Festival Season

Yes, Lollapalooza is in full swing at the moment, but this is not the festival I'm speaking of. I'm speaking of the Peoria Festival of Trees. Yes folks, the decorating has begun.

A few weeks ago, I joined Kristin and the decorating crew for move-in and design for the 2026 festival season. No, I didn't like move-in better than last year (in fact, it was worse because we had less help, it was 100 degrees, and MORE boxes to move). 

We did complete the move from the storage facility to "the shop" in under 4 hours (although it took two trips). I, however, did not need to to participate in the second trip because Kristin wanted me to work with Marci to unpack the speciality ornaments. It was a job I had last year, so she thought I could handle it. 

It took all move-in day and 1/2 of the following day to get all the specialty unpacked. A few observations: 1. There are too many snowflakes (this will be important later in this post), 2. The design crew used a lot of specialty ornaments last year and Kristin has - almost - held true to the promise that she would not buy anything new, 3. The elves are creepy, 4. Kristin bought a "deer" ornament that is not my cup of tea (and for that commentary, I was tasked with helping design a tree using this ornament).

This is the "deer" ornament in question. 

These are the creepy elves.

Also, I thought that unpacking ribbon last year was the absolute worst job in the shop. I was wrong. The absolute worst is unpacking floral and organizing all of it into bins. However, I was so good at it, my sister had me doing all of it, with the help of another decorator Sarah.

Sidetrack for a moment...I also got to spend quality time with my nephew Finn. I'd feed him in the morning and give him his treats in the evening. And for the first time ever, he let me pick him up and hold him. It was less than 30-seconds, but I as very happy he finally let me do it!

Back to regularly scheduled programming. We got the shop fully unpacked in 5-days and began the design process for the trees. 

I stayed long enough last year to design a single tree and really disliked the process. Why? Well, we had just finished putting everything away and the design process involves removing ornaments, ribbon, floral, etc. from the place we just put it away in and then, whatever we don't decide to use gets put back on the shelves. In the meantime, whatever they will use for the design gets packed up in a storage bin to be brought out later during the decorating process. I mean, didn't we just get done with that? However, I stayed for the all tree designs (we didn't start on wreaths or hearth and home before I left).

Here's a sneak peak at the "Gingerbread" design, the first design of the season.

And the start of the BLUEY tree.

And, Toy Story.

But the tree I am most excited about is the one that Kristin let me design with an ornament I've been looking at in the shop for the past three years and wondering why it is not being used. It is my favorite ornament. 

I can tell you that the tree using this ornament turned out awesome. This is not the design aesthetic of my sister, but in the end, she loved it. And everyone else does too. 

Oh, and remember all the snowflakes I said the shop had? Well, Kristin let me design a tree using a number of snowflakes (top move inventory to speak). Here's. sneak peak of the design inspiration.

Now they've completed this tree in the shop and I can tell you it is stunning. Of course it is! I do have the eye for this sort of thing (which I know my sister doesn't love)!

We also did a few other things while I was in town. We attended the retirement party for Decorator Kim, had a few Framily dinners with the Reed family, hung out with Patty P, and of course went to the Walmart, Hobby Lobby, Costco, and Menards (no festival trip would be complete without visiting those places).

But the absolute best thing I did while I was there was attend decorator Sandy's weekly swim time. Yes, she and a friend swim three times a week for an hour. So, I was in the pool at 5:50 a.m. and loved it. For those who don't know, I was a champion swimmer in my youth (and very good at it). I hadn't been in the pool in years - well swimming laps in the pool that is. But, it was great. And look forward to doing it again in the future.

Oh, and I can't finish this post without sharing that we have a new shop shirt this season. Or as I like to refer to it, the uniform.

Cosmo's (19th) Birthday

Today would have been Cosmo's (19th) birthday. I'm sure he is playing with all his friends, and enjoying limitless McDonald's french fries, chicken, and chips.

