I could get use to not working, although I sorely miss having somewhere to go and something specific to do during the day. With Stephen's work time being so malleable, we often find ourselves on excursions during the day that would not be possible if I was at work. Like today - we spontaneously decided to visit Shedd Aquarium. I believe it is no secret that I have a thing for fish. After all, my college graduation present from Stephen was a 200 gallon aquarium. It has been very difficult for me to walk by such a world-renown aquarium multiple times a week without stopping once to go in during the last 6 months. All of that finally changed today.

Today we enjoyed a trip to the Field Museum, one of the many museums in this city I have been longing to see since deciding to move here. It was a beautiful day for a museum - cold and dreary, an inviting day to linger inside after so many days of summer-like weather beckoned one outdoors like a siren at sea.  A leisurely afternoon stroll through one of the most renown museums in the nation. Well, not too leisurely. My idea of a leisurely stroll would have taken us several hours to get through each exhibit. After the debacle at the Art Institute, seeing only 2 exhibits in 3 hours, Stephen set the pace on this museum, determined to get an overview of every exhibit. We were almost successful. Three hours in the Field Museum and we saw several exhibits, far more than in the Art Institute. We are finding these renown museums to be enormous, even at Stephen's pace they cannot be seen in one day. Personally, I think I could get lost in there for a year at least...

Not so warm today, but what is a little cold weather? We set out about 11:30 AM for just a short walk. The last thing Stephen said to me before we walked out the door, "Don't worry. We won't be gone long. We won't walk 10 miles this time." It seems we tend to get caught up in the architecture and atmosphere of the city... Our short walk brought us back home as the sun was setting, having covered another 10 miles - including Lincoln Park, Gold Coast, River North, and River West. With a focus on walking down streets we had never been before, it was a beautiful walk and very entertaining afternoon.

I like Valentine's Day. Actually, I like any day that gives me an excuse to give gifts - I love trying to find just the perfect present for someone, searching and searching until I find what I think is the exact right thing. For Christmas you give gifts to everyone, so all that love and attention is spread over a multitude of people. But on Valentine's you can focus on just one or two people who really mean something in your life. I think this Valentine's Day was my favorite yet - ppresents, cooking, ice festivals, and long walks in the sunshine with Stephen - I think that may just be the recipe for a perfect holiday.

These last couple of weeks we have experienced a very strange phenomena - something akin to summer in February. I am not complaining, just baffled. I had no idea that a city known for its harsh winters could suddenly become its own paradise in the middle of the coldest winter in 25 years, and the snowiest ever recorded. Stephen and I, who have yet to let any weather here keep us housebound, have enjoyed the break along with the rest of the city - whose streets have been flooded with Chicagoans grateful for a break and enjoying outside activities with the glee of children. But, as I was to find out all too soon, a few warm days does not spring make. And it is too early in the year to plan a picnic.