Logan Square, Chicago, Illinois

My neighborhood in Chicago inspires mixed feelings, but with the advent of Summer those feeling tend toward those of the positive kind. Here are a few images from my patch of the world right now!

These blue doors on Milwaukee Avenue are hiding something wonderful behind them! I especially love that the blue of the tiles match the blue of the doors.

Does anyone know what kind of flower this is? I saw it in a curbside garden near my home but I have never seen it before this year. Maybe it is a Northern flower?

Hair Do's

I've had long hair for at least a decade now, but I've always been pretty lazy about figuring out ways to make it look nice. For the past few months I've been experimenting with easy ways to create low-maintenance but still classy up-dos.

The fish-tail braid has become a staple, but for a night out recently I took it a step further and pinned them up on top of my head--the result was a look both classy and laid back!

The Best Days

When we're kids, there are so many perfect days in our lives that they slide by like a golden memory river. But as adults those days only show up once in a while and if we let them, they can tide us over during those rough patches. 

I spent a day searching for coyote pups with the research team in the Illinois prairie and these are the ones we found--sweet, fluffy balls  of happiness.

Valley of the Lilies

Working at a wildlife foundation is one of the best jobs ever. On days when we don't have programs, we hike around the trails and look for neat things to show the kids. Last week I found the most magical blanket of Lily of the Valley flowers and I just wanted to take a nap in them. Oh, it was lovely!

Chicago has its share of magic too! The tulips in Millenium Park have inspired me to start wearing more colors in honor of Spring:-)

Second City, Second Spring!

So I know it's boring to talk about the weather, but I'll only do it for a second, cause I'm a big weather nerd. Two months ago, it was 80 degrees and sunny, and tomorrow the high is a mere 60. I was annoyed at first, but now I've come to appreciate the value of what may be the longest Spring weather I have ever experienced! Everyone, now is the time for visits!

Love me some cherry blossoms in the city:-)

A Decision Made

Now that I have made my decision to return to Virginia this fall I am noticing all the aspects of Chicago that I will miss. This is a city that is full of surprises, and it would take much longer than a year for me to experience this place in full! But sometimes timing does not work out the way you hope that it will, and the truth is that it is past time for me to get serious about my purpose. Luckily, I think I have found a sense of purpose that a degree in landscape architecture will help me to fulfill. Unfortunately, that means saying goodbye (but not yet!) to wonderful people and places that have made this past year so special. 

These gardens at the Art institute downtown are a beautiful place to relax, a place of peace in the middle of the city.

A harbinger of Spring no matter what city! Sequoia loves flowers too:-)

Learning a few skills at work--I am not so terrible at catching tiny fish.

A lovely corner at home in my kitchen.

Baseball, the American pastime! The boys on the train on our way to see the White Sox play the Orioles at Sox stadium! According to every Chicagoan I have met, summer in this city is magical and I think the games will be an excellent way to experience a little bit of that.

Easter on Parade

I just returned from a last minute, 72-hour whirlwind trip to Richmond, Virginia for a family Easter extravaganza--and now I am paying for it with a bad head cold and lots of quality time with my favorite pillow. But I am not sorry, because the short time I had there was fabulous. Witnessed the first-ever Easter egg hunt of my stylish nephew, played a little croquet with a talented group of friends, and strolled along Monument Avenue with hundreds of Richmonders dressed in their Easter best. These are good people, and this is a good place.