Butterflies...

We made our annual trip to visit the butterfly exhibit this week while on spring break. 

 It's so hard to capture the "busy" butterflies on camera.

The butterflies are in constant motion...kinda like Josie!!
 

Butterflies and Blossoms...

We went on an outing.
My knee scooter and a loaner wheelchair
were involved.
Fresh air does the body wonders.

I'm doing fine by the way. No more severe pain. Just weird "Frankenstein-like" pulling sensations from the sutures and screws in my left foot. I'm still not allowed to put any weight on my foot. Mobility is my biggest hurdle. You'd be amazed at what positions I can get my body into with that knee scooter!! I'll admit that after awhile though, the knee scooter hurts my lower back and knee. My foot and leg has also been swelling and my doctor was quick to remind me that I was suppose to be taking it easy. I'm not good at sitting still and this slowing down thing has been harder than I thought it would be.

Enough about me...

We visited the Butterfly Exhibit at Frederik Meijer Gardens. The temps inside were balmy and the butterflies were active. With such good lighting, our camera took some amazing shots.

The temps outside were a bit brisk,

but the blossoms were heavenly.

These two pictures are my favorites
from our outing.

These last 2 pictures were edited with PicMonkey.
I've had lots of time to compare
online photo editing software lately.
I'll save that for a future post.

XOXO

♥

A visit with Santa and a trip to the gardens...

Last week, we had Chris's cousin in town and we ventured to Frederik Meijer Gardens to see Santa, tour the Christmas trees from around the world, and enjoy the railroad garden. If you listen closely to the video, you'll hear Josie ask Santa for Buzz Lightyear and a Batman & Robin batcave. Care to take any guesses on what Santa (and/or a special Aunt) might be bringing this year?

I've included a few of our favorite pictures from the evening.

I think Emma was in shock or a tad bit embarrassed by Josie's toy requests...hee hee.





We are so blessed to have the gardens and sculpture park just minutes from our home. I could go visit every day. It's so beautiful.

Next up, a crafting project that required needle & thread....AND I actually enjoyed it!

Vacation laundry can wait one more day!!

When I got up this morning, Chris reminded me that I technically still had one more day left of my vacation from work and that we really should do something fun. Heck, any excuse to avoid finishing up the rest of the vacation laundry and I'm all over it!! We ventured to the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture park to enjoy the Chihuly glass exhibit. Wow. Unbelievable.





Of course no trip is complete at the Frederik Meijer Gardens without a visit to the Children's park to play in the water.

After a day of playing, I guess I'm finally ready to finish up that vacation laundry.

Tuesday Night & Tissue Paper

The Frederik Meijer Gardens Tuesday evening outdoor music club has started back at up again. Being members has its privileges!! We packed a picnic basket and headed to the amphitheater to meet friends.



I could easily do this again. Nothing like extending the summer as long as possible!!





Emma brought her best friend and the two of them explored the gardens while Josie got her groove on with several other little people. I'm in denial that it is August already. Where has this summer gone?



Now, onto tissue paper...

You know me. Any chance to do a craft and I’m all over it. I’m putting my Chinese fan appetizer plates to good use this coming weekend (yippee). We’re hosting a birthday party for my Mom. Last weekend, I decided I need to figure out a way to hide the dowel rod that my paper lanterns were hanging from and thought of tissue paper flowers that are often featured on Martha Stewart’s website.



Emma made her own version which will be used to decorate my mom’s upcoming birthday presents. (Mom - Pretend to be surprised when you come on Sunday)



These flowers would also be fun to use at a outdoor picnic or Hawaiian themed party. The hardest part of this craft is unfolding the tissue paper so that it doesn’t tear.



Supplies:
tissue paper
scissors
dental floss

Step 1. Layer four pieces of tissue paper together measuring at 2 1/4" by 3 1/2". Use bigger measurements for larger flowers. You can even use bigger pieces and more layers of tissue paper for bigger flowers. Fold together using an accordion fold.




Step 2. When you're finished with the accordion fold, pinch together and place on its side and cut two slits in the center of the accordion fold. With your dental floss, tie a knot around the center of the tissue where you made the slits.



Step 3. Round each end cutting through all the layers.



Step 4. Now unfold the layers of tissue paper. Pull the first layer up. Begin to peel all four layers apart Now peel all the layers from the other side.



I ended up making about 20 flowers and I really like how they are now covering up the dowel rod.



As Martha would say..."now that's a good thing…"