Chicago Date Passport.

Chicago is overwhelming.  Overwhelming in the best sort of way.  In the sort of way that there is so much to do, to see, to experience, to learn, and you know that you won't ever have the time to enjoy everything there is to offer.  However, we're bound and determined to make the most of our time here, however long it may be, and stuff our days as full as we can of this lovely city.  (Of course, it's easier said than done, with Al's job, and my own homemaking busyness, but we fit things in where we can.)  In order to organize our travels a little more, I spent a good few days researching local haunts, festivals, best museums, most delicious restaurants (and not just on the "top 10 places to go in Chicago" websites...).  I combined my findings with all the wonderful advice from our city friends and family, and have compiled quite the little book of things to do in the city.  Think a Chicago Bucket List mixed with Date Night ideas mixed with an Activity/Guide book for visitors.  Al and I have already visited many of the places in this little book, and not one of them has disappointed.  We are going to add little notes about our experiences on our visits (as well as surprises, hidden fees, best things on the menu, etc.)  to the different pages to make it more thorough.  It will also service as a nice little memory book of our time here if we keep it up!  

 

pure calm. lets put that on repeat.

as if Fridays couldn't get any better...I stumbled across this ephemeral piece today.  it's the perfect symphony for those golden leaves flitting so whimsically outside our window.  

balboa-moon.

Balboa Island was the perfect place for our honeymoon-- it was 75 and sunny every day, we had an entire house to ourselves, and were spoiled with delicious food and fun gift cards left by Mom and Dad Burch and Laurie. 

// piles of deliciousness waiting for us at the beach house //

// this was just the normal weather //

// handsome husband! //

// treasures from the Long Beach Flea Market //

// luxurious dinners // 

// joy //

// perfunctory beach naps after long trivia games // 

// birthday boy // 

//  cupcakes in honour of the Best Husband // 

// see you in July, Balboa // 

seven days [...?]

I'm waiting for that final "pre-wedding week stress" that I keep hearing so much about.  without sounding presumptuous, I'm so happy that I haven't experienced it yet.  then again, I just hit day seven.  but really though, I have so much to be grateful about.  of course, mostly just because I get to marry the best man in the world, but also just because of how everything has fallen so nicely into place these final days.  all the menus are printed and wrapped, the programs printed and tied, my dress finally altered, etc., etc.  all there is left to do are the small, enjoyable details [mixed in with schedule arranging and the 17 pots of coffee I'm drinking a day...], such as pulling things like these together for the reception:   

I have had such great help from everyone: my loving fiance for being the most helpful and supportive, Momma with altering my dress to perfection, Mom Burch in getting bridesmaids gifts and cake servers, & Tess, Olivia, and Mary for literally doing everything in my life that I need. 

thanks thanks thanks! 

xo, 

M. 

a note.

I don't feel badly that I don't classify myself as a Blogger.  I'm not into the Blogosphere.  I never have been.  which doesn't mean I don't enjoy spending minutes...uh, hours...reading blogs, but I have never felt the urge to keep up with one myself [cf. the laziness of every post previous--note the dates]. however, pride being the Great Sin, I pridefully have decided that I have been doing too many "cool" things as of late not to air them.  so here's a few little "cool" things [in order of coolness....one being the coolest].  and you should think they're "cool" too.  because they're on the internet.

# 1.  I'm getting married to this guy in 23 days.  I feel so blessed, everyday, for him.  the coolest.  easy.

#2.  I got to spend a week plus a little with these beautiful, beautiful new nieces and nephews.  all nineteen of them.  gloriously cool.  

#3.  we're moving to Chicago post-wedding.  this is the apartment-sweet-apartment.  very cool.

#4.  I'm making my wedding dress.  super cool. look at those cool buttons.  and those cool hands. 

#5.  there is a baby-goat.  adorably cool.  [and those cool shoes....]

    

#6.  I got to spend a week at the lake with Al and my family and saw this every night.  sublimely cool.  

#7.  I'm making various cool things for the wedding.  maybe my secret calling is a wedding planner...?  only I would probably shudder at the uncool things other people want me to do.    

[check out these nicely stacked DIY programs.  very cool.]

hopefully my pride will get the best of me and I'll post again.  soon.  

--M.  

better-than-dream reality.

some busy busy spring/early summer memories thus far.  

getting engaged, graduating, road-tripping, ocean-ing, loving, etc.  

I cannot believe that I'll be marrying this guy in 84 days.  I'm the luckiest (and most happy) of women. 

on marrying young.

Here are two excellent articles on getting married young, exactly along the lines of things I've been thinking about lately.

The Case for Getting Married Young // The Atlantic

Why It's Good to Get Married Young // First Things

snapshots from the weekend.

just a weekend recap....

these guys finished their Philosophy Theses

night-in-sick visit from the sweet things.

oddfellows brunch with bloody mary's

eggs benedict

Sara Bowes revisited

sur-pies for Alexander

we like to spend our days reading Keats and building Ideal Cities. 

//

-M.  

to be loved as to love

Whispers in the Loggia has a beautiful article on Pope Francis' recent decision to celebrate Holy Thursday Mass in a juvenile prison rather than Saint Peters.  Read it Here

another article, from First Things, also worth reading.

God has blessed us so.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury,pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.


O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen

next time around.

Little Joy's music video to "next time around" -- it's so charming, and perfect for cloudy Friday afternoons.