Happy Friday! Hope you have a fun and relaxing weekend ahead of you! Today I wanted to share a few things I’ve been inspired by lately, along with several recipes I’d love to try one day soon. And of course I had to share a few film shots from Chicago for you – we’re looking forward to our next trip there in a few weeks. (Be sure to check out the link at the bottom if you wish to purchase any of our fine art prints for yourself or a friend!)

This article from Allison Fallon: How A Creative Project Can Heal Your Body, Your Mind, And The World. I’ve taken to writing a lot more lately and it’s been hugely freeing for me. It has felt good to write for no one but myself, and to free myself from the need to share everything I produce.

This article from The New York Times: How to Raise a Creative Child. Step One: Back Off. One of the biggest things I hope for is to raise children that are creative. Creativity can look like many things – I don’t mean I hope my children become photographers or painters or candlestick makers. I simply hope that they feel the freedom to explore what they’re interested in, and eventually to hone in on the gifts and talents they are given and use them to the best of their abilities.

And this one titled You Don’t Want Marie Forleo’s Website, from RKA Ink. I adore Marie Forleo, so this one cracked me up. We’re also in the process of redoing our Grain & Compass website, so lots of her thoughts resonated with me and reassured me that we’re doing the right thing with our new site!

Recipes I want to try:

Goat Cheese Guac Burgers with Cheddar and Caramelized Onions from How Sweet It Is. Because whoa. What more could you want on a burger?

Caprese Stuffed Garlic Butter Portobellos from Cafe Delites. Goodness these look delicious!

Popsicles! These are all over the interwebs these days. Take your pick. Chai Tea Ombre Popsicles from Paper & Stitch, Roasted Strawberries and Cream Popsicles from Fork Knife Swoon, or these Yogurt Parfait Popsicles from Le Zoe Musings. I don’t even care that it’s not summer! These look good enough to eat year-round. I think it’s time to get some popsicle molds.

Raspberry Mojitos from Heather Christo. I won’t be able to have one of these for a while, but seriously – mint, lime, raspberries, and rum? Yes please. After baby of course.

Blackberry-Thyme Jam and Whipped Goat Cheese Filled Donuts from For the Love of Lasagna. These look like a labor of love, but seriously? That ingredient list? Yum.

Photographs above were taken with Portra 160 film and processed by Richard Photo Lab. These and more are available for purchase at our Grain & Compass Print Shop! Hop on over there if you need some art for your walls, a gift for a friend, or simply want to see some of the places we’ve traveled!