Early December Snapshot

Hello family and close friends!

This is a special edition post for just you, as this shouldn't be shared around too liberally. Many of you have asked about my new job. Though temporary, I'm still loving it. There are times when the workload is heavy, and other times when the clock seems to stand still. Of course, this is one of those moments, caught between tasks, when I must wait. Here is a small sample of what I've done this week, of course I picked the most colorful portion for your benefit!

For those of you who are strangers to landscape design, the process is cyclical. What you see here will not be the final design, and is actually quite conceptual. This sketch is a simple way to get ideas down on paper. Most likely, the client will never actually see this sketch. However, you might enjoy it, so here goes!

Imagine a 6-story building in the background, very tall especially for the area. It unfortunately allows no access to the walking path.  A major focus of designing this area is making the path feel human scale, alleviating the towering affect of a large-scale building.  Interactive spaces enhance community and make a place memorable.

Watercolor Dabbles

My Bestie has her wedding planned for Spring, so we have been dabbling in some dealings with watercolor! She has a very beautiful setting reserved and it lends itself well to her love for pastels. To help imagine how her invitations might look, we made some mock-ups to show ideas. Pretty soon, we will have some words to go with the backgrounds, and we can see how different pallettes and arrangements can make for beautiful invitation backgrounds!

Here are a few favorites so far.

Fall Foods

Leaves are turning colors and a crisp autumn chill asks for rosier faces surrounded by fluffy scarves, brightening up the streets. And what comes with such splendor? A new taste in cuisine for the new season!

Today I am working on just a couple of my favorite cool-weather desserts to warm up a chilly house, starting with my favorite, apple pie!

Of course, the taste of apple pie is sublime, but what is even better? Memories.

Memories of peeling apples side by side with mom, learning her tricks, telling jokes, and getting juicy stories. Challenging each other to see who could peel fastest, keeping the peelings the longest without breaking them. Dropping the twirly peels to see what letter they would form, imagining it would reveal the secrets of the future.

Memories of perfecting buttery, mouthwatering crusts and decorating with with just a touch of sparkle, a crystally dust of sugar.

Memories of the house flooding with sweet and cinnamon aromas.

Doodles During Church

In service this morning, my pen just wouldn't stop!

Have you been to Yats?

Broadripple has a lot of great and interesting places to eat! One of my favorites is Yats, a quaint little place with a New Orleans kick. Try the Chili Cheese Étouffée, it is delicious! When you visit, you will notice an eclectic collection of decorations, including (naturally) Mardi Gras beads, several statues, a twisty trumpet, and more. Here are a couple pieces that captured my interest on an artsy day.

Recording! 'In the Garden'

I was asked to sing in church.  My mom suggested this beautiful, peaceful song and I think its perfect! ...If only I knew how to get it into a blog!...

In the Garden   by C. Austin Miles

I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses.
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses.

And he Walks with me, and he talks with me,
And he tells me I am his own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

He speaks and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me,
Within my heart is ringing.

And he Walks with me, and he talks with me,
And he tells me I am his own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

I'd stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me is falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.

And he Walks with me, and he talks with me,
And he tells me I am his own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

Thumbnail Sketches

Every now and then, doodling just happens. Often, the spontaneous ones are fairly small and not too specific. Hope you enjoy these little pieces! I certainly enjoyed creating them. Copyright 2013.

Indianapolis Home Show: Aspen Outdoor Designs

I have been enjoying the Home Show this week. Every now and then there is some down time. Here are a couple resulting sketches.

Once I have a computer I will get that one rotated!

enjoy!