On Saturday Eric and I went to Starved Rock State Park for a day together in the newly warm air and sunshine.   I can not remember the last time I was outside for four hours consecutively.  We hiked and wandered around the woods through canyons and trails.  I don’t know if I’ve ever spent significant time in the woods during the early Spring.  We were surrounded with tiny new leaves popping out , and little cheerful flowers popping up on the forest floor yet the large canopy trees were still bare.  Everything was brand new and waking. It was breath taking.  We came around the bend in the trail to this breathtaking spot of sunlight through the trees with dreamy light and took time out of our hike to enjoy it and capture one another. All the other hikers passed on by but we lingered here.

Take some time with the ones you love and to really commit to living inspired whatever that may be for you. Believe in the power of its transformation both in your personal and professional life.

I’m a better wife, entrepreneur and photographer for my four hours in the woods.

My motto. “Let us come alive to the splendor that is all around us, and see the beauty in ordinary things”             [ Thomas Merton]

P.S.  Any fab couple want to drive 2 hours out of Chicago, hike 2 miles into the woods for a unique unbelievable love shoot?!!  Seriously it was some of the most incredible light e.v.e.r.

Remember this post? I really have tried to remain true to embracing each season, to enjoy the stillness,  the deep rest that winter brings to all living things. To not fight it, but agree that yes I too need winter. I need it to slow down and to think deeply.  But March is hard.  I am straining to live present in the reality of each day, to not wish away my days.  I don’t want to miss one day of this one life I have, to embrace  it even if with difficulty.  I too need winter as do you. We need the dark dismal lifeless daysto remind us of how amazing life really is, how connected we are to nature and the world around us, to rest, to be still, and to yearn for more.  More life. More green. More dreams. More Hope. Its renewal.  I just can’t wait.

So dear Chicago… help me out here… bring us all that Spring has to offer!  And please bring it fast!

My favorite space there is the Fern Room. It has plantings of mosses, ferns and cycads and an indoor lagoon. It was created to evoke what the landscape would have looked like in pre-historic times. They had plants in there over 300 years old. This was my favorite room. I was in heaven….

We then headed off into the Show Room for their Spring Flower show. The greenhouse was FULL of blooming azaleas in bright pinks, fushias, whites and purples along with perfect white camelias and sweet smelling hyacinths. Towering overhead were big Southern Magnolias and a few crabapple trees. Now this room felt like home, sweet home Alabama will soon be full of all of these blooming beauties. ISpring is my favorite time of the year in the south.

Told you I loved them….

We continued on to the Desert House full of cacti and succulents. This is a favorite for Eric. Doesn’t this look like a little village?

We even found one that looks like Eric!

We headed back to the Fern Room to soak in the last rays of sunshine and enjoy the 70 degrees!

Where did you go with your Valentine??

My house in heaven.

Sorry but I can't help any excuse to put ridiculously cute photos of Nelson up . And don't lie, you like it.

Ok, so I have to show off one other beautiful birthday gift. My friends were strangely on the same path of thought. Eric headed up a “expensive modern terrarium” fund and all my good friends pitched in. Check it out. This one I get to go hunt for all the right miniature ferns and gaze at different colors of wonderful ferns and build myself. I’m pretty excited. Eric always finds ways to take care of the deep places in me that I feel self concious about… like the fact that I love green and need it in my life. He said, ” this is so you can have a little more green in your life here in the city, i know its hard for you”. I tear up. He knows the things about me I don’t even know. Sigh. I’m smitten. Thanks also to my pals, Jenn, Jackie, Aaron and Jill for making the terrarium a reality. I am indeed a richly blessed woman. Yay! Go Moss!

Modern terrarium

Ok. I’ve moved a zillion times , but this move has done me in. I’m not sure what day it is, time, where I’m at, and the thoughts in my mind go round and round till I can’t deal any more!!!!! I am tempted to give you a sneak peak of how the new studio is coming along (besides slower than anticipated), but you’ll have to wait.

As you all know I am a plant freak, lover, friend, tree hugger whatever you would like to call me AND I have this annoyingly large plant that Eric has continually moved over and over for me. The move up here to Chicago it was only about 3 ft or so, well now it is approaching 7ft! Check out what my incredibly crafty genius husband made for me!!! I know you are all jealous of 1. his amazing man skills and 2. the amazing happy ginormous plant. Yup, that’s how much my man loves me. (btw he HATES this plant)

Yay. Plant made it safe and sound.

Picture is courtesy of iphone

Here’s my heaven, a little house surrounded with green…..Take a good look, not sure what my address will be yet, but look me up!

This wonderful terrarium is off Etsy. I am a little obsessed with looking and wow-ing and spending all my imaginary dollars, on terrariums, bags, hats, and man, have you looked at all the fun fun jewelry? Go spend some time on Etsy.com. Look up terrariums! And you’ll see what I’m drooling over today.