The (holiday) weekend, succinctly

The weekend was hot, in a word. 

Lots of blazing sunshine and outdoor stuff to celebrate the Fourth, entertaining visiting family members during the long holiday weekend. And free from work for 1 1/2 business days. Thank you, America!

There was a trip to the Green City Market, my first visit of the year. The morning was spent indulging in fresh-picked hydrangeas and peonies, my favorite flowers. The lovely color of orange beets and golden baby carrots was captivating. Note to self: must get out here more often to enjoy the Lincoln Park scene, although I typically prefer the quiet, small Wicker Park market that L introduced me to last year.

{ wearing my vintage-inspired frock }

{ lovely, flouncy peonies by the stem }

A trip to Chinatown for dim sum, as is tradition on weekend mornings.

Found an authentic Korean BBQ place called San Soo Gab Son in Chicago, discovered by my aunt on the Internet. There was lots of marinated beef, spicy chicken, beef short ribs, and squid for cooking over the flaming coals; 24 side dishes; 2 types of tofu soups, 1 seafood pancake, and a Korean madame. Swear. (She said I was cute, and that she'd keep me.)

{ lots and lots of sides - the best part of the BBQ experience, as I like to taste a lot of stuff }

{ it doesn't look like much, but it's one of my faves, some kind of crispy glass noodle in sweet rice vinegar } 

There was a July 4th brunch with a large group of friends at Feast in Bucktown, complete with a heaping pile of oatmeal pancakes.

{ pancakes, perfectly fluffy }

Followed by a walk with dogs, barbecue at home, and some stoop-sittin' action at the neighborhood block party where everyone converges at the school field in a drunken/rowdy/sparkly/firecrackery frenzy – a.k.a. the ghetto fabulousness that is Wicker Park!

{ basil centerpieces, plucked from our garden }

{ elk burgers + baby carrots from Green City Market }

{ mommy + FurFur in matching red, white, and blue bows }

And ended with a walking trip through Oak Park, Illinois, to check out the old homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright (post coming soon).

{ bust of Frank }

{ Not pictured – me almost passing out from heat stroke }