Christmas Tree 2009

Instead of putting up the big tree this year, we decided to get a cute little four-footer (no lights, unfortunately) at Menards yesterday, so a tree has gone up in our house!




It's not a Christmas tree without this ornament, a gift from my Aunt Rose long ago.


I stole this lighted wire gift box idea from an art display I saw a couple of weeks ago. I've had those boxes forever but wasn't sure what to do with them.


The side table by the window. (Yes, my living room walls are bright blue and mustard. And the couch is red. I like color in my home!)


My husband's stocking. Mine is Tweety Bird.


I think this was my husband's grandmothers. We had a couple in my house growing up too, but I think they are long gone.


My cats love to sleep under the tree every year, but since this one is on a small table they've been denied. So now they are sleeping under the table. I am going to get a large soft tree skirt and put it under for them; I'll take photos of it tonight.

Merry Christmas Eve!

The Chicago Hilton:







Daley Plaza and the Christmaskindl Market












(That one is for my friend Jill. She will know why.)



Merry Christmas Eve!

P.S. Chicago Public Radio used one of my photos from yesterday on their home page today. Yay!

Christmas Lights: Excessive Edition

This is one of the most overly-decorated houses I've seen. There are lights, giant blow-up creatures, Santas galore, but worst of all, there is just no theme. Unless the theme is "Too Much of Everything".



Um. Is that Pooh and Eeyore behind the tree on the right?



Oh God, it is.



The lighted-wire reindeer seem overwhelmed and frightened.



A polar bear, Snoopy and a seal walk into an igloo...

Tomorrow will be excessive done right. Come back then!

Happy Halloween!

Pumpkins on my sister's back porch in Connecticut.

Glenview Fourth of July Parade

All taken this morning at the annual Glenview 4th of July parade. There are more in this set, but these are my favorites:

Red Flags


Minutemen


Drill Team in flight


If he didn't have a kilt on, I would have thought he snuck in.


Stilts Woman


Best Friend Girl Scouts


Bolivian Dancer


The End!



Fireworks tonight! They'll be posted tomorrow.

Happy Independence Day!

Have a great July 4th, everyone!

She's a grand old flag

(Taken at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry U-505 exhibit. This was the flag of the US ship that captured the German sub.)

Even leopards enjoy Halloween!

For those of you still checking in, I am still around! I'm just getting banged around like this pumpkin right now at my new job, and so I'm still adjusting my time management. But I expect to be back soon with new photos -- thanks for hanging in there with me!

Taken at the Brookfield Zoo, November 2, 2006.

Fireworks!

Gotta post again tonight with these. Four other shots are available in the Fireworks set on Flickr.

Happy Fourth of July!

I could have framed this better so the flag was completely in the picture, but this is still one of my favorite shots from the July 4th parade in Glenview last year. The expression on the little kid's face is priceless.

The rest of the set is here; I'm hoping to have time today to get some more shots at this year's parade. Happy Independence Day, everyone!

St. Pat's Parade

Since there is only a small window of time where St. Patrick's-related photos are relevant, here are 4 of my favorites from the Chicago St. Pat's Parade held yesterday. We didn't have the greatest view for most of it; we were at the corner where the parade ended and they split off the floats in one direction and the bands and marchers in another. We lucked out in that we were standing facing the marchers, so I was able to see them closer than I thought I would.

Band Marching Past Skyline -- best seen in largest view.



Spinning Girls



Bagpipers



Little Irish Dancers

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The fountain in Daley Plaza has been dyed green for the holiday. It looked so pretty last night!

I may actually have a second post today, as I think I will get many good shots at the parade and river-dyeing ceremony. Keep your eyes peeled!