Catching Up

A new floral for the office. 

And this is the goat barn at the Easter Egg hunt.  I loved all the different green metals.  

I'd like a garden shed like this one day.

The daffodils were fabulous this year.  They didn't seem to mind the cold winter at all.  And even though I didn't think they would come back, I planted these purple hyacinths from a bulb garden that I bought at Meijer last year.  Oh ye of little faith :) 

 

Rachel posted this picture of Kyle playing basketball at Laura's.  Her caption, "Big Dreams".  

Laura had this awesomely fierce basketkball court built in her back yard for all her tall boys.  I have to ask her more about how it came to be when we visit again.

 Betsy's kindergarden picture.  

She is so beautiful and she looks so much like her beautiful mom, Rachel.

I grew up in Kentucky, but my teachers never helped us make an awesome Derby hat like this.  

I want one too!

 Off to the Derby party.  With yet another great hat :)

Before & After Locks of Love donation in memory of Isaac's friend Gail Whittles. He's handsome before and handsome after.  So good to have him home for a little while.

The daffodils are gone now.  The allium are blooming, the peonies are budding.  

And the dandelions. . . they are spectacular this year :)

Easter Basket

The (Very) Serious Work of an Easter Egg Hunt

More From Chihuly in Arizona

 

Now I want glass in my garden.  And lights.  Lots of lights. . . 

Chihuly in Arizona

Before I got my new knees (ten years ago!), there was a Chihuly glass exhibit at the botanical garden in St. Louis.  I wanted to go so badly, but we never did.  I just didn't want to hobble in pain, even for Chihuly.  

Last week we visited the botanical garden in Phoenix.  And YaY! Chihuly was there! 

I loved this shot--everybody everywhere was taking pictures--either with a fancy camera or with their cell phones. . .

Gorgeous.  And then we learned there were night time hours when the pieces were illuminated.  So we went back again to see. 

 More to follow . . .

Arizona 2014

Thank you to our friend Natalie who recommended a Pink Jeep tour of Sedona.  It was a beautiful afternoon with good company and Mark didn't have to keep his eyes on the road.  No way I could have climbed for this view! 

ISFA 2014

Phil Rulloda--internationally-known floral designer.  His shows and classes are phenomenal, filled with tropical flowers and poetry.  He preaches a message--yes, you can. 

Gift packaging for a bottle of wine. . .

After the shows, the pieces are sold to benefit ISFA's educational programs.  This one went home with me! 

Tami and her mom Phyllis joined me for the show, which made it even better :)

ISFA Spring Conference 2014

It's that time of year again--spring conference with Illinois State Florists' Association.  

This year, welcome to the jungle!

 

March!

Mark, also known as TBHITWWW, has struck again.  A new blue bike for my birthday, with a very low "step through" so that I can get on and off  without falling over.  We're looking forward to lots of bike rides this summer :)

Right now, it's still snowing and icing and below zero and windy and altogether winter.  In the meantime, be sure you have some tulip medicine to treat your spring fever!

  

Betsy & Kyle had a bouncing birthday party with gifts going to the Humane Society.  Rachel promised to take pictures of the drop off.   I  told her to keep an eye out for a golden when they go to the shelter.  Yes, I'm kidding. . . well, sort of anyway.  You never know who you're going to meet when you visit an animal shelter.  It could be the next Cookie or G dog. 

 

Turtle cupcakes for Kyle's table.  Disney Frozen cupcakes for Betsy's.

 Mark of Distinction always sends the best stuffed animals with balloons for the birthdays.  This one is a big red elephant that is soft and squishy and perfect for hugging.  And throwing.

Thank you to V and to Grandma Peggy for the birthday dollars :)

 There was a lot of bouncing at the bounce house.  Kyle is in the red shirt, running.   That's Betsy  in the foreground, ready to spring off the blue bouncer and onto the next one.