The View From Here

This morning, I woke up early (well, early for me!) and headed downtown. Why? Because my bathtub drain is giving me problems & it weirds me out to be home when maintenance comes to fix things. So I high-tailed it out of here as quickly as I could this morning.

I stopped and got a coffee (which was perfect for a cool morning) and hung out at my new favorite spot.

Along the river...



under the Trump Tower...



reading "Crazy Love"



By the way, if you haven't read this book yet, you should!

Then I went to the market & scored some Honey Crisp apples & blueberries. Yum!!

And then I met a dear friend for lunch.

Today, I decided to wear real shoes (as opposed to flip flops) for the first time since May and my feet were not happy. See?



Looks like I won't be wearing regular shoes for a couple of days. Back to the flip flops!

(Is it weird I just took pictures of my blisters? And please ignore the fact that my feet desperately need a pedicure!)

Coming Soon...

I bought a few sheets colorful paper this weekend & can't wait to use them to make some new cards.

Are you looking for fun & fresh autumn note cards?

Stay tuned!

Flowers: Spring vs Summer

The other day I was out taking pictures of the gorgeous flowers around the city. And as I was snapping away, my mind went back to 4 months ago when I was doing the same thing. However, the flowers in April were much different than the flowers in August. And I started thinking about these differences:

Spring flowers are pale in color
Summer flowers are bold in color



Spring flowers are light & airy
Summer flowers are heavy & sturdy



Spring flowers have a sweet fragrance
Summer flowers have an earthy fragrance
(I haven't yet figured out how to photograph fragrances, but I think you get the point!)



Spring flowers are elegant
Summer flowers are unpretentious



Spring flowers are full of energy
Summer flowers are easy-going



It's as if God uses His creation to go before us, reminding us of what's ahead. The flowers of spring seem so full of life, assuring us that the bleakness of winter can't last forever. Summer flowers seem to be preparing us for cooler weather ahead. By being darker, sturdier, earthier and lazier, they alert us to a slower pace of life ahead.

Reminds me of one of my favorite verses...

The Lord himself goes before you & will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8

Au Revoir Summer

Dear summer,
August has come to a close. School has started. There are hints of fall in the air. And I'm ready to wear something other than tank tops & shorts. It's time to bid farewell.

You have been very good to us this year. After last year's subpar performance (when I never turned on my air conditioning), I'm very grateful you were back to your old self again! No complaining from me during those hot, sunny days.

So here's a pictorial ode to you...




Chicago Skyline

Montrose Harbor

Along the Chicago River

The Bean at Millennium Park

The Art Institute

Sun & Sand

New Buffalo, MI

South Haven, MI

Summer Skies

Nappanee, IN

Chicago, IL

view from my apartment - Chicago, IL

Potomac River - Washington, DC

Farmers Markets

Daley Plaza Farmer's Market - Chicago, IL

Movies in the Park

Picnic

"To Catch A Thief"

Flowers

Hydrangeas - South Haven, MI

and more flowers

A Front Porch in Chicago & Zinnias from the Farmer's Market

Coloma, MI

Concerts in Millennium Park



Fairs


Navy Pier - Chicago, IL

Elkhart County Fair - Goshen, IN

Sunrises

Lake Michigan - Chicago, IL

and Sunsets

Lake Michigan - South Haven, MI

Thanks for the memories!