holidays in the hood

When I come downstairs in the morning and my husband hasn’t turn on the Christmas tree lights, I know that's when he's over it …


Today he's over it.

I realize many of you might be as well … so please bear with me for one last holiday related post.  I was holding out for the snow that never came before taking shots of my neighbor’s holiday homes.  But my window of opportunity is quickly closing, so here goes …

I’ll start with my next door neighbor’s ‘show stopping’ tree …



… you can see it (on the right hand side) as you venture up the street …

… and from certain angles, people may even be fooled into thinking it’s my creation….


… it’s not only a big hit on the block, but a bit hit in the entire neighborhood.  Cars slow as they pass …


… and parents find it near impossible to move their toddlers along the sidewalk once they become transfixed …


This house sports what I consider the traditional Chicago holiday decorations … real green garland and bows and twinkle lights …


… but I’m always intrigued by that addition at the back of the house …


These peppermint decorations are adorable …


Wait a minute.  Is that what I think it is?  A custom-made ice rink on this home’s double lot?  My kids needs to make friends with those kids …


These ornament wreaths caught my eye.  Seemed like the diy version of these was pretty huge on blogs this year …


I can’t include a tour of a Chicago neighborhood without including a traditional brownstone.  This neighbor always has impeccable taste in her -- or his -- seasonal decorations …


It's not the holidays without a stroll down our neighborhood ‘main street’ area on Southport …


… and, of course, a stop into Cullen’s to warm up and take in the thousands of twinkle lights …


On the walk back to our home, I spot this cute little tree that screams Charlie Brown …


… and took a gratuitous shot of Rosie O’Donnell’s home.  Mike described her décor as tasteful.   I hope she doesn’t think I’m some crazy stalker …


And that brings us back home …


Gotta run.  I need to stop Mike from taking down the tree …