Big sky. Big picture… with some big clouds moving in.
Let’s hope there’s not too much snow in them there clouds?!!!

Today’s warm temps were too seductive and I just “had to” go out for a bike ride. Today’s big melt also creates some big puddles. It may not have been my “cleanest” ride ever, but it was well worth the clean-up that my bike now needs from all the puddle-splatter!

And our version of a Chicago Iceberg!!!

At some point around the Lake Shore Drive S-Curve, the bike path is still closed off as “impassable.” Sure, you could continue on very carefully… if I wanted to carry my bike. But I though it was a clear warning, and a good reason to turn around to head home.

Back closer to home, some of the grassy fields were covered with puddles… err, ponds…
which all created wonderful reflections. Mushy. Squishy. Muddy. Well worth the photo stop… and now my bike shoes need to be cleaned too!!!

Still a little too mushy & slushy for a good morning bike ride. But never too much for a beautiful sunrise. It’s been too long… and looking forward to the predicted “heat wave” of tomorrow in the 40’s!!!

A beautiful start to the last day of 2014.
Enjoy your New Year’s Eve celebrations. Have fun & be safe tonight.

Unseasonal weather today for these beautiful sunset panoramas.

What better way to celebrate FESTIVUS than to go out for a beautiful afternoon bike ride to enjoy the 50-degree weather?! This morning was rainy, so no sunrise ride. I’m thinking this sunset ride made up for it though.

Last night, the weather app on my phone showed a hourly forecast
of clear skies, a good sunrise, and clear sunny skies after that.

Somebody lied.

I know the Internet is “always” true…
but I guess you can’t believe everything you read on your apps now either?!  Ha!!!

Another incredible sunrise this morning.
A big sunrise deserves a big photo!

After a couple weeks of making holiday magic at Navy Pier, Winter WonderFest opened tonight for invited guests. It’s a beautiful, indoor holiday “escape” form the elements with festive fun for kids of all ages.

My sister Jen brought my niece Taylor down for the Opening Party, as well as my friend Kristin who brought her two kids AJ & Lizzie. It was fun to show off our holiday designs and play with the kids. The rides were all open and we had a great time. Taylor started out slow… a little overwhelmed by all of the people, lights and sparkle. But once we got her on the classic Tilt-A-Whirl, she was in!!! Wanting to do nothing more than the Tilt-A-Whirl over & over again. Her Mom went once… dizzy… queasy… and that was MORE than enough for her!

On a following Mom-free trip to the Tilt-A-Whirl, Taylor went no-ands!!!

So I of course thought it would be great to catch the laughter, crying & excitement in a video in my iPhone. So I clicked on the phone app, set it to Video and shot away… Not realizing until after the ride that with all of the bouncing & spinning, it must have slipped over to Panorama. And this is what I got… spliced up, but still pretty funny!!!

At one point, AJ decided that he wanted to go on Zero Gravity. A large spinning, tilting, stand-up, stick-to-the-wall kind of ride. His mom Kristin said “no way” for her… but that didn’t stop AJ and I from going on it together. He looked a little trepidatious at first, but loved it once he had made a few revolutions!

After a few rounds on the Tilt-A-Whirl,  Jen & Taylor slowed it down (for Mom’s dizzy benefit) on the Ferris Wheel.

AJ on the other hand wanted to go rock climbing instead of the Ferris Wheel. So while “the girls” were riding the wheel, AJ went rock climbing and made it pretty close to the top!

All three kids had a great time… that is until the party ended, and the fun came to a screaching halt. So glad that our months of preparing & weeks of decorating for Winter WonderFest are done. And that the kids and their Moms could come down to join me for the Opening Party. Yep, them and hundreds of other festive party-goers!!!

Winter WonderFest is now open on Chicago’s Navy Pier through January 11th, 2015.
Click here for more information.