St. Patricks Day 2010: Dying of the River

It was my birthday this weekend, so my husband treated me to a lovely trip downtown. One of the main events was the Dying of the Chicago River, which we also attended a few years ago. It was a bit different this time because the weather was so awful. But we still had a great time!

First, we wandered around our hotel area and at the Hyatt, wondering if they really were going to do the dying of the river since it was so crappy out. Rainy and lots of fog. See?

The Wrigley Building. You can't even see the clocktower.


The river, pre-dying.


Just in case you need some perspective, here was our view from our room on Saturday morning, and then on Sunday:



But people did start arriving, surrounding the river on all sides. Lots and lots of weird St. Pat's outfits. I only got a couple of shots without being obvious.






She is my St. Patrick's Day soulmate. Hee!

I know, you are thinking, "But the river already looks green!"


But it's not NEON KELLY green. Once they start dying it, the difference is hilariously obvious.










They throw an orange powder into the water which instantly turns green. But if the wind is blowing the wrong way like it was this weekend, the guys throwing it start to look like Cheese Doodles. Hence the white coveralls, LOL.







When it's done, it's really quite lovely.









I'm lovin' it!






Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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!

Happy Halloween!

Pumpkins on my sister's back porch in Connecticut.

Gargoyle Fountain, Spring Edition

Remember this photo?

This is what it looks like in the spring.



Taken at the English Walled Garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden. I am due for another visit soon!

Almost seasonal set

After all these years of photographing the Chicago Botanic Garden, it appears I am still missing an autumn shot of this path. I will rectify that this year.

Spring. Taken in May 2008.



Summer. Taken in June 2007.



Winter. Taken in December, 2006.


Seasonal sets are among my favorite things to photograph. I'm open to new suggestions of sets to create!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I made my very first Thanksgiving dinner today. It came out wonderfully, very VERY delicious.





Good food, good friends, a good husband, a good job, good health, and a good family. I have much to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

For Mrs. O'Donnell's Photography Class

By request, here are some shots of the window in the English Walled Garden in different seasons.

The original Winter version:



The Spring version:



The Summer version:



Unfortunately I do not have one for the fall. Maybe next year!