Sunday, December 4, 2011

An Early Birthday Present

Train Station

This weekend, my sweet husband Terry took me out for an early
birthday present! We hopped on a train to downtown Chicago...

Train Station

We passed through the Christkindlmarket for a quick
glance at all the pretty things for sale...

Christkindlmarket, Chicago

Christkindlmarket, Chicago

The food smelled SO GOOD!
But there was no time to eat anything today...

Christkindlmarket, Chicago

Christkindlmarket, Chicago

We had a little time to kill,
so we walked around the mall awhile...

Mall, Chicago

Oh, the Apple Store! But no, that wasn't in today's plan...

Apple, Chicago

The Allsaints Store! Oh, I just HAD to stop and gaze at
the wall of antique sewing machines!

Allsaints, Chicago

Allsaints, Chicago

I mean WALLS of sewing machines!

Allsaints, Chicago

Steampunkers would absolutely love this store! Pricey, but fun!

Allsaints, Chicago

I had to make a stop to visit with my pals, the carriage horses!

Carriage Horse

And gaze upon the famous Chicago Water Tower...

Water Tower, Chicago

Finally! We're here!

Peninsula, Chicago

The Peninsula Hotel!

Peninsula, Chicago

I paused to pose by the piano...

Peninsula, Chicago

Then climbed the grand staircase to...

Peninsula, Chicago

Afternoon Tea in the lobby!

Peninsula, Chicago

Doesn't Terry look dapper?

Peninsula, Chicago

We love that the Peninsula serves a vegetarian tea on request.

Peninsula, Chicago

We both ordered a pot of Earl Grey decaffeinated.

Peninsula, Chicago

Then our 3-tiered server was placed on the table,
along with a basket of scones and the jam,
lemon curd and Devonshire cream!

Peninsula, Chicago

We enjoyed our finger sandwiches first...

Peninsula, Chicago

Followed by these scrumptious three cheese and leek quiches...

Peninsula, Chicago

And finally the scones and the sweets!

Peninsula, Chicago

A warm chocolate chai moelleux was a delicious bonus!

Peninsula, Chicago

Peninsula, Chicago

We sipped, and ate, and sipped some more...

Peninsula, Chicago

Until everything was gone.

Peninsula, Chicago

Peninsula, Chicago

The darkness fell over our view from the window.

Peninsula, Chicago

We took one last look at the tree, and were on our way back home.

Thank you, Terry, for the elegant and delicious birthday present!

______________________

If you've never walked down the streets of Chicago at night,
come along with us as we leave the Peninsula and
walk back to our train. We cross the Chicago River in two
spots, pass the Christkindl Market at Daley Plaza, and
happened upon PuppetBike.com... and I gave the puppets
a dollar bill!




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14 Comments:

Blogger Historical Ken said...

Wow! Beautiful pictures of a beautiful city. And what a fond memory to have!
Today (December 6th) is my wife's birthday. I will NOT show her this post (LOL).
Happy early Birthday!!

December 5, 2011 at 11:31 PM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Ken-

Happy birthday to your lovely wife! I'm sure you will both celebrate in a way she really loves. I'm very hard to shop for and don't need anything, really, so this was a very special treat!

-Pam

December 5, 2011 at 11:51 PM  
Blogger Richard Cottrell said...

What a fun time you must have had. Chicago is always beautiful for Christmas. Nothing more elegant than a high tea. happy Birthday. Richard from My Old Historic House.

December 6, 2011 at 9:50 AM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Richard-

Thank you! Yes, Chicago is always extra pretty with all the Christmas lights everywhere!

-Pam

December 6, 2011 at 10:05 AM  
Blogger Miss Sandra said...

Dear Pam,
Happy Birthday to you!! The Christmas spirit pervades Chicago in the streets, within all those shops, and that fabulous hotel. They look beautiful! What a wonderful gift! Terry knows how to make your birthday extra special! I wish you many, many more filled with bliss...and more bliss!
Truly we are kindred souls. My birthday is this Friday. :)
Tis the season my friend! Let's make it extra merry! xoxo
Sandra

December 6, 2011 at 10:16 AM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Miss Sandra-

Thank you so much, and I hope you have a blissful birthday on Friday! It's always hard to get reservations around Christmastime. My birthday isn't until the 21st, and it was delightful to begin the celebrating a bit early! Have a wonderful holiday season, and enjoy the chilly weather! :-)

-Pam

December 6, 2011 at 11:05 AM  
Blogger A. Kadowaki Busby said...

WOW!!! What a gorgeous post Pam. A real treat to watch. Loved the video, of course, there had to be sirens or it wouldn't be real. Thank you so much.
You are making me nostalgic about living in a big city.
All my best wishes for your birthday and for the Holidays.
Anyes
XX

December 12, 2011 at 8:43 AM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Anyes-

Thank you so much! It's funny, when you're in the city all the time, you don't even hear the sirens and all the noise. I'm glad you liked my post!

Happy Holidays to you and your family!

December 12, 2011 at 8:44 PM  
Blogger Pam Kessler said...

Happy belated Birthday! The hotel looks amazing. That tree in the middle of the room is huge. Glad you had a good time and thanks for the tour on the way home.

December 14, 2011 at 3:09 PM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Pam-

Thank you, and thanks for dropping by! I think it's always fun to see the big trees that some places put up for Christmas. It makes the experience seem bigger than life!

-Pam

December 14, 2011 at 4:12 PM  
Blogger Sea Witch said...

How lovely. I adore high tea, something so terribly delightful and fussy in one event. Christmas in the city is always fun, no matter what city you visit. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a healthy and prosperous new year. Blessings to you and those you love. Sea Witch

December 21, 2011 at 8:33 AM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Sea Witch-

Thank you for the good wishes! May you also have a Merry Christmas and a delightful 2012! :-)

-Pam

December 21, 2011 at 11:52 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I can't believe all the sewing machines! What a sight to see!

January 18, 2012 at 12:53 PM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Michelle-

Isn't it cool? The shear amount of them, all stacked up like that, makes quite an impact! :-)

-Pam

January 19, 2012 at 10:17 PM  

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