#25 Noon 'O' Kabab

For out anniversary dinner Zach and I went to Noon 'O' Kabab on Kedzie. The food was beyond words. I had the vegetarian mix curry and Zach had the rib eye and sirloin skewers. We both had the dill rice, which was the best basmati rice I've ever eaten. The atmosphere was perfect for a date night, especially when you get a nice table by the window. I've been dreaming about that curry ever since and can't wait to go back. 

"Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery 

#24 Moher Public House

Before our trip to Ireland I wanted to go to Moher Public House in Edgebrook. Last Saturday we went with John, Kirstin, and Gunnar. The place has a cute Irish feel and free parking in the evenings. We will definitely be back, maybe for a little piece of Ireland after our trip. 

"May your right hand always be stretched out in friendship and never in want." - Irish Saying 

#28 Trattoria Trullo

After living in Lincoln Square for six years Zach and I finally ate at Trattoria Trullo. I've had my eye on this classy little Italian joint for as long as I can remember, but never had an occasion to visit. After missing the Groupon for a pizza making class here, we decided to use the coupon for a nice quiet Thursday night meal before heading over to the Thursday night concert in the square. 

"Italy will always have the best food." - Diane von Furstenburg 

#18 Go to an Auction

On our recent road trip to North Dakota, Zach's Uncle Peter took us to a real live auction. The auctioneer was so good, we could barely understand what he was saying. I was nervous when it was time for me to bid, but I did it! For $7.50 I won an Irish porcelain cup and a book entitled A Child's Guide to Freud (I couldn't resist). It was pretty much the best thing ever and now I'm going to have to find some auctions in Chicago. 

"It is not attention the child seeks, but love." - Sigmund Freud 

#27 Southport Grocery and Cafe

Today I did the first thing on my 33 Before 33 list. I went to Southport Grocery and Cafe. I've been hearing about this place for a long time, but just never gone. It's a cute little cafe right on Southport and Addison, with a bakery and a few groceries. Highly recommended. I had the spinach omelet. The artichoke dip inside it made it different than any omelet I've had before. Can't wait to go back.

"If you get the inside right, the outside will fall into place." - Eckhart Tolle  

33 Before 33

The new list is here. Last year I only completed 16 Before 32, so some of these have been carried over. This year, no exucses

33 Before 33

Writing

1. Finish draft of novel (with two revisions)

Books to Read/Listen To

2. Finding Your Way in a Wild New World by Martha Beck
3. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
4. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
5. Bright Side Up: 100 Way to Be Happier Right Now by Amy Spencer 

Things to Do

6. Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool
7. Alta Vista Terrace
8. Arlington Park Race Track
9. The Bunny Hutch in Lincolnwood
10. Irish Jam Session at The Grafton
11. "The Interview Show" at The Hideout
12. The Museum of Broadcast Communications
13. The Music Box Theater
14. Pickwick Theater
15. Ravinia
16. Six Flags Great America

Food

17. The Art of Pizza
18. Do Rite Donuts 
19. The Chicago Diner
20. Choo Choo Restaurant in Des Plaines
21. Flat Top Grill
22. Little Goat for brunch
23. Margie's Candies 
24. Moher Public House
25. Noon 'O' Kabab 
26. Pret-A-Manger
27. Southport Grocery and Cafe
28. Trattoria Trullo 

To Do List

29. Informational meeting at Adoption Center for Family Building
30. Wisdom teeth pulled (the appointment has been made, no backing out now)

Other

31. Contact an elected official about an issue
32. Memorize a poem
33. Plant an indoor herb garden

"Believe that you have it, and you have it." - Latin Proverb

#51 Go on the Summit Brewery Tour

I love anything from Minnesota, so the Summit Brewery Tour was a must for my life list. In June my parents and I visited the brewery and took the highly recommended free tour. 

Fun fact: My dad directed the news clip that they use during the tour. 

"A more meaningful brew." - Summit Brewing Company 

#24 La Fournette, #17 The Roof Deck at Gene's Sausage Shop, and #26 Eat Garrett's Popcorn

Technically I'd already turned 32, but I'm going to count these three things done on my birthday. I love French bakeries and La Fournette came highly recommended by Yelp. It's an adorable little bakery/cafe on Wells Street in Old Town. My only complaint is that they didn't have a brie baguette sandwich, which is what I really wanted on my birthday. My panini was delicious though.  

