Friday, May 10, 2013

choices & changes.



It's sort of funny, those forks in the road that you can focus on so vividly. Some bad, some good. Some choices, some not by choice. Starting a new job next week after struggling for what has sometimes felt like an eternity. Just like that, everything is different. Of course I am nervous; have I bitten off more than I can chew? I don't think so...but a few more days of self-imposed-unemployment, and I'm back in the ring again.

During the quiet moments, my mind wanders. Focusing on my breathing at the beginning of yoga class is proving to be a little bit tricky. Thoughts are taking over. Nerves, memories, signs. Just thinking about the choices I've made and the changes that have followed them.

In ikebana, we would often discuss the transformative power of seasonal changes. I'm watching the flowers bloom and the trees bud, and I have to say, things just seem to feel right. Here comes the sun!



Monday, April 29, 2013

I see you, and I like you.


"Stay As You Are" strikes again.

Artist Unknown.
 I don't know who you are, or if you find my posts…


…but I want you to know your art makes me happy.

(see also: status quo)


Sunday, March 31, 2013

Easter Grandma!

Happy Birthday, Grandma!

Grandma turns 91 today, and looked radiant-in-red for her birthday party, n'est pas? That's my beautiful Gramma! Hopefully, I got some of her youthful genes (still getting carded at the grocery store, so, so far so good!).

She worked in the couture shop at Marshall Fields in downtown Chicago for many years, and has been my shopping buddy all my life. She strikes a hard bargain! And has tried to talk me into brightly colored faux-fur on more than one occasion. Grandma has told me that she never felt more proud of herself than when she was dressing ladies for special occasions. She does have an amazing eye
for fashion!



So, in honor of my Grandma's love for her old employer, I made "Frango Mint" cupcakes (pictured on the right). Chocolate cake, filled with mint icing, topped with a thick layer of chocolate ganache and a mint "L" for Laura (her name isn't "Grandma," after all). I also made some plain chocolate-chocolate cupcakes for the mint-haters of the world, but I managed to pipe some nice chocolate roses on the tops. All dairy-free for my lactose intolerant family!


Happy birthday to my beautiful Grandma!