The View from the Top!

For my one and only's birthday,

I took him somewhere far, far away.

I took him somewhere exotic.

I took him somewhere only nerds like us would go.

I took him to Chicago.

But, not just to Chicago. I took him to a live taping of NPR's "Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me!" It's probably one of the last surviving radio programs out there that isn't purely news, and it's probably THE only one filmed before a live studio audience. Needless to say, the audience was filled with people just as hopelessly nerdy as us! It was bliss!

If you're not familiar with "Wait, Wait..." you're missing out. Those two podiums on the left are for the judge/score keeper, Carl Kasell, and the one on the right is for the host, Peter Sagal. The table on the right is for the show's three panelists, who vary week-to-week. This week's panelists were Paula Poundstone (Kevin's favorite), Roy Blount Jr. (my favorite), and Faith Sailee (new to the show). We figured two out of three ain't bad!

As I said, the recording is live and the panelists, who are all comedians, answer questions on the week's news. In between those questions, listeners can call in and be on the show live.

After the show, which was incredibly fun and enjoyable, the hosts and the panelists stay around to answer questions, sign autographs, take pictures, and just generally chat it up. We didn't do much chatting, but we did meet Peter, Carl, and Paula. Needless to say, I scored big on the birthday gift! ;)

Since we took all day Thursday to drive down and watch the show that night, we didn't want to drive back the next day, and why should we--it was Friday! So....we stayed an extra day and saw the sights of Chicago.

For starters, the weather could not have been more beautiful! I mean, can you see that sky?! And it was mid-50's--cool enough to walk; warm enough to not freeze.

Of course, you can't make a trip to Chicago without visiting the historic, record-breaking Willis Tower! Never heard of it? Well, you probably have, but didn't know it. It used to be called the Sear's Tower, but when the building was sold, the contract stated that the largest tenant could rename the tower in 2008. The largest tenant was--you guessed it-- a company named Willis and they renamed it last year. I agree, though, it is a little unimpressive to say, "We got to see the Willis Tower!" Doesn't quite have the punch that the Sear's Tower has.

And there's a new addition to the Willis Tower--retractable glass encasements you can step into and look down...103 stories! Are you brave enough!?

I thought I was doing well just standing there, but...

Kevin took it a step further!

This is the only picture we've got of both of us in the Tower. It's a shame you can't see any buildings, sky, birds...flying saucers....anything! It was crystal clear that day, but the sun was also shining too bright for good pictures, and, well, there's only so many pictures you want to ask complete strangers to take! :)

So, friends, that was our visit to the Windy City. Hope you've enjoyed this little taste. There was actually much more involved (Pizza! The Field Museum! Lake Michigan!), but I've got a birthday boy to tend to!

Happy Monday! :)

Good Times With Great Oldies!

What a wonderful, exciting, enjoyable, and refreshing time this weekend was. Fall break in this place means several things--Kevin gets time off from school; I have the opportunity to take some much-waited-for vacation days; and, last, it's Maryville College's homecoming. The latter of which means lots of very dear friends are making the trek to the highlands of good ole' MC.

This year, we were blessed multiple times over to have not one, not two, but THREE friends in our home as well as many more friends that we caught up with at MC itself yesterday. What a blessing relationship and friendship are!

First, two of my dear roommates, Anne and Laura, traveled from Charlotte, NC and Columbia, GA, respectively to spend time with us. It was a fast two days, but we didn't waste a minute, except when we were forced to sleep (right, Laura? ;). I don't know what I would have done without these ladies in college. It is such a treat to get together a couple times a year to reminisce and catch up on what the Lord is doing in and through us. I hope to keep these ladies around for years to come! :)

We also had a brief with Mr. Briley Hooper. He's traveled over the mountains from near Asheville, NC a couple of times to visit, and we've enjoyed every visit, especially this one because....

HE BROUGHT EVA!

This girl totally stole the show for me! I've wanted a dog very much since getting our own place, but not as much as when I met this little lady. She's absolutely precious! We asked Briley if we could adopt/foster/borrow/clone Eva, but he's apparently pretty attached to her, and, well, the feelings are mutual.

Kevin did, however, get his shot at her, and she playfully obliged him. Gotta love those ears!

Eva did eventually tire, and there was no waking this pup.

In the end, the weekend was a pure joy. Time with great friends is always appreciated and refreshing. I'm so grateful that we have friends that love us enough to make the hours-long journeys to spend time here.

Let that be an invite to anyone and everyone who desires a clean bed and warm fellowship.

We're waiting!

How do you Dress for a UT Ball Game....

...when it looks like this out?

Why, like this, of course!

For My Mamma,

It's only been two years since we got married (slightly over). This past weekend I used, for the first time, the mixer my mother bought us for our wedding present. I have my reasons--like we had no room for it in our other apartment, and I've never been much of a baker, so why bother?

BUT...this weekend, I flew to the store, bought all necessary (and not on-hand) ingredients and, maybe for the second time in my life, made banana bread! You can bet that mixer was working overtime! :)

And since I'm one of those clean-as-you-go cooks, this is as messy as my kitchen ever got. :)

Last, as I was coming in from my Wal-Mart excursion with my ingredients ready to make HER some banana bread, our wonderful neighbor, Regina, was waiting at the base of the stairs for us with a home-made Apple Crisp! Now, just how did she know that Apple Crisp is my absolute favorite!? And it seems to be Kevin's, too, by the way we polished it off so quickly (2 days was all it took, folks!).

SHHH!! Don't tell Kevin...

...but I've rearranged the study!

Think he'll like it?