My favorite things right now

My favorite things right now
Our neighborhood under 8+ inches of snow ❄️

Over the weekend, Chicago had its biggest November snowstorm EVER. I love the quiet and stillness of the city while snow is falling and the excitement of kids (and some adults) playing in it. While I'm less excited about multiple shovelings and the inevitable dirty slush, I still love our seasons and snows.

Other things I love right now...

1) The Chicago Architecture Biennial is on now, with exhibits across the city exploring "global issues through the lens of architecture and design". The photo is below is from one of the exhibits in the Chicago Cultural Center, and is "carved wood" made of fabric! The textures, layers, and colors were delicious.

2) Croissant bread 🥐😍 I've been eating it plain, as well as making grilled cheeses and breakfast sandwiches. As someone with a newer egg allergy, I am delighted to have access to a yummy baked good that isn't vegan. Chicagoans, you can find this at Mariano's (may also be at Roundy's or Kroger's).

3) Card decks from Parents Are Human. My kid loves when I ask them questions, and I am terrible at coming up with questions. I came across these card decks and bought a bunch - kids, friends, siblings. Each card has an "easy" question on one side and a deeper one on the other; I mix and match depending on our mood and energy levels. There are also some activity cards. Kid and I have been working our way through this set this school year during our bed time routine, and it's been a great way to inspire conversations.

4) Sparkles and colors in my window. This sparkling suncatcher from Jenn at Emaloe's Thingys sprays rainbows all over our office and hallway. I also have dangly rainbow cloud earrings from her 🌈 And I am so relieved this stained glass I made - inspired by my kid's art class design, inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright - now has a safe home in my office window. This was my first project in a park district class earlier this year, and I was terrified it would break before making it into a window.

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What are your favorite things right now?