Cleanup

Spent the afternoon organizing the garage so I can park my car inside during the winter. The challenge was finding ways to store the big items (bike, kayak, wheel barrow) without taking up floor space. I still need to put up the pulley system for my bike. Tomorrow I'll put give away items outside and next week will make a donation to the local resale shop.

Hanging the kayak on the wall took a bit of ingenuity. 

My new neighbor took one look at my space, just as I was starting to organize, and said, "You don't park your car in the garage?"

Oatmeal

Cold mornings call for a hearty breakfast. What could be better than hot oatmeal? My weekday "winter" breakfast is oatmeal with flax meal, raisins, cinnamon, topped with brown sugar. And coffee. Don't forget the coffee!

Winter Tree

The beauty of a "dead" tree in winter.

Snow

Woke up this morning to wet snow clinging to the branches. It had been windy and the snow stuck to one side of the trees.

Closed for the Winter

The barn at St James Farm, DuPage Forest Preserve.

Icicles

Another sign that winter is really here.

Sleigh Ride

I arrived at Danada Equestrian Center just in time to see them hitch up a team of horses and teach a new "driver" how handle the sleigh and team.

Snowing Again!

It started snowing about 9AM and by evening the accumulation was near 6 inches. My 25 minute commute home took an hour. I discovered using residential side streets was better than the main arteries. 
Winter is really here.

These shots were taken in my neighborhood.

Flurries

Today was sunny with a blue sky after over night flurries.
I had to stop and take a few photos. 
I almost missed this leaf in the snow.   

Homestead

The Baker Homestead is the oldest remaining Greek Revival home on its orginal site in DuPage County. It is now part of the West Branch Forest Preserve. I think this home looks best with snow on the ground.

Skiing

Once it snows the Illinois Prairie Path becomes a ski trail. 
This dog just wanted to run ahead but was very well behaved when called back.

Pine Cone

The snow made everything brighter this morning. I love this solitary pine cone I found this morning in the yard.

SNOW!

Finally on Jan 12 there is snow in Illinois. It's been snowing here in the western suburbs of Chicago since 9AM and will probably snow until 9AM tomorrow morning. Predictions say 6-8 inches. Tonight it took me 50 min to get home, a trip that usually takes 25 min. 

Before: 8 AM

After: 6PM

Table Snow

So far this winter this is about as much snow as we've had. 

This set of Salt & Pepper Shakers and Sugar Bowl was given to me a few years back by my neighbor.

Winter Friend

Snowmen

With Christmas over it's Snowman Season. Here in IL there is no snow. So far we had one snowfall an accumulation of about an inch and only lasted 2 days. Other than that it's been flurries. I can't remember the last time we were this far into January without a real snowfall.

Cold & Warm

The weather has take a turn for the cold. There were flurries this morning and slick roads. I think winter is really here. It is already 18 F and still dropping, (down to single digits tonight) with a wind chill near 0 F. Just the right time for a bowl of hot soup and a warm sandwich.

Danada House

The simple elegance of a wreath.

God the Artist

I came out of the grocery store and there was a beautiful winter sunset.

Snow Biker

I woke up this morning to the first snow of the season. This dedicated commuter didn't let that stop him. He emerged from the Illinois Prairie Path through Winfield Mounds Forest Preserve. On the way home (after dark) I saw another committed bike commuter. I love to ride but I'm not that committed.