A beautiful day for a hike,,, fresh-fallen leaves in all colors.
Traipsing around Rock Cut State Park enjoying the day… still in my favorite Chaco sandals!

So I told myself if I was productive in the studio in the morning, I could go outside to play in the afternoon. And I was… so did! And I had an AMAZING time out in the Autumn splendor with vibrant Fall colors, glistening reflections, blue skies & plenty of fresh air… and perhaps even a Great Blue Heron! Such a perfect day for hiking around Rock Cut State Park. Exploring the scenery… and reminiscing a bit as we used to family camp here a lot when I was a kid. Great memories… great scenery… GREAT DAY!!!

The sun is finally coming out… and the Fall colors are a-poppin’!!!

Fall fun with family & friends last weekend at Christ Orchard in Elmwood, Illinois. Spent the day playing in the field searching for the coolest pumpkins & gourds. Playing with my Cousin Kim… and my “very first art fair friends” Rosene & Gerry! It’s always fun to get out of the City to play out in the farmlands… I think it’s quickly becoming an annual adventure!!!

After a great trip to an orchard & pumpkin farm this past weekend, there’s lot to share…
seasonal Fall favorites for a colorful TEXTURE TUESDAY!!!

I NEEDED to get outside to play hooky today!!! So…

Today was a beautiful “summer” day with blue skies, fluffy white clouds & a gentle breeze. Perfect for exploring Illinois Beach State Park… one of the most under-rated & unknown state parks in Illinois. They’ve recently done a LOT of renovations throughout the park… including new breakwaters & thousands of tons of brand new sand!!! And yet, you can hike & explore all day long and only see a couple people along the way. It’s a well-kept secret… shhh, don’t tell anyone!

Fall is here… and ORANGE is my favorite color! So I’m excited that my back porch has taken on a new autumn appearance! Thanks to the folks at ART IN THE BARN who decorate the art fair grounds with mums, pumpkins & gourds…and then sell them off at the end as a fundraiser for the hospital auxiliary board. I was there for it… I mean… ORANGE !!!

Celebrating a little Texture Tuesday with these great bi-color leaves. No idea what they are… most likely a weed… as they’re growing along the railroad tracks across from Lillstreet Art Center!

Ohhh, that color though!!! Just a crazy pop of color on “that one special tree” along my morning bike route. As much as I’m grasping for Summer to last longer… this tree is pretty AMAZING!!!

Beautiful color… but FAR too soon!!! I’m still desperately trying to hang onto Summer!!!
Officially we have three more days of Summer… no need to jump too fast into Fall.