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.
I love the photo of your family all together. Those times are so precious. I’m excited to be going to Texas on Friday and have a week with family. My Mom is so happy to be able to see her family once more. A new coat and it makes you feel good, perfect! I hope Little Z is feeling better today and you can get some more smiles and laughs out of that little one. Don is kinda living a dream right now isn’t he! Hugs!
He’s still under the weather. He perked up for a while but not for long!
So happy for you getting this visit with your family!
Thank you, Dottie!
Beautiful family! I hope Zee feels better. And. Show us your coat!
Monica
Thank you, Monica!
Yes do show your coat! You’re keeping us in suspense with the description but no photo!!
I’m so glad you are able to spend this time with Don and also have a great evening out with family. A trip to remember for sure!
Enjoy your day today.
X Chy
Thank you, Chy!
Oh, I wish I’d been there, too! Congrats on your coat find. And I feel you on being vegan on the road—our vegan son recently told me that he “eats cheese socially”. Your family photo is priceless.
Exactly. And I eat eggs socially, as well!
Will you and family be able to get together again during your time in Chicago? Relish those rare reunions! Get better Little Zee!
Mere and family head home tomorrow. My niece and her daughter are coming to Don’s show next Saturday, so I’ll see them then.
I am so happy you got to have dinner with your family….are more planned during this 2 week stay of yours? Great photo! Marshall Fields…yes…say no more. I was so enthralled with that store growing up. At least we still can get the Frango mints. And, we do need a pic of your new coat. Have a fun visit with Mere and Little Z…hope he feels better! ;)
No. We were all in the same place for just one weekend.
Z is still feeling awful, poor boy.
I know what you mean – it was a sad day when Hudson’s became Macy’s (horrible store) in Metro Detroit. I did stop calling it Hudson’s, but it took a while 😉
I still miss Hudson’s and I haven’t lived in that area for ages! Macy’s has turned all the stores that once had very individual identities into one giant chain store.
Lovely photo! Looks and sounds as if you are all having so much fun. As for Marshall Fields or just Fields as we used to say, I worked there one summer and explored on my lunch hour as there were so many nooks and crannies.Carry on and enjoy those Frango Mints!xo Annette in Ca
It’s a beautiful store and I mean to take Don up to the Walnut Room for some lunch while I’m here.
What a beautiful family!! Enjoy hearing the news of Don’s show. Much going on here so I have been reading, but not commenting. Hope you have a wonderful time in Chicago, that toddling town!
I am, thanks, Tana!
You have a beautiful family! So glad you all had this time together! Nothing more important than family! Hope Little Z feels much better! You must model your coat for us. I am sure it is lovely.
I will treasure last night’s dinner for a long time.
Whenever we took the train into Chicago to spend the day, we always did lunch at Fields. Then we would head to Carson’s (Carson Pirie Scott). Still love Frango mints. I feel old now.
What a beautiful family picture! Hope you got to spend a nice day together with Meredith and Little Z. I think you said the guys were going to the Bears/ Packer game. Is it seriously snowing there again? I see what looks like snow happening at the game. Glad you found a coat!! We are definitely wearing the warm ones now. We were supposed to have some snow overnight, but if it did snow, we have nothing to show for it. And I am thankful for that.
Have a wonderful day, Claudia, enjoying time with your family and being with Don again is so very special!!
No, it’s not snowing. It’s raining. It’s cold and damp here today! Thanks, Chris.
Your family photo is so sweet. Such a reunion even for a short time. Best wishes to all. Becky in Sunny OK
Thank you Becky!
Man, I miss Frango mints! (And Marshall Field’s…sigh…) And I loved that little box of Milk Duds almost as much as I loved the breakfast inside. (Well, almost!) Such a whimsical gesture, I always thought.
So happy you had that amazing night with your family. Glad the audiences are good and that Don has his own cheering section with him. Enjoy some family time!
Peace,
Leslie P.
I just ate two Frangos. I spent most of the day with my sister and her family and it was lovely.
What a great family photo. You have an attractive group of relatives. Glad you are having a nice time. Hope Little Z feels better.
Marilyn
Thank you, Marilyn!
Yes…we must see that new coat!…Don get the camera and make her pose!…lol….What a lovely family gathering…I see some young ladies there that do resemble their Auntie Claudia and their Auntie Meredith!…I am
always happy when you are having fun…
Oh my gosh!..I forgot to send get well wishes to our little man…I hope you are feeling better little Z!
He’s still not well. He has a cold and he’s very quiet for such a normally talkative little guy.
We are. I’m tired today, but I had some good time with Mere and her family.
What a great place for a family reunion! Our oldest lives on a small lake near Mundelein. Have a wonderful time, and stay warm!
It’s nippy out there!
So glad you have this wonderful time with family.
Hope you will share your beautiful coat with us.
Thanks, Joan!
Great photo. Have a lovely time. Hi to Meredith.
Thanks, Kay!
I understand your feelings for Marshall Fields. I long for Dayton’s which is now Macys. I have many wonderful memories of taking my children to Daytons downtown Minneapolis store to see the wonderful holiday window displays and the Christmas auditorium show. This and the Dayton-Bachman Spring Flower Show were family traditions for most people in Minnesota.
Yes, we had Hudson’s in Detroit, which merged into Dayton-Hudson and then was lost to Macy’s. So sad!
It is lovely to see a photo with your extended family all together after following Mere and your blogs. It’s nice to read happy news and I am happy for you all. We are agreed that Little Z is the most beautiful boy.
He is, indeed! I have a lovely family and these rare chances to get together are to be treasured.
I love all of your trip updates and am glad you are able to spend time with Don in various cities.
I, too, mourn the loss of Marshall Field’s – it was a must see on any trip to Chicago.
It sounds like Don is having a blast with this production: Lin & Jimmy – how fun!
It is fun! I’m hoping Jimmy will be there tonight, but you never know!