Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Destruction and a Jelly Belly Lion



There's something that really attracts me about a building coming down, not sure what it is.




Did you know there's a Jelly Belly factory here? It barely counts as Chicago, because it is in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, about 45 minutes north. But I guess I'll let it squeak by. Did you also know that someone did a picture of the lion in front of the Art Institute of Chicago in..... you guessed it, Jelly Bellies.

Those are really Jelly Bellys. The jelly belly factory tour was sort of a meh experience. They don't actually MAKE the candy there, only distribute it. But they have one heck of an amazing outlet store. 

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Snowy Chicago Beach

On a cold and snowy day in Chicago, I was at Montrose Beach watching the ice fishermen drill holes in the ice. They walk right out onto the abandoned boat slips, and sit on the ice in chairs with fishing poles in hand.

I came out to get a picture of the fishermen, and found out I would have had to walk out onto the ice to get it, so I faced south and got downtown for you, instead.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

I've been painting!


This is what I've been up to. Painting! This is a scene in Oregon. There were elks in the hills, and that incredibly gorgeous field of sunflowers and zinnias. I went to Oregon last summer with my son, and we had a most excellent adventure. Here are pictures of the painting in progress.

And I have been working on still lifes, too. But I still like painting landscapes the best.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

I'm having my lunch in the cafe at Dominick's, the grocery store on Roosevelt Road and Clark Streets in the city. From here I can see the Sears Tower, the tallest building in the United States. This is how it looks out the window where I'm sitting.

Lunch is good, deliciously fresh strawberries. Hey, they were on sale for $1.49 a pound. Some carrot sticks and soup from the deli round things out.

Here are some other pix I have taken lately.


The Wienermobile!



It was sitting in the parking lot at Target, unattended.



The wienermobile has a great smile

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

The King and Queen of Mardi Gras

I saw these two lovelies today coming out of the Westin Hotel River North in Chicago. Their hands were laden with goodies to toss for Mardi Gras. Yes, we do celebrate Mardi Gras in Chicago. In fact, we'll take every possible opportunity to throw a giant party.

Soon it will be Saint Patrick's Day. The Chicago River will be dyed green, everyone is Irish for the day.

Of course, what Saint Patty's Day means to me, is it's time to plant the potatoes.

Friday, February 20, 2009

The Lady and the Flowers

Here's the sweetheart who takes care of the beautiful flowers at Dominicks . The roses were $19.99 a dozen last week, and $9.99 a dozen this week. Maybe Cupid got $10.00 for each bouquet sold.

They're starting early with the tulips this year. Nothing like tulips and daffys to make me feel like spring when the thermometer says 19 degrees Fahrenheit.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Flowers in Winter

Pretty flowers in a Dominicks, a grocery store in Chicago Close up of flowers

Here they are from afar Flower Display

Saturday, February 14, 2009

More Shots of the City I Love
















Trump Tower is finally just about finished. From left; a bit of Marina City, IBM Tower, Trump, proudly flying, the Chicago and American Flags,







From left; Marina City (don't the twin buildings look like salt shakers, or corn cobs?) IBM Tower, Trump Tower




Friday, February 13, 2009

I Love You

"I Love You"
"I'm Sorry"
"Please Forgive Me"
"Thank You"

Love seems to be the theme this week, with Valentine's Day coming up on Saturday. I was thinking how sad I was that I had no one to send a valentine to. Sad that I have nobody to spend Valentine's Day with. Then I realized that it was my own fault. It's really me I want to have a love affair with, if that makes any sense. So I can send a valentine to myself!

I came across this the, other day, and it just stopped me in my tracks. I create everything that happens in my life. By saying these four little sentences, to myself, to others, I can choose between love and fear. Ultimately, so much in my life boils down to a choice between love and fear. Today I choose LOVE!

"I Love You"

"I'm Sorry"

"Please Forgive Me"

"Thank You"

Magical words!



Happy Valentine's Day

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

There's Something about Rain and McDonald's

There's something about a rainy day that makes me feel like snapping pictures. Gray and rainy, nothing to do but take pictures.

Sometimes I think I have a McDonald's obsession.
Okay, not just sometimes. And I don't just think it, I know it. I love McDonald's for breakfast. I order a side order of scrambled eggs. That's healthy enough, yes? A snack is from the dollar menu. They have a lovely yogurt and fruit parfait, delicious. And for a really decadent snack , the fries! The rock and roll Mc Donald's downtown Chicago has free parking and a fabulous view from the second floor, comfy furniture. There's a perennial garden planted, with flowering prairie plants and grasses. Oh, and did I mention free wi-fi? Maybe I can take a picture of every McDonald's in Chicago! Best of all, McDonald's has clean bathrooms.

Bathrooms are hugely important when you are a chauffeur. I am a bathroom connisseur. I can tell you which hotels have easy access bathrooms, which ones are luxurious, which ones are so so. One fancy hotel bathroom has a great nude painting of Orpheus. Some hotels are minimalist. One hotel looks like an Ikea store.

It's been rainy all day. On sunny days I never remember to take pictures. But on rainy days... well, you get the idea.

In Rosemont, Illinois, you can see a giant rose from the highway.






