I finished painting my closet. This seems trivial but it's not because every room in my started out sort of dingy and outdated. Every little part needs a refresh and a little love. And it all takes time. I bought some new knobs for my cupboards and added a rectangle of color to the cupboard…

I'm really appreciating being able to picking things in my yard and bringing them inside. Yesterday I took all the buds off my lambs ear and stuffed them in a big bowl. So pretty and so soft too. I made rhubarb jam – the only recipe I ever buy a vanilla bean for.  And I've…

I saw a robin splashing around in my birdbath first thing this morning. Not sure why I get such a kick out of that but I do. Here are some photos from Fort Sheridan – the prairie plants are just getting started.

I got a chance to go for a walk at the Chicago Botanic Garden this morning. Aaaah so pretty! Do you see who's perched in the middle of the photo below? The birds were so loud and happy everywhere!

Claire turned eleven this week. We celebrated with a special outing – a trip to the Friends Experience in Chicago. It's an exhibit all about Friends the TV show including recreated sets, costumes and artifacts like scripts. Somehow Claire and her friends got into watching Friends a while back so it was a perfect thing…

How can it be May already?  Here's Claire heading off to school. She will be eleven tomorrow! I still don't know what kind of cake I'll be making for her. Maybe angel food cake? Lilac season is here! A good oatmeal cookie recipe from Midwest Made. I potted up some of my winter sown seeds.…