| taste testing

Giver's Log is a site I follow via my lovely google reader (whatever would I do without that thing?), thanks to a friend of mine who thought I'd enjoy the gift wrapping ideas (which I do!). A few weeks ago, I happened upon a post requesting taste testers. I quickly commented, hoping I was speedy enough to be chosen. Sure enough, I was!

Amber, of Giver's Log, was kind enough to mail not only one but two tasting samples to a friend's address who we were visiting in Chicago the next week. Fully intent on documenting our mini tasting party, I brought my camera.

I'll let the pictures do the work, but I will say that we really should have tasting parties more often. Who knew they could be so much fun?

If our samples were any indication, you're going to want to hop on over to Amber's shop when it opens later this month and snatch up some hot chocolate for yourself! You can read more about it here and here. Yum! Seriously, it's like Europe style hot chocolate. Swiss Miss dreams of being this good.

Carefully reading the instructions.

Notice our excellent choice in milk, for those of you in the Chicago area.

Becky, nicely stirring the first sample, as it heats up.

Whoever said sake cups were limited only to sake?

Sample number two, er, technically number 13 as they were labeled.

Our very official looking notes.

Thanks, Amber, for some wonderful samples! Can't wait til the store is open :)

| chicago before christmas

Renegade Craft Fair

In case you happen to be in the Chicago area next weekend...

chicago at dusk : parte duo

Because I just can't get enough of the city lights at night...

halloween cocktails

This is Dhey, playing both hostess (helping someone navigate to the correct party location) and bartender (mixing up a haunting brew) at the same time. Dhey asked me to be the photographer for a Halloween cocktail party she and a few friends were throwing downtown, on a roof top, in Chicago... um, yes!

It should be noted that when she's not moonlighting as a party hostess with the most-est (yes, I did just say that) - she's helping fight for the cure as a Clinical Research RN at Children's Memorial Hospital. Anyone willing to spend their days joining that fight gets extra stars in my book.

chicago at dusk

{more to come...}

| day five of thirty. {lwg}

It's a Friday night. I really should be anywhere but in my office, at the computer, getting lost in Adobe forums. I'm going to post this and walk away. Really, I am. (I think.) There are a bunch of exciting things going on around here, some of which I hope to share with you soon (as in: next week). But for now, you'll just have to trust that I'm trying my hardest to post every (week) day, but if I don't, it's only because my photography/design work is increasing and things are a bit nutty on this side of the computer. Side note to self: be careful what you pray for, He might actually say, "Yes."

Without further adieu, here is installment duo, of {life without glasses}
(and no, I did not misspell the word two, that is Italian, not Spanish)

It's a bird, it's a plane...

On Saturday we went to see the Chicago Air and Water Show and we have the sunburns to prove it. (I'm pretty sure my forehead is medium rare. And yes, I did put sunscreen on, I just forgot my face.) I do have to say this is one event downtown that I don't mind attending with the masses. Mainly, because everyone finds a spot and sits. I can handle that. Plus, they sell roasted corn on the cob. Another point in the "pros" column.

Involved in the show were: U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights, U.S. Navy Parachute Team Leap Frogs, U.S. Coast Guard Air/Sea Rescue... (oh, here's a list of the full program). Let's sum it up by saying it was a great line up, since I'm a bit rusty on all the different planes. Plus, you're here because you want to see the pictures, not listen to me narrate the whole thing. But before we get to them, I just have to say... those F-15/F-16 were awesome. I could have watched them zoom past all day long, especially against the city as a backdrop.

Finding our seats...

Notice they're headed opposite directions? Look carefully.

This was actually part of a very moving display where the 6th plane flew off in another direction, I'm assuming as a tribute to all those they've lost.

Upside down. Crazy.

This plane was awesome and so fast that this is the best picture I could get.

Hello Thunderbirds

INSANE. That's the best way to describe this.

The smoke left behind by all the fly bys.

Pop Quiz (sort of)

Yesterday was a full day, and the soles of my feet can testify to that this morning. The Art Institute was a flurry of people. Did you know you can take photographs of any permanent exhibit in the Museum so long as you don't use a flash? Pretty cool. So, as part of your 10 cent tour of the AI in Chicago, 100 points to the person who can name the artists in the following 6 snap shots. Double points if you can actually name the piece.



And, to wrap up our "mini week" here at But A Shadow, I give you the mini art institute modern wing:

AI here we come!

Well, it is surely and finally feeling like summer here in the big city. The winds swept in and it is a balmy 84 at the moment. After a winter of often working in a wool cardigan, my body doesn't hardly know what to do with these warmer temperatures that call for shorts and tees. Meanwhile my poor nearly translucent skin is crying to be out in the sun in order to get some type of color.

Hopefully today will do just that!

This morning I have an early 2nd to last study visit at Children's Memorial before shuffling off to a clinic visit as well - meet and greet with my new doc. M kindly took the day off to hang out with me. Then it will be onto some light shopping (cross your fingers - or maybe cross my fingers!) lunch and the Art Institute! I've been meaning to get back there ever since we moved last year and just never found the time. But this week admission is free due to the opening of their new Modern Wing. How exciting! It should be quite an eventful day in the city. Plus, don't let me forget... we have cards to conquer! Yes, cards. We have this lovely box of 50 city walks in Chicago and we're trying to do our best at doing as many of them as we can while we live here. I've picked out about 5 for tomorrow (some of them overlap a bit). We'll see if we actually get to all of them.

More Minis

Now that I know how, I'm just having fun! Here's Mini Chicago:



PS: In an effort to practice my "photographing people" skills, I'm planning my first Anniversary shoot for one of my best friends, hopefully in the next month or so. Let's hope it turns out well enough that I want to share the results with you!

Taking pictures of inanimate objects is really easy, they're not going to judge your work. But people... people are scary. They have opinions and they know how they'd like to look and well, frankly all that is quite intimidating. Not to mention the fact that I browse photography blogs nearly every day of very talented photographers who do it so well that I'm paralyzed by the fear of not measuring up. Unfortunately, this means I never practice, which means I never get any better. So, once again, I'm learning that honing my skills often means making mistakes (or just not being great) and doing that is the only way I'll ever progress.