Coney Island Countermen

A trip to Detroit would not be complete without a stop at Lafayette Coney Island. (A Coney, if you've never had one, is a hotdog with chili, mustard and onions. My husband is a very big fan.) The place was pretty empty, (unsurprising for 11am on the day before Christmas) and the countermen were nice enough to let me take pictures. I'm not crazy about the colors -- they came out with a lot more yellow than I remember there being -- but there is something so timeless about the place I had to post them.











The whole set can be found here.

Extra Reindog: JJ, the Family Reindog

This is JJ, my in-law's dog. He couldn't make it to the Reindog Parade, but he still was willing to pose for me! So cute.

Detroit under Fog

Here's what it looks like outside our window on the 54th floor of the RenCen at 8:30 am this morning.





As a frame of reference, here is the Ambassador Bridge as I shot it two nights ago.

It's amazing as it rolls in over the city.





Good thing we're driving rather than flying today!

Reindogs 38-42: The Pug Collection

This last set is for my husband, who loves pugs most of all.



Poor little thing was so cold, he was shivering in his owner's coat most of the morning.



Could someone wipe my nose please?



Perfect, thanks!



It's like looking in a mirror. Spooky!



Okay, I kind of get my husband's point. This one is terribly cute.

Hope you enjoyed the whole Reindog series (all are available to view here.)

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Reindogs 31 - 37: Not quite a sleigh full of reindeers

But awfully close! There will be one more Reindog post tomorrow, but I wanted to make sure all these fine pups got their due notice.



"OMG it's Christmas Eve! It's Christmas Eve! I'm so excited!"




A Navaho blanket is Christmas-LIKE, isn't it? But he was plenty warm!



His Christmas bow was on the other side. But I couldn't get a good shot of this gorgeous dog from the other side.



What a sweet old pup.



The pink of this boxer's wings matches the pink of his eyes and snout, doesn't it?



The hat is seriously adorable.



Remember poor Max, the loyal dog in "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas", who was burdened down with a fake antler on his head and who had to pull the sleigh with all the stolen loot? Doesn't he look just like Max? Hee!

Check back tomorrow for the last of the Reindogs! It's been a fun month.

Reindog 30: Are we almost done?

This mastiff was another therapy dog -- gentle and big. But he was ready to go home the moment he got there, as you can tell from his expression!

Reindog 29: Hey, a dog dressed as a reindeer!

What a cutie.

Reindog 28: Itty-Bitty Biker Dog

I love the little biker goggles best of all.

Yesterday's Reindogs got picked up by the Chicago Public Radio website for its cover page. Cool beans!

Reindogs 26 and 27: Lady and the Tramp

Love at first sight. Awwwww!



Greyhound: "The red suit looks good on you, handsome."
Bulldog: "Wanna join me for a bowl of spaghetti after this is over?"

Reindogs 24 and 25: Take it off, take it off, take it OFF!

Hahahahaha.



I guess that's better. ;-)

Reindog 23: The edible Reindog at Fredhots

Today's dog is a little different, but if you know me, you know I had to include it. (Also, we went here for lunch immediately after the Reindog Parade. We had to!) This is the very tasty reindeer hotdog served up at Fredhots and Fries in Glenview. I especially love the cherry tomato nose!



Fredhots is a great, GREAT hotdog stand. The food is delicious, and they have a wonderful sense of creativity and enthusiasm. Sure, you can get a traditional Chicago style hotdog, or an excellent Italian beef sandwich, but the thing I go back for are the specialty sausages. The reindeer one is his most famous, but throughout the year he may also have alligator, elk, duck, buffalo, you name it! My favorite is the Reuben dog. Served with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and a fabulous spicy Thousand Island, the meat remarkably has the flavor and mouth-feel of corned beef.

And let's not forget the amazing frites and aiolis! Mmmmm. I never thought mayonnaise on French Fries could be so good. But it is!



Plus, look at these guys. How can you not want to buy a hotdog from them? I ask you.



The man himself, Fred. Don't you recognize him from the logo? :)


Fredhots is located on 1707 Chestnut Avenue in Glenview, just off Waukegan Road. They're open 7 days a week (Sunday is just 12-3 so you can get your fix before the Bears games). Tell them Kristen said hello!

Reindog 20-22: Gus the Newfoundland

One of the greatest dogs we saw at the Reindog Parade was Gus. Gus is a Newfoundland, and believe me, he was HUGE. I couldn't get a good shot of him in proportion to a human, but sitting like this, his head was at his owner's waist.



Gus works as a Therapy Dog, and in this shot I think you can see why. I have never seen a dog so easygoing and placid. Can't you just imagine little kids tugging on his fur and curling up next to him, and sweet old Gus not minding a bit?



Old Gus puts up with a lot, clearly. He was awesome.

Reindog 19: Preppy Puppy!

This gorgeous Irish setter Golden Retriever needs nothing but its preppy little scarf to complete its look, don't you agree? I am in love with this sweet dog!

Reindog 18: Boots and a cape make for a dashing mutt!

Just getting this one in under the wire...

Reindog 17: I think he lost a poker bet

Two weeks later, I still crack up the second I see the anklets. The anklets!

Reindog 15 and 16: Grandma Badass

Look at how muscular this boxer is. Then look at how old-lady-ish its coat is. That's not right!



Seriously a dog this tough-looking deserves a leather coat and hat, don't you think? (He did have a calm disposition, though.)

Reindog 14: Santa's Little Helper

Santa was good with all the dogs posing with him, but he really clicked with this sweet and elegant greyhound. The dog was just wonderful the whole morning, calm and slender, and was arresting-looking in its long cowl-neck sweater. Gorgeous.

Reindog 13: You wanna piece of this? I thought not.

I love how his hat is standing up straight, as defiant as he is. Keeping one's dignity is hard to do in a doggie costume, but this bulldog managed it!

The set of keeps growing over at Flickr: Reindogs!

Reindog 12: A good hat never goes out of style

I confess, I'm not a fan of dachshunds, but the hat on this one gives her such an elegant look I had to reassess my opinion. Perfect!

Reindog 11: This is so beneath me.

If this one could talk, I think it would sound like Frasier Crane: snooty and verbose. He stands there, unbowed, even though he is clearly unhappy with the ridiculous situation he is being forced to participate in. He'll show THEM, he'll just sit here and look down his nose at all the yapping fools around him. Hmph.

Reindog 10: Terrier Santa rumble

"Hey, that's my outfit! Oh, I am gonna kick your a--..."

Reindog 9: I love my hoodie.

This Labradoodle (I think that's what he is) just looked so comfortable in his cool hoodie. And, uh, antlers. :)

Also, Chicagoist loved the Angel Dog from yesterday. Thanks!

Reindog 8: Angel Dog

How could you not melt at that smiling face? I melted. This is Daisy. She was happy to pose endlessly for everyone. So darling!

Part of the Reindog series.

First Winter Storm, December 2007

Taken out my bedroom window, 9:30pm yesterday

We got some snow last night! About 5-6 inches so far, and after a very brief lull right during my morning commute, it's coming down again. This was pre-dawn this morning out my back window. Check out the clouds rolling in over the house on the right!



I had my camera on the drive in, so we'll see if I got anything good when I get home. Which might be a bit tougher than it was getting in this morning...