Jet Setting

Lots of visitors in and out down here. It is so nice to make memories with people we love in this pretty place. Taking one day at a time as I begin climbing the mountain of paperwork for David's green card. Recent events and unsettling news put the stress in perspective. I must live life day by day, resting my fears in the arms of the Father. 

Security

Celebrating the third week at my new job by sketching our office building. The work is enjoyable. The hours comfortable. The short commute canopied on both sides with lush green trees and tropical flowers. The job opening as design assistant opened for the first time in 5 years.

 Just in time for me to slip in. 

Thankful for God's perfect timing. 

flutter

When we first moved into this apartment complex in our new home of Miami, it felt very foreign, and it was cloudy and drizzling.The sun was shining on the complex on Mapquest. The chipping paint not so visible on Mapquest. No water bottles floating in the pool on Mapquest. 

 We drove up jet-lagged from the long trip from Germany in a taxi with our four suitcases of essential belongings in high anticipation of this place that we were legally bound via our lease to call home for at least six months, never having seen it in person. 

A month later, we find it very charming here and our predominantly spanish-speaking neighbors polite and the children very well-behaved, taking out the trash and training for the soccer team on the green lawn, a caring dad on the steps looking down below calling out pre-determined drills, which they obediently follow with determination.

On a day where you can sit in under the cabana and a breeze comes in and you are drinking green tea, things have a bright perspective. We know we are right where we are supposed to be. 

Watercolor inspired by rob carey. 

Venetian Pools

We moved to Miami, Florida one month ago.

There is so much to discover - tropical plants and spanish and mediterranean-influenced architecture. 

The Venetian Pool, a Registered Historic Landmark, 820,000 gallon spring water pool, daily refilled

It was built in 1928 with the help of lots of natural coral, which lines and enhances the pool's charm. 

In some places, you feel you really could be in Venice. 

Lots more to come! 

Kassel

We were in Kassel in August for Documenta (13) and made a trip again six months later to visit a dear friend. 

We visited the Bergpark, inspired by a design from an Italian architect, and home to the famous Hercules Monument, where the famous 300 year-old water feature begins its descent. 

The waterfalls wind and flow past such features as the devil's bridge... 

...until the water feature, which relies on natural pressure from reservoirs and manually opened underground pipes, comes to a calming halt at a peaceful lake in front of an impressive castle.

Modern art dots Kassel's landscape, here in the form of a giant metal frame, which highlights Kassel's Baroque-inspired architecture. 

Kassel's Orangerie is alive and well in the summer months, and its terrace available for dining and coffee drinking. The interior is used today as an astronomy and physical cabinet. 

Euro Chic

I had the chance to volunteer my design services to a German Christian High School. 

The goal was to create a coffee bistro that was modern and fresh, inviting the students to stay around during the optional lunch periods and breaks instead of hanging out at the local McDonald's. 

The wooden bar was built according to my CAD drawings by a talented teacher/carpenter of the school.

The stools were found online and added a fun punch. 

The bar was a great way to separate the sitting area from the rest of the cafe. 

The wall graphic was designed in photoshop. With an overhead projector and masking tape, two students and I marked the areas and painted them green. 

My dear friend, also a teacher at the school made the hats... that is her son.

Pictures courtesy of my father-in-law, Wolfgang Ley 

Pit Stop in Paris

Paris is worth it, even if it's only for a few hours between flights. . . 

. . . and inspires even on the cloudiest of days 

we had only time for a pricey breakfast and a rather expensive lunch. . . 

but enjoyed ourselves.