The Yard.

** click to enlarge **

After lunch in Park Ridge with Michelle, we went to the Hinsdale Nursery. I love this place. It's so beautiful and well organized. We picked some pretty flowers and vines. I trimmed the bushes in the front afterward and set up the plants with the pots for planting tomorrow. I feel pretty beat, but that's probably mostly because I whooped it up last night pretty good. Tomorrow we've got to get a few more plants and flowers, a whole lot of food, and then spend the rest of the day getting the house and yard party-ready.

Perks of Being a Wallflower.

I finished The Perks of Being a Wallflower last week. It took 11 days, but that's only because I was trying to make it last. I loved the main character Charlie, so much. I broke down and cried several times at his sweet, thoughtful, sensitive self. So cute was this book, I highly recommend.

Dear Troy posted this image while I was in the middle of reading the book. It reminded me of something Charlie might have written down.

May 27.

Today is my birthday. I wanted to post some image/s that were calm and beautiful. I was searching around, but my mind kept drifting back to the elaborate, subtle and serene work of Liz Jaff. A while ago I posted a couple images of her bright, colorful and abstract quilt designs, seemingly a complete about-face from these white-on-white paper sculptures and drawings. I think all of it is so pretty. Happy Birthday to me.

The Loot (Part 1).

One really fun part of my parents coming up is discovering the stuff they pull out of the car when they arrive. I was surprised to unpack two boxes filled with a set of plain white, gold-rimmed China place settings for 12 that my Mom couldn't pass up at an estate sale. I would have never picked gold, but it definitely compliments the living/dining room decor. Hilarious to imagine entertaining 12 guests to sit-down dinner, but also nice to have.

She also brought up a framed boat photograph by Ray Hartl that I love. At least I thought it was a photograph*. I'm barely remembering her telling me it was a print of a painting, but we got sidetracked when she called the boat "yellow" so I didn't get the full story. I have since asked two people, and not one of us would call this boat yellow. You?

As I mentioned before, figuring out where to put these new things was a challenge. I needed to pull down a bunch of stuff and rearrange, typically a long process of moving, looking, leaving, moving again, and so on. So, while the pillow cases were being made and I was OCD'ing my closet, I was also able to go about this ritual uninterrupted.

This last shot has the 6 items I found at the antique pavillion place in Michigan. The second to last booth I stopped at had what I'd been looking for the whole time: the first beveled edge mirror to start my collection. In it's reflection you can also see 4 frames I got to hold some botanical prints. Another surprise was the little robin's egg blue frame that has a sweet little bird scene. I still think that black frame on the large print is too heavy, but it will do for now. The bathroom is coming together. I love finding treasures.

*It is a photo, or at least a print of a photo. I don't know where that earlier discussion was going. Also, the website I've linked to doesn't really seem to be functioning, but this is the artist.

The List.

After my mini-meltdown yesterday, I remembered the list I'd worked up in the event that I had something I needed or wanted to do and my Mom did not. So, while I did this:

she made the canvas pillow cases for the chairs on the deck. Hurray!

Standard visitor stress.

My parents arrived Thursday night and it's been a whirlwind ever since. I kind of planned it that way so we wouldn't have to answer the question of what we're doing next all the time, but now I'm tired and just want to nap all day. My Dad left for Canada early Thursday morning, so it's been my Mom and me. She's trying to take me to lunch right now. I haven't had my coffee even, because I had to get up and go to volleyball practice and then mow the lawn before it starts raining for the next three days. Not that I'm complaining, but isn't she sick of running around? And doing projects? And eating? I am. So I'm back in bed getting my caffeine fix now and trying to recharge.

I regret not photographing any of our outings this weekend, but I learned something else recently: I don't like taking pictures around certain people when I feel like I am holding them up, or they are watching me do it. I also don't like people shadowing me when I am trying to figure out placement for new wall hangings! And I don't want help! I know, I know. But really, cleaning out the garage doesn't really work with two people does it? How many times can a person answer, Where do you want this?

Going for cup #2. Starting to feel a little better.

So, besides sharing my space and my time, which is usually luxuriously my own, I am also feeling "off" because of the new things that have entered the house. I know, right? Nice problem to have. But I feel like I need to get all the walls rehung – and looking "right" – before the birthday party here this weekend.

We need to get the pots potted, the garage organized, the walls hung, the dishes put away, the place clean. We should be running off to the Hinsdale Nursery or the Container Store. The cold and gloom isn't helping. I need to clean out my closets. Oh decisions, decisions.

This is the one photo I took this weekend. We had brunch (oatmeal pancakes for the table, on top of our meals) in Glenn (aka Pancake Town) across from a firehouse. I thought it was cute.

