Shower

A bridal shower is always a time for family and friends. Today I went to Heidi Christiansen & Henry Knight's shower and met folks from many "eras" of the Christiansen family. This included teaching friends of Kathy (mother of the bride) from the 1970's, Jon (father of the bride's) parents and sister and sister-in-law and many of Heidi's cousins, various TEAM friends, a good friend of Heidi & Henry's from downtown Chicago, and of course the groom Henry. This colorful cake was enjoyed by all.

DQ

Dairy Queen is always a busy place on a hot summer evening. I'm always impressed by all the kids who work there. They serve customers pleasantly and quickly and there doesn't seem to be any goofing off. Of course I'm there when it's busy, so who knows what happens in the slow times.

Friday Grill

During the nice months we have a "cookout" at lunch on Friday at work. Thomas our IT Systems Admin is also the Friday Grill Guy. Here's my tribute to Thomas.

Bus

This ceramic bus depicts many of the buses in Venezuela. I was experimenting with my new (to me) DSLR camera and liked this picture. Enjoy. 

Fair

On my afternoon bike ride today, I went by the 2011 DuPage County Fairgrounds. Who knew you could ride a camel in Wheaton?

Sunset

Tonight I visited a friend and enjoyed her sunset view.

Puzzles

This week I'm co-facilitating a workshop on Coaching. We designed it with adult learning principles in mind and use quite a variety of table group activities. Today we had the participants doing kids puzzles. Here's one group working hard to complete their puzzle.

Storm Damage

The storms this summer have caused lots of tree damage. This branch fell over the Illinois Prairie Path in Villa Park. I stopped to take a photo of the damage. Neither trees in the path, nor 90+ temps with 90+ humidity could stop this biker's joy. He was singing loudly as he flew by me.

Peace

This year I've been reading Jesus Calling by Sarah Young for my devotions. After six-plus months I think it's beginning to sink in. The subtitle is: "Enjoying Peace in His Presence." July is usually the most hectic, stressful month of the year for me. This year has been different, and I think it's because of the the simple recurring message of this book. 

"Let Me help you get through this day...You will get through the day one way or the other. One way is to moan and groan, stumbling along with shuffling feet. This will get you to the end of the day eventually, but there is a better way. You can chose to walk with Me along the path of Peace, leaning on me as much as you need. There will still be difficulties along the way, but you can face them confidently in my strength." -excerpt from June 12.

Chimes

These tera cotta chimes hang in my diningroom. I purchased them almost 20 years ago in Venezuela. The saleswoman offered to wrap them for me so they could be brought to the US without damage. She did a fantastic job, using newspaper and they arrived safely. I've been enjoying them ever since.

Baseball

I'm a baseball fan. My favorite teams are the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs. I also collect baseball books. Here's part of my baseball bookshelf. Two of my all-time favorite baseball books are right in the middle of this photo: Praying for Gil Hodges by Thomas Oliphant and Wait Till Next Year by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Both are childhood memoirs of following baseball on the radio.

Concert on the Commons

Every Wednesday in June, July and August, the Warrenville Public Library sponsors a free concert. Tonight it was Steve Beno, who specializes in concerts for kids and their families. He had the kids up front dancing and singing with him. Watch a video of Steve.

Hosta

We're in a heat wave. Temps in the 90's and heat-index close to 100. Tonight I watered my gardens and noticed this Hosta in bloom.

Gift

Yesterday my sister gave me an small antique dining room table. I love it; it's the perfect size for my dining area.

Patio Gardening

Here are some of the first tomatoes from my upside down planter.

Surprise Sighting

As I was finishing today's bike ride, about 5:30PM, on the Salt Creek Greenway Trail, this doe ran out from the woods in front of me. She was feeding on leaves and once she determined I wasn't a threat, she went back to eating. This was certainly the closest I've ever been to a deer in the wild. I only had my "point and shoot" camera but I knew this would be the "photo of the day" for today.

Ducklings

The young ducklings were on the lake at dusk tonight at Herrick Lake Forest Preserve.

Car Hop?

Remember car hop service? Somehow the burger, fries and Coke just tasted better when delivered to the car.

0 Mile marker

I did my 9-mile commute today by bicycle. On the way home I stopped a moment at the 0 mile marker of the Prairie Path in Wheaton. Here the Main Branch meets the Elgin and Aurora branches of the trail system. http://www.ipp.org/

Tomatoes

I wonder how many days until these cherry tomatoes will be ready to eat? I've got 3 plants growing in a Topsy Turvy (as seen on TV) upside down planter on my balcony. 

Storm Damage

My trellis took a beating today during the short, intense "Land Hurricane" that blew through Chicagoland.

Black Eyed Susan Field

During my bike ride today I saw this "garden" of Black Eyed Susans in North Side Park, Wheaton, IL.

Reading

I love this monument to reading by the City of Warrenville, IL.

Ford

Vintage Ford Hood Ornament

Bike Pack

It's a bit worn, but the owner of this bicycle proudly displays the American flag on her pack.

Sky

At lunchtime today the sky was soooo blue and the clouds were white and puffy. I love this kind of sky. It was in the 80's and humid but the sky was spectacular.

Here is how the sky looked on 3 July as the sun was setting before the Wheaton fireworks began.

Snack

It's 9:30 PM and I'm still at work, when I realize I haven't taken a photo yet today. There's really nothing interesting in the office, so I figure I'll find something at home. By 11 PM I'm looking around for something "photogenic." And then I realize my bedtime snack will be the perfect picture. What could be better than strawberry shortcake and a glass of milk. The shortcake is covered by the berries, but I assure you it's underneath. It's the sweet kind of cake and I can hardly wait to taste it. The bowl is one I got from my Grandmother fifteen years ago, chips and all. Come on over and have some with me. Goodnight.

Fireworks

In celebration of the 4th of July I decided to post the short video I took of the Warrenville fireworks finale.

Independence Day on the Farm

This afternoon I enjoyed Independence Day doings at Kline Creek Farm Forest Preserve, a living-history farm of the 1890's in West Chicago, IL. There were speeches, patriotic songs, a visit by Miss Columbia and Uncle Sam, poetry recitations and the reading of the Declaration of Independence. After the ceremony they launched a hot air balloon. It was a fun step-back-in-time to life on a midwest farm 120 yrs ago.

http://www.dupageforest.com/NewsReleases/Kline_Creek_Farm_Offers_“Celebrating_the_Fourth”.html

Paddle

What better place to spend a hot (90 degree+) day than on Herrick Lake?

http://www.dupageforest.com/Conservation/ForestPreserves/Herrick_Lake.html

Clouds

It was overcast and threatening to rain as I drove to work, but this break in the clouds gave a momentary evidence of the sun.