Monday, Feb 27th - chocolate release

After every art show that I have at Maya Essence I always have to go next door to Julius Meinl and treat myself to my favorite chocolate mousse cake.

A little chocolate is like a love affair - an occasional sweet release that lightens the spirit. - Linda Solegato

Sunday, Feb 26th - packets of yumminess

I was inside a World Market and found these little packets of yumminess...

"All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt." - Charles M. Schulz

Saturday, Feb 25th - spot stealing

After using the bathroom this morning this is what I came back to room to...

Sleeping is no mean art: for its sake one must stay awake all day.
-Friedrich Nietzsche

Friday, Feb 24th - burst of color

It's been a dreary day, within me and outside around me. Vince and I went out for dinner and I this is what greeted me at the table. The bright color definitely cheered me up a bit.

The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

Thursday, Feb 23rd - getting ready for change

So I'm in the process of moving out of the house that Becca and I lived in for almost 4 yrs. It's a bittersweet parting, but something that needed to be. As I'm letting Simon out during one of the last times here, I look across the street and see this stunning view of different shades of pink and blue. I guess this is a sign that change can be good, for both me and Becca.

“Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.” – Jim Rohn

Wednesday, Feb 22nd - dia de los tacos

I was running around the place, dropping off artwork from the previous art show and ones from many moons past, when I came across a van that looked like it sold tacos and burritos. Well, that's what it looked like on the side of the van, but the back of the van is what caught my attention. I must say, I do absolutely LOVE THIS!!! It has definitely brought some inspiration to some future projects :)

“I am always doing things I can’t do. That is how I get to do them.” -Pablo Picasso

Tuesday, Feb 21st - Mom's favorites

As I was in the process of going through more old memories, I found this little trinket that happened to be a favorite of my Mom's.

When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses.  ~Joyce Brothers

Monday, Feb 20 - sleepy puppy

As I was getting ready for work I caught Simon trying to catch a few more zzzz's....

No day is so bad it can't be fixed with a nap.  ~Carrie Snow

Sunday, Feb 19, Sawyer's Baptism

Today is the day that Baby Sawyer joined the Catholic faith.

He didn't even cry when the priest was pouring the water on his little head :)

There was a part of the ceremony where Sawyer's parents and Godparents held a candle to light his path through the Catholic faith.

Twinkle, twinkle tiny light,
little eyes that shine so bright,
a precious baby from heaven above,
fills our hearts with so much love.

things that make me :)

So I've been having pretty poopy past few days lately. My coworkers are pretty much the bestest coworkers and friends a gal like me can have. They all have been great at being sympathetic and keeping my spirits up by their random acts of kindness and love. We all pretty much care and actually support each other. Today was no different. My greatest coworker friend Piotr gave me and Ali these...

"A hug is worth a thousand words. A friend is worth more."

Bed time!!!

Simon is all ready to cuddle now.
Good night everybody!

Sleeping is no mean art:  for its sake one must stay awake all day.  ~Friedrich Nietzsche

Tea and crochet

I finally took out the enormous skein of yarn I got the other day and decided what I'm going to make with it. I've got the creative juices flowing with the help of some Argo tea. Hope my crochet project turns out. Stay tuned!

An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail. - Edwin Land

Pet sitting... The cat does exist!!!!

Here's the other half of the pet duo I get to take care of every now and again. Meet Rummy :-) He's a great kitty, but I had to swat him away after he was being naughty just now...

Cats are like angels with whiskers :)

Valentine's Day

While visiting my nieces and nephew over the weekend I was helping my nephew Colin fill out his Valentines for his class on Tuesday.
He asked me to specifically give this one to Vince. It even came with a motorcycle eraser!

Age does not protect you from love. But to some extent, ortects you from age. - Anais Nin

for the love of a dog

I came back to spend some with my cousin's wife Aive after she had a small procedure. I got to spend time with the kids again in front of the tv. I got a chance to capture this touching photo...

My niece Bailey and their dog Clover lying down and enjoying each other's company. It was super cute! But then Clover had an itchy...

The dog was created specially for children. He is the cod of frolic. - Henry Ward Beecher

Sunday, Feb 12 - smiley eggs

I went to visit some family today. I got to play with my niece and nephew and got to spend some great quality time with them. I decided to stay for dinner. My cousin decided to make some scrambled eggs to go with the food. When he cracked open the eggs this is what he got.

Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

Saturday, Feb 11 - Firsts

As I was going through the basement filled with my childhood momentos I came across my first wallet. Of course it was Hello Kitty ^_^

Memory feeds imagination. - Amy Tan

Friday, Feb 10 - Pet sitting

When my friends go out of town I get to pet sit my furry godchildren. This is one of them :)

Meet Soco. She's stinking cute and a handful hehe...

An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language. - Martin Buber

There's a cat in the house too. He just hasn't come out yet ;) Maybe tomorrow???

Thurs, Feb 9 - concrete fishing

Today is the day that I set up Escapism's first art show of the year. Beforehand I was out early to pick up some pieces from fellow artists. I made a quick pit stop and noticed these beautiful water creatures in the ground.

Give me a fish and I eat for a day. Teach me to fish and I eat for a lifetime. - Chinese proverb

first bonfire of the year

It was a chilly night. Not as cold as it should be during February. I met up some with some friends for dinner and our gracious hostess Kim decided to light up a bonfire in her back yard.

That's Dave tending the flames :)

She also put together a phoenix built with paper, fabric, and lots of bad memories and bad juujuu that we wanted to offer up to the Heavens so we can start fresh in this New Year. Also included are the dreams, accomplishments, and new experiences.

Kim's getting ready the bird of bad intentions

And then we watch the fire take the paper bird and fly away....

Another new year is here! Another year to live! To banish worry, doubt and fear. To love, to laugh, to give! - William Arthur Ward

early buds

Because of the warm weather Chicago has been experiencing I've noticed the trees are starting to bud. Considering we're only in the 6th day of the 2nd month of the year it's kind of early...

Who has the fame to be an early riser may sleep till noon. - James Howell

Sunday, Feb 5 - Super Bowl

(For some reason Blogger was not my friend this weekend. Here is another post that was supposed to be up yesterday.)

Today is the Super Bowl and I'm overt at some friends' house watching the game, eating yummy food, and just enjoying everyone's company. Then came along Ella and Clyde. Apparently they wanted in on the fun too :-)

 "A cat is more intelligent than people believe, and can be taught any crime." - Mark Twain

Sat, Feb 4 - sweet tooth

(I'm a little late in updating this blog. This was started on Saturday but I couldn't publish it for some reason.)

I had an early morning meeting today. When I was off I decided to walk around downtown Chicago for a bit. When I got to my destination I decided to take a sweet stop and nosh on a yummy cupcake from Magnolia Bakery. The cupcake I tried was an orange cake cupcake with a chocolate buttercream frosting. It was quite delish :)

"When life gives you lemons... just bake some lemon cupcakes."

etsy :)

So I woke up this morning and decided to take the plunge. As an artist it would be in my best interest to start up an Etsy page. Although participating in craft fairs, art shows, and mostly word of mouth events have helped me in the past, an Etsy page will also help put myself out there more and that way I can also help others as well. I'm guessing that this is what is called being a grown up. So here it is, folks!

“My intellectual development was retarded, as a result of which I began to wonder about space and time only when I had already grown up.” - Albert Einstein

Right now my RoroAGogo Etsy page only has my recycled mens tie cuffs, it will soon host my photographs, postcards, and other beautful things that I create on my own. Please feel free to check it out and purchase a thing or two :)

Yawn!!!!

As I'm watching the movie, The Princess Bride, I glance over and see Simon taking a small snooze. He makes me smile...and get very sleepy...

Let sleeping dogs lie. - Robert Walpole

Grazing

I was taking a quick stroll before I went to work today. As I was walking through a park I ran across some grazing geese. Not sheep, geese...

If you feel the urge, don't be afraid to go on a wild goose chase. What do you think wild geese are for anyway? - Will Rogers

Determined creativity

So I love to crochet, but all I can crochet are scarves and blankets. I've never ventured to anything else creative. Yesterday I made the decision to try to make a hat.

