Smokestack

We recently discovered a series of DVDs called Mighty Machines.  Isaac is nuts-o for Mighty Machines!  He spends a good part of his day building and knocking down smokestacks and water towers, collecting trash in his garbage truck, and laying down pipeline.  You are about to witness the construction of a smokestack with architects, Isaac and Grandma Decker.

Can I Help?

It all starts so innocently...Dad, can I help?  What proceeds is found in nearly every family photo album I surmise.

Not you too!

Many Years!

Happy 36th Birthday, Sweetheart! 

May God grant you many, many years!

OK, besides some pretty rad decks, we also gave Chris a number of books to add to the Schmidt Family Library.  I was pretty stoked about how I wrapped this one.  My subscription to the Chicago Tribune has been paying huge dividends in the gift wrap department.

To my Dear and loving Husband

by Anne Bradstreet

If ever two were one, then surely we.

If ever man were lov'd by wife, then thee.

If ever wife was happy in man,

Compare with me ye women if you can.

I prize thy love more than whole Mines of gold,

Or all the riches that the East doth hold.

My love is such that Rivers cannot quench,

Nor ought but love from thee, give recompence.

Thy love is such I can no way repay,

The heavens reward thee manifold I pray.

Then while we live, in love lets so persever,

That when we live no more, we may live ever.

Modern Wing

As part of all the birthday shenanigans, we took Chris to the Art Institute, somewhere we've been meaning to go since our move to Chicago.  It's the second largest art museum in the US.  We barely made it out of the Modern Wing, which was just opened this past May.

Mary Cassatt

American, 1844-1926

The Child's Bath, 1893

Edward Hopper

American, 1882-1967

Nighthawks, 1942

Grant Wood

American, 1891-1942

American Gothic, 1930

This is by a favorite artist of ours, Lari Pittman.

The slight gradation on the wall above is actually this grid of pencil markings you see below.

Over Easy

Alright birthday boy, you just keep sippin' that Julius Meinl.  We'll get ya inside for some Over Easy.

Banana Spiked French Toast

  banana french toast layered with banana cream, sliced bananas, topped with rum-caramel sauce, & candied pecans

Sassy Eggs

  two eggs served over chorizo-potato hash with cheddar cheese, red peppers, jalapenos, guacamole, sour cream, & ancho ketchup