Inspirations

I find this time of year so inspiring (mid/late spring, beginning of summer), and I'm not sure if it has to do with the long-instilled sense of excitement that comes with the end of a school year and the beginning of another summer with its accompanying vacations; or perhaps it's just the beautiful weather, temperate climes and the promise of many sunny afternoons spent with a cold drink in-hand. Whatever it is (probably a combination of both my youthful anticipations and now-adult enjoyments), I love this season. Perhaps even more so this year because we had an unusually early, and warm, spring here in Chicago, and I've been soaking it up. We enjoyed not only an early spring, but a mild winter and I'm beginning to wonder if the apocalypse is near (just kidding... mostly).

Whatever the cause, I've been trying to make the most of these beautiful days. DH and I started a back-porch garden (photos to come) and are eagerly awaiting our first crop of homegrown cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, and jalapenos. We are already enjoying the fruits of our basil and mint plantings.

I've also been enjoying some good books and good music. Most recently completed was Infelice by the incomparable Augusta Jane (Evans) Wilson, the most recent addition to my list of favorite authors (recent as in the last 2 years, joining the ranks of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis). The image cover below is a passable rendering, but the descriptive powers of AJE's writing really deserve much better, leading to my consideration of an illustration project based on her novels. I'm afraid the audience for this type of writing is sadly limited, but one of these days I may find enough time (and the right models) to bring these stories to life on canvas. It is easy for me to call images to mind as I'm reading, but I'll admit that I enjoy illustrations as well -- especially when similar to my own imaginings.

That being said, I aim this summer to really put as much time as possible into creative efforts. Whether it be side design projects (which already take up a fair amount of my time), or painting and drawing. A fresh bouquet like this would make quite a nice little still life... Does anybody know what kind of flowers these are (they grow on a very tall bush outside our apartment)?

Groundhog....Year?

Groundhog Day was last Thursday (and yes, it does appear we'll have 6 more weeks of winter).... but I feel like I'm having a Groundhog Year! Maybe it has something to do with the fact that this is a leap year...?

Why, you may ask, am I feeling this way? Well, I'm starting a new job. Again. Things seem to be repeating themselves... This time last year, I was still working at The Restaurant Directory -- we had just opened an office in the suburbs, and I was commuting 3 days a week. Until I got recruited by Jones Lang LaSalle. I started my position there as a Sr Graphic Designer in early March 2011. Tomorrow I start a new job. Again. I will now be working as a Marketing Specialist at CBRE. Crazy, no? I never would have expected myself to end up in the real estate biz, but that's a post for another day.

I  have the connections and interest of friends to thank for these recent changes and, more importantly, the Divine intervention that has brought me where I am today. We can never imagine as 12-, 16-, 18-, 20-year olds, etc., where our lives will end up as time goes by. It is a funny thing to look back on the past and see how God has arranged events in just such a way to bring us to a new chapter in life, and bring us closer to Him. He really does know best, and this I have learned to trust.

So, who knows where I'll be 12 months from now but, for the moment, I'm trusting that I am exactly where I need to be. Groundhog Day or not.

Red + White Kitchen

Someday I think I'd fancy a white kitchen with red accents....