We are starting to volunteer
at this shelter b/c we love
all the cats!
Our first day was Saturday...
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Red Door Animal Shelter
www.reddoorshelter.org/
We are starting to volunteer
at this shelter b/c we love
all the cats!
Our first day was Saturday...
We are starting to volunteer
at this shelter b/c we love
all the cats!
Our first day was Saturday...
Friday, January 16, 2009
Ready to explode
(x-posted on my art blog...)
here is some new, in progress work from the last 3 weeks...
here is some new, in progress work from the last 3 weeks...
Friday, December 26, 2008
happy holidays!
Happy Holidays everyone!
Charlene and I had a great
pre-holiday visit from Korwin
and Kelly Smith and Becca Cressel.
(We hoped they would get snowed in
leaving on xmas eve and all, but
only every other flight was canceled,
and not theirs!!!)
We gave them the winter Chicago
tour and enjoyed our evenings
in away from the 3 degree temps
and swirling snow.
Yes, Char and I are spending xmas and
new years alone, but with all our
friends and family in our thoughts.
all the best to all of you!
Charlene and I had a great
pre-holiday visit from Korwin
and Kelly Smith and Becca Cressel.
(We hoped they would get snowed in
leaving on xmas eve and all, but
only every other flight was canceled,
and not theirs!!!)
We gave them the winter Chicago
tour and enjoyed our evenings
in away from the 3 degree temps
and swirling snow.
Yes, Char and I are spending xmas and
new years alone, but with all our
friends and family in our thoughts.
all the best to all of you!
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Friday, December 05, 2008
Lakes
Sometimes I forget we live just a few
blocks from one of the largest fresh
water lakes in the world.
In fact, if you combine Lake Superior
and Lake Michigan, as some lists do,
because:
Lake Michigan and Lake Huron form one
hydrological unit; their surfaces are
at the same elevation, and the water
flows in either direction in the
channel separating them.
Then we technically live next to the
world's largest body of fresh water.
Ok, Lake Michigan does drop to number four
on the list if you divide them up, which
is what I think I'll do from now on.
Another interesting fact for you Lake junkies,
8 of the top 12 Lakes are in Canada and the US.
We're Lake crazy up here in North America!
Anyways, I walked down to the beach this morning
and took some pictures. They are below. Its
a wonderful vista, the closest, largest, natural
thing we have in the part of the country to the
mountains in the west. The lake vista is calming
and meditative - I think I'll head down there more.
blocks from one of the largest fresh
water lakes in the world.
In fact, if you combine Lake Superior
and Lake Michigan, as some lists do,
because:
Lake Michigan and Lake Huron form one
hydrological unit; their surfaces are
at the same elevation, and the water
flows in either direction in the
channel separating them.
Then we technically live next to the
world's largest body of fresh water.
Ok, Lake Michigan does drop to number four
on the list if you divide them up, which
is what I think I'll do from now on.
Another interesting fact for you Lake junkies,
8 of the top 12 Lakes are in Canada and the US.
We're Lake crazy up here in North America!
Anyways, I walked down to the beach this morning
and took some pictures. They are below. Its
a wonderful vista, the closest, largest, natural
thing we have in the part of the country to the
mountains in the west. The lake vista is calming
and meditative - I think I'll head down there more.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Thanksgiving
We made the 10hr trek up to the far far
north of MN, Ely. The main attraction was
Wendy and Ryan's famous turkey dinner, meeting
the new penguin in the family-Molly and seeing
our almost-eskimo-friends.
Oh, and the opportunity to get Mukluks at
the local store!
north of MN, Ely. The main attraction was
Wendy and Ryan's famous turkey dinner, meeting
the new penguin in the family-Molly and seeing
our almost-eskimo-friends.
Oh, and the opportunity to get Mukluks at
the local store!
Friday, November 28, 2008
Spain FOTOS!
Happy Thanksgiving!
I'm finally getting
around to posting the
Spain fotos, no small
feat let me tell ya'.
By that I mean, sifting
through over 3,000 pics
(between Korwin and I)
to bring you the best of
Espana took some serious
editing. Be thankful!
So click on the link below to get to
our Picasa Album!
