Hello! Today is the day I head back to Chicago, so now I’m going to fill you in on my last weekend home until (probably) Thanksgiving. It was a great one, but very go-go-go. Even though we started off in pretty good shape packing-wise… well, there was still plenty to do. Let’s chat!
My dad was away on Thursday night, so my mom and I headed to P.F. Chang’s for our last girls’ night.
We shared lobster tacos as an appetizer and Kung Pao shrimp with brown rice for the entree. I’ve never had fried lobster, but this was done perfectly. It was a tad spicy and lightly crispy. And I love their Kung Pao. Dessert was a flourless chocolate dome, which was incredibly smooth and chocolatey, and pretty much everything a chocoholic looks for in dessert. We spent the remainder of the evening shopping for my mom’s new office and relaxing.
I ran some errands on Friday morning before my mom and I got pedicures.
We came back and watched Homeland with my dad before meeting my grandparents at Polaris Grill for dinner.
We all shared chicken tenders, shrimp cocktail, crab cakes, herbed bread, and quesadilla for an appetizer. The appetizer actually probably could’ve been our meal – it was huge – but then we all would’ve missed out on some excellent entrees. 😉
I had the Grilled Salmon Oscar and it was some of the best restaurant salmon I’ve had. Also, anything topped with crab meat has my name allllll over it.
I had an early haircut on Saturday and more errands to run. Actually, I just needed to go pick up my contacts and ended up driving around in a huge circle because there have been power lines down all weekend. Fun stuff. Then, I came home and cuddled with my dog. I’m going to miss her. ❤️
And then… more errands! See, I needed some kitchen supplies. That is, I needed almost all kitchen supplies. After a lot of shopping, I think I now have a full starter set of cookware and bakeware and dishes. That’s good and it was fun, but it was also a teensy bit overwhelming. I think it means I’m almost a grown-up or something?
We then came home and started watching football (the Buckeyes dominated!).
{My mom took this picture of the cousins last weekend. Some of my favorite people are in those jerseys. ❤️}
We also ordered really yummy pizza for dinner. Pizza goes with football. It was perfect.
On Sunday morning, I got to watch political shows with my dad. In a perfect coincidence, my two favorite analysts were on one of the shows. It’s like they knew I wouldn’t be watching for a while. 🙂
I needed a few more odds and ends, so we ran out one more time to take care of that. I’m mildly ashamed to admit that I went to Target every day last week for one thing or another.
Oh, and I bought new shoes!
It was a beautiful day and I was absolutely in need of ice cream after shopping, so I grabbed a (supremely peanut-buttery) Reese’s Blizzard to devour at home.
{Eaten with a cozy blanket and a cool breeze}
After packing a bunch more and grocery shopping with my dad, we ate egg sandwiches and crispy bacon for dinner and watched the US Open.
Monday = cleaning, packing, and final errand-running. And some time at the park with my pup…
…plus some evening peanut butter cups.
I also did a little blog updating over the weekend and I have some more minor updates coming. What do you think of the new look? I’d love your comments and ideas!
Anyway, it’s been a great time being home. Now, off to Chicago! On the agenda for today: naps and Chipotle and music-listening and scenery-staring and family chats.
How was your weekend?
What’s your favorite thing to do on a road trip?
I love to shop at places along the way when I travel. I really like how important family time is to you. It sounds like you have an amazing family. Cute picture with the pup. Have a great day, and I love your blog
bakingrunner.blogspot.com
Thanks so much for the sweet comments, Heather ?
Hectic weekend. Dinner at Polaris Grille with three of our favorite people. Met John for quick lunch at Wendy’s at 97. Poker with our co-ed group. Ushered at early church. Needed an afternoon nap. Missing part of Brown’s game really didn’t matter. A bridge friend brought us dinner just because of my ailment. Delicious and sweet of Sharon.. That’s about it.
Busy – glad you could join us for dinner. Thanks for staying with Pippa while Mom and Dad get me settled in at school!
That photo of you and your dog is adorable! And it sounds like you had a good weekend. 🙂 It’s so nice to see someone who really loves spending time with their family!
Thank you!
I love the new look, especially how it’s much easier to read your blog on my phone! (Because I stubbornly refuse to set my phone to mobile sites, because I don’t like the way WordPress makes older themes look when I do. 😀 ) Did your mom take the picture of you and Pippa? I love it!
My weekend was pretty easy; I took my grandparents to the airport, then watched a movie with my sick sister. Sunday also involved a movie and some yoga after sleeping in way to late!
Oh, yay! I’m glad it’s a little more mobile-friendly! I never set my phone to mobile sites, either, so I totally get where you’re coming from there. My (very talented ?) mom did take that picture. It’s one of my faves now!
Sounds like a great weekend. Hope your sister is feeling better – and that you’re well-rested after sleeping in a bit!
You went out with a band! Safe travels dear! xoxo
Thanks! I made it in one piece 🙂
I always love to read what you are up to and see what you have been baking! Good luck settling into the new year. So many wonderful things happening for you and your family like your Mom’s new job. Peace:)
Thanks so much, Constance! I’ll be sure to keep you updated. Life is good 🙂
Haha, that’s exactly how it was when my grandparents took *our* family out to eat: we looked at the menu and were like, ALL the appetizers please and we’re good! 😉 Actually, we did order entrées, and I was very glad we did. But still, I think there should be more restaurants that serve just appetizers. Appetizers are almost the best part of a restaurant’s menu (barring dessert of course!), and they’re small, so you can have a little bit of a lot of different things…food heaven for me. 😉
I noticed the changes you made to your blog and I’m loving it! Though I think I’d like it no matter what you do… Aww, and I love the cousin pic! They are so cute, and it looks like you have a pretty great time hanging out with them. It’s my opinion that cousin time = the best. 😉
I <3 road trips with the fam! That's how we take all our vacations and it's part of the experience for me. Two best things: listening to an audiobook (or sometimes music) together as a family, and, of course, alllll the snacks!! I love car snacks. The end. 😛 <3
Road trip snacks are my favorite. Snacks in general are my favorite. 😉
I know the techie, behind-the-scenes stuff can be such a pain sometimes but the new blog design looks great! You did an awesome job.
And girl- you and your blizzards! You make me crave one every time I read your posts about them, but there’s no DQ nearby!
Thanks, Liv! I had to squeeze in one last DQ trip before I left for school since there’s no DQ anywhere near UChicago 😉