Laowai

It had been a while since we spent much time in Chicago.

Brian wanted to take us all to the Lyric Opera’s annual free outdoor concert last Saturday. It’s held at Millenium Park which has an outdoor theatre and fountains and sculptures and a garden and it’s all built on top of a big parking garage. We staked out our spot on the grass and then Brian took the girls over to see the Bean sculpture and I took a turn looking around the garden.

That’s the Bean below – it’s like a huge reflective jelly bean. Everyone walks around and cranes their neck looking at themselves. Bea was excited to see the bean again and she wanted to take some photos. The bean makes everyone smile.

I’ve been reading a book about the garden at Millenium Park so I was eager to see it again. It’s not a very big spot, but it’s remarkable to see the plants with their backdrop of tall buildings. It was designed by a Dutch landscape designer who embraced the midwest prairie plants. There are lots of grasses and tall flowers. The designer said something like he has no use for a plant that doesn’t look good when it’s dead – meaning he chose flowers that are hardworking and look interesting even after their flowers have faded. I’d loooove a yard full of the perennials that I saw.

Here’s a photo of the outdoor concert area. The girls were so excited – they remembered going last year and having a good time. Plus, we all love a picnic and Brian is always happy to share some quality opera with his girls.

On Sunday we didn’t have any plans so Bea and I went to the Art Institute of Chicago. We had a great time just the two of us. She loves the miniatures gallery and they had a special weaving exhibit that I got all excited about. Bea says, lately, that she wants to be an illustrator when she grows up. We are lucky to be so close to all that inspiring art.