I never noticed that the Rosemont rose is next to a McDonald's.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Chicago in Winter

Thank you all for the notes. It feels good to be missed! Today the snow is melting. Tomorrow is supposed to be warm, 60 degrees Farenheit. Next holiday after Valentine's Day is St. Patrick's Day. Which means it's almost time to plant the potatoes.

Pastoral scene in Hinsdale, Illinois
Pastoral Scene in Hinsdale, Illinois

My garden in winter
Here's my balcony, all snowy and frosty

Snow in my garden
Frosty flowers on my balcony

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

It's About Time

It's been a long long time since I have updated my blog. My apologies to you. Finally, after 12 long weeks, I am back at work driving around the Windy City. It feels great to be back!
From New Album 2/4/09 11:14 AM

The Cheesecake Factory downtown Chicago looks like there is a big copper fish hanging over the sign. What's with that?

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Off for Awhile

Sorry I haven't posted for awhile. My back has been giving me problems, and I am off work for awhile. The good thing is that my company has disability insurance, so I get paid while I heal. I've been knitting. Made a pink baby blanket for a friend's new little girl. I also am crocheting an afghan for my son. Driving must be really bad for my back. Not sure if the doctor will let me go back to work at all.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Pigeons Like Corn


Pigeon likes the corn
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine
In front of Stanley's Market in Chicago, there was at least one admirer of the fall display of Indian corn.

Pigeon Corn


Pigeon Corn
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine
There's a little visitor in the corner who really likes the Indian Corn

Sunday, October 12, 2008

My Gardens

For all of you out there who love gardens, here are some older pictures of mine. Click on the link above that says Gardens.
or
http://foxden.org/gallery/album22
And some Chicago flower gardens that I love:
http://foxden.org/gallery/album24
And some more shots of Chicago buildings:
http://foxden.org/gallery/album25

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Chicago Owl









Chicago Owl
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine
As soon as I had a free minute when I was near O'Hare, I drove back to the woods. I was hoping to see the owl I disturbed yesterday, the owl that was in the old log I sat on to tie my shoe. At first I didn't see him. I sat on the old log I sat on yesterday to tie my shoe. No wild flapping like yesterday. I was disappointed. I got up to go home, when to my delight, there he was again. At first I didn't get too close.

I got a little braver, and moved in a little closer.







He was so cute, I just wanted to scritch him between the ears, like a cat.

Monday, October 6, 2008

I Saw an Owl


I had an hour to spare when I was at O'Hare Airport today. I went for a walk in the neighboring woods. I sat on a big fallen tree trunk to tie my shoelace.

All of a sudden I heard wild flapping, and I saw what I thought was a hawk fly out. It sat on the ground and I saw the big round eyes and the cat ears. It was an owl. It let me get within a foot of it. I walked very slowly. It really did look just like a brown cat from the top. Same size, same ears. I talked to it softly, then walked away.

I've never seen an owl before -- it was really amazing. As I continued my walk I saw a deer with her fawn in the woods. Also not afraid of people, they just looked at me. This was within a mile of the second busiest airport in the world. I was impressed. The cool part was that the owl wasn't afraid of me -- I think it was curious about me.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

STREET MAN

I saw this guy sleeping on the street. He was selling the magazines he was laying on.

When he sat up, I gazed into his deep eyes. It looked like one eye was blind. But if only his eyes could speak -- what a story they would tell.

BUILDING VIEWED FROM BOTTUM UP

I love taking pictures of buildings from the bottom

TRUMP BUILDING AND MARINA CITY

Here's Trump Tower coming up behind the corn cob -- Marina City -- and the IBM building

September 11th, 2008

On September 11th, the building at 311 S. Wacker Drive in Chicago hung a big flag. As I went into the building to shoot the picture, I saw this amazing fountain and wanted to share it with you.




























TRUMP ALMOST FINISHED


Trump and Wrigley
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine
Trump Tower dwarfs the Wrigley Building on the right

DUDE LOOKS LIKE A LADY?


Dude looks like a lady, originally uploaded by SandyJasmine.These mannequins have that androgynous 1970's David Bowie look

GUYS IN DRESSES?


Guys in dresses, originally uploaded by SandyJasmine.I don't get it. Are they guys or girls?

New construction


New construction
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine
From left - New construction, Westin Hotel, Marina City, IBM Tower, Trump Tower

Rush Street coming down


Rush Street coming down
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine
Some people call Rush Street the Viagra Triangle

More new construction in Chicago


Thursday, September 25, 2008

I was in Madison, WI on Monday. Kalamazoo, MI today. The leaves are not turning here and Michigan, but in Madison the leaves are starting to blaze! In Madison sugar maples are orange red, the white ash and the honey locusts are brilliant yellow. And Crimson Queen Norway Maples are dark burgundy. In Chicago, only the honey locusts are starting to turn.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Sister from Holy Name Cathedral


Beautiful sister! She also loves Stanley's--one of my favorite places to go during the day. Today I also found beautiful blueberries for 1.98 a quart.

Beautiful sister


Beautiful sister
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine
Sister from Holy Name Cathedral at Stanley's Fruit Market on North Avenue. She was kind enough to pose for me.

Sheeba ate one of the sandwiches

Darn dog. I put a tarragon chicken sandwich on the table and came back a few minutes later to this.

After a long day's work as a barrista


Double headed dahlia


Double headed dahlia
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine
I grew these dahlias from seed. This one has a double headed flower! I have never seen that before.
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