The Summer in Many Parts

First there was the part where I was really busy getting ready for Annual Meeting, and then actually going to Annual Meeting. (See previous post re: the fun and excitement that awaited me in St. Paul!)

The next part was a bit more relaxing, and a different kind of fun.

My roommate accompanied me on a trip across the Midwest to see my family in Kansas. We hung out in Lawrence for a long weekend with my sister and her family, including my two-and-a-half year old nephew. This adventure included a petting zoo where K got to feed some baby goats...

...and lots of moments of him just being super cute:

The next part found me back in Chicago with an extra day off work, in which I exercised my love of vegetables and support local producers at the Lincoln Square Farmer's Market. Those mushrooms are DELICIOUS.

I do seriously love eating food produced by people I can actually meet and talk with about how they farm their land. Makes for tasty meals, too!

This next part is not really about me... but it's the part where my friend and co-worker, Liz, found herself being side-hugged by Illinois' ousted governor, the infamous Blago, photographed, and published in the RedEye:

I find that part pretty hilarious, given who Liz is, and that Blago just randomly grabbed her out of a crowd to pose with.

The next part was extremely excellent:

a short, but sweet, visit from Emily, Fred, and little Dean Betcher. They rolled into town late last Friday, on their way to Michigan from visiting our other Emily in Minnesota. We stayed up too late, then got up early to a breakfast of biscuits and grave with good friends. Saturday morning I headed down to the John G. Shedd Aquarium with the Betchers, to take in all the aquatic life therein. I hadn't been to the Shedd in quite a long time, and thoroughly enjoyed myself in the company of good friends (and thousands of other Chicagoans).

Then there was the part with more good friends at Ravinia for a Chicago Symphony Orchestra tribute to Bernstein, Copeland and Gershwin:

(the company of great friends, like Christin, makes adventures worth it)

(Jon was there, as well. He's pretty serious about his Hostess Cupcakes.)

(with the always-lovely Ann-Marie)

Many more parts of the summer to come yet, I'm sure, including a second Ravinia visit, a trip to see family, and a brother's wedding. But so far, the parts are adding up to a great summer!