don't worry, darling, spring will come again

This week I have been annoyingly perky. Some good things are happening, but also spring has arrived in this neighborhood. For those of you still in the death grip of the polar vortex, I apologize. May this post bring you hope that you too will feel your fingers again while outside. 

I love to read The Secret Garden by Francis Hodgson Burnett in the spring. Mock as you will, but you spend three winters in the gray of lansing michigan, and then tell me what you do to make it through march. Reading about mary and colin was on the very healthy end of the spectrum of ways we made it through the dreaded season of slush.  

"Things are crowding up out of the earth,' she ran on in a hurry. 'And there are flowers uncurling and buds on everything and the green veil has covered nearly all the gray and the birds are in such a hurry about their nests for fear they may be too late that some of them are even fighting for places in the secret garden. And the rose-bushes look as wick as wick can be, and there are primroses in the lanes and woods, and the seeds we planted are up, and Dickon has brought the fox and the crow and the squirrels and a new-born lamb."

Doesn't this make you want to be in the English countryside frolicking in the gardens? And see persnickety children come alive and lose their brattiness because they are digging and playing in the great outdoors? 

No? Okay, fine, be a debbie downer. I told you I was a little too perky this week. For the last few weeks, I've been living with my friends in a quaint little place off of piedmont avenue. Flowers have been bursting into life lately, and inspired these photos called "the blooms of piedmont" 

These photos are available in prints right now. Cards for all of your spring event needs are coming next week....Before we know it, mother's day, baby showers and the wedding season will be here. And april fool's day - one of the very best holidays of the year.  

For more information, go to the paper + sky facebook page or feel free to email paperandskycrafts@gmail.com. 

Happy spring! 

Back to The Golden State

It is crazy to believe that a decade ago, I made the 3,000 mile trek across america to california. I remember being so nervous to navigate the maze of freeways after driving in rural illinois and so unsure how I was going to make it in LA. Although it was quite the learning curve, the golden state did creep its way into my heart. It's been fun to be back and discover new places and reconnect with old friends. 

Here is the idyllic Marin Headlands....almost like Ireland if you squint a bit and imagine a Guinness in your hand. 

It is amazing to me how beautiful the golden gate bridge is.....you would think that after a few times, one would be blase about this view. But, alas, like the norwegian fjords, you can not be blase about the golden gate bridge. It is ridiculously stunning in its simplicity. 

We spent a gloriously warm day wandering around the city. It's so interesting to walk between the neighborhoods and be transported from china to italy in a few blocks. Apparently there is this thing with wild parrots in the city, which I am going to investigate further. There is something about san francisco that makes you want to find out about weird things. 

These two have graciously taken me in as a vagabond....even giving me a shelf in the bathroom, which I do not take for granted. That is no small sacrifice. I am exceedingly thankful for all the friends along the way, and all the ways they have served and loved and encouraged me. This adventure would not be possible without them.