Saturdays

I spent last weekend working and Greg took a fishing trip to Wisconsin so I was really excited to visit the farmer's market this morning. We had the bikes out all ready to go but we didn't make it very far. Greg had a flat tire...boooo. Bummer, had to take the car.

So much good stuff. The fruits and veggies are great but there is also fresh bread, pasta, cheese, honey, flowers...on and on and on. Greg is showing off his freshly baked pie above! I think baked goods should be off limits at a farmer's market, how are we supposed to resist???

Eating Organic

It doesn't get any fresher!

I am really enjoying the veggie garden!!! I might have to ask Greg to help me expand the garden space so I can plant a wider variety of veggies next year!

Summer time in the city

We've been having such a fun summer! Have a mentioned how much I love summer time in Chicago???

Of course we had to make an appearance at The Taste...food was incredible!

Downtown is the place to be in the summer!

Cooling off in the fountains at Millennium/Grant Park.

Naperville has outdoor summer concerts and theater every weekend, and it's free!

Lastly, just a couple shots of my veggie garden growing out of control! I've always wanted a vegetable garden but I had no idea how fast this stuff would grow!

Sorry this is such a jumble of stuff all rolled into one post. I've been really bad about updating the blog. I'm going to try and do a better job of documenting all our summer adventures! On Saturdays we ride bikes to the Farmer's Market, this is one of my favorite weekend activities, will promise to take pictures :)

I left my heart in...Sacramento

Last weekend we flew to Sacramento for a wedding. The company was fabulous, the venue was GORGEOUS, the food was delicious, and we had an amazing time!

The happy couple enjoying their first dance! I love going to weddings, especially now that we are married. You can marvel and enjoy all the beautiful decor and fabulous food knowing you didn't have to plan a thing!

Above, my handsome husband looked divine in his wedding party get up. Below, my shoes eventually found their way off, this is not unusual.

Sacramento is definitely on our list of place we would consider living in the future. As much as we love Chicago, there is just something super comfortable about the west coast. We will miss you Sacramento!

Returned Visitors

Our Robin family has returned to our front porch light and we can no longer use the front door (again) thanks to these three. Mama and Papa Robin are just ask protective as they were last year and I have learned my lesson. For those of you who don't recall the bird attack last year lets just say it was a little embarrassing.

The babies are a lot cuter now that they have some feathers. I love how they sleep, head slung over the side of the nest like "I give up".

And a quick shot of my Irises. I know this is our second spring here but I'm still amazed at how flowers just grow. No watering needed. Love it.

New link

http://www.mylifetime.com/my-lifetime-commitment/breast-cancer/petition/breast-cancer-petition

Try this one. I just closed the sign in box and was able to sign the petition without signing in.

Please Read

Proposed Mastectomy Law Change

I'll never forget the look in my patients eyes when I had to tell them they had to go home with the drains, new exercises and no breast. I remember begging the doctors to keep these women in the hospital longer, only to hear that they would, but their hands were tied by the insurance companies.

So there I sat with my patient giving them the instructions they needed to take care of themselves, knowing full well they didn't grasp half of what I was saying, because the glazed, hopeless, frightened look spoke louder than the quiet 'Thank you' they muttered.

A mastectomy is when a woman's breast is removed in order to remove cancerous breast cells/tissue. If you know anyone who has had a mastectomy, you may know that there is a lot of discomfort and pain afterward. Insurance companies are trying to make mastectomies an outpatient procedure. Let's give women the chance to recover properly in the hospital for 2 days after surgery.

This Mastectomy Bill is in Congress now. It takes 2 seconds to do this and is very important. Please take the time and do it really quick! The Breast Cancer Hospitalization Bill is important legislation for all women.

If there was ever a time when our voices and choices should be heard, this is one of those times. If you're receiving this, it's because I think you will take the 30 seconds to go to vote on this issue and send it on to others you know who will do the same.

There's a bill called the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act which will require insurance companies to cover a minimum 48-hour hospital stay for patients undergoing a mastectomy. It's about eliminating the 'drive-through mastectomy' where women are forced to go home just a few hours after surgery, against the wishes of their doctor, still groggy from anesthesia and sometimes with drainage tubes still attached.

Lifetime Television has put this bill on their web page with a petition drive to show your support.. Last year over half the House signed on. PLEASE! Sign the petition by clicking on the web site below.

http://www.mylifetime.com/my-lifetime-commitment/breast-cancer/petition/breast-cancer-petition

Clicking the above link and supporting this petition will take less than 30 seconds. If you feel comfortable posting the above information on your blog I would encourage you to do so. Everyone knows someone that has been affected by breast cancer so do it for your family and friends. Thank you!