The Siberian American: Life Update: Five Months in Chicago

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Life Update: Five Months in Chicago

I know I say this every month, but how is it possible that we are one month away from the halfway point of our year in Chicago? Before we know it, we will be heading back home, and I will be missing all the fun we had here.


We kicked off October with a cupcake tour. Even though the day of the tour was one of the coldest days we have had here so far, we loved tasting all the different cupcakes and can’t wait to go back to some of the places we visited to try more flavors.


We finally got to try Au Cheval, which The Food Network claims is the “best burger in America.” I’ll be honest, I’m a bit of a burger snob. I think I have had better burgers at other places, but it was definitely good. Also, the fried egg fries with mornay sauce and garlic aioli were the real stars of our meal.


My best friend from high school came to visit for a long weekend. You know you love your city when you can’t wait to show it off to people who have never visited…and want them to fall in love with it too. I had a blast showing Ally around Chicago, and on Christopher’s day off, we showed her more of Illinois by going apple picking!


Y’all know how much I love day trips, so this month I planned two on the days Chris wasn’t working: Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and Starved Rock State Park in Oglesby, Illinois. In Lake Geneva, we took a boat ride featuring some of the most beautiful fall foliage (and mansions) I have ever seen. I will be posting about our Starved Rock adventure soon, but we enjoyed a trolley tour and hiking to a canyon.


It hasn’t been all fun and games: Christopher’s hours have been super long lately, and there have been several two-week stretches with no days off (we are in the middle of one right now), and he hasn’t had a day off on the weekend since we went apple picking. Even so, we are trying to make the most of a hard situation, and I love spending time with him when I can.


Fall in Chicago has been beautiful with all the gorgeous fall foliage and wonderful weather. I am so excited for the holiday season to start at the end of the month because everyone keeps telling me Chicago is magical at Christmas. Let’s just hope the weather stays beautiful as long as possible!

21 comments:

  1. can't believe you are almost at halfway! i lol'd at the 'coldest day we've had so far' because it will definitely get colder ;) but, duh, i'm sure you'll be fine. mmm minus the egg, those fries with mornay and garlic aioli look ahhhmazing.

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  2. Ah I can't even imagine how beautiful and fun Chicago is at Christmas! That stinks that Christopher has been working so much lately, but it sounds like you are taking full advantage of every minute he has off.

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  3. It sounds like you've had the perfect fall in Chicago! I can't wait to hear all about the rest of your roadtrip, and to see updates on what Chicago is like during Christmas! If it's as amazing as it sounds, it'll probably make up for the cold weather :)

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  4. You always stay so positive! Looks like you are having a wonderful time:)

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  5. You guys have seriously been enjoying every second of life in Chicago - such an amazing city <3

    Green Fashionista

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  6. So after Chicago do you for sure move back to Texas? I think living somewhere totally different for a year would be so great!!

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  7. I can't believe it's already been 5 months! You are doing such a good job at making the best of it and creating adventure whenever you can!

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  8. Your guy must be a gem for letting you drag him all over creation on his rare days off! If it were me, I'd be like...couch...Netflix....pizza....sleep....repeat. Haha!

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  9. Loved this recapped and loved seeing your gorgeous photos again!

    ~Ashley @ A Cute Angle
    acutelifestyle.blogspot.com

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  10. A cupcake tour how fun! Time really does just fly by!

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    1. The tour was so much fun! It is so crazy we are almost halfway through our year here! :)

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  11. I want to go on a cupcake tour!! That sounds like heaven hahah seriously tho!! And how fun your friend got to come and you got to show here how awesome Chicago is!! I want to visit so bad!
    .xo, Candace | Lovely Little Rants

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  12. I bet Lake Geneva is gorgeous in the fall - we used to love going up there on a Sunday in the summer to relax! It's the cutest little town. And totally agree about Au Cheval, there are much better burgers out there!

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  13. What's your favorite burger in Chicago? I'd love to know for my burger series :)

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  14. You've had so much fun in your time there! How has it been five months already? PS, cupcake tour? Yes please!

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  15. I have always wanted to go to Chicago! Those cupcakes...yum!!!!

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  16. Your stay in Chicago seems like it's going so fast! It seems like I was just reading about the decision not too long ago. You two have certainly been busy and using the most of your time while you're there. Which was smart since it's been so nice out. I've been loving this extended fall with the nice temps. I am in no way ready for winter.

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  17. CUPCAKE TOUR?!?! My mouth literally just started watering, lmao

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  18. so gorgeous! You probably don't know this about me but I have a deep love affair with Chicago and plan to live there someday!! So I'm really jealous of all of this. Fall in Chicago IS beautiful. It looks like you are making great use of your time there!!!!

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  19. A cupcake tour sounds amazing! I can't believe you're almost to the halfway point!! Wahoooo. I'm so excited to see the pictures you post of the holiday lights, I'm sure they will be magical.

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