The things that brighten my day.

It's been a long few months for me.  I won't lie.  I try not to complain and always have a sunny attitude, but I'll tell you.  Today, I woke up on the not-so-sunny side.  Because of our move and my husband's job, it's been me and the three girls (NO SCHOOL) for the last four months.  At first, it was great.  We slept together every night (don't judge), we had movie night every night; we had a blast.  But now, I am spent, totally tapped out.  I think I may have hit rock bottom this morning while I was sewing the quilt on which I'm working and realized that I wound my bobbin incorrectly.  

But now, I'm feeling okay.  I got an email from my husband telling me to be at the spa at 9:30 on Sunday morning and to expect a long morning (yippee!) AND.........................

the girls and I 

saw

THESE.

And I swear to you, all was right in my world.

It didn't matter that all three girls got up at 5:30 this morning.

Peonies can totally solve my world's problems.

They even distract me from last night's dinner, this morning's breakfast and this afternoons dishes.

All.piled.up.

But who cares?  Cuz look at these peonies.

And for the record, they are my favorite flower.

EVER.

HANDS DOWN.

::WOOT WOOT:: Start of Farmers Market Season!

It was a gorgeous Sunday here in Chi-town to kick off Farmers Market season. 

I gotta say, it's incredibly easy to find inspiration when you are strolling around, checking out the fresh foods, baked goods, flowers, greens, etc. 

I could have taken pictures all day along.  Oh, and a little shout out to one of our most loyal readers who I happened to see at market today--Ann, can I get a woot woot?

I do love when a friend makes a comment to me that makes me realize *someone* out there actually reads our blog.  You know like, "hey, love the new banner!"

The mushrooms stopped me dead in my tracks.  

Can you say Giada's wild mushroom and pea risotto?

This picture goes without saying.  Seriously?  

These *might* be as pretty as my wedding day flowers.  Might.

I'm always on the hunt for local fare.  Could be in the form of the Mexican paletas down at the lake front, the Wisconsin cheese curds, OR possibly fish straight from Lake Michigan.  I am dying to try the walleye.

The gentleman farmer.  Does he wear bow ties and seersucker suits?

Which, btw, I totally bought my hub a seersucker suit shortly after we were married.  Like, maybe the week we got home from our honeymoon?

Jake's Country Meats had some serious homemade ham/pork jerky.

Can I just assume that it's healthy because it's labeled gluten free?

Now, the peonies were $5/bunch.  A steal, right?  The problem, see, is that we were short on cash from a fun night the night before.  So.......it was the peonies or the Vietnamese spring rolls and iced coffee?  Food won out.  Is that bad?

I mean, would you have turned these bad boys down?

Or, as the hubby always says, "She can eat crackers in my bed."

Ruh-roh.  The toy store by the farmers market had Ugly Dolls.

Suckahhhhhhhh.

God Bless the farmers market and the sun and time with the fam.  Even if it means an ugly doll in exchange for no complaints.

Scenes From My Yard

I have total creative burnout.  

Well, that's not entirely accurate.

See, I'm not really "creating" anything lately.

No sewing.  No crafting.  No cute necklaces with vintage jewelry.

Which, btw, I get TONS of compliments every time I wear it so GO.MAKE.ONE.

All of my energy has been going into absorbing my new surroundings.

Like watching the family of bunnies that cohabitate with us and the neighbors.

And checking in every morning to see if my peony bush has bloomed yet.  Nope, couple more days maybe?

And wishing that somehow the snowblower would magically move itself into the garage from the spot where the movers put it.  

(Honey, if you are reading this....)

Admiring the girls "stepping stones" that we made at Garfield Conservatory out of plaster of paris and sequins. 

Relaxing and not worrying about the girls AND my dishes getting covered in mud.  It's being a kid, right?

Yuck.  That one had to go in the trash.  Oh well.

That one I hung onto for the baby's Cheerios.  NOT.

Anybody else in a creative funk OR are we really just expending our creative juices in a different way?

You be the judge.

Some new inspiration

With a move to a new city, comes new exploration.  It's one of the things I love most about moving.  I mean, not that I like moving, but well, living in a new city is always exciting.  Since we arrived in Chicago last weekend, the girls and I have hit the ground running.  We begin most days with some unpacking and then follow it up with some fun.  This past week's highlight was the Garfield Park Conservatory, a FREE indoor greenhouse.

We were blown away by the flowers.

The spectacular colors..

August on the Cape comes early...

Look at this yellow.

This koi pond with glass sculptures was so peaceful and serene. 

And of course, I can't forget to show off our new house.  

You know how sometimes a decision feels like fate, 

like you were meant to go a certain way?  

Our decision to move to Chicago was only solidified by the 

PEONY bush in our new backyard.

I can.not wait for it to bloom.

And the purple azaleas aren't bad either.

And here she is, our first rental as a married couple.  

(Tee hee, we are lovin' non-home ownership.)

Comes with a cute pint-sized bench, too.  

Poifect for three little pint sized ladies.

Look for more posts on exploring Chi-town.  I'm looking for new creative inspiration and it begins with a digital photography class in June.  Will keep you posted!

Inspiration

from my garden.

i couldn't

pick

just one picture
to share.

can you blame me?

what inspires you?

someone suggested
that pictures of a three sister would be good
on our blog.
i tried.
i had some taken
of me
in my garden
but
i like the flowers better.


EEK!