Hello to you from rainy, rainy, rainy! northern Illinois.  The rain has been coming down since last night.  It’s still warm at the moment, but we are in for a big change later on today.  So the rain will stop, but then it will get cold!  Cold like we haven’t seen for many months.  Not ready!  This temperature drop will seem like a slap in the face.  OW!

These past couple of weeks have been beautiful though.  I’ve been getting outside most days for walks in the sunshine and to simply enjoy nature.  We have quite a few forest preserves around here and also some quiet roads.  Last weekend I visited one of the nearby forest preserves.

At one point on the trail it was an open expanse as far as the eye could see.

The colors of fall are showing up in the plants, but not yet the trees (except here and there).

When I have portable work and don’t feel like staying at home to do it I like to visit nearby coffee shops; this one is so cute.  It has 5 rooms with tables and chairs in each.  I think I previously showed you a photo when my daughter and I spent a Friday afternoon here. My favorite room is this south facing room with these big windows.

Here is a look into the main room while I was working on my knitting.

And here is another room off of the room I was in.  The doorway to the left shows a room for the little ones.  There are lots of toys in there.  I’ve never seen any children using it; perhaps they are here at different times.

The dress I was knitting while at the coffee shop is now completed:  knit, blocked, buttons added…

… and Gina modeling it.  Here’s a sneak peak from my sewing room this morning.  I want to add a little more embroidery (it’s at the hemline) and a pretty red ribbon around the waist.  I have the perfect little accessory for her to hold; I’ll show you later.  Both girls still need tights and I want to come up with an accessory for Alice.  So, these two ensembles are almost completed.

Now, I must go get some rest.  I’ve been fighting a cold all week (my husband brought one home from traveling over a week ago!).  I thought I had succeeded in not catching it, but no.  Today I know I am definitely sick.  At least the weather matches my symptoms!

I hope you are well and enjoying beautiful weather where you are.  Thank you for stopping by, my friends. ❤