Sunday, December 30, 2007

More Chicago Christmas -- Macy's







Christmas in the City: Macy's clock, store front, decorated window (The Nutcracker) and Salvation Army musicians. (Sacrilege! These are really Marshall Field's pictures and always will be!) Added Note: For those of you who have commented, this store used to be Marshall Fields, a Chicago icon, but it was bought recently by Macy's. It is just not the same now.

Saturday, December 29, 2007

Olgivie Transportation (Metra Train) Station - Chicago




Here are a quick couple of photos from downtown Chicago. These decorations were inside the train station. I was there last weekend to see "Wicked," which was fabulous. I will post a few more holiday decoration photos soon. Macy's windows told the story of "The Nutcracker." If you haven't been to Chicago during Christmas, it's really worth the trip. I also went to the Kristkindlmarket, a huge German market set up at Daley Plaza during Christmastime. Wonderful decorations, ornaments, beer steins, German food, etc. Pictures will follow.

Friday, December 28, 2007

Buffalos in the Snow





What do you think of this snow-eating monster?

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Woodstock Opera House, Horse & Carriage




These photos were taken in Woodstock, IL. It is a very quaint little town with a village square and opera house. We saw a Santa magic show with the kids there. I think it looks quite romantic, and although we did not take the carriage ride, I couldn't resist capturing the scene. Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Little Creek and Bridge


Here's the same creek, looking the other way. It is lovely, isn't it? I could have used this picture for the December 1st theme day!

Monday, December 17, 2007

Little Creek in the Snow


This creek runs through my neighborhood, from the Fox River, Nunda, IL. I don't think it has an official name.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Eva looking at the snow



Here is my kitty Eva, watching the snow outside the window.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

K in the Sky


This is not the best photo, but there was actually a perfect "K" in the sky. . . since I am a "KK" I couldn't resist sharing . . .

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Monday, December 10, 2007

Wauconda Area Library


This is a really interesting building in Wauconda, IL. "Wauconda" is supposed to mean "Spirit Waters" in some Native American dialect. The interior is just as lovely.

Friday, December 7, 2007

Winter Geese, Heading South



Geese are trying to go South! They should have left already!

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Upside Down Christmas Tree - Victorian!



These were popular a few years ago, hung upside down from the ceiling -- not sure if they still are around much. I prefer the regular right-side-up trees. But it is lovely, anyway.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Vorstipaev - Estonian Blood Sausage for Christmas!








I call this day Vorstipaev, which is Estonian for "Sausage Day." Blood sausage (vervivorst) is a traditional Estonian Christmas food. We went to the Chicago Estonian Cultural center to participate in the making of the sausage, back to our peasant roots. I like the jugs of blood -- very vampirish! The picture not included is that there was a nice snow and the sausages were laid outside in the snow to cool. Now we have ours in the freezer, ready to eat on Christmas Eve with sour cream and a nice pork roasted with apples and onions, potatoes, sauerkraut, cranberry preserves, beer, and traditional cookies called 'Pipparkogid (pepper, ginger, cocoa and cinnamon), for dessert.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Christmas is Coming, the Goose is Getting Fat!






We have more snow on the way. . . you don't see any by this frozen pond, but we do have a tiny bit. 3 - 5" is expected later today. Everyone's getting in the Christmas spirit. I love this time of year. But then again, I like all the seasons.

Monday, December 3, 2007

A follow-up to the bridge . . . the tunnel!



This was taken in the tunnel between Detroit, MI, USA and Windsor, ON, Canada. I thought it would be good to show this after the Niagara bridge. This is how we came back from our trip to the Falls. The traffic was terrible in the tunnel -- usually it takes 15 mintues to cross -- this was more like 1.5 hours. Yikes.