Southwest Evanston blurring into West Rogers Park

This is my first post on this blog in ages! 

If any of you are still reading this, give me a shout out!

 Wondering if I can get a Kosher hot dog whistle.The Lubavitchers from Lubavitch Chabad are all over our old hood. More in West Rogers park than Southwest Evanston. The lines were so blurred there, anyways. There is also a Menorah-mobile that drives around the neighborhood during Chanukah.

Here's one of the mitzvah mobiles, seen on California Avenue near Howard Street.
You know about the Evanston half-Kosher Jewel Food Store, right? It's on Howard Street, between Dodge and McCormick.

The MitzvahMobile

It's Been a Long Time!

Some random street scenes in Chicago for you. I drove home from Oak Park all the way down Chicago Avenue to downtown.

St. Nicholas Church, off Chicago Avenue.

John Hancock Building from below, and the Chicago flag.

View from the 95th floor of the John Hancock Building overlooking Navy Pier

Oak Street Beach from the top of the Hancock Building

Hyacinths in school colors - at Northwestern University in Evanston

Destruction and a Jelly Belly Lion

There's something that really attracts me about a building coming down, not sure what it is.

Did you know there's a Jelly Belly factory here? It barely counts as Chicago, because it is in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, about 45 minutes north. But I guess I'll let it squeak by. Did you also know that someone did a picture of the lion in front of the Art Institute of Chicago in..... you guessed it, Jelly Bellies.

Those are really Jelly Bellys. The jelly belly factory tour was sort of a meh experience. They don't actually MAKE the candy there, only distribute it. But they have one heck of an amazing outlet store. 

Snowy Chicago Beach

On a cold and snowy day in Chicago, I was at Montrose Beach watching the ice fishermen drill holes in the ice. They walk right out onto the abandoned boat slips, and sit on the ice in chairs with fishing poles in hand.

I came out to get a picture of the fishermen, and found out I would have had to walk out onto the ice to get it, so I faced south and got downtown for you, instead.

I've been painting!

This is what I've been up to. Painting! This is a scene in Oregon. There were elks in the hills, and that incredibly gorgeous field of sunflowers and zinnias. I went to Oregon last summer with my son, and we had a most excellent adventure. Here are pictures of the painting in progress.

And I have been working on still lifes, too. But I still like painting landscapes the best.

Flowers in Winter

Pretty flowers in a Dominicks, a grocery store in Chicago

Here they are from afar

I Love You

"I Love You"
"I'm Sorry"
"Please Forgive Me"
"Thank You"

Love seems to be the theme this week, with Valentine's Day coming up on Saturday. I was thinking how sad I was that I had no one to send a valentine to. Sad that I have nobody to spend Valentine's Day with. Then I realized that it was my own fault. It's really me I want to have a love affair with, if that makes any sense. So I can send a valentine to myself!

I came across this the, other day, and it just stopped me in my tracks. I create everything that happens in my life. By saying these four little sentences, to myself, to others, I can choose between love and fear. Ultimately much in my life boils down to a choice between love and fear.

"I Love You"

"I'm Sorry"

"Please Forgive Me"

"Thank You"

Magical words!


Happy Valentine's Day

Mickey Dees Fancy Schmancy Store

2/9/09
Oak Brook, Illinois, the site of McDonalds' corporate headquarters. I suppose this is timely, since I heard on the news today that their January profits are up 7%.

Of course there are the usual hamburgers. But nestled inside is a cozy cafe that serves gelato and fancy pastries. Oh, and did I say there's a fireplace?

Chicago in Winter

Thank you all for the notes. It feels good to be missed! Today the snow is melting. Tomorrow is supposed to be warm, 60 degrees Farenheit. Next holiday after Valentine's Day is St. Patrick's Day. Which means it's almost time to plant the potatoes.


Pastoral Scene in Hinsdale, Illinois


Here's my balcony, all snowy and frosty


Frosty flowers on my balcony

It's About Time

It's been a long long time since I have updated my blog. My apologies to you. Finally, after 12 long weeks, I am back at work driving around the Windy City. It feels great to be back!

From New Album 2/4/09 11:14 AM

The Cheesecake Factory downtown Chicago looks like there is a big copper fish hanging over the sign. What's with that?

Off for Awhile

Sorry I haven't posted for awhile. My back has been giving me problems, and I am off work for awhile. The good thing is that my company has disability insurance, so I get paid while I heal. I've been knitting. Made a pink baby blanket for a friend's new little girl. I also am crocheting an afghan for my son. Driving must be really bad for my back. Not sure if the doctor will let me go back to work at all.

My Gardens

For all of you out there who love gardens, here are some older pictures of mine. Click on the link above that says Gardens.
or
http://foxden.org/gallery/album22
And some Chicago flower gardens that I love:
http://foxden.org/gallery/album24
And some more shots of Chicago buildings:
http://foxden.org/gallery/album25

Pictures of the owl I saw

Much to my surprise and delight, the owl I saw yesterday was still there today.

I Saw an Owl

I had an hour to spare when I was at O'Hare Airport today. I went for a walk in the neighboring woods. I sat on a big fallen tree trunk to tie my shoelace.

All of a sudden I heard wild flapping, and I saw what I thought was a hawk fly out. It sat on the ground and I saw the big round eyes and the cat ears. It was an owl. It let me get within a foot of it. I walked very slowly. It really did look just like a brown cat from the top. Same size, same ears. I talked to it softly, then walked away.

I've never seen an owl before -- it was really amazing. As I continued my walk I saw a deer with her fawn in the woods. Also not afraid of people, they just looked at me. This was within a mile of the second busiest airport in the world. I was impressed. The cool part was that the owl wasn't afraid of me -- I think it was curious about me.

BUILDING VIEWED FROM BOTTUM UP

Building from the bottom
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine

I love taking pictures of buildings from the bottom