Friday, November 29, 2013

Preparation

My post today is the new header. (old now)

We are preparing to put up the tree.
Unfortunately because of my allergies I cannot have a real tree.
With Abby's help I should have this done in no time.

No Black Friday for me uh uh!! Not going there!
I do hate shopping!!! 
Do I lose my badge of womanhood for that??

Have a great weekend! ☺

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving

From my little corner of the world


To yours... Have a blessed day!!!



Sunday, November 24, 2013

A pretty little church


This little church is just a few streets away


What was once a farming community


Now rural residential


There are still farms but lots of new homes too. 


In the background is the new church for the larger congregation


It is one of the ugliest buildings I have ever seen. 
Who would do that??

Wednesday, November 20, 2013


Hey... I'm late but I made it!!
My note cards this month are very simple
The colors of Fall.






I have been crazy busy. 
I'm going to be reading all your posts on my IPad tonight.

Linking to Vee's Note Card Party


Monday, November 18, 2013

Safe and Sound


I am thankful today 
to have a roof over my head and a warm bed to sleep in. 


I lost a few shingles and my sister lost a bit of her roof.
We fared well compared to folks farther south of us.
That was some of the scariest wind I have ever seen.

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Pretty

I didn't post a lot of Autumn shots because in my opinion
the colors this year were kind of Blah...

Now that the leaves are gone (come back, come back!)
I took a second look at some of the pictures and guess what? 
Not too shabby.

Come for a walk with me.


The Lake and Cook County Forest Preserve in Illinois 
have miles and miles of beautiful trails


This cabin is an education center at the head of a really nice trail 


A large part of the forest is in the DesPlaines river valley
but it expands from there to small lakes and slough's and into some hilly areas and glacial moraines.


I've found some pretty cool artifacts and fossils over the years in the creek beds.


These were taken a few weeks ago.
 All from my cell phone.

I generally don't take a clunky camera with me if my intention is walking. 
Sometimes the camera can be distracting. 
I like to hear the sounds and smell the smells.





Thursday, November 14, 2013

A Paint Color


Okay this is it.


I'm just not that brave when it comes to wall color.
I don't like dark colors on the walls and I lean toward neutral.
This is kind of a parchment color but it has a richness to it, none of the oranges that come in the beige tones.

When I built this little house I had them paint everything white because I had no idea what I wanted to do. 

I was so overwhelmed with fear of being alone
but determined to do just that.

That was silly, I am very content.
Now I am getting inspired about decorating.

Took long enough!!

Now I have to pick a color for the bedroom. 
I hope that doesn't take me another year!!



Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Wicked


This was one of the most delightful 2 hours I have spent 
in a long long time!!


Be warned the pictures are pretty awful.
They're to capture the moment not win any prizes.


Taken with a cell phone at night. Not ideal.

The Oriental Theater is one of Chicago;s historic theaters.
Very ornate and stunningly beautiful in an old world kind of way.


These two interior shots are not mine. 




It's the story of the witches of Oz and their friendship
 and how one got to be called Good and the other Wicked.  

I had really good seats in the second row.


Pictures are not allowed so I had to sneak them while the evil
female usher wasn't looking or she would snatch my phone and delete them 
on the spot. (they do that)


The play is a really clever twist on the story of Oz
Funny and sweet and sad.


I absolutely loved it!!!

If you get a chance to see this, don't hesitate.
It's wonderful!

Friday, November 8, 2013

Textures and Layers ~ Photo Challange

Okay... This one was a bit daunting for me.

I have a purist bone in me about photography.
I don't know where it came from and it's really kind of silly but I took a deep breath and jumped off that cliff!!
(Not that I don't post process, I fiddle with exposure all the time)

(You have to click on these pictures!)


Step one... I dipped my toe into Pic Monkey
Just one layer ~


I couldn't decide on color or B&W so you see both. 

Now I got Brave


I found this texture like paint and it worked perfect for this shot.
The one above has a Matte edgy thingy that I liked.


This one has a grunge frame from BeFunky and I softened it. 
I think I like the top one best.

Now my favorite

I took this picture in the woods in Sept.
I liked it before I started to play with it.


I used the same effect I used on the first set but it really only effects the sky.
Then I found the border vignette at BeFunky, I softened it. 

To me it looks like you walk down the path into the light!!

I tried really hard to figure out how to make the blogger borders go away and failed. they do have an effect on how these look. (Unless you click on them, please do!)
But... In the process I figured out how to change the font!!

Thanks Donna for your inspiration!!
This was FUN!!

Linking to





Wednesday, November 6, 2013

A little mystery

Now why would I be needing two new pairs of  
Mushy flip flops in November?


And this pretty little thing (well not so little) I got a Macy's for $10 bucks!


Off the sale rack and needed a tiny bit of sewing on a strap. 
$80 sundress for $10 at freaking Macy's!

But are these items practical for November or December?
Not in this climate!

Hmmmmm???

Monday, November 4, 2013

A Sunday Walk

Come along with me to the Nippersink


The sun finally came out


Beautiful blue sky


about 50 degrees


Excellent trail


Beautiful colors


Wild old trees


Ahhhhhhhhhhhh



Nice walk!!

Saturday, November 2, 2013

The Sun


It's been rainy and gloomy this week


chilly 


the colors popped but nothing like last year

Okay guys, follow me. Keep your head turned this way so she can't see you!!
The weather is for the birds!