I'm finally getting
around to posting the
Spain fotos, no small
feat let me tell ya'.
By that I mean, sifting
through over 3,000 pics
(between Korwin and I)
to bring you the best of
Espana took some serious
editing. Be thankful!
So click on the link below to get to
our Picasa Album!
Monday, November 17, 2008
winter seasons autumn end.
The beginning is always so exciting.
A crispness in the air, that feels clean
and shocking.
Surprising snowflakes falling out of the blue.
Feeling bigger then normal because of the new
jackets and layers.
Best of all, getting to visiting friends and
have friends visit for the holidays!
Check back late Feb. for the flip side, the winter
too long blues :o)
A crispness in the air, that feels clean
and shocking.
Surprising snowflakes falling out of the blue.
Feeling bigger then normal because of the new
jackets and layers.
Best of all, getting to visiting friends and
have friends visit for the holidays!
Check back late Feb. for the flip side, the winter
too long blues :o)
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
We are there!
We are there. Victory.
Our next president spoke:
"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer."
After enduring a way too long election cycle
Charlene and I jumped for joy with about 124,998
other people in Chicago's Grant Park last night
when it was announced we would have a new, hopeful,
intelligent leader of our country to replace the old
worn out tired bumbling genius that is George Bush.
(we are there, at about the tall fuzzy american flag in the background)
Seriously, it was amazing to be at ground zero last night, witnessing a
euphoric crowd that I truly thought symbolized the "real America",
multi cultural, hopeful, intelligent and wanting to be a better country. Oh,
and not wasting a chance, vendors selling necklaces, shirts, buttons, stuffed democrat donkeys, all emblazoned with our new pop star, who happens to be our next president!
Everywhere you looked it was a crowd of young, old, black white, everything.
We talked to two Italians that were standing next to us, Charlene and the
woman who both couldn't vote but had waded through thousands of people to
stand for hours to see the Obama victory. We saw people crying, lots of
digital documentation, and amazingly calm crowd control.
My legs ached, my body was drained from millions of internet election stories,
walking door to door in NW Indiana trying to squeeze out every single vote and
the roller coaster of emotions from being involved with a major turn in the road
map of history. As our train chugged north back to Rogers Park last night I
was able to let out a simple sigh of relief.
It felt good and I said to myself we are there, the place we've been working
for and imagining and wanting for way too long.
Our next president spoke:
"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer."
After enduring a way too long election cycle
Charlene and I jumped for joy with about 124,998
other people in Chicago's Grant Park last night
when it was announced we would have a new, hopeful,
intelligent leader of our country to replace the old
worn out tired bumbling genius that is George Bush.
(we are there, at about the tall fuzzy american flag in the background)
Seriously, it was amazing to be at ground zero last night, witnessing a
euphoric crowd that I truly thought symbolized the "real America",
multi cultural, hopeful, intelligent and wanting to be a better country. Oh,
and not wasting a chance, vendors selling necklaces, shirts, buttons, stuffed democrat donkeys, all emblazoned with our new pop star, who happens to be our next president!
Everywhere you looked it was a crowd of young, old, black white, everything.
We talked to two Italians that were standing next to us, Charlene and the
woman who both couldn't vote but had waded through thousands of people to
stand for hours to see the Obama victory. We saw people crying, lots of
digital documentation, and amazingly calm crowd control.
My legs ached, my body was drained from millions of internet election stories,
walking door to door in NW Indiana trying to squeeze out every single vote and
the roller coaster of emotions from being involved with a major turn in the road
map of history. As our train chugged north back to Rogers Park last night I
was able to let out a simple sigh of relief.
It felt good and I said to myself we are there, the place we've been working
for and imagining and wanting for way too long.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Photo Tour : our new home
This is our new home, 1669 W. Farwell Ave. #1N Chicago, IL
Enter into the living room
Looking into the kitchen from the living room
The kitchen bar and dining room to the left
The dining room
Bathroom (from Dining room, also connects to our bedroom)
Master bedroom
Kitchen, door to deck
View from our deck into neighbors yard
Stairs to lower level
Base of stairs, guest room to right, studio/bdrm 3 to left
Guest room
Guestroom bathroom
Studio, north end
Studio, south end
Enter into the living room
Looking into the kitchen from the living room
The kitchen bar and dining room to the left
The dining room
Bathroom (from Dining room, also connects to our bedroom)
Master bedroom
Kitchen, door to deck
View from our deck into neighbors yard
Stairs to lower level
Base of stairs, guest room to right, studio/bdrm 3 to left
Guest room
Guestroom bathroom
Studio, north end
Studio, south end
Friday, October 24, 2008
Espana II
Well, I kinda fell off the blog bandwagon over the summer
and on our trip I only managed one post! Disappointing huh?