So Many Reasons to Celebrate

 Today is Momma Mac's 80th Birthday! 

The MacDaddy reminded my sister and I today that it has been 16 years since our Mom was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer (not hereditary). We had concerns that she wouldn't celebrate her 70th birthday, let alone her 80th. Not a day goes by that we are not grateful for her medical team.

Kristin and I flew to Texas to surprise Momma Mac ahead of the big day.

But before the surprise, our first stop was at a Texas institution: Whataburger.

We picked up balloons and sweet treats before making the trek to our parents where Momma Mac was definitely surprised to see us. The MacDaddy kept our surprise visit a secret for a few months.

Kristin and I had a few hours each day for a little adventure. We went shopping, of course, and bought a number of matching items (jewelry, clothing, and the like), visited another Texas institution - Buc-ee's - and visited one of Kristin's decor suppliers who has their annual holiday open house the last Saturday in June. 

(Note, we did not purchase this shirt)

I'll have you note, I had to wait outside in the 100 degree heat to get ribbon at 70% off.

We also got to spend lots of quality time with Momma Mac and the MacDaddy. In fact, it is rare that we are able to watch F1 together - but we were able to watch the 2-days of practice sessions. And, we got the MacDaddy to participate in the filming of Taste Test Tuesday (a series on my Instagram). More to come on that in the future. 

Our travel home was uneventful (which is a good thing tis time of year).

The only thing is that the heat we had in Texas has followed us home.  So, both Kristin and I are laying low and hydrating until this heat wave breaks on Saturday.

A few weeks ago, I was having lunch with a colleague who mentioned he had just scored a ticket to see Springsteen in concert. I was surprised, not just because he had never seen him before, but because I had no idea Bruce was even coming to Chicago. 

Right then and there, I decided to buy a ticket (it helped when my colleague said the prices had dropped in past 24 hours).

I'm so glad I made that last-minute decision.

I knew going in this wouldn't be like the Billy Joel "plays the old shit" tour (a line that has stuck with me when Billy himself - nearly 30 years ago - described his concert). Some are calling this his protest tour. After reviewing it, I understand why. But what strikes me is that the undertone of so many of these songs is hope. The belief that we will persevere. That we will overcome. 

Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine (absolutely on brand for this tour) joined him and the band.

Few artists have matched Bruce Springsteen's consistency, not just as a musician, but as a moral voice. Across decades, he has never softened his message to suit the moment. He has championed the silenced, stood beside the vulnerable, and refused to let those in power escape accountability, especially when their actions diminish, demoralize, or harm the very people who trusted them to lead.

What's also remarkable is that he never names, by name, the leaders he holds accountable. He gives them air time without giving them air time. He makes it so clear that you'd have to be entirely disconnected from the world not to know who he's talking about. And there's something respectable in that. Offering those leaders dignity when they offer none. Demonstrating, and living, the behavior we expect from those very same leaders.

I saw multiple generations in that crowd. His impact today is just as strong as when I first discovered him on MTV, watching the "Born in the USA" video (yes, back when they actually played videos). Back then, I didn't understand it wasn't the proud anthem it appeared to be. Today, I do. And I can't help but wish we could all be as authentic as he is. Maybe our world would look - and sound - different.

That's me. Christmas 1986 and the Live: 1975-1985 Box Set. 

It's been four years...

 ...since Linda had surgery to remove her brain tumor. We all forgot, including Linda, however a mutual friend sent her a note and she got the idea to celebrate it. In fact, she called it the "she's still here" drink. 

I have to say, I didn't take a picture of our glass of champagne from Pops, but it was tasty and a great way to remember all that we have to be thankful for, especially how thankful we all are for Linda.

But, it didn't end there. We decided to have a celebratory lunch the following day. This time, I didn't forget to take a photo of the cocktails.

Or the food. 

Cheers to another tumor-free year - and one where Linda is still here!