What a nice way to spend and anniversary!

We had to get up at 4:30AM which is an abomination, but it was worth it. We got to Chicago and picked up out guide at about 10:15AM. We proceeded directly to Manny's Deli (which looks like nothing at all outside) a Jewish deli that has Wonderful food, at least our taste which was a bowl of Matzo Ball Soup and a potato pancake. We had never had Matzo soup so this was an adventure. The potato pancake was good too. I was fasinated by the rest of their menu. I now have knish on the brain.

When I worked at IDC in Costa Mesa a hundred years ago in one of my other lives, the "gang" used to go to a wonderful deli near work for lunch once in a while we would order meat and potato knishes, not every day, because they were very popular and they sold out often. But, man, were they good.

Then we continued our tour of the south and east sides of Chicago. Our guide pointed out the main sights. Renovation in Chicago is very evident. We drove through Chinatown and along a bit of the lakefront and then into Greek Town where we stopped at the Pegesus Restuarant for our second course. Flaming cheese (Goat cheese, sprinkled with whiskey and then set on fire - The fire is extinguieshed with fresh lemon juice) loaves of crusty bread and a marvelous fresh salad. (Aren't you just DROOLING?)

We then continued on our tour. We stopped at Hull House, the historical mansion acquired by Jane Addams in the late 1800's to begin and continue her social work and reforms. Her mission continued to and beyond her death in the mid 1930s. The home and one of the original 13 buildings remain on the campus of the University of Illinois at Chicago. Our tour guide was very good and knowledgable and Dick said if she had been a waitress, she would have gotten a big tip. Think about it.

We then went to and Italian restuarant and had the best Tirimisu I have ever eaten. We had a bit of extra time, so our guide had George (Bus Driver) take us back down to the lakefront, past Shea Stadium, the Shedd Aquarium, Navy Pier, Millinium Park etc. A nice ending to the afternoon.

Of course, there was the long drive home but that was pleasant and uneventful. I finished reading my Sr. Fidylma Mystery and we got home to a very happy Chelsea and rather frantic kitties at about 8:00PM.

As I said. A lovely Anniversay day. I can't believe that it has been 19 years. Time flies when you are having fun.

Love

Mary