I believe, I believe every day is a good day when you paint.–Bob Ross
What’s my idea of a good day? Well, thanks to Cheri’s challenge this week, I have a wonderful “excuse” to share last weekend with you all.
We drove to Chicago to celebrate our bazillionth wedding anniversary, but best of all, it was a great opportunity to spend time with our son. We started the weekend with a walk up to North Beach to see the Chicago Air and Water Show. Crowds of people were picnicking at the beach and barbecuing as they watched the show.
Chicago Air and Water Show. Shot with a Canon 70D.
Then, we headed over to Lincoln Park to have breakfast with our son. On the way, I took a picture of a doughnut vendor with a long line of customers.
The Doughnut Vault, Lincoln Park, Chicago. Shot with a Canon 70D.
Whenever we visit Chicago, I always try to visit the Art Institute, to see some old friends and meet some new ones–like Dionysos.
The Dionysos Exhibit, The Art Institute of Chicago. Shot with a Canon 70D.
In the warm weather, the museum garden is a perfect spot for lunch. How many people can you count checking their cellphones?
Lunch at the Art Institute of Chicago. Shot with a Canon 70D
The city-side view from the 38th floor at the hotel was spectacular. Can you spot the swimming pool on the roof of the garage where we parked our car?
Cityside View from the 38th Floor. Shot with a Canon 70D.
For dinner, our son found a wonderful restaurant in Lincoln Park. It’s called North Pond, named for the lake right outside its door. At sunset, it reflects the gorgeous view of the Chicago Skyline.
North Pond, Lincoln Park, Chicago. Shot with a Samsung Galaxy S5
When we stepped inside the restaurant, I felt like I was entering a Frank Lloyd Wright home. Needless to say, it was gorgeous. Architects reconstructed the original warming shelter for ice skaters built in 1912 into an Art Deco style structure with a lot of warm oak tones and stained glass. The menu, crafted by chef Bruce Sherman uses a lot of local, farm-raised ingredients. I was so busy eating that I didn’t take any photos until the very end–when the server brought us a dish of chocolates inscribed with a message for us, written in chocolate:
Happy Anniversary. North Pond Restaurant, Lincoln Park. Shot with a Samsung Galaxy S5
How perfect is that?
Categories: Photography
P.A. Moed 
Wow, what a lovely post! Beautiful images of Chicago.
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Thanks so much, mithriluna! I have really enjoyed improving my photography here. I love the feedback. I’ll check out your site too. Enjoy the weekend.
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Lovely! And Happy Anniversary 🙂
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Hi Ruth. Thanks so much! I am very fortunate to have a great husband. He thinks he’s lucky too. 🙂
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Beautiful images, I love the light of the Dionysus, what ISO did you use there? I’m using the mobile phone camera more for scenes where I have to include a whole tree or plant.
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Thanks so much, Maria. I always appreciate your feedback. I had to experiment a bit and bring the ISO up to 1,000 to get enough light. Some of the galleries don’t let you use a flash. I also used the 17 to 70 mm Sigma lens opened up to as far as it could go (f 3.5). I love the natural light so it was worth all the finagling!
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I just bought your book online Patti, on sale now at Amazon.
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Wonderful, Maria! I hope you enjoy it!
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Happy Anniversary!
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Thanks so much! 🙂
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The second to last photo is remarkable!
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Thanks so much, Cindy! Mother nature and great architects are the reasons why! It’s such a beautiful spot.
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🙂 Belated Happy Anniversary.
Sounds like you had the perfect weekend!
Have a good Sunday 🙂
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Thank you, happyface. We started celebrating a week before the actual date, so you’re only a day behind!! I appreciate your kind thoughts.
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🙂 Oh, then your anniversary is fairly “fresh”.
Anyhow, all the best to you and yours!
xo 🙂
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This does indeed sound like a good day, Patti. As usual, your photos are terrific. I love the shot of the planes.
I haven’t been to Chicago in many years, but I remember the huge Seurat at the Art Institute was so impressive. Reason enough to go!
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The Seurat is still there in all its glory. I’m so glad you like my photos. I am having fun developing my photographic eye. It’s a great compliment to my writing “fingers.” I hope you have a chance to go to Chicago again. It’s a great city….(Shh…don’t tell anyone else in NYC that I said that.)
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I think Chicago is a great city — it’s got a lot of the advantages that people think of when they think of NYC, but it feels more manageable and less chaotic. We’ll keep it our secret. 🙂
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OK. Agreed. Our secret. 🙂
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Happy anniversary – a great city to spend it in.
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Thanks, Maureen. It is a great city. Hope we can meet you there before the snow sets in!
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Happy belated! Lovely pics of a great day.
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Thanks so much, Leya!
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