The Head and the Heart

The head:



Just published.  Exciting.

and the heart:

Just received.  Smile on lips.

The man knows his wife.

The Head and the Heart, Rivers and Roads

Field Trip: John Irving in Dallas

Perusing Texas Monthly, I saw an ad for the Dallas Museum of Art's Arts & Letters Live program, including an evening with John Irving.  Favorite author.  Had to go.

Luke and I headed to Dallas for a 14 hour visit.  Walked around the downtown, stayed at an ALoft hotel (which we recommend, swanky and reasonably priced), shot some pool, attended the event at the Majestic Theatre.

Seeing John Irving was - and I do not say this flippantly- a dream come true.  He discussed the major themes of his books (loss of parent/child/limb, sexual identity, faith, wrestling), did the OWEN MEANY VOICE (!), how much critics discount the creative process (ie, the assumption that everything in a novel must originate in the author's life rather than his imagination), among other topics.  I am so eager to read his newest, In One Person, and re-read his oeuvre.  It was thrilling to see and hear a giant of the American literary canon.  On the heels of the This American Life Live theatre event and taking my first piano lesson this evening, it's been a banner week for nerding out.

via

And then we met up with my friends from medical school, Tina and Joe, and had a great time catching up.  (Regretting deeply lack of picture).  We laughed and laughed and headed back to SATX in the morning smiling to each other, thinking, What a great little trip.

A Little Bit of the Big D:

We thought the building in the background looked like the building in the opening credits of Mad Men, if not precisely then in 60's mod spirit.

p.s.  Dallas, we are coming back!  I have a lot of friends I want to visit, and we have so much exploring to do.  Dallasites, please leave suggestions!

Chicago and MI familia

Our last stops on this trip were Chicago for Clint and Kelly's wedding, and Kalamazoo for Susie's shower.  It was chillier in Chicago than we expected, and we didn't bring any jackets...

So I wore Luke's sleeping shirt around all day.  So typical... I never pack the appropriate clothes and end up wearing layers of pajamas in public.  But no matter!  Here we are in front of Quartino, where we went with my friends the second time we met (the first meeting was months before in St Louis at Stache Bash, a celebration of the mustache).  I was eating ravioli and laughing and turned to say something to Luke and he kissed me on the RIGHT ON THE MOUTH IN FRONT OF EVERYONE and now we are married.

We returned to the scene of that first, flavorful and fateful kiss for lunch: I took it as a sign that this mustachioed gentleman was our server.

He recommended these gorgonzola-stuffed, pancetta-wrapped, honey-drizzled dates: YUM.

Before lunch we went to the wedding rehearsal; Luke played the piano in the ceremony, the cocktail hour and the first dance ('At Last').  I snapped some photos of the wedding party in Germania Place:

Clint, Kelly, coffee

That evening we attended the rehearsal dinner, and in the morning we met up with some of my most beloved people for a delicious brunch at Longman & Eagle.

across the street from Longman & Eagle

love these faces

{then, a nap}

{then, wedding!}

Practicing while the caterers and florists prepare:

Vince, Kate, Andrea, Ricky and Clint.  Does the light by his head mean Ricky is a future saint?

Kelly in the dress she designed. So gorgeous.

Clint and his father

In the morning we took the Amtrak to Kalamazoo

bye, Chicago

for Susie's shower and some downtime with the fam... I gave the camera to Alayna for some kid-perspective pics:

the photographer

Many busy days of travelling, but so full of love (babies!  wedding!  shower!), family and friends.

The Finolan Twins

We flew from Nashville to Chicago and headed out to Elgin to see our dear friends Mike and Eric, and meet their twins Maeve and Fiona!

And take my favorite photo of the trip:

So much love.

Maeve wonders, who is this rookie?!

going for a stroll

Just so cute

Heart melt

Note others enjoying some tummy time as well

Tummy time with Michael, Maeve, Fiona and Luke

Mike made dinner: tandoori chicken, biryani, palak paneer and naan; samosas from Indian store; delicious!

But there was still room for a sundae at the Chick N Dip:

everyone in the minivan

 
Luke borrows some glasses...

In the morning we headed into the city for the third stop: wedding.  But not before some more cuddles:

Much love to you, Finolan family!