Is there anytime better than fall in Chicago? The air is crisp, the leaves are changing, and out come the comfy sweaters. Even the food tastes better this time of year! (Though, I will say, as much as I can appreciate the gusto with which America has embraced the big, orange squash, give me apple cinnamon over pumpkin spice any day.)

Today was one of those perfect fall days. I worked from home, which of course means a mix of actual working, playing with the pugs, and catching up on laundry. Nothing like an empty hamper and crisp sheets, absent of dog hair, to make you feel extra productive.

It was overcast, and just chilly enough for a jacket and my favorite scarf. I was actually thankful for the grey sky because nothing makes the autumn colors on the trees pop more. See what I mean…

I’d scheduled a work meeting at a nearby coffee shop, and I was excited for the chance to go out and explore some more of my neighborhood. My husband and I just moved to the Portage Park area from the north east side of the city. This was a big move for me after living nearly all of my ten years in the same three mile radius. All of the sudden, my whole life moved from the Red Line to the Blue. Anyone who’s lived in Chicago knows that is no small deal, as the east/west public transit in this city isn’t exactly up to snuff.

Regardless of the challenges of living in a new place, Portage Park certainly has it’s charms. It’s quieter, for sure, which I didn’t think I would like honestly. I moved from a small town to a big city when I was eighteen and I did so because I very much wanted everything life in a big city comes with. I wanted the excitement, the diversity, the art, even the noise. When we first talked about moving to Portage Park to save money, I was worried I’d be giving all that up. But I’ve been trying to challenge myself to look at things from a broader perspective and to see everything we’ve gained. More space for the dogs. Cleaner sidewalks. New areas to explore. More money to ENJOY the city. I’m definitely looking forward to sharing my new finds on this blog. In the meantime, here are a few pictures from a nearly perfect fall day in Chicago…