Mikes came to visit for Liam’s 30th birthday – here we are after he landed from an overnight flight from Portland. He looks awake here but got some good sleep shortly after this!
Miles and I both worked from home Wednesday, John was on a work trip in NY.
By the way, my basil plants are in peak health right now! I keep cutting leaves off and the next day it’s back to this!
Thursday John, Miles and I walked around wicker park and did a bit of shopping. Fun day! Thursday evening miles went to oak park with Dylan and we drove to Sawyer. With Liam’s birthday friends, we needed to use the casita as a bedroom and the casita’s ventilation wasn’t up to it, with small windows on one side and no cross breeze. We have been needing to install a screen door to let in the breeze and keep out the bugs, and we knew this would be a couple of hour project so wanted to start early on Friday. It had tricky moments but voila, here’s the finished project!
We slept in the casita over the weekend and thought it was really great! Comfy bed. Liam, miles and Marissa arrived Friday early evening on time for a bite to eat (pasta with green beans, potatoes and pesto from the basil plants shown above!) and a sunset walk at the beach.
Marissa picked up these stones and arranged them on the porch ledge.
Ellen, Bobby and Carolyn arrived later, was great to meet everyone! I didn’t take too many photos but here’s one of Marissa presenting her cocktail in their ‘herbathon’ activity on Saturday – these 5 chose an herb each and have made starters, desserts and now cocktails starring their chosen herb. They have scorecards and vote on winners in different categories (presentation, taste, etc.) congratulations Carolyn who won not only in the cocktails category but overall. As a bystander I’d also say she scored high in the grace category, since she shared her prize with basil, saying that herbathon showed it was the real winner amongst herbs. These guys were all top notch guests, being extremely fun to have around, taking advantage of local food and the kitchen, and enthusiastic about the area and lake! Loved meeting and hanging out with you all! (Noting that we’ve known Ellen since she was 3, so meeting doesn’t apply to her!)
Saturday evening we all had dinner together: bbq chicken, a big grain salad, corn. John made a peach cobbler for Liam’s birthday and we presented it in the porch with candles and singing, but I need to track down photos of that part of the evening. Will post when I get them!
John and I walked to the beach where there was no sunset due to clouds but the sky did this cool thing.
Sunday morning I went swimming with Carolyn and Bobby who are both competing on triathlons next month. Great swim!
The ‘kids’ went to Three Oaks, Sawyer, and the beach bucket for ice cream, then Liam and miles came back for gifts and additional birthday wishes for Liam. Happy 30th bday, sweetie! We love you! ❤️
Meanwhile in Dublin, Kathleen celebrated her birthday with a Clontarf gathering with the Brennans, then a historic Mayo win in the all-Ireland! So much to celebrate!
Back to the US timeline… after gifts, Liam headed back to Chicago after we remembered to take a documentary photo!
Miles, John and I did a sunset walk at the north end of Warren dunes, from Floral Lane. We swam in the most shimmery lake water I’ve ever seen, and enjoyed some Dubai chocolate (from Aldi, my new go to for chocolate!) when we got back. Great weekend, everyone! ❤️❤️❤️
