October kitchen window

October...what a glorious month! My window this month is ready for the 31st.

All the regulars are present...lantern, tiger maple topped stool, Anne Childs' folk art painting...but a few  pumpkins and some bittersweet are joining them to celebrate October.

Rebecca Linquist's punch needle witch silhouette is new this year...her official title, "Warty Witch". Don't let the name fool you, she's a beauty in her own right.

Lori Breclin is the artist behind this sweet pumpkin head bottle doll. She's spent time in this window before so she knows to expect many compliments and the occasional question. Don't let her toothy grin scare you...her disposition is sweet.

This month I've spruced up the rack over the sink as well.

The black compote in this photo was found in the most wonderful shop in Paducah, Kentucky on the way home from Chicago. I'll share more of the goodies I found there later in the week.

Hope your week is going well. I am playing catch up all over the place...laundry, market, dusting, sewing for Christmas open house...I need more hours in the day, and lots of strong tea to keep me going. Think I'll go brew another cup!

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

Subs & Renoir

Mr. MW has wanted to see this German sub since he read the book "Shadow Divers" by Robert Kurson. When we heard our group would be going to Chicago...well, it was his "to do" pick of the trip. Annie and I busied ourselves reading about this amazing vessel and it's journey to Chicago while Daddy toured the sub. He could not believe how small it was inside!

Housed at the The Museum of Science and Industry, this wing of the museum was actually built around the sub. It is a well executed exhibit....remarkable.

This is the Enigma code machine that was on the sub when captured by the American Navy during WWII. I was fascinated by this little machine because my father was a cryptographer for the NSA. I guess the intrigue that comes with secret codes is genetic! This was the real prize...not the sub...but they were determined to bring the sub back, and they did.

Thursday, we visited the Art Institute of Chicago...my pick of the trip. I was excited to get to see

American Gothic by Grant Woods...such an iconic American painting. 

And this ten foot masterpiece...Sunday Afternoon...by Georges Seurat. 

Dots of paint...that's how he painted this stunning work of art, with dots.

It is truly amazing!

But the painting that blew me away was "Two Sisters", by Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

I knew this painting from books, but the colors, well, a book cannot capture the beautiful colors.

You can get very close to the art here...close enough to see the brush strokes and the blends.

I, literally, could not take my eyes off this masterpiece. I am a bit of an art nerd, and have been fortunate enough to see some amazing works...like Winged Victory and the Mona Lisa...but this beauty is the most beautiful piece of art I have ever seen...and it lives right here, in America, in the city of Chicago. 

I was also amazed by the Folk Art wing...wonderful! I'll take you there another day.

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

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