Thursday Two Things: Gateway Arch/Hancock Tower

Architecture is something that tends to be distinctive about a city or region. So, here is another set of something that I'll miss when I leave Missouri and something that I'm looking forward to in Illinois.

1. Missouri - the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. (I take tons of pictures of it every time we're in St. Louis because it's so fascinating to me.)


2. Illinois - the John Hancock Center. Tony took me to the Signature Room at the 95th for dinner once, and it was fabulous. Now we usually go up to the Signature Lounge on the 96th floor for great views of Chicago like this one (below).

Thursday Two Things: Ellis Library/Sycamore Library

I wish that I could say that I would really miss the Columbia Public Library, but the fact of the matter is that I have not used it that much. It is a great facility, though. We have also enjoyed the immense libraries on campus at the University of Missouri. Anyway, here is a modified version of something that I'll miss and something that I'm looking forward to.

1. Missouri - the smell of the Ellis Library. (I didn't read a lot of books, but I liked how it smelled when I was waiting for Tony.)

2. Illinois - the Sycamore Public Library. I'm hoping to use it often. It's not far from where we're moving, and I love the building. Isn't that dome fantastic?

Thursday Two Things: MU/NIU

Two more things that I will miss and that I'm looking forward to.

1. Missouri - The University of Missouri. We've lived here and worked here for 5 years now, and the campus is really beautiful.

2. Illinois - Northern Illinois University. Tony did his master's degree there, and we'll be about 5 miles away. So we'll be going to a lot of football games, but that's OK because their mascot is a Huskie - they run through the end zone after touchdowns, and it's so cute.

Thursday Two Things: Arthur Bryant's/PJ's

This week's two things have to do with food.

1. Missouri - Kansas City barbeque at places like Arthur Bryant's.

2. Illinois - PJ's Courthouse Tavern, serving local favorites like Italian beef and Chicago dogs and pretzels with spicy mustard. (My favorite is the Frisco burger - and isn't it cute that they call appetizers "Opening Statements?")

Thursday Two Things: Richard Saunders/Scentimental Gardens

Here are a couple more things that I'm going to miss when I leave and that I'll be excited for when I arrive.

1. Missouri - shops in Rocheport, like Richard Saunders.

2. Illinois - Scentimental Gardens in Geneva - I just got clued in to this one by Eddie Ross (check out his post - you'll want to come with me!), and it's not far from where we're moving!

Thursday Two Things: Farmers Market/Jonamac Orchard

Here is another thing that I'll miss and one that I'm looking forward to.

1. Missouri - Columbia Farmers Market

2. Illinois - Jonamac Orchard (and corn maze)

Thursday Two Things: Forest Park/Oak Park

Week two of what I'll miss about Missouri and what I'm excited for in Illinois...

1. Missouri - Forest Park (home of 1904 World's Fair, St. Louis Art Museum, zoo, etc.)


2. Illinois - Oak Park (home of the Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio, Frank Thomas house, etc.)

Thursday Two Things: Missouri Botanical Garden/Garfield Park Conservatory

As we prepare for our move to Illinois, I've been reflecting on our time in Missouri. There are many things that I love about both places (believe it or not!). So I've decided to use Thursdays to post two things - one thing I'm going to miss about Missouri and one thing I'm excited for in Illinois.

1. Missouri - The Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis


2. Illinois - The Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago