Return to Evanston

Mr. E and I and the kitties are back in our second home in Evanston now. We made the return trip on February 26 and will be here through the end of May. Louis XIV was very helpful in warming up the kitty carriers and checking out my carry-on bag as we were getting everything packed and ready in Sac.

Both kitties did great for their second flight cross-country. I wish we could get them their own Frequent Flyer accounts!

They've settled in again nicely to their apartment home and have rediscovered some of their favorite spots. Marlene likes her "Midwest loft" (i.e. towel storage bin on the closet shelf), and they both appreciate having the TV closer to the ground so they can get more screen time.

Louis XIV seems to have decided this this location for "Versailles" (cat tree) is preferable to the one in Sac, which has become Marlene's castle. He also appreciates the variable weather and associated gear.

Winter is definitely still hanging around here. The weather is very typical for a March in the Midwest -- ranging from the 50s when we first arrived to the 20s with windchill in the teens earlier this week. I've enjoyed my morning walks to the Y along the lakefront path. Some great sunrises and sunsets as well to welcome us back.

We've jumped right back into enjoying all of the easily accessible cultural offerings here, starting with an event last Saturday at the Alliance Française of Chicago to celebrate La Semaine de la Francophonie . This celebration included food tastings from eight different French-speaking regions, including the specialty cheese raclette from Switzerland.

I think my favorite was the yummy vegan soup from Canada, especially since that was very warming for a chilly evening!

Our weekend activities continued with a great performance of February House at the Wirtz Center on the Northwestern Campus on Sunday afternoon. We also restarted our house-hunting with realtor L and have seen three different condos since we got back.

Next up this weekend are a couple more viewings, French wine-tasting at Binny's, brunch with my friend R at Le Peep, S'mores on the Square, and Alvin Ailey in downtown Chicago followed by dinner with Mr. E's mom.