I was so excited when the phone rang this morning and heard a familiar voice on the other end. My beloved “cookbook” cook that moved to Chicago called to check in and see how things have been going. We talk over Facebook every once in a while but it was so great to hear his voice again. It had been so long since I had a good chat with him.
From the sounds of his voice and all his crazy antics, it seems as though he is doing great in Chicago. He told me that the restaurant he is working at is doing very well and since he became the head chef their business has continued to grow; no surprise there. He is one of the most brilliant chef’s I have ever met. He explained how since starting at the restaurant, he has created a couple new seasonal dishes that have been very successful amongst patrons.
Chicago is treating his family well too. They are all settled in and transforming to become more “Midwestern”…his exact words. :D His kids love having so many parks and a zoo (in the summer) in their backyard. It makes me so happy for him that everything is good and that his family is loving it there.
He said that the only hard adjustment has been the extremely brutal Chicago winter. Obviously, living in California for years did not prepare him for the snow, cold temperatures, and ice that winter brings. Seeing all the snowfall and cold temperatures in Chicago on the news, makes me feel a little bad for them. (To keep him thinking about us in sunny CA, I send him pictures of the sun and blue skies; maybe it will convince him to come back…just kidding I am happy for him) It was funny listening to how he has to bundle up just to go to the grocery store and get his kids ready for school.
His kids are loving the snow, besides all the layers they have to put on. He has sent me a few pictures of them playing in the snow and making snowmen in the park. He says they also have been ice skating in Millennium Park quite a bit…I am jealous of that. California doesn't really have outdoor ice skating in the snow. :)
I am so happy I got to talk to him for a while today and that him and his family are doing great. After chatting with him, I think I need to plan a trip to the Windy City to visit him and the restaurant he works at. I think I can make that a business trip right?
GO VEGGIES...inside joke between me and Mr. Cookbook. :)
Go Green and Staying Keen,
Julie
From the sounds of his voice and all his crazy antics, it seems as though he is doing great in Chicago. He told me that the restaurant he is working at is doing very well and since he became the head chef their business has continued to grow; no surprise there. He is one of the most brilliant chef’s I have ever met. He explained how since starting at the restaurant, he has created a couple new seasonal dishes that have been very successful amongst patrons.
Chicago is treating his family well too. They are all settled in and transforming to become more “Midwestern”…his exact words. :D His kids love having so many parks and a zoo (in the summer) in their backyard. It makes me so happy for him that everything is good and that his family is loving it there.
He said that the only hard adjustment has been the extremely brutal Chicago winter. Obviously, living in California for years did not prepare him for the snow, cold temperatures, and ice that winter brings. Seeing all the snowfall and cold temperatures in Chicago on the news, makes me feel a little bad for them. (To keep him thinking about us in sunny CA, I send him pictures of the sun and blue skies; maybe it will convince him to come back…just kidding I am happy for him) It was funny listening to how he has to bundle up just to go to the grocery store and get his kids ready for school.
His kids are loving the snow, besides all the layers they have to put on. He has sent me a few pictures of them playing in the snow and making snowmen in the park. He says they also have been ice skating in Millennium Park quite a bit…I am jealous of that. California doesn't really have outdoor ice skating in the snow. :)
I am so happy I got to talk to him for a while today and that him and his family are doing great. After chatting with him, I think I need to plan a trip to the Windy City to visit him and the restaurant he works at. I think I can make that a business trip right?
GO VEGGIES...inside joke between me and Mr. Cookbook. :)
Go Green and Staying Keen,
Julie
I have always wanted to visit Chicago. One of these days I will make it out there :)
ReplyDeleteI live in Chicago and I love it. Hope you get to visit your friend soon.
ReplyDeleteThat's quite an adjustment, to go from California to Chicago! I'm glad that you got a chance to chat with an old friend -- it's always a treat to actually talk instead of just texting and emailing!
ReplyDeleteI've never had the chance to visit Chicago but I am sure it's a place I would really enjoy. I have to make it there soon!
ReplyDeleteIts always nice to get a call like that.. Chicago is very cold! California would never prepare him for the windy city.. Good Luck to him!
ReplyDeleteGreat post- so nice to hear from long-distance friends! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a big move! Glad he's asjusting well!
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful you were able to catch up with each other. I used to live in Chicago, so I know those snowy and brutal winters well!
ReplyDeleteMy friends are stuck in Chicago right now at a library conference! I love reconnecting with old friends!
ReplyDeleteThat snow! I'm from California, and it would be a huge adjustment!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful trip! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteYup, you can definitely make that a business trip - have fun!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Chicago is brutal after California. I live in Michigan so I know what he is talking about. Sometimes the winter feels never ending.
ReplyDeleteThat's nice that you got to have the phone call!! Your post made me miss Chicago. :)
ReplyDeleteI lived in Cali (Bay Area) for about four or five years and the closest I'd come to snow was vacationing in Lake Tahoe. Then, the year we moved to the East Coast (Washington D.C), it was hit with one of the biggest blizzards in decades. So not fun.
ReplyDeleteI've only ever been to Chicago in the summer (beautiful place). There's a reason for that :) Whenever I feel bad about the NYC cold, I just have to think about Chicago and I feel better.
ReplyDeleteIt is always fun & exciting when you get a call from your close friends. I agree the winter in Chicago is extremely brutal as my husband has lived few years there. Visiting a friend & turning it to a Business trip is always a great idea!
ReplyDeleteI could not imagine going from the nice California weather to the bitter cold of Chicago.
ReplyDeleteHi Sam, yes, Chicago's winters can be real brutal. This winter it seems that it's brutal everywhere. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThat's cool to get a friendly call to make your day. I wouldn't mind enjoying a little ice skating this season, but we are swamped with a lot of snow and cold right now.
ReplyDeleteWe have had a ton of snow where I am from as well. You should visit your friend and enjoy some of the snow and then rush back to the warmth of Cali.
ReplyDeleteMaybe if BlogHer is in Chicago you can write the trip off as a business expense! My fam loves Chicago. What is the name of the restaurant where he works? We want to go back this year in the spring.
ReplyDelete