More scenes from Chicago

Crossing over the highway.



UIC was having a graduation celebration.




Buckingham Fountain. I don't actually think I've ever been this close before.




Wider angle shot. Such a pretty day!


Lots of people's creativity is inspired by the beautiful parks in Chicago.

Graceland

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!

007 wedding cake

This was my favorite wedding cake at the Sandwich Fair. Not the most romantic of themes, but the funniest!



This vignette is my favorite. Was he ejected, or did he get out and stagger off until he passed out in the icing? Hahahaha!

Prize-winning...

Peppers


Pickling


Tomatoes


Quick Breads


Quilts


All taken at the Sandwich Fair, September 2008.

Great Price on Holy Water

At the Mission San Xavier gift shop in Tucson.

Do you think the reception is still good?

Notice anything unusual about this shot?



Like this?



Taken in Rockford, Illinois.

Farewell to an Era

The Berwyn Spindle, an unusual ode to the car culture that was erected in the 1970s, was torn down in the dead of night yesterday. The link includes a short video of it coming down. It was pretty sad to watch.

I am grateful now I went out to capture last fall. The entire short photo set is here.

The (Not Really) Naked Cowboy of Times Square

I have to assume he's a regular street entertainer there. He's got the special underwear and everything! :)





I love how the crowd is afraid to look directly at him.

Wig Store, New Orleans

Happy Birthday, Dad!

The store and the birthday have nothing in common. I just liked the shot. :)

Buddha Banks

Taken in New Orleans, spring 2008. I assume they are Buddhas -- they might not be!

Hail, Hail, the gang's all here!

The last three of the series from yesterday...



Francis Xavier Seelos: The leader of the group. Probably a little bossy, but he means well.




Cornelia Peacock Connelly: What a sour, smug expression. I can't get over how rude she looks praying.




Henriette Delille: The pretty one. Cornelia hates her for her perfect hairdo and big earrings.


I think the expressions of the three become more prominent when you see them together. They are truly a motley crew, and not in a hair band kind of way!



Best viewed in large.

Praying Hands on a Decorated Hearse

Details on the roof of a super-decorated hearse we spotted in the French Quarter in New Orleans. Many more photos to come.

Reindog 15 and 16: Grandma Badass

Look at how muscular this boxer is. Then look at how old-lady-ish its coat is. That's not right!



Seriously a dog this tough-looking deserves a leather coat and hat, don't you think? (He did have a calm disposition, though.)

Reindog 10: Terrier Santa rumble

"Hey, that's my outfit! Oh, I am gonna kick your a--..."

Reindogs 6 & 7: Pretty in Pink

There were several instances of owners and pets in coordinating costumes; there was in fact a whole category for it in the prizes. This was the cutest one I saw.



I confess, I love pink. I couldn't stop taking pictures of these two!

+++++

We got some snow here last night. The sun's not up yet, and it looks like it's blowing around now, but hopefully I'll be able to take my camera out for a bit this morning and snap some pictures.

Reindog 5: Green Elf

I'm not really up on my dog breed knowledge; is this a retriever, or a hound?

EDIT: It's a German Shorthair Pointer. Thanks, cofax!

Reindog 4: Pretty pup!

This dog was so beautiful -- click on the large version to get a better view of her eyes -- even the silly Santa hat looks good on her.

Part of the Reindog set (Or scroll down to this weekend's entries.)

Reindog 3: Awwwwwwww.

My husband loves pugs, but so far I have been able to resist. Then I saw this one shivering inside his owner's coat, and I melted. So cute!

All the dogs can be seen at the Reindog set on Flickr. It will be growing all month!

Reindog 1 and 2

I attended the Reindog Parade at the Chicago Botanic Garden today, and saw lots and lots of dogs in Christmas costumes. So the 24 Days of Reindogs has been born; I'll be posting 1-2 new dog photos every day until Christmas. It was a very popular event, and luckily we were through before the snow started coming down. It was cold; most of these sweet little dogs were shivering under their sweaters.

The expression on the face of this one cracked me up. Oh, the indignity! It got no better for him once he was through with his photo op with Santa.



It was really great.