Chicago! (the weekend, not the movie)

The weekend has already been written about. We descended upon Chicago from far and wide - Nebraska, New Mexico, Boston & Ottawa.   I was curious to meet Liana, Ann, Nancy & Patti in real life after corresponding on e-mail and reading blogs and pattern reviews.   I had the best time!  Good food, good company, good weather, and great sewing-related activities.  Who could ask for more?

One highlight of the weekend was a walking tour in downtown, guided by Patti's friend Harry, a docent with the Chicago Architecture Foundation.  The day turned out gloriously sunny but still cool in the shade.  Perfect for a couple of hours on foot.

The warm air and cold water produced an ethereal mist, up high.   

Throughout downtown, planters featured painted branches - too early for flowers, though we saw some of those too.  

 This building will look familiar to anyone from Toronto

 - the Federal Center designed by Mies van der Rohe.  

 And the Flamingo by Calder.

In the background, the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower).  It's still the tallest building in Chicago.

Our group studies a Chagall mosaic.

  Formerly the home of Carson, Pirie & Scott.

The El.  A great way to get downtown.  

Overheard (teenaged girl):  "I love the bean! I want to hug the bean!!"

It turns out everyone wants to hug the bean!!

 The mist vanished but the ethereal quality of the day remained.