Fall Bike Ride

The Illinois Prairie Path trail was spectacular today and I especially love this path in the fall. I just couldn't keep myself from stopping to take pictures on my 12+ mile bike ride.

 When the vines turn red the are brilliant.

The Wall that Heals

The mobile Vietnam Memorial Wall was hosted by the First Division Museum at Cantigny this week. 

I heard Jan Skruggs, the founder of the "Wall," tell the story of how it came to be.

Warrenville Grove

Tonight I stopped by the Warrenville Grove Forest Preserve as the sun was going down, looking for fall color. Here's what I found.

 

Fall

The colors were really sharp tonight when I stopped at Blackwell Forest Preserve. 

Even the sunset matched the palette.

Fall Garden

Even with a dry fall my garden is blooming gloriously.

I even found the closed Morning Glory blossom intriguing.

Steeple

This is the steeple part of the Prayer Tower at Wheaton Bible Church.

Prairie Sunset

Monday, September 24, 2012*

* Photo taken 9/24/2012 but not posted until 9/25/12

Crock Pot Meal

With the arrival of fall, I'm making my first crock pot meal: Taco Soup.

Cottage

The house next door to my sister in Wauwatosa, WI.

Dinner

Tonight our "learning activity" was to make and eat a Chadian style meal. Everything was made from raw and fresh ingredients. We served it on a common platter, we sat on the floor and we ate without utensils. The meal was rice with a beef & vegetable stew and steamed broccoli. Very delicious (and messy.) 

Fall Gardening

On Tuesday I bought eight new perennials for my garden. Each year I've been adding a few and this time I decided I'd better get ones that would thrive in sun because I lost all the shade when they cut down the tree in my yard last month. This is the only one blooming. It's a Sweet Kate Spiderwort. I like it because it should flower in the Spring and then again in the Fall.

Baseball

Wednesday, September 19, 2012*

A friend gave me free Cubs ticket at lunch so I went to a night game on short notice. The Cubs played the Reds, the best team in their division and in the bottom of the 8th tied the game. This photo shows the bases loaded and the Cubs at bat. 

No they didn't score. It was still tied at the end of the 9th inning when I had to leave to catch the 11:40 PM train home. 
Final score: Cubs 5, Reds 6 (11 innings.) At least they kept it close.

* Photo taken 9/19/12 but not posted until the next morning. I didn't get home until almost 1AM from the game.

Pumpkins

Tuesday, September 18, 2012*

Fall is just around the corner. I stopped at a farm stand/garden center to buy some perennials. I'm trying to add and move some of my plants this fall so I'll have a nicer look next year. I also found myself taking pictures of the produce. I always like these mini "decorating" pumpkins.

* Photo taken 9/18/12 but not published until 9/20/12. I left my computer at work Tuesday night and had no way to upload the photo from my memory stick. 

Storm's Comin'

Just after I took this photo there was thunder and within a minute or two a steady rain began. Summer may be leaving with a cold front coming in from the West.

Precursor to AC

I went to a car show at Cantigny Park today. One of the interesting things I was was a Thermador Car Cooler.

You put water in this and as you cruise along the water evaporates as the air flows over it into the car (with the window up.) This was especially effective in the southwest were there was little humidity.

French Market

Lots of wonderful food at the Wheaton French Market today.

Buds & Bloooms

Found these buds in my friend Diane's backyard. With Fall only 4 days from now, we probably don't have too many chances left this year to see buds.

Here are the flowers in full bloom.

Warm Drink

13 September 2012*

It was a cold evening and just right for the first mug of fall hot chocolate.

* Photo taken 9/13/12 but not posted until 9/14 because I forgot to bring my computer home from work.

Honey

Last month while on vacation in Tomah, WI I bought this honey. Tonight I finally put some into the new honey pot I picked up in Antigua, Guatemala last December. The honey on the left was made from Springtime Wildflowers and the container on the right comes from Cranberry plants. I'm looking forward to these subtle flavors.

Field

Fall is just around the corner. This field of corn at Kline Creek Farm is about ready to harvest. It was planted with a team of horses circa 1890 technology. Considering the drought of the summer this corn looks good.

Mess

The condo association notified me last week that they would be painting my balcony. I had to get everything off it by Friday so they could do a power wash. Today they put primer on all the bare wood. Hopefully they will give it a full coat of paint tomorrow and by Wednesday I can start putting stuff back in its place. In the meantime, I have a patio set and other stuff in my living room. This photo shows the electric grill and my tomato & pepper plants. I'm thankful to get the balcony painted but it does create a temporary mess.

The Bears

It was a good day for Chicago. Bears beat Indianapolis & Green Bay lost to San Francisco. Great way to start the season...

..and my favorite team (New England Patriots) beat Tennessee.
PS. My fantasy football team got a win too. It'll be all downhill from here, I'm afraid.

Patriot Table

The reminds me of a Thanksgiving table. 

Revolutionary War Reenactment at Cantigny Park, Wheaton, IL. 

Coca Cola

I love all the Coke stuff in the trunk of this vintage car.

Carnival

Winfield Good Ole Days started tonight but the carnival wasn't running. It's all set up and ready to go tomorrow night at 5PM.