy, and I began THE tour. After our siccessful evening, we've contemplated starting our own food tour in different neighborhoods. After reading this post, let me know if you're interested in the Bucktown/Wicker Park tour. It's our one and only...so far.

 We began at Melt around 4:45 for appetizers. Melt is a gourmet grilled cheese shop off of Churchill and Damen in Bucktown. Many sandwiches caught our eye on the school themed menu, and we finally settled on the San Antonio which contained roasted chicken (except they were out of chicken...whaa??), chipotle mayo (it MADE the sandwich), and some veggies on Olive oil and sea salt ciabatta. The ciabatta was crispy and flavorful and the chipotle mayo seeped out the sides of the sandwich so that it was a treat licking your fingers after the first big bite. We had a green-filled Warsaw salad on the side which was a good appetizer compliment. The whole restaurant was school themed and Taylor and I were right at home....

 We decided to take advantage of digestion time to walk off some food and shop at Wicker Parks thrift stores. But on our way to Buffalo Exchange we passed Covo, a new Greek stop that I had been wanting to try. Turns out, the grand opening is this coming Tuesday but they were having a FREE (that's right, we were skeptical too!) meal for an hour that evening. We walked by at just the right time and ordered a meal each! Greek salad, lamb gyro, and chicken gyro--an unexpected dinner to precede Antique Taco down the street!

 Gosh, what do we want??

 After trying to pass some more time with window shopping we headed to Antique Taco (top of Peter's list!). YUM, YUM, YUM. Vintage food shop. Old windows, doors, and mason jars were the decor. Fawn would've loved this place. Wooden signs directed you to grab utensils and sloth napkins and during a break in the Isaac deluge, we sat outside to enjoy chips and spicy guac ,chicken tacos, and AMAZING fish tacos. Peter said he thought they were better than the infamous Big Star down the street. I'd argue that Big Star's were crispier and a bit more flavorful but the whole atmosphere of Antique was much better!

 Fish tacos...

                                                                      Chicken Tacos....

                                                                                                                                                                   GONE.

We actually weren't full (Come one, we were swimmers... are we ever really full??) and the best was yet to come...Hot Chocolate for dessert. Despite the non-chocolatier in the group (I won't say whom...) we all ordered something we were desperately looking forward to and the 30 minute wait was WELL worth it.

Fresh French press coffee. Linzy taught me how to use the french press. Coffee is a new found interest and I am still very naive. But with half cream and a little sugar, I was set!

 Salty caramel, vanilla, and some other non chocolate ice crema for Taylor (whoopss...)

Peter's brioche doughnuts with fudge and caramel corn.

                                                                                              Linzy and my spectacular skillet souffle. Moist, rich chocolate with a scoop of salty caramel ice cream and homemade pretzel crisps. Again, GONE.

If that evening wasn't enough (could it ever be??), Elise and i went to another new favorite tonight, Coast Sushi in Bucktown. We did BYOB with a chilled bottle of white wine and were set for some mad sushi eating... 












White Dragon roll, the favorite.

 Rainbow roll.

Spicy Crunchy Tuna. And a few others. The only thing about sushi is it takes alot to get full, so we ate...alot. =) And we still had room to try a dessert place, of course. So, we checked out the Chef's Feed App to find that Scooter's Frozen Custard off of Belmont is a highly sought after dairy lover's spot. So off we went.

 Vanilla Swiss Almond was the flavor of the day. So, with cup in hand we sat our in the warm Chicago air, laughed, and ate... finishing our delectable evening. 

Darn light! But it says, SCOOTERS. 

Our foodie weekend was such a hit, SUCH a good idea. We decided our next food tour neighborhood would be Old Town or Clark Street near Lincoln Park. Suggestions for eateries are welcome... but Peter's on the research part. Obviously, he turns up A list courses!

Its been a month...

