Brunch, antiques, Indian Food, and "Milk"

Sam, Jane, Henry, Mani, and I all met up for brunch at Blueberry Hill in LaGrange on Saturday, which was wonderful.



Then we girls let the boys go off to do their own thing (which included riding the carousel at Brookfield Zoo), and we headed to the antique mall in LaGrange. They were having a sidewalk sale, but Sam and I weren't too impressed this year. So we went inside the mall, and I did find some cool things, like...



this charming sheet music




this lovely teacup

We stopped at Starbucks for some coffee, then headed to Trader Joe's, Borders, and a few boutiques on the way to the car. Afterward, I took Sam to the Honda dealer to pick up her CRV, and we headed over to another antique shop, where I found...



this pretty magazine

I parted ways with Sam after that to fetch Pete (who was at home without wheels) and headed back to Sam's house. Mani and Henry were back, and we all went to Khyber Pass in Oak Park for some delish Indian food.







We all had the buffet, and I tried some rose milk, which was utterly wonderful.



I must learn how to make it at home....



Anyhow, then we headed back to their house and watched "Milk," which was pretty good.



Everywhere we went, people were fussing over Henry and Jane. They were quite the little charmers and enjoyed the attention.



I plan to frame the sheet music and magazine as I've framed others in my house (the framed Life magazine is my favorite so far).




And the teacup is going in my growing collection. All in all, I didn't spend all that much, yet I still got some great vintage finds to add to my happy home.

(Some images from Blueberry Hill, Khyber Pass, LaGrange Park Antique Mall, Kitchen Tantra; image of Jane by Nicole)

A visit to Willowbrook Wildlife Clinic

My mom, Sam, Henry, Jane, and I all visited Willowbrook Wildlife Clinic in Glen Ellyn on Friday. I'd been there before, but it had been a few years. The big news was that Willowbrook had a bobcat on the premises, which caused much excitement among the visitors.


First, we strolled around inside the clinic where we viewed both living and not-so-living residents, like this coyote.


Henry was fascinated by a snake that kept going in and out of a glass bottle.


A patient


My mom and Jane—Jane was smacking my mom on the head in this photo, which is why my mom is laughing.


A somber mourning dove


Sam and Henry check out some more birds.


Henry watches the turtle swimming around in its tank.


Mom and a post-cry Jane


Making our way further through the clinic


After finishing our tour of the indoor clinic, we stroll through the outdoor exhibit.


This volunteer was sharing interesting information about this owl. The owl had a thing about Jane and locked its eyes on her for several uneasy moments.


Some pretty purple flowers on the grounds


Mama Sam kissing Jane


Henry, Sam, and Jane looking at an eagle exhibit


Mom and Sam hold Henry as he checks out some animals.


An eagle (I think)


Some owls


Mom lifts up Henry so he can get a better look at...


...these raccoons.


The much-hyped bobcat, who seemed bored and somewhat tired.


Sam, Jane, and Henry in the butterfly lookout


Pretty koi swimming in the koi pond

Sweet baby Jane

She's so beautiful.

Sweet baby Jane

Jane Sylvia Oller, born 12-12-08 at 12:23 p.m., 4 lb 10 oz, 17 inches long


Pete, Matt, and Jane


Me and Jane


Me, Jane, and Pete


Sam and Jane, with Mani adjusting Jane's hat


Mani, Sam, and Jane


Matt holding Jane, Pete admiring the baby


Jane's first close up

Happy Thoughts—Day 1

Amanda at Sunshine and Daisy has tagged me, and the rules are that for 5 days you have to post something that made you happy that day and tag 5 people to do the same.

This is very reminiscent of a little thing Georgia and I do at work every day called "Positive Thoughts of the Day". Every morning we email each other a list of all the things we're thankful for or that make us happy. It was originally supposed to be one positive thing a day, but as Georgia knows, I have trouble keeping it to just one! It helps keep us focused on what's important in life, versus the bad things that people (like me) tend to dwell on.

Anyhow, I'm tagging:

Georgia at Jorjah-B
Claire at my memoir of you
Jessi at Dancing in the Moonlight
Candi at Dolce Chic
Chelsea at The Vintage Chair

Happy Thought of the Day: My niece Jane Sylvia Oller was born today, complete with powerful cries and observant eyes (so pretty!).

Photos will be posted tomorrow morning, so check back then!