Hello Lauren!

Saying goodbye to family in Atlanta meant heading back to Chicago and saying hello to my friend Lauren who left sunny So Cal to brave the cold mid-west to ring in the new year with me. Fortunately for her the weather was mild with temps in the low-30's most days and blue skies much of the time.

It was lovely to sleep late.

We did a little shopping and took photos of ourselves wearing our new purchases.

As is common when we're together, we just take lots of pictures of ourselves, regardless of any new purchases.

If you stay up late enough you just might need a little snack. And then you need a Red Bull in the morning.

We returned to Orange Cafe for a tasty breakfast of Pan-Seared Oatmeal, Flight of Pancakes with a Honey Theme & Fruishi. YUM!

Anyone who knows Lauren knows of her love of blue jeans. So when I discovered a boutique in Lincoln Park called The Blue Jeans Bar, a visit was in order. (And a purchase, of course.)

After shopping all day we enjoyed a casual dinner at my local watering hole, B.O.B.

Since I couldn't make it snow for Lauren's visit, we found a patch for her to play in that hadn't melted in the freakishly warm (in the 50's) week before New Years.

(Cold Red Bull in the snow! We're crazy like that.)

Once we'd spent what our budgets would allow, we headed out for an afternoon at the lovely (free!) Lincoln Park Zoo. (Where of course we took a few more pictures of ourselves.)

Ah, public transportation!

We invited Liz over for a last minute Fondue/Champagne party. Lovely combination!

The cheese was extra stretchy that night.

Lauren made her famous Scotch-a-roos (scotcheroos?), which went nicely with the champagne. (Although champagne goes well with just about anything, no?)

We played Therapy (Liz kicked the future therapist & the para-therapist's butts. Maybe I should rethink my career... :-)

Before Lauren headed home Monday afternoon, a visit (ok, a second visit) to Ann Sather was requested. (Their cinnamon rolls are darn addicting!)

And then it was time, sadly, for her to head home. Oh, how I wish I could've moved all my friends with me to Chicago! Thanks, La, for ringing in the new year and braving winter in Chicago to visit me! (The sacrifice has been noted. :-)