Chicago …. the big city! From the beginning it was all about the food. John from Chicago met the Matriarch and I at the railway station, poured us into his little super duper car and roared us through the streets from market to market. I am sure he felt like he had a wind up toy come to visit. All he had to do was turn me and point me in the right direction and off I warbled, clattering about, thrilled to bits, tasting cheeses and cured meats, pastas and pastries, spices and divine fat fresh vegetables. People are so friendly up here in the city. We shopped Italian, we shopped Asian, we shopped Indian but we did not get time to visit the Greeks.
then we had Thai for lunch. 
The city is the city. Big and shiny.
Tall and reflective. I grew up on a beach in Napier, New Zealand, as you know. But I love cities. All of them. If you put me in a suburb I would probably wilt to death like an overwatered pot plant. But the big city, the sea and the wide open spaces of the plains are where I most love to be. Eclectic? Maybe just easy to please. 
Chicago is fascinating. 
Big city christmas lights are for every night of the year.
But country girls get tired, and it was way past my bedtime when we eventually called it a night. 
We stayed in a lovely little low tech boarding house in De Witt Place. Right by the lake.
The Matriarch and I stayed out way too late last night so words are few now. And look at that it is 7.30 am! City hours!
It is time to get back to farm life. But I will be back. John from Chicago and I are working on a plan to meet with others of our blog community up here, so watch this space. Life is a glorious place to be!
See you all tomorrow. Have a lovely, lovely day.
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
49 responses to “The Big City goes all farmy like!”
A fantastic day, and great city photos too, Celi! Looking forward to the great blog meet!
Oh how nice, two of my favourite people, meeting up! I’m so glad you both had a wonderful time! xx
You certainly saw the sights. Surprising the contrasts you like. Personally a small dose of city (any city) goes a long way!
I was just thinking that it seemed like you and John and maybe some other folks were going to meet up and do this, and I’m so glad it happened! I know y’all had a blast, how could you not? I’ve still never been to Chicago, and I can’t imagine anyone better to show you the city and the food than John. You’re pictures are awesome.
Sounds and looks so much fun – so cool you guys met up in the city!
It sounds like the first of many happy meetings: hope we will be invited along! You did a lot of tasting – hope you did some buying also: would love to know what most tempted in the big city??? Oh, lovely and inviting photos: haven’t been to the Windy City for too long . . .
OMG! The Greek Isles is literally two blocks from my office, and your hotel is on the other side of the block from my apartment! And all of your Michigan Avenue photos are all within my neighborhood!
Then you must join us for a cup of tea next time I come up.. I may have even passed you on the street!!.. That is fantastic.. c
You make the city sound so exciting that maybe even I would like it. Love those night shots.
How FUN! I tend to steer clear of cities . . . most of the time. But in small doses, they can be intoxicating. And my favorite place to roam . . . food markets!
Thanks for the brief tour. It is a lovely city.
Can’t help but be envious–great city, great friends, great food–but more than that I’m beyond delighted for you!!! Have all of the fun you can possibly imagine! xoxo K
Yay, what a fantastic trip and your photos are exquisite! I love lights in trees so you can bet I would love Chicago! How fabulous to have met John too! I really do dream of the day that I can come and meet you both too!
🙂 Mandy xo
C’mon now, Miss C. We want to know what you bought. Glad you had a good time.
What an exciting trip to Chicago!! Lovely pics!!!
Home sweet home! I hope you had a grand time – it certainly sounds like you did. I love the city. It’s fortunate I get to go down there a few times a week. And we get the kids down there at least once a month. Otherwise, like you I would wilt in the burbs. If we don’t get out of here on a regular basis I think I would! I have no doubt John took you to some fabulous places. Glad you enjoyed!!! 🙂