After days & days of gray, it’s about time the sun came back out.
It’s been so gray & cloudy lately, every morning… blah.
Good sunrise today… finally… and I couldn’t wait to get out on my bike again!

Today was warm. When I woke up I was surprised how warm it was
with the “smell of Spring” in the air. I know it’s just the end of January…
but I’m already kind of encouraged that Spring may be on the way! Soon!!!
And to celebrate, it was a beautiful morning for another sunrise bike ride!

Although the weather was quite warm, the ice still has not melted off the lakefront rocks.
And who can believe that the big “storm of the century” was a year ago tomorrow!!!
Who knows… we could have “Snowmaggedon” all over again… tomorrow?!!!

This morning was dark & cold. With dark blue skies as I pedaled off along the lakefront.
But there were great clouds hovering out over the horizon, so there was a great
“promise of things to come.” Keep pedaling… keep watching… waiting for it to happen…

Then, as the sun continued to rise, the clouds took on vibrant ribbons of color. There it was!
Creating a dramatic sunrise as they splashed across the sky. And it’s still early January!!!

I’m kinda diggin’ this surprisingly warm Winter… still being able to ride my bike in January?!

The temperature was still pretty chilly this morning. Still dark. Still cold. But clear.
So I piled on the layers and pedaled off towards the lakefront for my first sunrise bike ride
of the New Year. And it was beautiful.

Crisp blue skies… with a red glow beginning to develop on the horizon. Quite a beautiful
transformation. Even though the sunrise seems so much further away these days?!

And then the red glow dissipated and the sky took on a golden glow.

But for some reason, the lakefront today seemed to be chosen airplane route to O’Hare.
Several planes could be seen lining up as they approached the airport. And leaving these
dramatic stripes across the sky. At one point, it was quite apparent that “X” marks the spot.
I’m still wondering if there is a treasure chest of gold or something in the middle of the lake?!

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care…
so why not head out on my bike for another beautiful sunrise bike ride?!

Okay, so I have a few more packages to wrap, a few pieces to finish making,
and a couple appetizers to make for tonight’s festivities. But if all goes well…
I’m pretty sure I’ll also be able to squeeze in a good afternoon nap!

It may be just days away from Christmas…
but it’s still nice enough to play on my bike. Warm enough in fact to take off a few layers
as I pedaled down the lakefront waiting for the sun to make it over the clouds.

And eventually it did…

After a hectic weekend of holiday home shows & studio sales, it felt great
this morning to get back on track, and back in the saddle. Luckily, the gray skies
had parted and the sunrise was clear & cloud-free this morning!

And since I still had a few minutes before the sun would actually hit the horizon,
I pedaled a little further south to the next lighthouse… this time at Montrose Harbor.

Although it was still cold this morning, it was somewhat refreshing to finally see the sun again.
I was starting to fear we may not have another pretty sunrise for the rest of the year?!

And here it is… the sunrise I’ve been waiting for!

This morning was cloudy, chilly and gray… drab.
Nothing too exciting. Until there was a slight blush of pink in the clouds.
Very slight. Very quick. But then… back to gray again minutes later!

And by the time I got home, I had totally frozen fingertips!
Looks like it might be time to break out some new biking gloves, huh?

Finally… a morning to get out on my bike with my camera…
Without a “glitter gig” project getting in the way of my morning fun!

No Zoo to decorate in Lincoln Park.
No credit card headquarters to decorate in Northbrook.
No millionaire’s mansion to decorate in Wilmette.
No decorating at a collegiate holiday gala for St. Vincent.
No decorating on the Pier originally used for the Navy.
No Mercy to be decorated for the Boys & Girls!

And wouldn’t you know it… no sunrise this morning!
Just gray, chilly clouds all over the lakefront.
It kind feels like snow may finally be coming our way?!