Tag: chicago writer

Chicago, Entertainment, Holiday, Quotes

Home Alone: The joke you may have missed

by KellyQAndersonLeave a Comment on Home Alone: The joke you may have missed

“That’ll be $122.50.”

“Ugh…it’s my brother’s house. He’ll take care of it.”

It’s that time of year when holiday movies are on heavy rotation, and up there with the absolute best of them is Home Alone (save me a slice plain cheese).

Last night I watched the Christmas classic and was reminded of a line of dialogue that nearly slips by undetected. Now, I had viewed this flick hundreds of times since childhood. I have the score on my playlist, the locations imprinted in my brain, the witty one-liners memorized. So this quiet little line took me by surprise. Also? It’s pretty damn funny.

The scene: a busy kitchen. Family eating. Pizza guy waiting on payment. Someone pipes up for Uncle Frank to contribute.

“Travelers checks!” he protests, mouth full of pizza.

THAT’S WHEN IT HAPPENS.

Mr. McAllister, under his breath, mutters, “Something tells me you’ll have the kind of Travelers Checks that don’t work in France.”

Too good, friends. Too good.

Holiday

Oh October

by KellyQAndersonLeave a Comment on Oh October
Photo by Elias Tigiser on Pexels.com

Flashes of orange, of gold
A dancing candle’s glow
Sliding arms through coats
Gusts, encircling
When it did gray replace blue?

Closing windows, opening cabinets
So much candy
So much candy
Everything is layered
Everything inside, everything outside

October
How did that happen
So abrupt
With such grace
A fluttering finger, touching the wind

(and still, so much candy)

I’m relieved. I’m unsettled.



Entertainment, Lifestyle, Reading, Uncategorized

5 Good Things

by KellyQAndersonLeave a Comment on 5 Good Things

Teddy pupPlease enjoy this gratuitous photo of snuggly dog + snuggly teddy bear.

It’s the end of July. HOW? Really?

Yes. Really. It just keeps going. Here are five good things that might change your mood from ‘meh’ to ‘hmm.’

1. This Kale, Sausage, & White Bean recipe via Cup of Jo. My family loves it and always fights over who gets seconds.

2. Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid. Ms. Reid was just nominated for the 2020 Booker Prize. I read her book back in March and was WOWed by it (trust when I say it lives up to the hype). A cousin just called me up out of the blue and said, “You read ‘Such a Fun Age’ right?” We then proceeded to talk excitedly for the next hour. Mini book club via phone!

3. Netflix recommendations: The Babysitters Club for a hearty dose of nostalgia, the rebooted Unsolved Mysteries for suspense and drama (the French count who escaped?! WHOA).

4. Tennis. Yup, I’m branching out of my comfort zone and taking lessons. This meant I had to add a few tennis outfits to my wardrobe (I had none. NONE). I really enjoy Prince, a house brand of Dicks Sporting Goods, particularly this top and this tennis skirt.

5. Folklore by Taylor Swift. My head and heart are spinning with this album. It’s the morose, ethereal soundtrack of 2020. I am crushed by the beauty of ‘My tears ricochet’ and ‘Exile,’ but ‘The Last Great American Dynasty’ is fantastically fun because the singer enters the narrative when you least expect it.

Chicago, Lifestyle, Love, Parenting

Into the Motherhood

by KellyQAndersonLeave a Comment on Into the Motherhood
Hello friends. Hello mamas. Hello to anyone who’s been that beautiful, guiding force of maternal care. Today is a day for recognizing all the amazing facets you are. Motherhood is a big, gorgeous mosaic. It’s a stunning image concocted from tiny, fragmented moments: middle-of-the-night feedings, tantrums, milestones, growing pains, birthday candles, soccer goals, wiping tears, couch snuggles, catching vomit in your hands, clapping at the spring concert, playing one last round of checkers, and more. It’s beautiful. It’s scary. It’s so many things. But today, motherhood is unity. It’s all of us together, figuring this out, taking in the mosaic. No matter where we see ourselves in the art form, we are most certainly there. Happy Mother’s Day. 

Chicago, Health, Parenting

The New Normal: #MaskingForAFriend

by KellyQAnderson1 Comment on The New Normal: #MaskingForAFriend

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Wow, masks are uncomfortable. The first time I put one on, I had to resist the urge to rip it off my face. It was stifling, itchy, and awkward. Is it possible for a nose to sweat?! All of this and yet I only wore it for a brief few minutes, to pick up a curbside, no-touch dinner at Guildhall, one of our fave local restaurants.

It was a lesson in humility. People wear these all day at their jobs? For HOURS?! They do this daily?! I was, and am, in awe.
Continue reading “The New Normal: #MaskingForAFriend” →

Chicago, Columns, Uncategorized, Writer Life

City Girl Confessions: The Last Column

by KellyQAndersonLeave a Comment on City Girl Confessions: The Last Column

IMG_9086.JPGNote: 22nd Century Media ceased publication as of April 2020. At the time, my column was submitted but never made it to publication. I share it with you today as the last in my City Girl Confessions series. 

I’ve had the honor of being your local columnist for six years. Every day, I’ve woken up feeling extraordinarily blessed to live here and write about living here. I love the picturesque lakefront, our local shops, and the people- the people make this town extraordinary. I don’t take any of this for granted.
Continue reading “City Girl Confessions: The Last Column” →

Entertainment, Parenting, Uncategorized

Staying Home: 11 Things We’re Doing

by KellyQAndersonLeave a Comment on Staying Home: 11 Things We’re Doing

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Feeling anxious? Me too. These are wild times. Hang in there, I’m here for you. Also, here are 11 things we are doing to keep our sanity:
1. Lunch Doodles with famed children’s book author/illustrator Mo Willems.
2. Cincinnati Zoo’s Home Safari at 2pm CST. Yesterday we learned about porcupines.
3. Highlights Grade Level Workbooks. My kids LOVE these books and activities. Wells is especially excited that his 2nd grade workbook has cursive exercises.
4. Cut, glue, and draw on paper. I tasked the kids with creating a little garden and we taped up their creations on our front door.
5. Chores. The irony is that my kids are loving this time of the day. We change sheets, make beds, arrange stuffed animals, and make sure nothing is on the floor. I am not too strict with this; just encouraging them to take ownership of their bedroom space. Gus loves running around the house wiping off light switches and doorknobs with Clorox wipes.
6. Moments of gratitude. On St. Patrick’s Day, I read the Irish Blessing. Then we shared 3 things we were grateful for.
7. National Geographic Kid Videos: 50 birds, 50 states. The birds rap out interesting content about each of the United States in a 3-min song. We then locate the state on a map.
8. Popcorn party. Sometimes we eat popcorn while watching a movie. Sometimes we look outside to check for birds, squirrels, or dogs. Sometimes we just sit at the table and talk about our favorite flavors of popcorn.
9. Painting Rocks (if you don’t have paint, stickers are a solid substitute)
10. Dance party or a few exercises in reps of 10: 10 jumping jacks, 10 push-ups, 10 sit-ups, 10 stretches.
11. Bake. Yes, this will be messy. But letting kids crack eggs, use measuring cups, and press buttons on the oven is a culinary adventure. Follow it up by watching Kids Baking Championship (a great family show) on The Food Network.