And that's a long time! As I came back from Israel, I really felt like I hit the ground running and getting the flu a few days ago let me know that I desperately needed rest! Although... I hadn't really noticed because everything I was doing I was thoroughly excited about and invested in. An area I really feel I've changed in (family can either affirm or deny this!) is enjoying the moment and worrying less about being in control of my routine/plans, etc. Admittedly, I still love my schedule but I'm learning to enjoy the moment. Spontaneity, you might say. Or Carpe Diem. But you get the point. The summer adventures have really been magnified with this viewpoint.

Highlights...

Taylor's wedding and time overflowing with joy of family and friends!

Time with family... my parents, Fawn and Tirzah were here for the weekend and beyond. What a blessing to have them in town to share about Israel, play games, be excited about the coming year, pray for Daniel, consider the Lord's faithfulness, enjoy solo time with Little One! have a wonderful Oberweis date with my sister and be girls...and just be family for each other during a challenging time but a time abounding with blessing. We missed you, Daniel.

The videos above are a precious reminder of a wonderful day Tirzah and I spent at Cosley Zoo!

And the start of school... and my precious new class the Lord has gifted me with this year. May I love them, serve them, and in turn I know they will bless me incredibly! 

 Watching Elise race her first triathalon in Chicago!

Starting a prayer group with friends, meeting new ones, and being so encouraged! 

Thankful.

Ahh... this morning, August 1, is the first time I've sat down alone and in quiet to just journal, read, and BE. This is such a gift. In keeping with Fawn, my mom and I's list of thankful's (after reading 1000 Gifts), I want to share some of mine with you from recent days.

*A wonderful time with Elise upon return from Israel. TO be back with a dear friend and have laughter was so refreshing. A highlight...getting caught in the pouring rain in Chicago on the Vespa on the way back from the gym!

*Time with Nicole and her husband Aaron, learning more about the city and trying a new restaurant.

* Walking to the market downtown

*Sleeping in a comfortable bed with glorious cool AC

* Driving my car

* Having a beautiful house to live in through the year.

* Walking with the Lord step by step and knowing His plan is perfect.

*Edifying friendships

*Solitude

*Reading the Bible and being able to picture the places where Jesus walked. To imagine how he felt in the heat and dirt and knowing how humanly fatigued he was at so many points.

 *Helping (well, watching...) Taylor move into her and Peter's new apartment and spending time together reflecting on her coming wedding and how faithful the Lord has been and will be through the transition to marriage.

*Talking about the Lord

*WATCHING THE OLYMPICS.

* Eating spinach, kefir, and dark chocolate covered alomonds with turbinado sugar from Trader Joe's. The three things I listed that I couldn't wait to eat in the States after Israel.

*Thankfulness for my brother's safety thus far and his service to our country. As I cry while I write this... Daniel, we love and miss you so very much. Stand strong, lead well. Set your eyes on the King and your jaw to the task....

* Being with Fawn on the phone, hearing Tirzah chirp in the background, and loving them from afar through this hard time. 

*Praising the Lord for the experience I had in Israel, all that I learned and experienced.

*LOVING how green it is here!

* Time with Linzy and Dan over a scrumptious flank steak salad meal and Olympic viewing.

* Looking forward to time with family.

Shalom.

Shalom Israel.

My last piece of Israel was a "shalom" from the El Al airline staff in Toronto. After going through U.S. customs, I've left Israel. Except for the Israeli goat cheese I have that has delayed me at multiple security checkpoints. Should be worth it though, with some homemade challah and za'tar spice. oh, yum.

Last iced coffee....and children. =)

Halumi cheese salad, my take on airplane lunch.

We departed Ashkelon this morning at 7am, or yesterday morning technically. Ahh, so long ago! After a full breakfast, we headed for the airport. I flew on a different flight than the Masters so we split at check-in, hoping to meet on the other side. We were doubtful, considering the hard time I had getting in the country. Thinking it would take the full 3 hours for me to check-in, I braced myself and headed toward to line with my bags. 2 hours later, I saw Jeffrey, Lucy, etc with Aroma Coffee in hand--not bad! So, we had a final hour together at Ben-Gurion before we parted ways. I was sentimental in that hour, as I thought about the memories we had made but also the ways in which I feel I fell short... patience-wise, mainly. I reflected back on my thoughts before the trip of service and can think of so many times where I could have loved more, given more grace, communicated more clearly. Grace for today, Renee, grace for today.

