The best Christmas tree in all of Chicago!

Dreaming of New Years past.

The Midwest fall that got away.

Waking up to a frosty morning with snow on the ground.

Scenes from my Tuesday morning walk to the Farmer's Market. Just moms and dads with young kids, retirees, and me.

Finally, some good beach weather! 50 degrees and blowing. We had the place to ourselves. Spent the day enjoying the early fall weather, and shopping at the Evanston Farmers Market. Michael made spicy pumpkin soup, and even toasted the pumpkin seeds. Delicious!

A few more photos from the Chicago Botanic Garden. Until the moment I saw it, it never occurred to me that watermelon grew along a vine on the ground like a pumpkin. I was confused for a moment there, trying to determine what kind of squash this could be. Chicago, you are teaching me so much!

Having been raised by mid-western parents in the cold dark north, I was often regaled with stories of "four seasons" and "real fall." Since fall is likely my favorite season (spring is close behind), I am ready to be dazzled by you mid-western fall! Bring it!

The indecisive goose and the hungry heron. 

Sunday was a rainy gray day and it made us feel right at home, yet disappointed, as we wanted to bike to Chicago Botanic Garden. In the end we quit our whining and hit the trail. We were soaked by the time we reached our destination but the rain let up upon our arrival. We dried off and enjoyed the flowers, vegetables, fountains and water-loving foul. The garden is an oasis and an inspiration. I'm glad we visited before the season changes further, but I look forward to seeing it in fall, winter, and spring. As we headed for home the skies opened up once again and we were soaking wet. Somehow it made the ride all the more pleasant and festive.

Scenes from our first weeks in Chicago, a lovely city. We've had the pleasure of entertaining three sets of house guests, which is more than our yearly average in Seattle. Keep coming out folks! The last photo is from a ridge, or maybe a high point, in Kettle Morraine State Park Wisconsin. A fun day out on the mountain bikes!

Custer State Park, SD. Wild burros, Corvette love, granite spires, & eye of the needle. A perfect summer day to take it all in.

Chapel in the Hills, Rapid City, SD. An exact replica of the Borgund Stavkirke of Laerdal, Norway.