Christmas Greetings

Have a warm and cheerful Christmas and a happy New Year.

Two Views of Hanukkah in the Midwest

Menorah, Daley Plaza, Chicago, IL

At this time of year, when Christmas decorations, as beautiful as they are, dominate the landscape, I take great pride in seeing large menorahs displayed in public, for everyone to witness the miracle of Hanukkah.  Here are two such menorahs on public display, thanks to the efforts of Chabad. Above, at Chicago's Daley Plaza, you can even see the famous Picasso statue in the background, along with all the activity of Chicago's annual Christkindlmarket.  Good times.

Menorah, Milwaukee Union Station, Milwaukee, WI

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I love the stark beauty of bare trees on a clear winter day, the deep blue sky just seeping through the crisscross of branches.  This photo was taken during my last visit to Prescott.

Christmas Greetings

Christmas Tree Detail, Daley Plaza, Chicago, IL

Wishing you all the magic of the season:

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Carolers at Christkindlmarket, Chicago, IL

Christmas with a Roar

Guardian Lion, Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL

In Chicago, even the guardian lions that grace the entrance of the Art Institute get into the spirit of the season.

Seasonal Dress, Chicago, IL

The Chicago Flag: Winter Edition, Chicago, IL

The Chicago flag adopts a wintry motif to celebrate the holiday season.  I know many will think I'm weird, but I'm missing the cold and the snow.  To me, those wintry elements say Christmas.

Seasonal Miscellany

Block Thirty-Seven Mall, Chicago, IL

I like Christmas for all of its colorful decorations.  As I spent time in my hometown last week, I couldn't resist snapping some shots of the Christmas decor featured at a few of the downtown malls.  Like I said, I thought the Christmas decor this year was a little muted, but there were some things that stood out. Above and below, at Block Thirty-Seven, these illuminated stars provided an entire light show featuring a spectrum of colors.  Their festive cycle is included here.

Block Thirty-Seven actually has an aesthetically pleasing interior.  It's just a shame that so much of the retail space remains unoccupied.   The mall is the result of a long, multi-year debate over how to make use of the empty lot where Block Thirty-Seven Mall now stands.  Other ideas that were floated about included a park and just keeping Skate-on-State and the artists' show at this location.  Don't get me wrong, this is a nice mall that already offers some good retail to shoppers, but it's kind of a let-down to see this mall still largely empty after it's been open for a couple of years.

Water Tower Place, Chicago, IL

What would Christmas in Chicago be if I hadn't made at least one trip to Water Tower Place?  I really liked these christmas trees, but, in general, I think I just missed seeing the typical enormous Christmas trees that traditionally served as centerpieces at the different downtown malls.  I didn't see one at the State Street location of Marshall Field, and I remember that as being an annual tradition. Bloomingdale's had a magnificent large Christmas tree, a photo of which I have already posted on here.

For all of you Disney lovers out there.

Nordstrom Mall, Chicago, IL

A cascade of baubles.

A glitz and glamour wreath.

Ice Sculptures in Milwaukee, WI

Posted here due to popular request, these ice sculptures graced the sidewalks of Milwaukee, WI, last weekend.  I am a little envious of people who can chisel away at an unstable element like ice and come out with a beautiful work of art.  I confess I find the body-less legs and pelvis, above, to be a little macabre, but let's assume the shock value it possesses compels people to pause and not take their surroundings for granted.

The horse, above, is my favorite.

This Native American gazes out upon the pedestrian traffic.

Chiseled in ice.