Chicago II

Yesterday, we spent the day at the Field Museum. What an impressive place! That's high praise for someone who grew up with the Smithsonian in her "backyard". 

We walked the two miles from the hotel. Walking the city is one of our favorite things to do on our travels. You can really see and hear a city when you are on foot. 

... a dubious past

Grant Park

Meet Sue...the world's largest Tyrannosaurus Rex...forty two feet of lovely.

Annie and I have been learning about Sue for months, so she was very happy to meet her. We even had lunch with Sue...there is a little cafe right next to where Sue spends her days. She was a big hit with my girl!

Annie is an "owl fan"...she rattled off the types of owls she saw on display like the owl expert that she is...much to the amazement of the people around us. Proud Mama here! My girl knows her owls!

My favorite of the day...this tiny doll dress. Sewn by a young girl, or a loving Indian mother, this little gem was made from animal hide and decorated with shells...just like the clothing worn by the women of the tribe.

I'll leave you with a few of our favorites from this wonderful visit...

...snowy owl

...otters, another of Annie's favorites

We thought this bat skeleton was pretty cool.

...a gorgeous Tom turkey

...a robin

...an eagle

...a beautiful, small basket

We spent five wonderful hours at this fine museum...looking and learning. We could easily have spent five more.

THE END

More adventures to come...

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

A long-winded post from the "Windy City"...

On Saturday, we began our journey to Chicago. We drove through

...in the rain

...slept here

...more rain

...and saw lots and lots of these.

Within ten minutes of our arrival, I was smitten. I love a big city...and this is one big city!

This is the wall behind the check-in desk. It is an entire wall...floor to ceiling...that shows what's going on outside, in front of the hotel. As we were waiting in line to check in, we watched the bellman call the valet to come park our car...you can see him in front of our black car next to the taxi. Annie was fascinated to see this gigantic "t.v. show" of her car!

Then...we were off to see some of Chicago.

We are staying right on Michigan Avenue, so we are in the heart of the Magnificent Mile. We were just walking along when all of a sudden this wonderful window display was in front of us.

I have read about Allsaints Spitalfields in magazines, and, of course, have seen these wonderfully displayed vintage sewing machines in pictures, but when I turned and saw these windows right there in front of me...well, my heart skipped a few beats. 

The industrial pieces in this shop are nothing short of magnificent. 

This display is so massive I could not do it justice.

The clothes are not quite my style, and the prices are beyond my purse, but this store is a jewel and worth a walkthrough. 

You gotta love a man secure enough to carry your purse. It was digging a hole in my shoulder and he insisted on carrying it for me. 

It does not matter where we go, or how many stars a hotel has, my husband dresses for comfort...shorts,  running shoes and baseball cap....and, in this case, a purse. Annie thought it was hilarious!

So far, Chicago is an impressive city. 

It is clean...with lovely seasonal arrangements on the street...at least on this famous street. And there is a strong police presence...they are on bikes...which makes us feel a bit safer...always important in a big city. The bus system looks to be very efficient, and they have water taxis, which I can't wait to ride. 

After taking this pic, I turned and was face to face with Bill Daley...just walking down the avenue like the rest of us. Imagine coming to Chicago and seeing a Daley up close!

Hmmm...now where?

More adventures to come...

Hope you are all having a great week!

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

...simple threads

This little gem of a sampler recently came to live at my house. It is stitched in wool on linen. It is signed by Jean Barr and dated 1803. 

The initials of Jean's family are stitched across the bottom, including the WB in black, signifying a deceased member.

The colors are my favorites...red and a khaki brown/green. 

There is the thread loss that you would expect on a piece this age...but intact, is the sweetest heart in a sort of checkerboard pattern.

It is this simple motif that drew me to this old linen ...and it's simple threads.

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Every year, in the Fall, we put pumpkins outside on our windowsills. Yesterday, this cheeky fellow was peeking through our window. He stayed atop this pumpkin, and basked in the warm morning sun, for quite a while.

Have a wonderful first full week of glorious Autumn!

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

...the colors of Autumn

One of my favorite collections is Shooner Redware. For Fall, I have gathered many of my pieces on the bookcase. Tucked in with the bittersweet and baskets, the colors are perfect for the season. 

Brown and green, mustard and rust...the colors of Autumn.

The simplest of pieces makes a statement.

My favorites...birds!

These beautifully crafted pieces and...

...lots of bittersweet are my Fall favorites.

*********************************************

Our scarecrow is sitting his post on the front porch. I put this fellow together over twenty years ago when we first moved into our home.

His once black jeans have faded to a soft grey. He has acquired a few age spots and his nose has been chipped in a few places, but he is on the job. He is camera shy, but rest assured he is smiling.

We are enjoying the subtle changing of the seasons...

...and the beauty that it brings.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

...a little swag

Over the weekend I managed to get the swags for my bedroom windows sewn up. I had originally wanted to use the pretty red crewel fabric I found, but, I decided I wanted swags and there was not enough of the crewel. So...I settled on this red Jacobean and lined them with small checks. I always line my swags with a complimentary fabric...I think it gives them a little extra zip.

It's been slow...getting this room together. I'll be playing with these two small swags for awhile...until they cooperate and lay right.

  

I like to use swags because they cover the shades when they are rolled up, but they don't block the light during the day.

Do you make your own curtains...drapes....swags? I have never bought a curtain for our home...ever. 

It's just too much fun to do it yourself...and the possibilities are endless...I have yards of fabric waiting their turn.

Hope your week is going great!

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

Bittersweet...

Yesterday, Annie and I were delighted to find fresh bittersweet for sale at the Fresh Market. Bittersweet does not grow wild here in Florida, so we buy a few bunches every year.

I love this wild vine. To me,

it is a necessary element for Autumn decorating at our house. We anticipate it's arrival every year, and are so happy when, at last, it makes it's appearance.  

Today, I'll be playing with bittersweet and pulling out more seasonal favorites.

Annie spied this dish towel as soon as we walked in the door of the market and squealed with delight!

Owls and plaid...a perfect Fall combo now hanging out on our oven door handle.

Welcome to my new followers!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend...full of good Fall fun!

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

*Norma Schneeman Pumpkin*

**Angela Hillstrom's PumpkinThyme Doll*Inspired by Lori Brechlin"s Original Painting**

Remembering...

In our neighborhood, we fly our flags everyday...they look especially handsome today.

Peace