Larisa and L at Ecco
Skater Art Show
Gwen, Larisa, and L at Globe
Gwen, Terrell, and Larisa at Ecco
Julie and L--college roommates from California!What a week! I can barely believe it was last Friday that I touched down in Atlanta for some time with friends under the guise of a "business trip." What I mean is that the business part was interesting and didn't really feel that much like work, so everything really did seem like fun.
Last Friday, before I left for Georgia, Joe and I had the opportunity to have lunch with my colleague from Atlanta, Rob, and his wife, Rachel. We exchanged cities for the weekend as they were in Chicago for a wedding, but Rob and I were able to connect back in Atlanta on Monday and Tuesday for our business meetings with several publishers. We enjoyed showing them our little slice of urban summer paradise, walking through the neighborhood and pointing out the proximity of the lake and our favorite coffee shop, Brothers K. A few hours later I hopped on a flight to the South and was greeted by my friends Larisa and Jerry, who promptly handed me a large cup of Chick-fil-A unsweet tea with extra lemon. Ahhhh...it's so nice to be known.
I stayed with Larisa and Jerry (who are roommates, lest you get the idea they are married...hee! hee!) for the duration of my visit because, really, where else would I stay then with people who have already lived with me and share a common love of sleeping in when possible, watching re-runs of Law & Order, sitting in the living room in silence while individually typing on our laptops, eating lots of good food, drinking very good coffee, and generally laughing at everything. So you can see that we had some fun.
Highlights of my trip included...
Going to hear a garage band that my friend's friend's husband played in (the Mighty Pontoons?) and watching 45 year-old band members act like 20-year-old rock stars.
Partaking of afternoon pastries and cappucinos at a fab new bakery called Chocolate Pink Cafe. It was so good that we bought cupcakes to go...
And speaking of cupcakes, I also enjoyed seeing Larisa's new tatoos on both sides of her neck--one of a chef's knife and one of a cupcake.
Attending an art showing at Octane Coffee to view "skater art" created by two 17-year-olds. Fashion has really come full circle since the 80s--they were wearing Ocean Pacific shirts and had mullets. Am I that old?
Visiting with my college roommate and dear friend, Julie. She has an amazing story. She has six kids and next month is marrying a man who also has six kids. God has really blessed her and I love to see what He is doing in her life!
Eating many scrumptious meals with friends and my "Georgia family," the Slaughters. Those meals included yummy pancetta pizza with Jerry & Clanton at Fritti; Southern yumminess at the Colonnade with Larisa, Mom Lena, Lynne & Randy, and the boys; great Thai food with a cool vibe at Spoon; a wine tasting at the Globe restaurant with Gwennie and L; and one of the best meals I have had in a looooong time with G, L, and Terrell at Ecco. Next time you are in Atlanta, be sure to try their chili mussels, braised pork with homemade pasta, and lavender lemonade. It's too good to be true!
Between all the eating, activity, and several meetings, there was also time for good, meaningful, catching-up-with-your-friends conversation. And that's what's it's all about, so yeah, it was a good trip.
It was interesting to be in the place where I lived for more than five years. This was the first time since moving that I have visited and actually felt like I was a visitor, not a displaced former resident. I think that's actually a good thing since it means that Chicago is becoming more my home in this season of life. Hmmm...perhaps that means I am experiencing growth? Maybe, but I'll never get tired of being a visitor to the South, that's for sure.
Visiting with my college roommate and dear friend, Julie. She has an amazing story. She has six kids and next month is marrying a man who also has six kids. God has really blessed her and I love to see what He is doing in her life!
Eating many scrumptious meals with friends and my "Georgia family," the Slaughters. Those meals included yummy pancetta pizza with Jerry & Clanton at Fritti; Southern yumminess at the Colonnade with Larisa, Mom Lena, Lynne & Randy, and the boys; great Thai food with a cool vibe at Spoon; a wine tasting at the Globe restaurant with Gwennie and L; and one of the best meals I have had in a looooong time with G, L, and Terrell at Ecco. Next time you are in Atlanta, be sure to try their chili mussels, braised pork with homemade pasta, and lavender lemonade. It's too good to be true!
Between all the eating, activity, and several meetings, there was also time for good, meaningful, catching-up-with-your-friends conversation. And that's what's it's all about, so yeah, it was a good trip.
It was interesting to be in the place where I lived for more than five years. This was the first time since moving that I have visited and actually felt like I was a visitor, not a displaced former resident. I think that's actually a good thing since it means that Chicago is becoming more my home in this season of life. Hmmm...perhaps that means I am experiencing growth? Maybe, but I'll never get tired of being a visitor to the South, that's for sure.
1 comment:
WHat fun! We are visiting the ATL in 2 weeks- maybe we will catch one of these places!
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