A cold & rainy Sunday perfect for some repetitive stamping. Decorating another platter with one handmade stamp pressed in one by one… by one… by one…

These large cocoa beans are pretty darn cool at the Chicago Botanic Garden… still growing & ripening in the tree. Right there on the side of the trunk & branches??? And yet I prefer my chocolate processed with sugar added. Keep it “dark” but add some sugar. Thank you very much!

And while the floral beauty was indoors, Spring is in the air & it was perfect for a stroll through the mostly dormant gardens at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Sure, there was still snow on the ground… but that’s just Spring in Chicago! I was just happy to be outside playing in nature again!

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!!!