Me and Kirstin

Gunnar Enjoying his Croissant

Inside the Cafe

John suggested we go to the Roof Deck at Gene's Sausage Shop, which is also on my list. It is such a great addition to Lincoln Square and now that I've been there I'm going to go all the time. 

John and I on the Roof Deck 

Last by not least was eating Garrett's Popcorn. I've lived in Chicago for almost 10 years and never had it. Of course I had to get the Chicago Mix. It was amazing. 

Meg, Scooter and I with Garrett's

"Aging is the chance to make what is good, great and what was never so great, better." - Amy Bloom 

#12 See the Rookery Building and #7 City Target

Two days before my birthday I made one final push to complete some of the things on my 32 Before 32 List. One thing I'd been meaning to do for a long time was see The Rookery Building. Fun Facts: Designed by Burnham and Root, lobby remodeled by Frank Lloyd Wright.  

Below is the Burnham Library where the World's Colombian Exposition of 1893 was planned. Very exciting if you've read The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. 

Also, on my list was to go to City Target on State Street. The building it's housed in is the former Carson Pirie Scott & Co. building designed by architect Louis Sullivan.  

"The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes." - Frank Lloyd Wright

#30 Buy a Pair of Toms Shoes

My Toms came in the mail today. I've always wanted red shoes. 

"Reflect each day on all that you have to be grateful for and you will receive more to be grateful for." - Chuck Danes

#28 Change My Name on My Passport

It's in the mail. Now to plan the trip!

"May the road rise to meet you,

may the wind be ever at your back. 

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

and the rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

may God hold you in the palm of his hand."

- Irish Blessing 

#1 Join a Writer's Group

On April 16th I had my first "Novel in a Year" class at Story Studio Chicago. Until January 2014 this will be my writer's group. Together we will finish a draft of our novels and get through at least one major revision. I am looking forward to the camaraderie and support. 

"Have the courage to follow your heard and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary." - Steve Jobs 

#16 Knitting Class at Loopy Yarns

On April Fools Day I took "Introduction to Lace" at Loopy Yarns in Printer's Row. I was hesitant to go because I haven't been knitting much lately. The class ended up being the perfect speed for a beginning knitter like myself. I learned two new skills: decreases, yarn overs, and how to use stitch markers. There will be many more Loopy Yarn classes in my future. 

Current Project

Denise and Me at Loopy, Summer 2012

"Knitting is very conducive to thought. It is nice to knit awhile, put down the needles, write awhile, then take up the sock again." - Dorothy Day 

#19 Heartland Cafe

Today I went to Heartland Cafe with Kirstin and Bethany to cross another item off my "32 Before 32" List. The cafe was as cute as can be and the food was fresh and delicious. I had the Mushroom Philly Sandwich with fries. I'm going to have to go back again and try one of their breakfast dishes. Love a place that has more vegetarian options than not! 

"If more of us valued food and cheer and song over hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." - J.R.R. Tolkien 

#23 Hero's Submarine Sandwich Shop

Another thing crossed off my list this spring break. Today after yoga I went to Hero's Submarine Sandwich Shop on Western and Addison. 

The best sandwich I've had in awhile. Can you believe this huge sandwich only cost me $4.28? Will never go back to Subway again. 

"Sandwiches are wonderful. You don't need a spoon or a plate." - Paul Lynde

#21 Native Foods Cafe

I still have so much to do on my "32 Before 32" list and my birthday is only three months away. So, I decided to check some off the list while I'm on spring break. Today I took myself out to lunch at Native Foods Cafe on Belmont. The food is all local, organic, and vegan. 

I got the Portobello and Sausage Burger and the Moroccan Lentil Soup. I also had the Lavender Lemonade to drink. Believe me I will be back many, many times over. 

"The greatness of a nation and it's moral progress can be judge by the way its animals are treated." - Gandhi 

#8 Million Dollar Quartet

On January 31st Zach and I went to Million Dollar Quartet to celebrate 10 years together. The show was amazing. After it was over we immediately started planning when we could see it again. 

"All the world's a stage and the men and women merely players." - Shakespeare