Fortieth Day

My Saturday afternoon was spent oo-ing and aw-ing over lace, beading, and tulle in a bridal shop. A dear friend of mine is getting married soon and I got to offer my support and thoughts as she searched for (and purchased!) an absolutely stunning wedding dress.  

Thirty-ninth Day

I spent my afternoon in the Grand Hall at Chicago's Union Station before hopping on an Amtrak train.  

Day 40

My first trip of the summer to Cranwill's Drive-In. It's the closest eatery to my house -- and they have the best root beer!

Day 39

What a way to spend my Friday night -- studying for the GRE and narrowing down the list of grad schools that I'm planning on applying! I have just over a month before I take the exam...and then it's application time!

Day 38

It's been stolen. It's been broken. It's the Bronze Turkey! Monmouth College and Knox College have the sixth oldest rivalry in college football. In 1928, the Galesburg Register Mail and the Monmouth Review Atlas each donated money for a trophy to be awarded at the contest which was originally held on Thanksgiving Day. Because of the bird-knappings -- a body double has been created and awarded to the winning school. This is photograph is of the real deal -- not the body double! It just so happened to show up in our office this afternoon.

Thirty-eighth Day

We have some surprise lilies growing in a pot on our back porch. We don't know where they came from or how they are surviving considering what terrible plant parents we are.  

Here's hoping they continue blooming.

Thirty-seventh Day

In honor of the 90th anniversary of women's suffrage in the United States, my lovely roommate brought me back a mug and pin from her Cape Cod holiday.  

I also just love tea, especially English Breakfast.  I can't begin my day without a cup, or two. 

Day 37

Raindrops collect on my apartment windows. Luckily, I finished my run just before the shower began!

Thirty-sixth Day

These humid summer days require some air circulation in order for one to survive.  

Thankfully, I have an adorable retro fan to assist in my survival. 

Day 36

Today I played a little tennis in the rain. What a refreshing way to wind down after a long day at the office!

Thirty-fifth Day

I don't know whether it's due to the fact that my family owns an antique store, or if it's because I'm studying history, but I love old things. Big surprise, right?  While this poster isn't an original, I am a sucker for the artistic style and felt like treating myself with a new purchase.  Now to get it on the wall...

Day 35

My addiction to Chipotle began while living in Washington, DC last semester. On our shopping trip today, we found one in downstate Illinois to end my withdrawal.

Day 34

At home, the corn is taller than "knee high by the Fourth of July." And then in Peoria, the airplanes flew over the Illinois River before Red, White, and Boom commenced.

Thirty-fourth Day

Chicago Style Fourth of July: A morning at the Chicago Botanic Garden, a patriotic meal at home, and for a grand finale: fireworks over Lake Michigan.  No fears of British attacks whatsoever. 

Day 33

One of my favorite summer scenes: laundry hanging out to dry.

Thirty-third Day

Somehow we got an extra ice cream cone at the Taste and I just couldn't let it go to waste, so of course I ate two!  Unfortunately, they were melting so quickly, and with my great luck, I dropped the last of one of my cones on the ground.  I was too dehydrated to actually cry.

Day 32

Girls night dinner -- complete with the musical stylings of Dean Martin.

Thirty-second Day

My family is visiting this weekend, so I took them to see the reason I'm living in Chicago. They were extremely impressed by our lakeside view on campus. 

Day 31

Dinner downtown with friends followed by a movie and cruising with the windows down and the music turned up = a perfect summer night.

Day 30

Friends fill my summer nights with music.