Here is the rest o' Espana that I left off...
From Almeria we headed up the southern coast basking in
the sun drenched Mediterenean, snorkeling, swimming and
of course out door tapas dining. We stopped in little
white-washed towns like Mojacar and then wove our way
up the coast to Valencia where we ate a gigantic paella
and saw an amazing futuristic science and arts complex,
looked like space ships had landed in the middle of this
port town. From Valencia we scooted into Barcelona, my
lasting impressions were the Gaudi architecture and a magical
light, music and water show at the fountains in front of the
royal palace. From Barcelona we trekked into the depths of
the Pyrenees. Not very many towns can match Torla for its
"idyllic, on the side of the hill, in the shadow of huge mtns
with picturesque stone houses and rustic restaurants". We
hiked abandoned old towns, green valleys and alpine vistas
in our few days in Torla. After brief stops in Jaca (for the
pastries) and Pamplona (no bulls) we found ourselves in the
Basque area of Espana - it's capital, Bilboa. Bilboa is a
wonderful example of how art can really turn around a city.
The Bilboa Guggenhiem put this city on the map and it never
looked back. It was one of my favorite cities, maybe only
after Granada. The food was great and the Guggenheim was
an incredible place to look at art. One night in Burgos
and then we were back in Madrid (after a shockingly quick
outlet shopping stop- Camper shoe outlet!!). The Smiths
left the next morning and Charlene and I wandered Madrid
the next few days, lovely squares, the Prado, lots of Churros
and then we flew back to our new home in Chicago- oh after a
unplanned night over in the lovely Cleavland airport area-
talk about culture shock!!!!!
I will post pics on my picassa album once I whittle down the
2,000 plus. But it promises to be an eclectic assortment, just
like our experiences across the Iberian peninsula!
and on our trip I only managed one post! Disappointing huh?
Here is the rest o' Espana that I left off...
From Almeria we headed up the southern coast basking in
the sun drenched Mediterenean, snorkeling, swimming and
of course out door tapas dining. We stopped in little
white-washed towns like Mojacar and then wove our way
up the coast to Valencia where we ate a gigantic paella
and saw an amazing futuristic science and arts complex,
looked like space ships had landed in the middle of this
port town. From Valencia we scooted into Barcelona, my
lasting impressions were the Gaudi architecture and a magical
light, music and water show at the fountains in front of the
royal palace. From Barcelona we trekked into the depths of
the Pyrenees. Not very many towns can match Torla for its
"idyllic, on the side of the hill, in the shadow of huge mtns
with picturesque stone houses and rustic restaurants". We
hiked abandoned old towns, green valleys and alpine vistas
in our few days in Torla. After brief stops in Jaca (for the
pastries) and Pamplona (no bulls) we found ourselves in the
Basque area of Espana - it's capital, Bilboa. Bilboa is a
wonderful example of how art can really turn around a city.
The Bilboa Guggenhiem put this city on the map and it never
looked back. It was one of my favorite cities, maybe only
after Granada. The food was great and the Guggenheim was
an incredible place to look at art. One night in Burgos
and then we were back in Madrid (after a shockingly quick
outlet shopping stop- Camper shoe outlet!!). The Smiths
left the next morning and Charlene and I wandered Madrid
the next few days, lovely squares, the Prado, lots of Churros
and then we flew back to our new home in Chicago- oh after a
unplanned night over in the lovely Cleavland airport area-
talk about culture shock!!!!!
I will post pics on my picassa album once I whittle down the
2,000 plus. But it promises to be an eclectic assortment, just
like our experiences across the Iberian peninsula!
Monday, September 15, 2008
ESPANA !
