Another lovely summer weekend is past. We spent a good chunk of Saturday at Planter’s Palette with my parents. My dad wandered the rows, selecting a few perennials for his garden. We were tactical. Well, we started out tactical: only buying plants for the planters on the front steps (the pansies made it ’til June 22, but it’s a bit much to ask them to cover the whole summer). Then, we too started wandering the rows, saying “Ooh – I like that. Let’s get it!” and before you knew it, our cart was full. I also had to show you the garden shed that’s on site. Isn’t it adorable? I want one.
Which meant that Sunday was planting day. We tucked in a hydrangea (“Blushing Bride”) in the front yard under two trees, and then filled in the perennial border that runs the fence line in the back yard with tickseed, an allium, some lavender, and other plants that I’ve forgotten the names to because they were impulse purchases.
Sunday also marked the end of soccer for the year. The boys closed out the season with a win at Oak Park. We peeked in Paper Source and Barbara’s Bookstore (I can never pass up stationery or books), grabbed a quick bite at Prairie Bread Kitchen and headed home.
Hope your weekend was equally nice. See you tomorrow.
Fellow Mad Men devotees: did you read the article in Sunday’s NYTimes magazine? Oh, I can’t wait for season two ….
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Friday again; construction update again; all work completed on Monday. Again. Arggh! At least the lower cabinets are set. Countertop measurements have been taken, and are set for installation on June 30. A project of this size could be completed in a week or two if you (and by you, I mean the contractors) were committed to showing up every day. Just a thought.
On with the Five:
- lean on me…
- untitled
- Solitary
- .crinoline…….. let’s dance
- hydrangeas
For the weekend? We’re planning on a Saturday trip to Planter’s Palette. I’m looking for a few more perennials (and another peony?) Plus, my dad really needs to check this place out. So, we’re introducing him to it as a belated father’s day present. Road trip number one! And soccer ends for the year on Sunday with an away game. Road trip number two!
See you Monday.
Rest in peace, Tasha Tudor (1915-2008). Obituary here.
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Weeks like this make me aware of how lucky San Franciscans are. Do they really have weather this perfect year ’round? Wednesday was another in a string of idyllic days. I read two more chapters in my book (while drinking a green iced tea), and my buddy and I took a leisurely afternoon bike ride. I am trying to keep my eyes open and appreciate it all in advance of the “real” Chicago summer, arriving when I least expect it.
Just two links today. The first is to author/illustrator Matthew Cordell’s website and blog. I love his illustrations for his wife’s (Julie Halpern) book, Toby and the Snowflakes. We have a signed copy, and it’s a great gift book, too. Sneak a peek at his new work for Mighty Casey, due out in September. Should fit in well with our baseball obsessed household. (Go Red Sox!)
photo from design*sponge via materialicious
The second is this “shack”, pictured above. Saw it Wednesday at Design*Sponge, and although it’s probably a bit more remote than I’d like (accessed only by off-road vehicle?), the view more than compensates. Don’t you agree?
Designed by architect Jeffrey S. Broadhurst …. read more at materialicious.
As it’s Thursday, I’m off in pursuit of Vogue (w/Nicole Kidman cover) and eagerly awaiting the new Martha Stewart Weddings in my mailbox. My toe is officially tapping.
Back tomorrow with the construction update and the Five.
What a treat Tuesday was! First, the perfect weather. (I know that some Chicagoans found it cold. They are misguided.) I went for a long-ish run in the morning, and listened to another new Coldplay song, “Lost”. Love it, and it’s now stuck in my head. Later in the morning, surprise, surprise, my husband showed up at home because the power at work was out. So, the three of us went for lunch at Firkin (photo above). We’ve been eating there regularly since we moved to the area 9 years ago. It’s one of our favs, so much so that my son wrote a rave review about it for a school project. It was such a delightful treat to spend a little time together during the work week. Trust me, it rarely happens.
After lunch, my husband went back to work (power outages never last when you want them to) and my buddy and I stopped in a bakery for dessert, and then the library. He found a couple of new books to check out and start in on. And I? I savored the gem that was Tuesday.
See you tomorrow.
There are many summer mornings where I am awake far too early. (And by that I mean, there is no newspaper yet to read, and everyone else is asleep.) Often, I wait for the “thump” on the driveway by opening the laptop and surfing the web. Some of my favorite discoveries occur during my quiet time.
For instance, while clicking around the Flour Bakery site one early morning, I was beyond excited to learn that they’re working on a cookbook! I try to visit Flour each time we visit Boston. Last summer, we had lunch at the new Fort Point location, conveniently near our outing to the ICA. I love their sandwiches, I love their pastry, and I love their take on the oreo. (And, truth be told, I really love whomever’s handwriting is all over the chalkboard menu.) I can’t wait to click back over one morning soon, and hear that Joanne has a book deal. Read all about the process here, and if you’re in Boston, well, have an oreo for me.
I had to re-draw for the stationery giveaway, as the first winner never contacted me. Cyndi & Lee, shoot me an email before Friday at 5pm and I’ll send the Mr. Boddington’s goodies your way. You are extra-lucky this week :)
photo at top: light fixture, on the waterfront, Kenosha, WI
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