i'll have a tall iced green tea latte with soy milk, please.

yesterday was a tough day.

but it was also good.
i was struggling a bit,
so i grabbed my camera and headed out.
some time of solitude—
walking around in the sun with my camera—
is just what the doctor ordered!
it's free therapy, if you ask me.

i was not sure what i was looking for.
i thought it would just hit me when i saw it.
{figuratively of course—thankfully,
because some of the things i photographed
were trains and cars.}

but first, i went to buy the one thing
that any smart unemployed girl would know
is way outside the realm of common sense—
a $4+ drink from starbucks.
they are my downfall—those green tea lattes.
hot or cold. it doesn't matter.
it wouldn't be wise even if i had a job.
but wisdom goes out the window
when green tea goes up the straw
and down my throat.
sooooooooo gooooooood.

next, i started to walk around
downtown crystal lake
to see what i could see.
i saw a lot.
it was one of my favorite days yet
to be outside with my camera.

i got many shots, but these are my favorites.
{they are all SOOCs}
i hope you enjoy the tour of my stomping grounds.

i love vintage cars.
in years past, every thursday night
in dowtown crystal lake,
vintage car owners brought their cars down
for a weekly show throughout the summer.
so many people would show up to see the cars.
often, it took me an extra five or ten minutes
to get through town on my way home from work.

i absolutely love the brick
used on the outside of this building.
it's not your ordinary brick.
it's shiny and green.

this was taken from the sidewalk,
looking up at the outdoor beer garden lights
of a local pub called duke's alehouse.

i'm not even sure what this building is,
but i loved the copper ornamental arch above the door!

i have never been to this restaurant,
but i want to try it some day.
i have heard good things about it.

i loved this window.
on the sill sits two bottles and a glass with a potato in it.
it's this kind randomness that makes me smile.

passers by enjoying the warm day.
{well, i'm assuming they are anyway.}

this is my favorite shot of the day.
it's the sign above what used to be called crystal lake deli.
i often ate there for lunch when i worked in crystal lake.

there's really no explanation needed here, i think.

the heart of downtown is right here.
brink street actually ends at my street.
my street pretty much ends at it.
so i like to say i live on the brink of brink.

this groovy wall {i've always loved these}
is between two of my favorite establishments—
a wonderfully delicious mexican restaurant
and a handmade bag boutique
that a friend of mine owns
and a dear friend of mine works at.

the train station coffee shop is open for business.

this is the corner of the alehouse i mentioned earlier.
their food is wonderful!
they use all organic or locally grown ingredients.

these last four were taken in front of a great florist called mum.
their flowers are always fresh and beautiful.
they also have really lovely gift items and artwork there.
it's very much like a floral shop you would find
in the trendiest neighborhoods of chicago or new york.

happy wednesday.