Team Red.

We won our first volleyball games. I don't think our competition was the best in the league. Our team may not be the best either but we sure looked sharp in our new shirts.

Parents come today. I'm going to have my Mom help me pick out and set up one of these structures for climbing clematis. Pretty right?

I think these images are from Martha Stewart.

Alexander Calder.

I always want to make mobiles when I can't be making one, and then when the time comes where I could, I forget I want to. Then I think of Alexander Calder. Calder may be the first artist I ever learned about and then took notice of how I'd heard about him and never forgot his name, or the artwork he brings to mind. By learned about, I mean I hadn't ever heard of him before I was Taught about him. Not like a Picasso or Monet, who you grow up just knowing about. Calder was truly a 'discovery' for me.



I think having hanging art in a living space, moving and existing, is really pretty wonderful. I love how it shifts and balances and creates an ever-changing visual. Some, like these, make me think of fish and being under water. I think all of them are beautiful. Anyway, my friend Aaron over at Walking Paper posted this project detailing how to make your own mobile a while ago. I've been meaning to do it in my 'spare time' for months now. Beat me to the punch. Show me what you come up with.

Maxwell Street Flea Market.

I always wondered what these signs were for when I'd see them from the highway. I think today I got my answer. Michelle and I went down to the Maxwell Street Flea Market. It was the perfect day for it and it made me really nostalgic for city living. We met in our old neighborhood, which had that city-Sunday morning feeling in the air. Kind of slow and sunny, with strollers and coffee.

We found a spot and parked for free and then wandered up and down peeking into booths. Most of it was crap, but it was still fun to look at. People watching was only okay surprisingly. There was one African woman selling soaps and incense I should have asked to photograph. I got some great smelling soap from her.



Michelle got some Dr. Seuss books for Margaret, Army pants to cut off into shorts, and this random clock from some goofy guy who was also trying to get us to buy this dirty doll that looked like Chucky. We both got packs of Orbit gum and plastic floral rings for $1. Honestly the best part for me was the food booths. The ones selling fruit and spices and nuts, but also the Mexican "grills" where you could get tacos and Coca-colas in a glass bottle. Many of these places had tables and chairs set up too, and that's where it was fun to watch the crowd. I'd go back just for that.

By the time we got back to Wicker Park it was in full swing. Softball games, bikes, lots of people walking around and outdoor patios packed with brunch eaters. I'm going to have to plan another morning trip just to walk around there next.

These stairs!

Image from old Domino files via Automatism.

Morning.

It is so much nicer to me when the sun is shining when I wake up. I love it now that it's light out actually when I wake up even if it's raining and gloomy. I'm happy that for a few months to come, it will be light in the mornings, but I especially like it when it's bright in the morning.

Lately.

Lately I have been feeling restricted by infinite possibilities.

And not enough time.

This ridiculously incredible pool was photographed by Jean-François Jaussaud via Solid Frog. Are you kidding me!?

UPDATE: I just went back and looked at the photographer's website, because I just don't get how this pool works and I wanted to see more of it's surroundings. I believe now this is the indoor pool. There's another one outside just a few feet from the ocean. This is someone's BEACH HOUSE! Ha! If you go to the site, click on "Lifestyle" and then find the thumbnail with the red chair. Amazing.

Some images of Spring on a gloomy day.

I forgot the tree in my backyard flowered.

Two stories from India.

I finally saw Slumdog Millionaire last week and I loved it. I was nervous because it got so much hype and I had recently heard someone say it wasn't that great. What's funny and amazing considering all the exposure and the obvious title, I still had no clue what it was all about. What a great story. How unexpected.


What's strange is that I had seen the documentary Born Into Brothels a few weeks prior. This is a nice eye-opener and great reference for the next time you're feeling sorry for yourself or think you're having a bad day. It's also quite beautiful to see these children smiling despite some pretty terrible conditions, and the lovely photographs they take. Photographer Zana Briski lived and worked in India, where she met a group of kids in the red light district of Calcutta and supplied them with cameras and photography classes. These are some of their photos.


Kids with Cameras, and Born Into Brothels (winner of the Academy Award for best documentary feature) were both results of her hard work and dedication. You can see more of their photographs here. I thought this was an interesting film, one that's stuck with me and I have continued to think about since. It's available on Netflix to Watch Instantly (my favorite thing!).

Photographs taken by Zana Brinski and the children Suchitra, Gour, Kochi and Kochi again.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

So I finally admitted defeat and gave up on 2012. When I realized that I hadn't read anything in over two months (with the exception embarrassingly being Chealsea Handlers, Are you there vodka? It's me Chealsea in the Austin airport during an 8-hour delay) I decided to give up.