We are on the road in Espana.
Hang on here we go...
Charlene and I flew into Madrid
on Tuesday AM, our travelin´mates
picked us up at the airport in our
rented car and we took off to Ubeda.
We stayed the night in Ubeda, a small
Spainish town amidst the olive trees,
walked lots of cobblestone streets and
enjoyed our first round of tapas. The
next morning we hit the road for Cordoba,
where we saw the mezquita, a cathedral
turned mosque turned cathedral. After lunch
we were again on our way to Sevilla, a dense
urban center with an engaging mix of old and
new. We drove (well Korwin drove) the barely
one car thick lanes and tried and tried to get
to our hostel, finally parking and making our
way through the labrynth of the city centre to
our beds for the night. We toured Sevilla the
next day, shopping, eating, flamenco watchin´
and royal castle visiting. An early start, jump
started by a quick caffe con leche, the next morning
found us in Jarez ,
a sherry and brandy making center where we toured
the wineries and walked our way around plazas, winding
streets and basked in the near coastal sun. Onward
to Cadiz, a city that juts into the Atlantic, we found
lodging at the local parador ( state run historic hotels
often in old castles), we looked out of our rooms to see
the blue blue sea, ate lots of fried fish, and wandered the
squares and lovely beaches.
Resting up for a big drive the next day we headed
to Granada, via the coastal roads and severely rising mountains.
Gibralter rose into our horizons and we literally scraped our
way up the crazy roads to see monkeys, old bunkers, precipes
and find ourselves in a British coloney. The brief detour
yielded again to the road, we rose from our new friend the
Mediterrean Sea level into the dry low mountains that sheild
Granada from the sea. We stumbled into our hostel here in
Granada yesterday evening, stocked up on dinner and rose
early, pre dawn, for a magical visit to the Alhambra, an amazing,
sprawling,beautiful palace and castle layered with Moorish and
Spanish and British history. A deep breath and a siesta were in
order and now we´ll search our the Morroccon side of town and some
graffitti artists enclaves before visiting a neighborhood that also
has cave dwellings.
Whew!
Tomorrow we head to the beach, near Almiria, on the Mediterrean. We´ll be there resting up and planning out the next couple
weeks of our trip.
Hang on here we go...
Charlene and I flew into Madrid
on Tuesday AM, our travelin´mates
picked us up at the airport in our
rented car and we took off to Ubeda.
We stayed the night in Ubeda, a small
Spainish town amidst the olive trees,
walked lots of cobblestone streets and
enjoyed our first round of tapas. The
next morning we hit the road for Cordoba,
where we saw the mezquita, a cathedral
turned mosque turned cathedral. After lunch
we were again on our way to Sevilla, a dense
urban center with an engaging mix of old and
new. We drove (well Korwin drove) the barely
one car thick lanes and tried and tried to get
to our hostel, finally parking and making our
way through the labrynth of the city centre to
our beds for the night. We toured Sevilla the
next day, shopping, eating, flamenco watchin´
and royal castle visiting. An early start, jump
started by a quick caffe con leche, the next morning
found us in Jarez ,
a sherry and brandy making center where we toured
the wineries and walked our way around plazas, winding
streets and basked in the near coastal sun. Onward
to Cadiz, a city that juts into the Atlantic, we found
lodging at the local parador ( state run historic hotels
often in old castles), we looked out of our rooms to see
the blue blue sea, ate lots of fried fish, and wandered the
squares and lovely beaches.
Resting up for a big drive the next day we headed
to Granada, via the coastal roads and severely rising mountains.
Gibralter rose into our horizons and we literally scraped our
way up the crazy roads to see monkeys, old bunkers, precipes
and find ourselves in a British coloney. The brief detour
yielded again to the road, we rose from our new friend the
Mediterrean Sea level into the dry low mountains that sheild
Granada from the sea. We stumbled into our hostel here in
Granada yesterday evening, stocked up on dinner and rose
early, pre dawn, for a magical visit to the Alhambra, an amazing,
sprawling,beautiful palace and castle layered with Moorish and
Spanish and British history. A deep breath and a siesta were in
order and now we´ll search our the Morroccon side of town and some
graffitti artists enclaves before visiting a neighborhood that also
has cave dwellings.
