And while the Orchid Show was the main reason I went to the Chicago Botanic Garden… you still can’t miss the arid cactus room. So many cool textures, patterns & symmetry going on in there. Impressive every time!

My favorite part of the Orchid Show at the Chicago Botanic Garden was the section dedicated to the Holi Festival. Wonderful orchid arrangements on the walks, dramatic lighting & colorful powders splattered everywhere!!! During Holi, a Hindu festival celebrating Spring and the triumph of good over evil, people throw colored powder & water at each other as a joyful and symbolic act of unity, forgiveness & the celebration of new beginnings.

Something it seems like we all could use a bit of these days!!!

Not quite sure what plant this was… but I think it was my favorite one there! Not part of the Orchid Show per se… but this huge vine is growing up & over a large doorway with these humongous dangling clusters of flowers… in the coolest color ever. A greenish-bluish-seafoamyish color I felt I might have never even seen before?!!!

In one greenhouse at the Chicago Botanic Garden, you are greeted by an oversized orchid peacock… gently hidden behind a curtain of white flower garlands. Stunning… especially the detailing on the head & neck.

One of the greenhouses at the Orchid Show had these amazing floral baskets hanging from the ceiling. Strings of floral garlands all together supporting large baskets of orchids. So beautiful… complete with an orchid “chandelier” hanging from the ceiling too!!!

It was an unbelievably beautiful visit to the Chicago Botanic Garden for the annual Orchid Show. Stunning orchids everywhere!!! With a theme of “INDIA BLOOMS” there were a few displays designed to show traditional Indian culture & rituals. Every corner, every nook, every cranny… incredible orchids everywhere you looked!!! It may have been cold & snowy outside… but inside Spring was in full bloom!!!

A LOT of photos of a LOT of orchids… so take your time & enjoy!!!

Tonight was another night in the theater… but this time, for my first live magic show. I’m not sure what I was expecting… let me just say I’m glad we won the cheap “theater lottery” tickets again. At least the kids seemed to really enjoy it!!!

Another night of Bingo Fun at IKEA!!! Always fun to play with friends… free games with IKEA prizes!!! Sure, I haven’t won anything yet, but you can’t win if you don’t keep playing, right???

And there “may” have been a little shopping afterwards too! Allegedly…

Well, it’s officially the “First Day of Spring” … and we woke up to SNOW!!!
More than an inch overnight. Welcome to Spring in Chicago!!!

This week was our final Intermediate Wheelthrowing class… so we celebrated with a “trading-stealing-white-elephant” kinda game. Category being two dinner plates! We had a lot of fun trading plates… some came in as matching sets & others in singles. Including one matching set that came with an added BONUS… two matching mini’s!!!