Scrabble -- I won, 306 to 299

There are a few Estonian words in here, in case you were wondering. . . Another freezing day today, not much to do when it is 3 degrees outside. We have been busy with Scrabble lately, waiting for a new arrival, details to follow.

Nice Nunda Township Home

This house is located in a nicer farm neighborhood, close to the Nunda Township Offices. I had to go there to vote (early!). There is a unique train viaduct there also, pictures to follow.

Fresh fruit

There was something so nice about looking at this fruit this morning, since it was 1 degree (-20 degrees wind chill) outside. It just looks warm and summer-y.

Castle house

Here is a house from a neighborhood close by (not my neighborhood!). I love the brick and the castle-look.

More Oak Trees in Winter

Apple tree blossoms

I am posting this picture today in honor of our SNOWSTORM! These blossoms were from a tree bordering my neighbor's property, which I loved to look at through my kitchen window every season of the year. Unfortunately last spring right after I took this photo my neighbor CUT IT DOWN -- knowing how I feel about trees, of course I was devastated. I do have my photos, though. It was like an old friend, I am so sorry it is gone. I planted a pear tree right away, but it will be years before it was as nice as the old apple. Stay warm! Think Spring!

Another stand of oak trees

Can you tell I really like these? Check my older postings for more!

Burned-out Farmhouse

This farmhouse has been abandoned for some time. I drive by it frequently. It just recently was vandalized. I try to find nice images of my community but not everything is beautiful in the world. Maybe you find something interesting in the photo anyway . . .

My Kitty Eva

Eva is getting cozy in her little bed. . .

A little Spring -- we can use it!

This photo was taken last spring. I love Lily of the Valley -- my favorite flower, it is also the National Flower of Finland. And my grandmother loved violets.

Wicked at the Ford Oriental Theater, Chicago

This was quite a show. Has anyone else had the chance to see it? What did you think? This theater was beautiful, the performance was outstanding. Come to Chicago and check it out!




Info on Oriental Theater:

As one of the first motion picture palaces whose décor was inspired by the Far East, Chicago's Oriental Theatre opened to much fanfare on May 8, 1926. Also, designed by George L. and Cornelius W. Rapp for theater managers Balaban and Katz, the theatre, a virtual museum of Asian art, presented popular first-run motion pictures, complemented by lavish stage shows. Turbaned ushers led patrons from the lobby, with polychrome figures and large mosaics of an Indian prince and princess, through an inner foyer with elephant-throne chairs and multicolored glazed Buddhas, to the auditorium's "hasheesh-dream décor." Among the many stars that played the theatre are Paul Ash (billed as "the Rajah of Jazz"), The Three Stooges, Judy Garland, Al Jolson, Stepin Fetchit, Sophie Tucker, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, Fanny Brice, Danny Kaye and Alice Faye. During a record-breaking week in 1930, as many as 124,985 patrons visited the Oriental to see the hit film "Flight." Although management changed hands several times in the subsequent decades, the theatre continued to feature films until the early 1970s, at which time the M&R Amusement Company briefly presented live performances by such artists as Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight and the Pips and Little Richard.

Soon the theater fell into disrepair. In an effort to preserve the theatre, it was added to the Federal National Registry of Historic Places in 1978, but the building continued to crumble. The theatre was closed to the public in 1981, and the site was considered for a two-story, 50,000 square-foot shopping mall and a 1,600 seat cinema. In 1996, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley announced that the Oriental would be restored to its original grandeur for the presentation of live stage musicals by Livent, Inc. Renamed Ford Center for the Performing Arts in 1997, the restoration of the theatre was completed in October 1998, at which time it was opened with the Chicago premiere of "Ragtime." The venue was acquired by SFX Theatrical Group in 1999, and its production of "Fosse" debuted at the Ford Center before embarking on a national tour. The list of hits goes on including the pre-Broadway of "Blast" in 2000, as well as the world premiere of "Sing-A-Long Wizard of Oz" in January 2003. The Ford Center currently plays home to Wicked, which has been in an open run since 2005.
http://www.broadwayinchicago.com/theatreinfo_history.php#ford

Another neighborhood tree

We have been having a heat wave, that's for sure. All of our snow is now gone. It was 63 degrees F yesterday. Crazy! I am going to be posting only every few days or so now, I won't have access to the Internet nearly so much. Explanation to follow, hopefully within the next 3 weeks!

New Year's Tree

Loved the somber tones of this photo. This tree is right next to the farm property as you enter the neighborhood where I live. We really have been getting the snow this year, and it is wonderful (I am Finnish, love snow!). However, we are supposed to be getting a heat wave later this week -- 55 degrees F on Monday?? Really unusual for January. Goodbye snow! Happy 2008, everyone!