Welcome, Spring.

This post is a mostly non-art-related, update on life (and how great it is at the moment).

My birthday is fast approaching so my co-workers threw a little celebration for myself and Joe, our sand-blaster/coffee extraordinaire, whose birthday was last week. After a terrible morning that brought together a full cup of coffee, clumsiness, a bedroom wall and white bedsheets, the lighthearted work day was much appreciated. Not only did my friends supply vegan food to grill for me (which Heather enjoyed along with me!), but they thought to buy ice cream. Yes, folks, vegan ice cream at work on a scorching hot spring day. How great is that? Following are photos of the thoughtful (and unexpected) gifts I received, and general Springtime loveliness.

Yellow Tulips.

Fenton Glass.

A mini cuppa and the single-most badass pen/pencil a chronic-sketcher could ask for. It's inkless, writes like a pencil, and NEVER has to be sharpened. The only explanation I can come up with is magic.

A huge supply of fruit leather, organic raisins, and bars. Oh, these people know how to make a foodie happy.

Enjoying coffee out of my new favorite mug.

A gift to myself. My new (still in the flaky stage) tattoo of a compass rose. I had a few reasons for choosing the design, all of which are near and dear to my heart.

And last, but certainly not least, this guy. All I can say is that he makes my days exceedingly brilliant and I've quite unexpectedly become the luckiest person in the world. Imagine that.