May your days be
full of miracles,
large and small.
I wish you faith, hope and love.
May you have faith as
You set hope-filled goals which
Include love
Love for yourself and
Love for others.
Faith that spirng will arrive at winter’s end. Hope that the robins’ return as plants waken from dormancy. Love for all of God’s “routine” miracles. ….nothing is routine about miracles. Each is wondrous. Happy New Year. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
All were part of the collection at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, celebrating Christmas traditions around the world. The museum also had exhibits on other cultural and religions holidays happening this time of year. I highly recommend a visit to see ALL the trees. My husband paused awhile at the tremendous train exhibit of course too. They had turned one of their trains into a Christmas train.
Entryway Christmas Tree at Museum of Science and Industry. Breathtaking! Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Peaceful. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Paper ornaments. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Diorama ornament! Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Wooden and straw ornaments. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Native American celebration. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Origami ornaments. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Ho ho ho! Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Ornament booth at The Park at Wrigley’s Christkindlmarket. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Wooden ornaments abound at the Christkindlmarket. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Peak at the TREE in the Walnut Room of Macy’s (aka Marshall Fields), Chicago. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Looking out the wreathed window of the Walnut Room shows the mural of Muddy Water’s, legendary blues artist, on the wall of Block 37. Copyright 2017, Pamela Breitberg.
Celebratory window at Macy’s. Copyright 2017, Pamela Breitberg
We’ve only gotten a little snow this season, but it was enough for an old fashioned snowball fight. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
As most plants begin dormancy this vine resiliently bloomed, wrapping itself around a front yard iron fence for support. I believe this a Mandavilla vine, not hearty to our Midwest winter , so even more impressive it was still in bloom. Perhaps the concrete micro-environment helped warm it’s roots. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Buds show possible future blooms this end-of-autumn season. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Montrose Harbor’s Dog Beach; enjoyed by people too! Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Morning walk through Lincoln Park. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Traffic in front of Chicago Art Institute included Chicago Police on bicycles. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Appropriate dress for Chicago shopping? Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
All styles fit city life. Practically is always the best option. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
The colors of autumn warm the cooler days quickly becoming cold days and nights of the arriving winter season. The stained glass at The Original Pancake House in Lincoln Park compliment the autumn hues of nature. Bundle up and stay warm everyone.
Colored glass pieces mimic nature’s autumn colors. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Peppers and tomatoes in a window box outside The Original House of Pancakes. They were used for summer harvests, but are hearty enough to remain harvest-able while they compliment the fall colors of the surrounding scenes. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Planter boxes are abundant decor for many condominiums of Lincoln Park. This seasonal design rich in autumn color and design interest. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Leisurely stroll along Lake Michigan. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Calm before arrival of outsiders. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
View of Navy Pier and Downtown Chicago from Belmont Harbor in Lincoln Park. Believe it or not the weather was cloudy with NO rain or snow! Copyright 2017, Pamela Breitberg
Avoiding confrontation with arriving dogs during their afternoon outing with their master. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
All is well. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Late autumn bloom of a usually spring blooming tree. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
The rest of Chicago is reacting “properly” to the arriving chills of freezing temperatures while parts of this tree is confused. Most of the SPRING flowering tree is dormant, as is proper for November. But confused by our unusually long, warm days of autumn this year some of it’s branches believe springtime is on the horizon. It is not unusual for perennial plants to have a second, cool season bloom period; but this is the first time I’ve witnessed a second season bloom of a tree.
Here are a few different views of downtown Chicago, this time from South Pond in Lincoln Park. The naturalized prairie grasses are prominent in the scene. After a leisurely walk through the park we lunched at the delicious Café Brauer; this time dining was a bit of a challenge. This time of year, worker bees are instinctively anxious to gather as much energy (sugar/nectar) and protein (pollen) as possible to store for the coming winter months. So, as my eyes admired the sweet view from our table, they were eyeing my lunch. And typical of me, I watched with love and allowed them to feast in between my bites and sips.
Warning: If you aren’t fond of bees then don’t look at last two images!
View of downtown Chicago and South Pond in Lincoln Park. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
View of South Pond and Chicago from Cafe Brauer. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Worker bee gathering sweetness from my jam. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Wine and cocktails were not off limits for the bees, much to the dismay of the diners. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
For more on bee behavior during the autumn:
https://phys.org/news/2012-10-bees-wasps-busy-autumn.html
Corn on maze set up for Fall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Kernels of corn on maze. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg