Springtime Colors

This sweater was love at first sight. And I waited and waited and finally when no one else wanted it and it was about to be thrown out into the cold Salvation Army truck, it became mine. Can you see where the stitch changes direction at the shoulders, bottom hem, and sleeves? I think it's purty. I want to show off a bit of springtime in the city and I've decided that Hyde Park might have some of the best landscaping in Chicago.

My scarf was a gift from a dear family friend and I have barely taken it off since February. It comes from one of my absolute favorite stores, The Gardener. I hope one day to have a home that looks like the Berkeley store - the merchandising is absolute unbridled genius. And everything is beautiful.

My shoes are from way back in 2006: my junior year abroad. In stalking them, I also learned that my boyfriend and I do not feel the same way about shopping. At all. Unless it's in a record or book store.

Enjoy your weekend, bisous bisous.

Earrings: Laurel Burch via my great aunt

Shoes: Office

Jeans: Mango

Sweater: Encore
Scarf: Paulette Rollo from The Gardener

Offerings

About My Father

This is my dad "a few moons ago," as he puts it (my mom is at the wheel).  After my mom had moved on to Volvos, he drove this BMW until it was 25 years old.  He enjoys getting the most out of something.  And listening to this song.

He also enjoys New York Times Crossword Puzzles:

And sitting outside in the morning /

Under his plum tree /

Next to the hibernia /

while drinking a caffe latte /

Made from coffee he has just ground /

And sometimes with a pastry (though not always) /

Also keeping an eye on the weather.

After breakfast, he gardens in shoes once used for hiking, close to 40 years ago /

Now with grass in the laces / 

While wearing protective gear, including noise-canceling headphones (of course) /

He whacks the weeds.

This year, he grows tomatoes /

And labels them /  

With enough to share / 

My aunt takes three bags full.

For lunch, he might poach an egg or two.

Then it is back to the garden /

Under the lemon tree /


He keeps the sun away from his skin, caring little for appearances /

Growing lettuce in a wheelbarrow /

With netting to keep the hungry deer away /

He fertilizes the roses /

My mother's favorites.

With a green thumb, he revives a mint plant /

And an orchid.

And at the end of it all, topped with his famous marinated onions and homegrown lettuce, he enjoys a hamburger and a Pale Ale.

This is a little about my dad.  

Happy Father's Day.