So I was driving down Grand Avenue today and saw some great holiday decorations!
Now I have no idea what the store does… what they sell.. what they do…
or what they have such an incredible holiday display?! Don’t care. But I love it.

It looks like it’s just white paper folded, stacked, attached, folded again… etc.
The result is a wonderful origami-esque take on White Christmas. Love it.

Today is December… and I’m still riding my bike in the morning before work!
Although it’s not bright, sunny & “summery” any more…

Beautiful colors along the lakefront bike trail this morning.
Especially these statuesque, mature gingko trees still hanging onto
their leaves in splendid golden colors. More beautiful colors this fall…

So… for those of you who have been watching my work and paying attention
over the past couple years, you may have noticed that certain stamps get used
more often than others – with one or two in particular!

So I thought I’d share with you “my favorite stamp”!
Yep, it seems like this is the one that I turn to “when all else fails.”
There are literally hundreds of stamps in my arsenal – and yet a few favorites
keep surfacing… when I go to make my surface textures! Surprisingly…
it is also one of my first handmade stamps!

Tonight I stamped a couple serving bowls – all with that one stamp!!!
One stamp at a time… over… and over.. and over!

So I just submitted my 2008 tax returns just  “under the wire.”
And is it just me, or am I paying a LOT of taxes this year?

Not only do I pay my sales tax on a quarterly basis…
but I also have to file my annual federal & state income taxes!!!
Conceptually, I get it… but it still hurts.

As a self-employed artist, it seems like the more I work, the more I pay.
It’s frustrating. Just when you think you’re getting a little ahead…
and the bank account is starting to show some upward momentum,
Tax Day comes around and whacks you right upside the head!!!
Plus, as a freelance”contractor” at the special events gig, none of my income
is taxed… nice on payday, but it comes back to bite you at tax time.

It’s painful... but at least it’s done for another year!

Yesterday… sunny, crisp & clear – perfect for biking.
Today… cold, windy, rainy, snowy & miserable – perfect for nothing!
Just another Spring day in Chicago.

We’re hoping that Spring has finally hit Chicago!
Two good signs for those who live here…

Buckingham Fountain is back “squirting” in all its glory!
After lengthy restoration and a winter hiatus, the fountain is back…
along with a newly brick-paved promenade which replaces the
ever-annoying red gravel!!! So much better… and worth the wait!

Also, beautiful daffodils poking their heads out at Waveland Fieldhouse!
Although this is Chicago… and they’re predicting a mixture of rain & snow for tomorrow!!!