Closing Out Summer

Oh the last days of summer.  Oh so sad to see it go.  But Fall is my favorite time of year...sorry summer.  I will miss summer for being able to swim my laps outside, biking to work, the extra daylight,  flip flops,  seasonal fruits and veggies, outdoor dining and festivals.  I had a pretty good summer but they do always seem to fly by.  I still feel like I'm going back to school and feel the need to buy new clothes and get school supplies.  I look back on the list of what I wanted to do at the beginning of summer and I did a lot but still have a few things to do.  Next weekend I will be visiting my family in St. Louis so I hope I can get a few of them in while I'm there.  Here are some photos of the summer.

My other bike/vintage Schwinn

Outside Lands Music Festival Lucky Winner!

So I love to enter contest.  I enter spa trips cause I just want to be pampered somewhere really cool,  sometime to win some kind of cool prize but mostly I enter to win a trip to a music festival or a concert.  I want to travel more and I am a huge music geek so I figure if I ever win then I could do both.  I never think I'm going to win just fun to dream.  So when I entered a contest on facebook for apple/itunes trip to this music festival in San Francisco I never dreamed I would win but I got a phone call/email and was pretty much in shock till I left for the airport and realized it was real.

So I got picked up from the airport in a limo which was so amazing.  We stayed at the St. Francis Weston right on the square downtown San Francisco which is a beautiful historic hotel.

I brought my friend John along because I've known him for a very long time and I used to bring him to shows all the time when I worked in the music business and got free tickets.  He loves music as much as I do.  I must say San Francisco had perfect fall like weather and it felt so good after being in hot Chicago all summer.  And as I pointed out to my friend no mosquitoes or flies which was a shock to him but an added bonus for us as we walked around enjoying the sites.  The first night John got a recommendation for this natural wine bar called Terroir Natural Wine Merchant.  Had this great rustic feel and they played records which is always a treat.  We were hungry so the owner suggested checking out the food truck across the street called Chez Spencer .  They helped us pick a wine that went really well with our food. We enjoyed meeting new people and our first night was a complete success.

Next morning we were ready to head to the Outside Lands. We met our wonderful host Melody and her fiance Nick and headed to the festival.  We had VIP so I was loving the nice restrooms and beverage/ lounging area.  The festival is held in  Golden Gate Park which is breathtaking.  I could not believe how tall the trees were and couldn't ask for a better backdrop to see some great music.

Local Vineyards Tent

VIP area

The weekend was amazing and one I will never forget.  Great place, great bands, great food, great people and what an adventure we had.  Thanks so much to everyone involved in making my weekend so special.  I am very lucky!!

Day 1:
Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars-full of energy
Levon Helm Band-great country sounds
Bassnector
My Morning Jacket
Tokyo Police Club-loved them really got the crowd going
Wolfmother
Cat Power
The Stokes

Day 2:
Amos Lee
Soft Pack-fun
The Temper Trap- Australia guys who really know how to rock.  My favorite of the fest.
Al Green
Chromeo- Did some dancing.
Phoenix- French guys who knew they could be so good
Social Distortion
Kings of Leon

My Nieces and Nephews.

I think I have some of the best nieces and nephews.  Ok maybe I am biased but really they are all great and have the Peurrung quality of goofiness, competitiveness, and best smiles out there!  I can't say enough about how great their parents did raising them and its always a joy to be around them.  I'm one lucky aunt.

My oldest brother Pete/Janice's Kids
Emily:  The oldest and smartest of the bunch.  You were such a good kid and have grown into a beautiful woman.  You married a great guy! And you remind me so much of your mom.  Elegance and grace.

Michael: Great sense of humor of both your parents and first boy.  You got the artistic and math gene.  Lucky you!  You and Laura make a great team.  You always have a way of making everyone laugh. You love beer!

Maggie: Your dad always says you remind him of me.  I don't know if that is good or bad.  I think good.  You like order, klutzy, music, photography and kind of goof! Don't worry you won't grow out of it if your anything like me!

My sister Lori/Russel's kids:
Grace: Other twin.  You are your namesake.  Elegant and smart.  I love watching you get on point in your ballet shoes.  Your postcard collection is amazing and love all the Jane Austin type period movie/books.  So I guess that makes you a romantic.

Emma: Twin 2. Your outgoing, creative and always watching out for people.  Your great soccer player.  And you love those Vampire, Sci-Fi, Fantasy type books/movies.  So guess that makes you a dreamer.

Kate: The old soul who always says the most interesting things.  Your mom called them katisms and I love that your so curious and kind.  And your room is so much more clean that your sisters!

Adam:  Cheeky boy you are.  You have to survive with 3 older sisters.  You love sports and games.  And oh the Lego's!!

My Brother Steve/Sharon's kids:

Jack: Your just like your dad.  Quiet and mischievous.  Great at sports.  You love to be outside! 

Daniel: Youngest of them all.  He is a boy full of energy, silly and has no fear.

My sister Julie/Jim's kids:
Spencer:  Calm and easy going.  Can eat a lot!  You love sports and play well with others.

Megan: You love to swim and your really great at it.  Your so sweet and cute.  You have such a pretty bedroom!

Who Doesn't Love Flowers!

I can't tell you how much I love giving and getting flowers.  They brighten up your day and make you feel good to get them.  I try to buy them when I can especially at the farmers market or in the dead of winter when having something so beautiful and alive in my house make me feel warm and happy. 

Flowers remind me of so many things, people, places and events in my life.  I will always remember my sister in law Janice for the great arrangements and love of flowers she passed on to those around her. 

From my nephew Micheal's wedding-they are on my desk at work

From my niece's Emily's wedding

My favorite flowers are tuberose which smell very fragrant just as the sun sets.  I also love Lilly's because they smell really amazing and are so big and bright. But really I love them all!