Mesabi Iron Range

Bill went to the Mesabi Iron Range yesterday, of course I'm posting this from Los Angeles because he hasn't posted pictures or sent me any pictures. So let's use our imaginations and pretend we were there! According to Bill the Mesabi Mine is the largest open pit mine in the country, the world? Hmm - I don't remember.

Food In a Jar

Can't tell you why but my new fascination is with picnic-in-a-jar recipes. How can I resist this? Why wait for a picnic to have a meal in a jar?

Architecture

The Spire along the Chicago skyline.

Karen in Rome, in front of the Coliseum.

The Spire is planned for the Chicago skyline. The hole has been dug and they ran out of money. I'm glad because anything that phallic doesn't belong on any skyline. While we were gallivanting around Chicago, Karen, Craig and the kids were in Rome!

Rick Bayless Trifecta

a Torta from Xoco

Bill and Trio, Trio, Trio Ceviche - Frontrera Grill

Bill's Seafood - Topolobomo

Bill's appetizer - Topolobombo

Dessert, Sweet Corn Tamal - Topolobombo

Bill's Tortilla Soup - Topolobombo

Lynn's Fish Course - Topolobombo

Bill's Taquitos - Frontrera Grill

Lynn's Tamal Azteca - Frontrera Grill

Lynn's Lobster Bisque - Topolobomo

Lynn's Mole Negro Pork Tenderloin - Topolobombo

We managed to stage a Rick Bayless Trifecta in Chicago, eating at Xoco a diner, Frontrera Grill a casual restaurant and Topolobombo a sheshe restaurant. Xoco's tortas were great but Frontrera Grill was our favorite. Topolobombo was a little to highbrow for us -- we're glad we did them all!

The Reliance Building

The Reliance Building at 32 N. State Street, is the first skyscraper to have large glass windows that make up the majority of its surface area, a feature of skyscrapers that would become dominant in the 20th century.

a visit to the Art Institute of Chicago

The Bedroom

The Impressionists exhibit, reminded me of the Musee d'orsay - Seirrat, Monet, Latrec and Van Gogh. I still think the Waterlilies are amazing. I am moved by the poetry of the letters Monet wrote to his brother when he was in the mental institution. I couldn't help taking a picture of Van Gogh's bedroom.

Harold Washington Public Library

The Chicago Architecture class walked to the Harold Washington Public Library. It was designed in 1991 as a memorial tribute to Mayor Harold Washington. The building has a lot going on, owls and winged things on the corners, Ceres the goddess of grain and a man with cheeks full of air to represent the windy city and a bizillion windows.