Scenes From The Hood

The following are scenes from a sunny Saturday walk in May.

Lilacs alway make me remember.... (joke that probably only my Mother will get)

I loved this chartreuse tree. Spring colors are awesome!

Can you spot the tiny person gardening in this picture?

The gorgeous colors of nature.

This tree could not look more beautiful even in the fall.

Wouldn't it be fun to stand under this tree while white petals showered down on you?

Nothing like the vivid color of iris in the bright sunshine!

I like that cops live in this neighborhood.

This homeowner is really into landscaping - there's even a water feature!

This is Cubs country, baby!

Spring's harbinger.

I wonder if they'd let me sit and swing for a while.

I love tulips. Some of my peeps don't understand it.

OK, it's May 17th dude - no one wants to look at your snow plow! WTF!

I love purple flowers.

Yeah! More tulips!!!!

The tulips that belong to the neighbor guy who fixed up his garage like another room in the house and hangs out in it three seasons of the year.

Bed of purple flowers in 2 shades.

Pretty birch with plantings beneath.

This was a great walk and a great day to be alive!

The Mouse Pen is Mightier Than the Sword

Check out the picture I drew today with my new Genius MousePen! Admittedly, these are humble beginnings, and you would not believe how long it took me to do it, but hey, who knows where this will lead?

It's pretty fun too.

Ready to Hit the Beach!

Thought I'd show off my new tankini by doing mix & match outfits a la Glamour magazine.

Here's the much wished for, long awaited tankini that I will be rockin' on the Michigan beaches this summer. Note the coordinating accessories (no surprise to those who know me).


Here is the tankini with capris for when I want a little more coverage.

And here's the outfit with a jacket thrown over for when it gets a little chilly.

Will I be a fierce, fabulous, fashionista this summer, or what? Now all I need to do is pick out this year's beach read and I'm good to go!

Oh Yeah, You Know You Want 'Em

As promised, here are the socks I recently received as a birthday gift from Bammer. These are hand knit socks, mind you, using the following fibers from left to right: Tofutsies, Alpaca, Cashmere/Wool blend. Slip these babies on and your feet say "Oooohoohoo!" Oh it's good....don't kid yourself.

Also notice that they are sort of Easter egg colors which is fun because today is Easter. Happy Easter everyone!! I ate the foot off a chocolate bunny today first thing (remember I told you chocolate almost always factors into any occasion).

Yeah, this birthday thing is a pretty good deal. Next post will feature my new swimsuit, another gift that arrived in the mail this past week.

Hey Bammer, I also have daffodil nubbins in my yard! I didn't bother writing an ode to them, however, because there is no way I could top yours. You really have become quite an accomplished poet. I'm so proud!

We say "Hello" but Spring says "Goodbye"

Well, today was gorgeous in the Chicago suburbs. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and it was so warm I had to shed my coat this afternoon. It was all just as it should be on the first day of spring. But...............tonight they are predicting 6 to 8 inches of snow. WHAT IS UP WITH THAT???? I can't take it anymore! One more snow storm is just going to push me over the edge, I swear. What is up with Mother Nature and why is she so pissed at us? Enough is enough already! What ever we did to make you mad Mother Nature, we're totally sorry! Now bring us some sunshine and blue skies PDQ! Geez!

OK, I feel better now (at least until tomorrow morning when I wake up and find all that freakin' snow on the ground!!!).

Thanks, Dogquilter, for your nice comment on yesterday's post. I'm glad to hear you also opt for the extended birthday celebration.

Today, I received three pairs of hand knit socks in the mail from my sister. Am I totally lucky or what? I will post a picture this weekend so you can all feast your eyes on the socky gloriousness and envy me sufficiently. I also received the package containing my new tankini from Land's End (also a birthday gift). I am SO dreaming of lazy days on the beach with a good book and a stack of trashy beauty magazines. When they say to "go to your happy place" that's where I go every time.

A Month Long Birthday Extravaganza

I have been spending most of the entire month of March celebrating my birthday. Why limit the festivities to just one day is what I say!

As you can see, I take a very casual, low key approach to this whole thing. But, after all, it's not every day that a girl turns 29 (but it IS every year)!

Last weekend, I cooked a special birthday celebration dinner. I've been going out to eat a lot too but I also love to cook for special occasions so I decided to do my Martha thing. On the menu was:

1. Chicken roasted with lemon, onion, rosemary, and sage.

2. Haricots Verts Almondine.

3. Tri-colored baby potatoes.

4. Chocolate Ganache Torte.

The dinner was served on my very favorite vintage table cloth. Can you say "yummy!" (I knew you could.)

Also (not pictured) was shopping for clothes and shoes. What more could a girl want?!? Thanks to Jenny Craig, I am currently rockin' a size 6 sizes smaller than what I wore this time last year. Yes, that's SIX sizes smaller - this is not a misprint! That makes shopping a whole heck of a lot more fun, I can tell you!

All in all, it's been a pretty awesome birthday month!

Family Update: Dr. Gitelis says "It's All Good"

I spent the day at Rush University Hospital today. I got to see an X-ray of my leg (plate installed on January 3rd) and it looks like a big spider with a very flat back. Totally freaky! Anyway, Dr. Gitelis says there is no sign of cancer from the pelvis on down and everything looks like it's healing well. He can't say how long this rehabilitation process will take .......but he DOES predict that when it is all said and done, I will regain full function. WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Can't happen soon enough for me, I can tell you! The weather is starting to get nicer and I want to get back to taking my nice long walks. Physical therapy continues to go well - I started PT with a 90 degree bend in my knee and as of today, I'm up to 102 degrees. As a comparison, the good leg can bend 130 degrees so I have a ways to go but yay for the progress!