Happy Thanksgiving!

Just taking a break from whirlwind cooking to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

Chicago Christmas

 

Today we went to downtown Chicago to see a matinee performance of Young Frankenstein. We got down there about an hour early and since it was a pleasant day we decided to walk the few blocks down to State Street. This is the main shopping area of what is called "the Loop". We checked out the decorated windows in Macy's (formerly Marshall Fields) and went inside. I suggested we go to check out the tree in the famous Walnut Room. We had to go to the 7th floor to view the tree. There is a dining room and there was quite a wait to eat under the tree. This picture was taken a floor above, I actually took 2 pictures with my phone and used the software from my camera to stitch them together. It is a beautiful tree and possibly we'll go back down before the holidays are over to have lunch under the tree.
P.S. The play was very funny and we had a great time!

Pumpkin Bars

Anyone feel like baking? I just posted a great recipe for pumpkin bars on my other blog. Give it a look!

Happy Halloween!

Fall Colors!

 

 

Hi Everyone!
I'm back from my hiatus from blogging. I admit I've been lazy and not in the mood to do much composing. I'll try to do better, and thanks to those who have missed me!

2009 has been one of the most beautiful in the way of fall colors in the Midwest. It all depends on the weather, amount of moisture and other factors, and this has been a perfect year. It is a shame it is coming to an end, a lot of the leaves have fallen.

Here are two pictures I took in my yard with the camera on my phone. I will post better pictures that I took with my camera later. For now, hope you enjoy! And welcome back!

ABC Wednesday- J is for Jet

 

 

 

 

It's ABC Wednesday time! J is for Jet! Photos taken at O'Hare Airport in Chicago. For more J fun, visit here-> ABC Wednesday

ABC Wednesday - I is for In-N-Out Burger

 

Labor Day week my husband and I spent 5 days in Scottsdale, Arizona. I had to introduce him to this cult restaurant, In-N-Out Burger. It is a West coast phenomenon, having locations in California, Arizona, Utah and Nevada.

Their claim to fame is the freshness. Everything is prepared fresh, and we spent the time we were eating our burgers and fries watching the young man use a special machine to slice the fresh potatoes into french fry shapes.

We had a nice lunch, picked up a souvenier tee shirt, and I had an Idea for the letter I!

For more ABC Wednesday, please visit here -> ABC Wednesday

ABC Wednesday - H is for Hummingbird

 

 

 

I've always tried to plant hummingbird/butterfly friendly flowers and plants. We've had hummingbirds visit every year, but this is the first year I've installed feeders. The hummers are constantly coming by and emptying the sugar/water mixture. The feeder is on my deck railing, right outside my back window. I've been lucky enough to get some decent shots recently. They are not shy!

For more of the letter H, please visit ABC Wednesday

Sunday Morning

 

Xena is enjoying her Sunday morning. It is almost fall-like, the temp is currently 57 degrees. In August??? She likes it!
Have you ever known a dog who bites her nails? She does. The first time I noticed, I heard her chewing, as if she had a bone. I knew I hadn't given her one, so I investigated further. She was chewing her nails. She does it often. Strange. Even the Vet didn't believe it!

Just for Fun

 

Jimmy's Journal took me to this website. You can upload your own pictures and put them on magazine covers. I did this one for Xena.

ABC Wednesday "F" is for Fence

 

 

 

 

 

When we moved into our house, there were no fences. Over the years, some have been installed by the bordering neighbors. This one, on the east side of my yard, has been really appreciated by me. It makes a great backdrop for my garden, which is visible from my back door and deck. Here are pictures of it through the seasons.

For more ABC Wednesday photos, please click here-> ABC Wednesday.

Ruby Tuesday

 

Crown of Thorns has bloomed! For more Ruby Tuesday, please visit Mary!

ABC Wednesday -"E" is for Echinacea purpurea

 

Is it cheating if I use the botanical name for the Purple Coneflower?
For more ABC Wednesday, click here -> ABC Wednesday.

ABC Wednesday - D Collage

 

A small collection of D's. Our neighborly duck, Daffodils, Daisies, a Daylily and my favorite coffee, Dunkin Donuts! For more ABC Wednesday, please visit another D, Denise!

Macro Monday

 

Million Bells Petunia. The Hummingbirds love this basket of flowers! For more Macro Monday, please visit Lisa!

Cash for Clunkers

 

This

Here is proof of the "Cash for Clunkers" program that has been in effect since July 24.
Hubby had a 93 Jeep Grand Cherokee that he loved, with 208,000 miles on it. So many things were wrong with it, couldn't open the back hatch. No air conditioning. He had to roll down the driver's window in order to completely close his door from the outside. Last weekend he lost all electric for the instruments. Oh, and it guzzled gas. But he drove it back and forth to work every day. And Xena loved to ride in it.
We have been telling him to give it up already, for a long time. The Cash for Clunkers finally pushed him over the edge.
We wanted my daughter to have a 4 wheel drive for driving back and forth to school in the winter. Last winter, when there was a snowy day, she'd take my suv.
So, we parted ways with the 93 Jeep, and got her a brand new, 2010 Subaru Forester. The Jeep wasn't even worth $500, but the program gave us $4500 towards the purchase of the new vehicle!
Not to mention, the dealer showrooms were packed! We wanted to check out a Chevy Equinox, they didn't have any! We couldn't wait because of the uncertainty of the monies, so we went with my husband's first choice, the Subaru.

 

becomes this!

Collectibles

 

One of my favorite shows in the old days was the Carol Burnett Show. Remember that? It was a comedy/variety show. Great cast, Carol, Harvey Korman, Tim Conway, Vicky Lawrence, Lyle Waggoner. They were all so funny every week!
Probably my favorite skit was the one that was a parody of Gone With The Wind. Carol had made a dress from the curtains, just as Scarlett had done. However, Carol came out with the curtain rod still attached to the curtains! The idea still makes me laugh!
Tonite I saw this doll. This is how Carol appeared in this show. Now, I do collect things, too many things, if you ask my family. But why would anyone want this doll? No wonder it was on clearance. But, still, too funny!

ABC Wednesday - "C" Collage

 

The collage idea seemed to be a good one, so I'm doing one again. This week is the letter "C"

In this week's collage we have a Clydesdale, caboose, Camaro, chopper, cardinal, cactus and cobblestones! Oh, and I need to add another picture of my hometown, Chicago! For more ABC Wednesday fun, please click here!

ABC Wednesday

 

It's ABC Wednesday time again! I started out last week with a flower and thought I'd try to go through the whole alphabet that way. This week, I have other photos I wanted to share, so I made a collage.

Included in the B collage are, Bee, Bel Air, Butterfly, Bee Balm, Bell Flower and Boat!

Come join us for more ABC Wednesday!

Ruby Tuesday

 

For more Ruby Tuesday, please visit Work of the Poet!

Visitor

 

My daughters friend stopped by on his way driving back to school in Kentucky. He wanted to show her his new puppy he had gotten from a shelter there. Her name is Maya. Isn't she cute!