The Sweatshop of Love Blog

Last night was the last movie in Grant Park. I’m always sad when this rolls around because it is the first sign that summer is winding down.

I Take a Picture of Brijeet Taking a Picture of Gil and Martin

But we won’t think about that now. We can’t! Not when Tootsie is playing, and every 10th person in the audience is dressed in drag, it’s 85 sunny degrees, and Rikkisha brings the most decadent, amazing pecan bars I’ve ever tasted. Gil, Martin, Brijeet, Rikkisha, PT and I got a slightly poop-filled spot in anticipation of Dustin Hoffman dressed as a woman. I can’t think of a better reason to sit in poop!

Me and PT

Tootsie was a lot of fun. Everyone was really into it! Which I love about Movies in the Park.

We were already trying to guess next year’s line-up.

Log Cabin Washcloths

I finished up my second washcloth at the movie, too! Didn’t these turn out cute? The knit up really quick and I love how they look. I like the alternating colors on this set of two. I have a feeling these will be big in Holiday Present Prep class this fall!

So now I’m chilling, watching the Tigers try to sweep the Angels, waiting for my laundry to come out of the dryer so I can pack for Minnesota tomorrow! PT and I have big plans for the Twin Cities; like a Twins game and the Minnesota State Fair! I can’t wait.

Big Mess

I’m also tackling focaccia. Yeah, it seems silly to be baking the day before leaving for the weekend, but PT’s friend Chris is coming over for dinner tonight, so we will have some help. His fiance Anne is in Minnesota, and we were worried he would be eating baked beans out of a can without her.

And I saw this focaccia recipe this morning and if Chris wasn’t coming over tonight I would be making some excuse about how Pudge Rodriguez likes bread. Seeing those pictures, how could you not run home and try to make it?

So far so good; you know how I have trouble with bread, so I followed this recipe to a T. I even pulled out my food thermometer to make sure the water was exactly 115 degrees. It’s rising! I hope it’s amazing because I certainly love focaccia.

Everyone is Ready!

Last night, despite the clouds and threat of rain (hardcore movies in the parkers are not discouraged by the threat of rain), we made it down to Grant Park to watch the Billy Wilder classic Sunset Boulevard. I’ve seen and loved Sunset Boulevard in the past so I knew it was going to be a great night. Everyone else? They were in for a treat.

PT and I got down to Grant Park right around 6pm to scope out a spot. There were already a ton of people parked out near the screen, so we found a fairly big spot, threw our things around to make it look like we were more than two, and settled in. I made lentil salad, with onion, rice, lentils, carrots, and garlic, and it was delicious! PT brought Chex Mix, which gave us a tummy ache.

I pulled out my knitting (toe up sock #2) and more and more people made their way to the park. Lucinda and Mike came out, then Gil and Martin joined us. Brijeet and Paul were late arrivals, but we had enough room for them.

Skins the Color Mocha?

All types come to the Chicago Outdoor Film Festival! The couple sitting next to us were so moved by Ricky Martin’s Livin’ la Vita Loca, that they had to get up and start dancing. I took this picture over my shoulder while Lucinda directed my aim; excuse my hair. It kinda looks like they are fighting, but they were making out like crazy and rubbing all up against each other, again, to Ricky Martin. They left 10 minutes into the movie.

Then, of course, a whole family came with huge chairs and sat right in front of us. They would not be deterred by our loud conversation:

‘Oh, seriously? Chairs? This close to the screen?’
‘That woman is too big for that chair, anyway.’
‘Well hopefully it will just sink into the ground so we can see over her head.’

We talked about how hot Mr Knightly is, how well Colin Firth is aging. We ate Gil and Martin’s delicious pasta salad! Then the movie started and everyone psychotically loved it. It is hard not to love a movie watched sitting outside, the Chicago skyline at your back.

Knitting and Eating (hhm, Martin!) Away

Sounds nice, right? Next Tuesday is Duck Soup! They made an announcement that during Duck Soup they will be trying to break the Guinness Book of World Record for most people with Groucho Marx glasses on, so it kinda goes without saying it will be a great time. Want up-to-the-minute Movies in the Park updates? Email me at allyson@thesweatshopoflove.com and I’ll put you on the list!

And thanks to Lucinda and Mike, Gil and Martin, Brijeet and Paul, and PT for making it a super fun night!