Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Chicago: Breakfast, Coat Shopping, Dinner with Family

November 12, 2017 at 9:48 am by Claudia

Breakfast yesterday was at the famous Lou Mitchell’s. In business since 1923, it’s a Chicago legend. While you’re standing in line, you are served a donut hole. You get a little box of Milk Duds. And the food is fabulous. Truly the best omelet I’ve ever had. (Obviously, I’m not vegan on the road.)

We have a new favorite.

We walked across the river to Randolph Street where the theater is located.

And then walked over to Macy’s (formerly Marshall Fields – I still mourn that loss to this day) and did a little shopping. I needed a winter coat, a cloth coat, so that I wasn’t limited to my very casual jacket. They had a big, big sale going on and I found a dreamy coat – very stylish – from DKNY. I’m in love with it. Sometimes, there are pieces of clothing that make you feel glamorous. That’s how this coat makes me feel.

I also bought some Frango Mints; my favorite chocolates, and a must buy when I visit Marshall Fields. There, I said it. Marshall Fields. It will always be that for me.

Then Don had rehearsal and I walked to Whole Foods to get some much needed groceries.

Then dinner with the family, which was sheer heaven. I cannot tell you how much it mean to me to see so many of my family members gathered together. My brother and parents were smiling up there in Heaven, of that I am sure. We had a great evening together and Don managed to spend a good hour or so with us before he had to leave for the theater.

What a handsome group! Today I’ll spend some time with Mere and Little Z. He, unfortunately, didn’t feel at all well last night, he’s coming down with a cold. So he wasn’t his usual funny, bouncy self. Poor guy. But Uncle Don and Aunt Claudia managed to make him laugh a wee bit.

Don says the audiences here in Chicago have been fantastic. Last night’s lucky audience members got to see Jimmy Buffett and Lin-Manuel Miranda watch the show and join the cast on stage for the curtain call and a round of Margaritaville. (Wish I’d been there!)

Happy Sunday.

Filed Under: Don, Escape to Margaritaville, family, On The Road 46 Comments

Chicago

November 11, 2017 at 10:08 am by Claudia

After a horrendous day of travel – if you want more details, they’re on my Instagram posts – I arrived in Chicago 3 hours later than planned, on about 3 hours sleep. After an expensive cab ride to the apartment building in which Don is staying, I settled in and waited for him to arrive home from the theater at around 10:30.

Today is much better. I caught up on sleep and we’re drinking coffee together on the sofa and I am now feeling excited about this stay in Chicago. Tonight, I get to see much loved members of my extended family. My niece will be there with her husband and kids, my nephew will be there with his wife and children (these are my late brother’s children) and my sister will be there with her entire family. Huzzah! We’re all having dinner together tonight at a restaurant that happens to be 2 blocks from our apartment. On the same street. Go figure.

Tomorrow, when some of the guys are attending a football game, we will get to spend some more time with Mere and Little Z. I can’t wait to see that boy. And my sister, of course!

The view from our apartment on the 19th floor. It snowed here yesterday and it’s COLD. It’s also cold back home. Winter is here, though not officially.

Don’s tired, as they are back to rehearsing during the day and performing at night. This musical is a work in progress, so the writers and director are always making adjustments, adding new scenes, cutting lines, adding lines – that sort of thing. The same thing happens with any new play or musical. This theater is much smaller than the theaters in Houston and New Orleans, and there is very little space in the wings, so the actors are trying to figure out how to maneuver their entrances and exits (Don had to crawl over some set piece in order to make an entrance last night.)

Anyway, I’m here. My sister will be here later today. Don is here. And family is here. It’s all good.

Happy Saturday.

 

Filed Under: family, On The Road 24 Comments

Family

March 11, 2016 at 9:15 am by Claudia

3-11 Z

Oh yes. We arrived at Meredith’s home last night around 7:15.

And this boy greeted us. He and Uncle Don met for the first time. It was love at first sight.

3-11 z and me

Blurry, and I look scary, but Don snapped this photo of Little Z and me last night. (That’s my brother-in-law in the background.)

He’s a joyful boy. He makes me laugh. I make him laugh. What could be better?

It’s so nice being with family. As Don keeps saying, “I can’t believe I’m actually having a vacation.”

We’re going out to breakfast this morning and then Don and I are going to visit the beach for some sand and sea.

Happy Friday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

 

Filed Under: Don, family, Little Z, Meredith 58 Comments

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Welcome!

Welcome!

I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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