Our Christmastime trip to Vienna, Austria - The first morning

The streets look like Christmas.

 We ran across this building as we were wandering around the streets of Vienna.  We were too excited to sleep and very tired of sitting still after many hours of trains, planes and streetcars. 

St. Peter's.  We happened upon this church on our way home from eating dinner and walking around.  The pipe organ was playing and everyone was silent.  It was so peaceful - like something out of a Christmas movie. 

Kohlmarkt was my favorite street.  The lights looked like crystals and went on as far as you could see.  The street was lined with lots of high-end boutiques - perfect for window shopping.  

The front of the Hapsburgs' Palace.  We went as far as the front of it before we realized that we were starving and stopped into Cafe Grienstadl.  Yum. :)

Sausages with mustard, bread and horseradish.  I also had dumplings with onions and cheese.  Delicious. 

We wandered around Maria Theresa Platz and the  Christmas markets in that area.  

This was the location of several great museums and  a ton of rum punch tents :).  We watched curling while we sipped orange punsch (sounds like poooonsch) 

This is the city hall for Vienna - the Rathaus.  It was magical. 

We stumbled upon this Christmas market as we wandered toward our hotel.  It was probably the most authentic Christmas market we saw during the entire trip.  

Thes is the inside of St. Peter's when we stopped to listen to the organ.  Breathtaking. 

One last photo of the beautiful lights before we headed inside for some sleep :)

It's almost time!!

One more day . . . then vacation time is here!!!

State Opera

Vienna 

My personal favorite: CHRISTMAS Vienna!

SURPRISE!!

I already knew that I had a wonderful husband.  No one needs to remind me because I am reminded every single day.  He's a great human being -- just like my daddy.  


However, my husband has truly topped himself this time.  His schedule ebbs and flows a little more than mine -- mine is more steady with fewer breaks.  Somehow he managed to get a week off in December and decided to surprise me with a vacation.  A small confession: it has always been a secret dream of mine to be surprised with a vacation.  Boy did he surprise me. 


Here were the clues: 

• you need a passport
• you will probably need boots
• and a coat
• and it's going to be REALLY cold
• you won't have access to e-mail or your phone

What would your guess have been?  

Here is mine: Canada 

(Alaska, until the whole passport thing)

No offense to the Canadians, eh, but I did not care to go somewhere even colder than Chicago for vacation.  I think this is more practical than bratty.  Regardless, I did not express my reticence to go to Canada until after I found out that we are going to . . . 

Vienna, Austria 

for reals.  I am so excited.  I haven't been to Europe since 2004, when I studied for a summer in London and traveled to Ireland, France and Wales.  Truly, it was an amazing experience.  

However, this is the first time we've been abroad together, so this trip is extra special.  I love traveling with him, so this should be just as fun as some of our other trips to San Juan, PR; Sanibel Island; Hawaii, etc.  

I feel very blessed with such a wonderful husband and best friend and the chance to take a fantastic trip during a time when Vienna is one of the most Christmas-y places in the world.  

More to come regarding his fantastic plans for us -- 3 shows, a couple of castles, some museums and, I'm sure, at least a 1/3 of the 18+ Christmas Markets in and around the city.  

I love antiques

My mother raised me to love antiques.  While we used to kid her about her love of junk treasures, somewhere along the way, I developed the same affinity for other people's discarded stuff.  On the way home from BFFs wedding in early October, my husband and I were in no hurry to get back to Chicago.  We decided to do a little antiquing in Central Illinois.  

Many of these photographs, as you can imagine, require no editorial:

 This man was waiting to greet us at the door.  No, that mutant-minivan is not our car, either. 

This little beauty is a multi-faceted piece.  It is a nautical themed lamp, complete with posts and rope.  Somewhere, a Red Lobster general manager is cursing the loss of these pieces de resistance.  

 Again, there is no such thing has having too many nautical lamps.  

 Amidst the tiny pot-bellied stove, the nun-ish pot bellied stove, a cheery cat and a solemn Native American, there is a feeling of calm exuded by a wild-haired monk.  Living in harmony for sure. 

 My personal favorite.  Jack Daniels.  If I only had a place to put him.  I suppose I don't really need a grandfather clock.  Maybe I just need Jack. 

 Alien cows.  

Probably from their space ship out front. 

 Husband -- in awe of giant party-hat-wearing soft serve. 

I love our adventures :) 

Old and new

We had an amazing time with our families on vacation last week.  I love going back to all of the places I've loved over the years.  Somehow, we managed to hit them all during our week-long roadtrip to KY, IN, and MO.
We started in Indianapolis with our friends from our med/law school days.  They just purchased a beautiful home and were so excited to entertain houseguests.  My girlfriend and I had a blast at TJ Maxx/Homegoods, as well.  However, she has a serious lamp addiction that should be addressed.  I, on the other hand, picked up

Lilly Pulitzer "Charlotte" sunglasses


and a sleeveless pink and green Lilly tunic top, along with a bright pink open sweater, also courtesy of Lilly.



We met up with some old friends for cocktails and dinner before heading south to Evansville for a few days.

We had a great time eating and spending time with my husband's family.  We got lots of sleep, as well.  I'm also pretty sure that we ate bacon five days in a row . . .

More on our vacation later.  Next stop, KY!