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.

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.

Buffalos in the Snow

What do you think of this snow-eating monster?

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!

More Wintery Scenes!

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!

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.

Eva looking at the snow

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

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 . . .

Red & White Tree

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.

Winter Geese, Heading South

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Monthly Theme Day - Bridges!

These pictures were taken this summer in Niagara Falls, Canada. This is called the "Rainbow Bridge," which connects Nigara Falls, Ontario with Niagara Falls, NY. I didn't make it down to Long Grove to take a picture of the covered bridge after all. We rode on the "Maid of the Mist" boat seen in the 2nd picture of the falls. Yes, you do get wet! Here are the other blogs participating today. I noticed there is an error in the middle -- Minneapolis, MN (?)

Boston (MA), USA - San Diego (CA), USA - Stayton (OR), USA - New York City (NY), USA - Portland (OR), USA - Montego Bay, Jamaica - Inverness (IL), USA - Singapore, Singapore - Stockholm, Sweden - Setúbal, Portugal - Brussels, Belgium - Phoenix (AZ), USA - Seattle (WA), USA - Hyde, UK - Manila, Philippines - Fort Lauderdale (FL), USA - London, England - Austin (TX), USA - Toulouse, France - Weston (FL), USA - Sesimbra, Portugal - Selma (AL), USA - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Saarbrücken, Germany - Cleveland (OH), USA - Crystal Lake (IL), USA - American Fork (UT), USA - Seoul, South Korea - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Norwich (Norfolk), UK - North Bay (ON), Canada - Arradon, France - Paderborn, Germany - Durban, South Africa - Philadelphia (PA), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - http://www.twincitiesdailyphoto.com" target="_new">Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Prague, Czech Republic - Portland (OR), USA - Greenville (SC), USA - Boston (MA), USA - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Wichita (Ks), USA - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Petaling Jaya (Selangor), Malaysia - Grenoble, France - New York City (NY), USA - Nottingham, UK - Hobart (Tasmania), Australia - Arlington (VA), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Miami (FL), USA - Cheltenham, UK - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Saratoga Spgs. (NY), USA - Las Vegas (NV), USA - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Nashville (TN), USA - Toruń, Poland - New Orleans (LA), USA - Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Melbourne, Australia - Moscow, Russia - Trujillo, Peru - Château-Gontier, France - Quincy (MA), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Port Vila, Vanuatu - Joplin (MO), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Brookville (OH), USA - Chateaubriant, France - Chandler (AZ), USA - Stavanger, Norway - Baziège, France - Auckland, New Zealand - Wellington, New Zealand - Ocean Township (NJ), USA - Subang Jaya (Selangor), Malaysia - Detroit (MI), USA - Riga, Latvia - Nelson, New Zealand - Budapest, Hungary - Cape Town, South Africa - Sydney, Australia - Dunedin (FL), USA - Sofia, Bulgaria - Radonvilliers, France - Turin, Italy - Montpellier, France - Kansas City (MO), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Haninge, Sweden - Wailea (HI), USA - Lubbock (TX), USA - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Terrell (TX), USA - Mexico City, Mexico - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Budapest, Hungary - Montréal (QC), Canada - Sharon (CT), USA - Le Guilvinec, France - Jefferson City (MO), USA - Saigon, Vietnam - London, UK - Crepy-en-Valois, France - Orlando (FL), USA - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Paris, France - Mainz, Germany - Newcastle (NSW), Australia - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Darmstadt, Germany - Naples (FL), USA - Torino, Italy - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Bogor, Indonesia - The Hague, Netherlands

Sunrise, Sunset

The first 2 pictures are from this morning before sunrise looking out over my yard. The third picture was taken last night right after sunset, obviously looking in the opposite direction! I always heard that red skies at night mean "sailors delight" and red skies in the morning mean "sailors take warning." Our weather today is gloomy, so I guess the morning skies take precedence! Happy November almost December. I have been thinking bridges and probably will have to pull one out of an archive. Although there is a nice one in Long Grove Illinois -- a traditional covered bridge -- if I get a chance to drive down there.

More Countryside Nursery, Crystal Lake, IL

Pretty Poinsettias

Here is one in a new series of photos of Christmas decorations in my area. This one is from Countryside Flower Shop and Nursery, Crystal Lake, IL.

Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago

I like the giraffe "X," also the lovely polar bear! There is an underwater viewing area to see the polar bear swimming -- really nice. This zoo is clean, small enough to manage and best of all, FREE!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We Pilgrims and Indians sat down to an early feast. Tomorrow is the big day but we will still have plenty of turkey leftovers. We also had sausage/mushroom stuffing, traditional green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, and cranberries. The kids like pickles and olives especially!

Fox River, Illinois -- Last Boat Ride!

This should be one of the last times people are using boats -- snow is coming tomorrow!

Another Farmhouse at Harvest Time

Wauconda, IL.

Classic American Farmhouse

Valley View Farm, Nunda Township, IL.