#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