I really liked what I was learning about, but the state my mind needed to be in, and the time commitment to really sink into what I was reading seldom existed simultaneously. This is definitely not a book I could read before bed – and now with pool season coming... Next.

So I picked up The Perks of Being a Wallflower Sunday, wrapped myself up in a quilt and climbed in the hammock out back, and I could barely put it down.

Also, I know you're not supposed to judge a book by it's cover, but I do. And I love this one.

Joao Ruas.

My friend Tom first showed me the art of Joao Ruas last year. Since then I have seen his work posted on a few blogs, and found his Flickr and website. I think these drawings are pretty beautiful. Fantasy. He has a show opening tonight in LA, so if you're looking for something to do, and you happen to be there, check it out.

*click to enlarge*

He Said Yes!

I got to talking with my neighbor Jim. The conversation went something like this.

Me: I finally have a family in my birdhouse!
Him: Really? My neighbor when I was a kid had one of those apartment birdhouses, for the Martins. We'd hang out, watch the birds.
Me: Oh cool. I've seen those. Martins migrate don't they?
Him: Yep. I've been noticing some hawks around here.
Me: Do hawks eat chickens?

He kind of ignored me, then said, Probably. We launched into a dialog about Palos, growing up, horses and land.

Him: I grew up with horses. Yea, horses, chickens, rabbits...
Me: What do you think about chickens?
Him: I don't.
Me: What do you think about a couple chickens hanging out over here?
Him: Why'd you want to have chickens? [kind of smiling] I don't give a shit what you do.
Me: What would your wife think?
Him: She'll think you've gone crazy. Then she'll probably want some ducks.

So there was my first step. Success! Next up finding out if it's even allowed. I know my other neighbor Earl won't "give a shit" either but the big hurdle is behind me.

Image found on Flickr by Antoine. I love the misty background.

I also want to share this very funny article I found while searching for a chicken and duck image.

Picasso.

The later paintings of Picasso are on display in New York until the beginning of June. I sure wish I could go, the show looks amazing.

Happy Cinco de Mayo.

Sunday we went down to Katy's brother Eric's for his annual Cinco feast. It was fantastic, as usual. Eric spent a few years living in Mexico, so he cooks simple, traditional meals and caps them with these incredible ice cream desserts. This year it was avocado with a raspberry topping and a chocolate chipotle that was to die for.

There were three homemade salsas. I think my favorite was the green with chunks of avocado. I brought a green bean salad ala Rick Bayless that was so easy and good, I might have it again, as a meal, for dinner tonight. There was also a cactus salad/casserole type dish (truthfully the cactus kind of scares me but I had a few bites).

The skirt steak on the grill with onions and queso made perfect tacos, but the new twist this year was the mole and chicken. I loved watching the entire chicken plopped on the grill and then stewed in pieces in the sauce to finish cooking. The flavor was so smooth, spicy but subtlle. Oh, and I shouldn't forget to mention the hibiscus margaritas. Wow.

First Sunday.

A couple weekends ago I joined my friend Meredith and her family for an Easter Sunday service. Besides weddings and funerals, I haven't really been to church voluntarily since I left home for college quite a few years ago. So basically, I just sorta felt like going for some reason, like it would make the day more memorable.

Her church was where I was a member of The Sunshine Choir in 7th and 8th grade, so familiar to me but not "my" church. For a while now, I've had the idea to visit a bunch of churches occasionally and see if one fit. But since I am not really religious at all, and all the speaking and singing in unison basically just makes me feel uncomfortable, I never quite get around to venturing out on Sunday mornings.

Anyway, there I was, enjoying the singing (the choir was remarkable) and flowers quite a bit, standing up when I was supposed to, but not really participating. The woman next to me tried to share her hymnal with me twice. After the second time, I thought to myself, "I'm participating by listening", which I decided was a nice way to look at my experience.

Then I had another idea. I grabbed the mini moleskin out of my bag and began to sketch what I could see. I realized what I also like about being in church, besides the music, is the architecture. I love the soaring ceilings, the stained glass, and the beams. I like the wood pews. Now I thought to myself, I am participating by listening AND looking. I felt present and a little meditative.

So a couple of weeks go by and I think about going to another service, with the intention to meditate, sketch, and investigate different buildings, choirs, services and see if I pick up on or am struck by any of the messages.

So here's the result from my First Sunday, 'Confirmation Sunday', at a different Congregational church. I am obviously very out of practice with this style of drawing, and I definitely could use something more stable than my knee to rest the book on, but I enjoyed this exercise. Plus, it got me up and out of bed early on a Sunday morning!