Old Kids on the Block

A couple weeks ago, childhood friend Rachael arrived in Houston with her significant other Jon, who will start graduate school at the University of Houston. Lucky for me, the move means that Rachael may be visiting my neck of the woods as frequently as once a month. It's quite coincidental that my Indian Meadows friend's bf will be just a couple blocks away (transplanted from sunny California)!In an effort to introduce them to H-town, I took them for a spin in the Toyota Camry- A/C blasting. First stop was a the museum district's Cullen Sculpture Garden. We peeked in the Contemporary Arts Museum to see the quirky "Dance with Camera" installation. Then we headed over to the Byzantine Fresco Museum, the Rothko Chapel, and the Menil Collection. Anyone who has visited me in this tiny town knows that these are some of my favorite haunts. I absolutely loved the controversial work of Maurizio Cattelan, which had been sprinkled throughout the museum. We were fortunate enough to catch the thought-provoking exhibition in its last weekend.After the art tour, we ate yummy food at Thai Spice where I bumped into favorite Rice professor Dennis Huston. Then Rachael, Jon, and I met up with Risa and had a family-friendly nightcap of Amy's ice cream.

Till death do us part

After the wedding festivities for Amy and Aaron, things took a morbid turn. At the strike of midnight, I made my way over to the Museum of Natural Science for a CultureMap Pop-Up Party. My friend (and CultureMap writer) Sarah alerted me of the festivities, which provided a free opportunity to see Houston's horticultural sensation Lois, the corpse flower.People mixed and mingled in the HMNS courtyard while sipping cocktails and eating delicious, fancy cupcakes. Then, there was a grand unveiling of the corpse flower's alter ego on Twitter. Much to my surprise, Sarah herself was behind some of the acerbic, diva-esque tweets. The evening capped off with a special glimpse of the corpse flower, which only blooms for a few days every few years. The line was long and the stink was gone, but I'm sure glad I had a chance to see what all of the fuss was about!

Put a ring on it

On July 24 Amy and Aaron walked down the aisle of Houston's 1891 St. John Church. The one-room chapel is nestled in the heart of downtown, tucked in Houston Park between skyscrapers and the public library. Though this ceremony technically was their third round of nuptials, this was the first time they tied the knot with the full wedding party in front of family and friends.Our mutual friend (and my roommate) Javier officiated over the short-but-sweet "I dos." Afterward we went to 13 Celsius Wine Bar for the reception. Amy and Aaron's friend Mike owns the "industrial-chic" establishment (Mike's wife Gretchen is also a friend/gym buddy!). At the reception we sipped wine, toasted champagne, ate delicious cupcakes, and danced the day away. To get a better idea of the day's festivities, check out their awesome wedding highlight video!

Don't have a cow.

Way back on July 9, Brandi and I went to Chick-Fil-A dressed as cows. Because we are ridiculous, hungry people who love a good deal, we sacrificed a bit of dignity and scored free meals! Though most of the other Cow Appreciation Day participants were under 8, Brandi and I made a pretty good showing.On July 15 Brandi and Peter hosted a tea party in celebration of friend Rose's return from studying in England. Naturally, Brandi outdid herself with preparing the delicious scones, triangle sandwiches, cheese varieties, and (of course) tea. My belly was full for days to come! Here's the cute poem accompanying the invite:

Rose has journeyed back from Isles across the sea,
So I propose a party--of course, high tea!
With scones, jam, honey, butter and clotted cream,
Triangular sandwiches ('twill be a dream!),
Lots of delightful company,
And something else...oh yes, the tea!

Orange spice, cinammon stick, vanilla chai,
Earl and Lady Grey, lemon zinger, oh my!
Black current, oolong, Persian peach white, and green--
Will all be served on Thursday evening,
At seven o'clock, in number 116.
Another day may well suffice,
Just let me know, I won't ask twice!