Landmark

So...At least once a week I drive into the city for the farm.  And often times I get to pass this guy. He really brightens my drive. I am a big fan of folk art. If I haven't mentioned this before, I will now. I'm really into archaeology. Being an archaeologist was up there on my list of careers when I was little. Particularly anthropology. I love that there was a time when things like this were in demand. Handmade by an artist or local tradesman, made out of quality materials, for a business or where ever. Landmarks on your family's trip driving cross country, outside your favorite ice cream stand you visit in the Summertime, or to draw in customers to a custom furniture store. A cultural snap shot of an era.  Nowadays, for the most part, everything is made out of the cheapest materials possible. Everything looks the same. Strip mall after strip mall.  It's pretty depressing. And I know that none of it will last. It's possible this lot will get purchased and torn down, get turned into something really lame. And where will this guy go? You hope things like this get preserved. I think they do, I think there are still a lot of people out there who know when things are special. I know that he won't last forever either. But as I drive by, I daydream about someone finding him in 600 years and them wondering what life was like way back when.

Sunday

   

  

I had to share. I went to Blumen Gardens today for their third Sunday of the month Art Market.  I haven't been to this place in ages, but this is actually where Jason and I got married. The place is amazing...Its an old graphite factory turned into a garden center.  But not just any garden center, a secret garden type of center.  I love it. My friend Ann Flowers had a booth at the market, whom I am very proud of.  She recently took the plunge of quitting her day job to pursue her creative talents full time. I have always loved her artwork, but you must check out her other stuff: pom poms, neon, and glitter goodness galore! There was live music, free brats & lemonade, and I found these lovely metal tins. I decided to paint on them when I got home.  I'm thinking they would be quite nice hanging on a wall somewhere...its a fern, mint, ranunculus, lavender, and a dahlia.

This evening, the air is super cool. Makes me want to wrap myself in a cozy blanket for days.  Goodnight. 

New Camera!

I haven't written in some time. For many months you may have read that I've been hymning and hawing over purchasing a new camera. A camera camera. Well... I recently became the owner of a brand new, Nikon D3100! I am in love. I am most certainly an amateur photographer, but I am enjoying how a new camera makes you look at things differently.  I am finding myself noticing the light more, or small moments that I can't wait to capture. Now we're just getting know one another (me and the camera that is.) That's pretty much what I've been doing the past couple of weeks. Here are some of my favorite shots of recent...Just bits of my life: home, summertime meals, the farm, visiting with friends, making homemade margaritas, the good stuff.

Some of these photo's are at my friend, Bryanne's house. She's one of the best people I've ever met in this world, I feel blessed I met her at age 12, and she has incredible style. Someday I want to share photo's of her whole house, if she'll let me. Bry and I have been enjoying this margarita recipe this Summer (as you can tell, haha) It tastes delicious and has no sugar at all. I don't know why people would ever buy a mix.

Classic Margaritas
3/4 cup tequila
1/2 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
1/2 cup of triple sec or cointreau 
1 lime sliced (for garnish)
sea salt for your glass rim (optional) 

Enjoy over ice or blended!

Creature Feature

Oh, how I love Summer. I've had some time off the past couple of days and I'm enjoying the Summer slow down.  Everything literally seems to move in a slower motion. I love sitting on my porch swing, watching the neighborhood, breathing in the deep fragrant scent of the linden flower trees blooming, and counting my blessings.

My beautiful nieces were in town from Germany this past week for the Fourth of July. I love and miss those girls to death.  Sophia, the oldest, is the smartest child I've ever met and has the manners of a princess.  Bianca, only three, is a total wild child.  Jason and I joke that she was raised by wolves. She's the one to watch out for when she gets older.  And Aryanna, or Ari as we like to call her, is just six months old. This was the first time we got to meet her.  She was born in January, and neither of us had been able to visit until now. She is the sweetest tempered baby ever.  It breaks my heart that we miss so much of them growing up while they are living over seas.  They are coming back in the Fall, thank goodness.

In the meantime, I have been busy bike riding, barbecuing, swimming, and working on my illustration portfolio. Here are some images for you black cat and baking lovers. Enjoy your July!

A million moments

Hello, hello. I'm so happy to say it is JUNE.  June is one of my favorite months of the year, there is still the essence of Spring, it's typically not sizzling hot yet, everyone around you seems to be in a jolly mood, summer murmuring on everyone's lips. I think Summer gives everyone butterflies in their stomachs, nostalgic for what once was or excitement over plans to be had. I had just been discussing this with a friend, but at one point in your life, probably before you were a teenager, you had your entire summer off. Nearly three blissful months to be free. I have a teacher friend who still enjoys this, every single Summer, after she's buttoned up her classroom, she travels to some far off country every Summer. This month I am nostalgic for our cabin up in Rhinelander, WI that is no longer in the family. My brothers and I would spend all day playing in the woods or boating on Lake Boom. There was a tiny island on the lake that we named Ant Island, that we claimed as our personal land and country, and that my brothers and I visited daily. Someday I want to go back there, to see if my island is still there.  But there have been many great happenings going on in the present this season. It's been a busy couple of weeks.

I got to go to the Na-da Barn Sale (finally!) Some of my friends had booths, Cracker Jax and A Beautiful Party. I was so blown away, this farm is sort of out in the middle of nowhere, yet there were a million people flocking from every direction to visit on this special day. Ann Marie who owns the farm, puts a special touch on every corner of this delightful farm. I highly recommend a visit.

 

I got to go to the closing reception for my works in the Earth to Table show, got to pick and score some  wood from this barn, went to several graduation parties, visited my family's farm in Fithian, IL. My garden is growing well, I absolutely can't wait for my kale and tomatoes to be ready for harvesting. Bike riding, laying in the sun, sitting on my porch swing with a friend and a cool drink. And best of all, Jason and I just celebrated our three year wedding anniversary.  Every day I feel so blessed to have him in my life. I couldn't wish for a better husband.

Bzzzz

Oh, delightful Spring. I don't know what it is this year, but I feel like I am fully enjoying Spring for the first time in ages. Perhaps it was the never ending Winter or the fact that this year it hasn't been god-awful-hot early, but it has been lovely. I feel like a little bee buzzing to each flower, sniffing each blossom and savoring all the colors and beauty. The sunshine has been abundant on most days and I am trying to make the most of my spare time.  I got to visit Morton Arboretum for the first time last week with some dear friends.  If you've never been, I highly recommend it. I felt as if I was in a dream, as corny as that sounds. I guess I really do have spring fever.

Spring at the farm has been good so far. We had our first harvest last Friday. I feel blessed to have a job that allows me to be out in nature. Look who decided to nest in one of our flower baskets? I think Momma Bird wasn't so happy with my snapping some photo's, but it was well worth it.

ALSO...

Come see some of my artwork in the "Earth to Table" exhibit at the West Chicago City Museum this Saturday, May 18th, open 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. during the Blooming Fest.  Exhibition runs April 20th- May 25th. I will be in attendance about 1 p.m - 3 p.m. in case you want to say hello.

West Chicago City Museum
132 Main Street
West Chicago, IL 60185

630-231-3376