Crochet is such a wonderful craft. There are so many facets and variations  to explore with a hook and a yarn. The creative possibilities are endless. - Margaret Hubert

Whispered sweet nothings

I went out for Chinese for dinner with Vince today (as if I didn't have enough yesterday in Chinatown hehe). Our fortunes from our fortune cookies pretty much describe us well. Can you guess which one is whose?

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Gung hei fat choi!

Today I went to Chicago's Chinese New Year Parade in Chinatown. It was pretty darn cold out there! Because in the Lunar Calendar it is the Year of the Dragon I decided to take mostly photos of the dragons in the parade. I also LOVE the lucky sayings I've been hearing and reading throughout the day. Instead of my favorite quotes, I'm posting those sayings.

daai gat daai lei (much luck and much prosperity)

nin nin yau yue (every year have bounty and excess)

 This one is my all time favorite quote...

Sam seung sih sihng (accomplish that in your heart)

Today I leave you with this lucky saying, and I absolutely truly mean it for all of you...

maahn sih yuh yi 
(may all your wishes come true)

The Artist

Yesterday it was all about the ladies! I spend time with my friend Liz eating, shopping, and we even got to watch a movie! If you're into watching great 2012 Oscar nominated films, The Artist was beautiful directed and had a nice old time feel to it...well, considering it's filmed in black and white and pretty much a silent film.... I liked it!

After spending the day with Liz, I went to visit my friend Kim at the bar she works at. The Gallery Cabaret last night hosted a comedy hour, live band, and a birthday party! Kim also has her art on display. Behind the bar there were some really nice paintings and prints from other artists, but this one particular painting caught my eye.

In childhood, time is kind. A moment is swallowed whole, by senses open and able. - Nicoleta Baumeister

The bar owner's granddaughter painted this for him. I thought it was really awesome to have a child's piece of artwork in an adult surroundings. It brought some nostalgia in me of painting flowers and trees in watercolor or tempera paint, hanging them on the walls of my bedroom, imagining that they're on the walls of a museum.

childhood memories

I decided that I need to start cleaning out my Dad's basement. There is so much past holed up in there that I have to start sorting and going through in order to move forward. As I go through the belongings of mine and my parents' past I found some amazing treasures.

I found my childhood lunch boxes!!!!

This Care Bear metal lunch box I used when I was in 2nd and 3rd grade.

This plastic Hello Kitty one I used when I was in 4th and part of 5th grade (I got laughed at after awhile using a lunch box cuz it wasn't cool anymore)

Both of these lunch boxes I've loved and used time and time again while growing up. They are still in great condition and I might decide to use them again :)

Then I came across this....

Memories are a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose.

This is my beloved Nesquick bunny mug! His name is Quickie :) I couldn't believe that my Mama saved these special treasures for me. It made me laugh and smile when I found them, but a little sad that she is no longer with me to share with the joy.

I had to stop sorting these things for now. I can't wait to see what else I find the next time I come back.

delicate wings

Today I took advantage of going to the Peggy Notebaert Museum on the free admission Thursdays yesterday. I went to the enjoy the butterflies in their own habitat inside the Butterfly Haven. It was magical to be surrounded by all these different kinds of butterflies...

We are closer to the ants than to the butterflies. Very few people can endure much leisure.
Gerald Brenan

BOO!!!!

While Simon was asleep I felt like scaring him awake, hehehe....

“Meow” means “woof” in cat.”
― George Carlin

passenger stalker

So I told myself that I would start taking photos of random people. Everyone does it, but for some reason when I try I get shy and scared to do it. I finally got the guts to do it. This photo is of a school kid on the bus.

"Punctuality is the virtue of the bored." ~ Evelyn Waugh.

Oh yeah, HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!!! It's the year of the Dragon and I am a Dragon :) I'll be sure to post up something in honor this special Chinese New Year. Stay tuned!

Jury Duty

Today was my turn at Jury Duty.... I know that I'm going to have to go back in the next 3 months, but today I kept myself sane with a book and Words With Friends :)

“There is no greater glory than to die for love.”- Gabriel Garcia Marquez