Whew!
Tomorrow we head to the beach, near Almiria, on the Mediterrean. We´ll be there resting up and planning out the next couple
weeks of our trip.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Things are happening
This is "the" week.
We are hoping to close the deal
on our new condo in Chicago on
Friday the 5th.
Then we'll move all our possessions
(minus a couple of cats who will be
vacationing at a neighbors apartment
in South Bend), 90% of which are nicely
boxed and stacked in our living room right
now, on the 6th and 7th.
Monday morning we'll catch a flight
out of South Bend to Madrid, Spain
to meet up with our traveling partners
of Thailand fame, the Smiths of Seattle.
It's been a hard workin', busy, sunny summer.
This is like the final sprint of a marathon...
grueling but that finish line is oh so close.
If we don't collapse from excitement/exhaustion,
next week you'll see a few posts here from our
road trip around the wonderful country of Spain!
Our bags are packed ... again.
We are hoping to close the deal
on our new condo in Chicago on
Friday the 5th.
Then we'll move all our possessions
(minus a couple of cats who will be
vacationing at a neighbors apartment
in South Bend), 90% of which are nicely
boxed and stacked in our living room right
now, on the 6th and 7th.
Monday morning we'll catch a flight
out of South Bend to Madrid, Spain
to meet up with our traveling partners
of Thailand fame, the Smiths of Seattle.
It's been a hard workin', busy, sunny summer.
This is like the final sprint of a marathon...
grueling but that finish line is oh so close.
If we don't collapse from excitement/exhaustion,
next week you'll see a few posts here from our
road trip around the wonderful country of Spain!
Our bags are packed ... again.
Friday, August 01, 2008
Summer timezzzz UPdates!
Charlene and I have been off the blogging for a while.
Thats about to change. Cuz' we're done with our summer
naps and ready to make some moves.
Literally.
We trekked down to TEXAS for a Ross family reunion
in between San Antonio and Austin (we visited both
cities as well)- which was very relaxing and warm!
We've solidified our travel plans with the westcoast
Smiths (Kelly and Korwin). We're headed to Spain,
September 8th-Oct.1st. Our plan is to roadtrip the entire
sun-and-tapas-filled country. (I love saying tapas!)
Charlene just accepted a new job in Chicago for October.
We are also in the process of closing on a condo in Chicago's
far-north side. 6 blocks to the beach, parks, Evanston,
lots of authentic Mexican groceries/eateries, and about
a 22 minute train ride to down town our new place will
come fully loaded with a guest room, in house studio
for Adam's painting endeavors, exposed brick and lots
of other lovely perks.
1669 W. Farwell Ave. Chicago, IL, 60626
Here are some pics from other units in da' building:
Our unit will span two floors but is all two-by-fours and dust right now,
so here's hoping they can build it all out by our due date! Essentially
it's a vintage shell with totally new insides.
Thats "all" for now, a power packed update if you ax me, but check
back for more consistent updates in the weeks to come!
Thats about to change. Cuz' we're done with our summer
naps and ready to make some moves.
Literally.
We trekked down to TEXAS for a Ross family reunion
in between San Antonio and Austin (we visited both
cities as well)- which was very relaxing and warm!
We've solidified our travel plans with the westcoast
Smiths (Kelly and Korwin). We're headed to Spain,
September 8th-Oct.1st. Our plan is to roadtrip the entire
sun-and-tapas-filled country. (I love saying tapas!)
Charlene just accepted a new job in Chicago for October.
We are also in the process of closing on a condo in Chicago's
far-north side. 6 blocks to the beach, parks, Evanston,
lots of authentic Mexican groceries/eateries, and about
a 22 minute train ride to down town our new place will
come fully loaded with a guest room, in house studio
for Adam's painting endeavors, exposed brick and lots
of other lovely perks.
1669 W. Farwell Ave. Chicago, IL, 60626
Here are some pics from other units in da' building:
Our unit will span two floors but is all two-by-fours and dust right now,
so here's hoping they can build it all out by our due date! Essentially
it's a vintage shell with totally new insides.
Thats "all" for now, a power packed update if you ax me, but check
back for more consistent updates in the weeks to come!
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