A Cold Weekend in Chicago
The girls' Christmas trip came in January this year--less time to wait, but much colder weather. Hello, Chicago!
Daisy brings her little world with her. That's Big Ducky in her hand; he's her constant companion. He got to do a lot of sightseeing.
Yes, we went to the American Girl store again. Grandpa's Christmas cash was burning a hole in someone's little purse. The big eyes! The adding and subtracting! She bought a kitten she calls Parnell (the tag says Praline, who has time to read carefully?). And a stuffed monk seal. And two fancy outfits for her Elizabeth doll. And then her money was used up and she was very happy.
Free weekdays at the Art Institute! Major hit in the basement--the tiny fully-furnished rooms decorated in various periods.
And then: the opera house! Tickets to The Mikado. Clara and Bella know all the words. And Clara knows absolutely everything else about it. "Well, the Annotated Gilbert and Sullivan says . . . ."
We ate in the bistro right there in the building. You have to have a ticket to the performance to even get in the restaurant. So many fur coats in one little space!
Daisy had a new dress in honor of the occasion. Made from the same heavy cream silk as Bella's opera dress. They got so many compliments in their sister outfits--I imagine Bella's white gloves were somewhat responsible. Personally I liked Clara in her dark dress and red vintage gloves. She can so do elegant!
Then the Aquarium, then the fabric store, then the German sausage store, then fancy cakes from the cafe . . . .
And then home, where we had snow!
26 comments:
Parnell! What a hoot!!
I remember the fabric from Bella's dress - Daisy must look lovely in that. But I'm sure you all looked very lovely. And I'm glad you've got some snow.
Lisateresa
Looks like you had a wonderful time! You were really brave to go at this time of year!
What a treat! Such precious memories you're storing up with your family.
And love your barn owl -- looked for him in your shop, but alas, he was already gone.
Blessings,
G
Thank you for sharing all the little details! They paint such a lovely picture!
oh what a tease! I would love to see your dressups in detail :) Getting dressed for such a big opera in such a beautiful house. . .my.
My daughter is a teacher who can't find work teaching in Chicago, so she works at a sausage shop (they also sell wonderful international foods) called Gene's Sausage Shop. When I read this wonderful post about my home-away-from-home, I got a wee bit homesick. Thanks for blogging. And I agree, more pics of the opera outfits, please :)
Susan, Gene's is where we shopped! One of my best friends lived in the apartment right over the Book Cellar for a couple of years, so we always find our way to that neighborhood.
oh how very lovely! So happy you girls had some time:) together. Thankyou for sharing,
christina
So much fun! Do you have a detailed shot of Clara's outfit you might share with us? I would love to see the gloves!
In Christ,
Dawn
Oh, I love the Mikado! What a delightful show :) Personally I would like to see pictures of Clara's elegant dress and gloves! I was hoping to attend grad school in Chicago and was looking forward to getting to know the city - but I guess God has other plans for me :)
That sounds like a true dream trip for sure :). We have added the idea of giving our children "time" for Christmas after reading about your Christmas trips...this year it will be the American Girl store in LA for my girls, 5 and 7, and a hike and picnic for my 10 year old boy. The kids love the time spent with parents doing special things, and the parents love it too!
Looks like you all had a wonderful time! Is it possible to get close ups of your dresses? I'm sure you all looked lovely! Do the Composer and yourself get your own trips? What about the boys? I need to find out more about this Gilbert and Sullivan folk.
I just love Chicago. I don't live too far away from it but my daughter now lives not too far from Boston.
She and I were just talking about how most people on the East Coast have no idea what a lovely place Chicago is and all the great things to do there!
It was our destination for our last "family" vacation, before Stephanie was getting married and starting her own home (gads... ten years ago). :)
It all sounds like one of the best Christmas gifts to get... I would, also, like to see Clara's outfit! Well, and the sister outfits, too. :-) Please...
Glad you had good weather for your trip. We have a son going to school in Chicago, but we have given up on winter visits after too many icy drives. Don't you love the aquarium? (If it's not too busy!)
Lovely post! Is it possible to be envious and happy for someone at the same time?...Guess so. Hope Parnell stays out of the snow. :)I think you will have a revolt on your hands if we don't see opera dress pictures. lol
I too would like to see more pictures of your lovely dresses!
Oh can we PLEASE see pictures of the all the girls' dresses.
The big girls' dresses are here:
http://pleasantviewschoolhouse.blogspot.com/2010/04/wool-dress-for-clara-vintage-simplicity.html
and here:
http://pleasantviewschoolhouse.blogspot.com/2010/03/dress-for-opera-vintage-simplicity-3446.html
and Daisy's is just the simplest back-zipping long-sleeved tea length dress, I didn't even really use a pattern.
Thank you. :-) Those dresses are really pretty - I remember them, I only could not match them to the description anymore. I really love that pattern...
Nice to see a Jewish picture on the blog. :)
Sounds like a great trip--makes me miss Chicago.
Okay, I may be dense but ,Sarah Brodsky, what is the Jewish picture? I am dying to know.
Amy F.
Anon--On the Sabbath, Jews light two candles and traditionally serve challah (a kind of bread). It looks like there are candlesticks + challah in the second picture.
Thank you, Sarah!
Amy F.
Oh how fun! I love Gilbert and Sullivan! About the only operas I can tolerate. And how funny that Clara and Bella knew all the words.
I love the magical look in Daisy's eyes at the American Girl place. I positively love that store. Sounds like she had a good time there...hehe about "Parnell" and "Praline". Artistic license! :-)
Oh, and to Sarah/Amy...the Jewish picture is a picture of the Rebecca doll from American Girl's lifesize display at the American Girl Place. ;-) Rebecca is a Russian-Jewish immigrant.
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