Lake Lovely

For all of the times that I have been to Chicago, never once has anyone taken me to Lake Michigan. Now granted, each time I have visited has been about -1000 degrees but I still feel gypped in some way. In my lake dreams I always imagine myself ending up at Navy Pier, however the trip I took this weekend was definitely more up my alley. A quieter, more contemplative alley that is.

Thanks to Mary every weekend for getting me out of the house and showing me something new in the Chicago suburbs. Without these little trips, my weekends would be much more drab to say the least. This time she took me to a little place known as Maria's Bakery. Maria is, of course, the very Sicilian owner and master bakeress of said bakery. Now to paint you a little picture, you walk into this tiny little bakery and there are two small tables in the place, shelves lined with random Italian cooking necessities, and and L shaped counter with more baked cookie and pastry happiness than one can imagine. Behind these two counters stands Maria, and I hear her say to a customer, "Are they good? Of course they are good. You try one. Here, you try one and then you don't have to wonder no more." If that isn't the Italian spirit then I sure the heck do not know what is! You should also know that while waiting for our order, we heard a lovely mix of ABBA hits as well as some Jesus Christ Super Star. Thank God for that! Mary and I got two lattes to go with a loaf of bread and a mixed bag of fig filled cookies and some lemon biscuit cookies too.

Two cookies and a half latte later, we end up in Fort Sheridan. While most places that begin with the word Fort are not so much to speak of, this little township stands out in a unique way. Fort Sheridan used to be none other than a Navy Base. Some ingenious developer decided it would be a wonderful idea to buy all of the Barracks and turn them into apartments and homes. Seriously folks, this is the neatest thing ever. The buildings are all made of stone and brick and they are surrounded by grass and yards and parks and trees and paths. Its grand in a quiet and awe-inspiring sort of way. The roads lead to a parking lot which is in front of a wildlife preserve that sits on the edge of Lake Michigan. I believe the pictures speak for themselves, so I will refrain from trying to justify what is already lovely.