And so, I boarded the plane with 12 hours to reflect...or read. I think reflection will happen more after I sleep in the coming days. But sitting here now, I'm in withdraw. it's hard to switch gears. Like Starbucks not Aroma? But this chai tea is definitely keeping me awake for the next leg of the trip.That and Netflix in the airport.

Things I'm looking forward to this week... seeing Linzy and Dan when they pick me up tonight! Spending time with Elise tomorrow in Chicago (think East Bank Club followed by Field Museum), spending the night at Taylor's new apartment for multiple nights! And... the Olympics!!

Shalom, friends.

Last Day

 

Last day… I woke up this morning feeling sad, knowing that this was the last day to do so many things:

-eat an amazing Israeli breakfast in the dining hall
-walk to the dig and see friends
-go to the pool and laugh at/dance with the entertainment team
-hear my favorite Israeli pop song and dance to it with Lucy…
-eat an ice cream at the Russian market. MAGNUM GOLD, the best Beligian ice cream invention.
-count the minutes until 1pm lunch only to find the same thing to eat… chicken and veggies.
- travel to the mall for an Aroma ice coffee and fresh gummies
- read Ramona Quimby with Jeffrey and Lucy
- see Nicole and catch up on the events of the day, ie. Social dynamics.
- whiz down the hallway on my blue Razor scooter
- shower 3x from sweat, pool, and dirt.
- hangout and talk in the hotel rooms
- listen to 90’s music blasting from the poolside
- sit on the balcony with a drink in the evening
- play “surf” with Jeffrey in the pool
- starve until dinner at 7pm only to find a delicious spread of chicken, mystery meat, and veggies. Again.
- Be in Israel, soak up culture here, chat with new friends, and learn so much about parenting.

A few of the many things I’ll miss. But that said, I’m excited and ready to be back in America, home. The Lord has been so faithful to give grace for THIS day, THIS moment. I think back to the hours that I didn’t think would pass or a tantrum that seemed to get worse, and He was faithful.

zebra at the Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem

The past week

 This past week has been normal, if there is a real normal in the short time I've been here. The kids are mine from breakfast to lunch at 1pm, then I'm off until 4 and with them till 6, more or less. Jeffrey, Lucy, and I are getting into more of a routine: swimming at the beach (although there's jellyfish now!) or pool in the morning, playing UNO and other games until lunch, then having reading and park time in the afternoon. They love to play hide and go seek and as I'm always the hider, I've found the most elusive places on the beach. =) I thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon together yesterday as they were both in such good spirits and wanted to climb everything.
 
Some other favorite activities: pedicure time! Lucy and I have given some of the diggers a massage and polish after a long day. She really enjoys making things beautiful.

Dancing! I tried to upload some videos but they may have to wait for a better connection. Jeffrey is starting to break dance and I'm trying to learn some of the choreographed dances to Israeli songs that the entertainment team here at the Dan Gardens has been teaching the kids. At first Jeffrey and Lucy were so embarrassed when I joined in the dancing but now they want to learn our favorite "la la la" dance too.

So, much more time to myself and it's been great to socialize and read more. I'm more of an extrovert that I've thought as I'm choosing to spend time with people rather than be alone reading. I'm not sure whether its the environment where everyone/thing is new or what but regardless, I'm really enjoying the social aspect of the dig.

As far as reading, I'm re-reading Quo Vadis (wonderful book!) and starting Forgotten God by Francis Chan (and co-authored by a family member Danae Yankoski!). Forgotten God is already very thought provoking and convicting. Highly recommend.

Nicole and I, laughing over poses in our crazy Jerusalem pants.

view from the beach near the hotel. Going to miss it.

Off to the mall this morning to buy glue for crafts and essentials for the trip home! Can't believe we leave in 3 days, still processing all that has happened and all that I've learned. Been so thankful for Nicole, and all that I've been able to verbally process with her about parenting and a few challenging situations. Again, more to come...