Some flowering red plum trees in the late afternoon sun… kinda protected in a courtyard as most others are done flowering already.

Some beautiful spring flowers that survived last night’s sudden storm!

With the past couple days of rain, and a LOT of rain…
it was no surprise that much of the North Branch Bike Trail was FLOODED!!!

But the weather this afternoon was so nice that I couldn’t let a little “closed” sign deter me too much! But a lot of the bike trail and its surrounding areas were flooded… new ponds & streams where they’re not supposed to be! Still a great ride if you know how to work around the floods… and always fun to see the deer hanging out along the way!

Celebrating another TEXTURE TUESDAY with a few spring ferns…
one natural, and one stamped & soda-fired!!!

On my way home from the studio, I passed this condo building just two blocks away with these STUNNING pink dogwoods flanking the doorway! The color is incredible, the profusion of blooms beyond imagination and I love how well they play with the architectural details of the building. And yes, I pulled over, stopped the car, and got out crossing the street just to take some photos! They’re THAT stunning!!!

One of my all-time favorite Spring blooms is the “ever-elusive” Yellow Magnolia tree!… yes, YELLOW!!! I happened to find one of them today as I was biking… and it definitely brought a smile!

Another beautiful bike ride up to Openlands Lakeshore Preserve.
I remember when I started heading north after they closed down the Chicago Lakefront path. I was so excited to find this wonderful new destination for my bike rides… but it felt today a little like the novelty might be wearing off. I may need to find another new destination soon?!

It was such a beautiful day today, so after my “surprise walk” and my frozen custard treat, I hopped on my bike for a little afternoon biking adventure through a few “new-to-me” neighborhoods around my ‘hood, and then back to the lakefront before heading home!

When it’s so beautiful outside, you’ve gotta grab it while you can!

Today I was surprised by my doorbell… who expects a doorbell when everyone is self-isolating still?! Well, not me.

But it was a wonderful surprise to find Pam & Carla downstairs just to say hello! They were on a socially-distant & face-masked walk… so I went out with them as it was such a beautiful Spring day! A surprise afternoon with friends!

Just what I needed today.

Yesterday I “expanded” my lock-down biking adventures by taking my bike out to Busse Woods in Elk Grove Village for a couple loops around the bike trail by myself. It’s been quite awhile since I’ve ridden that trail. A fun flashback as I actually grew up in EGV. A beautiful spring day to ride through the forest preserve.

And then after my ride, I drove out a little further and had a great “socially-distant” picnic with my Dad, sister and niece Taylor. We all sat in a square six-feet from each other and chatted for a couple hours. It was great to see them face-to-face again… but is THIS what family gatherings have actually come to???