a day in nature

It is only fair that I warn you now.  This post has alot of pictures.  So beware...

Continuing with talking about my birthday, I had mentioned we went to the arboretum. 

Driving up we saw this amazing creation.  It was over 1000 man hours, and I want to own it.

There was a trail of mosaics.  Popular with the kiddos, so it was hard to get pictures without kids in them, haha.  They were all adorable though, despite their abundance.

A few of the mosaics were very 3D

If I could only do this to my VW...

It's weeping trees!!

I can't always explain my actions.

Would it not be completely awesome to have a table like this in your yard?

I'm trying to embrace my "16 going on 17!"  (plus 10 years...)

My favorite flower in the whole place:

And someday, Malachi and I are going to have one of these bushes.  Pretty!

If you cannot handle our awesomeness, you may want to avert your eyes.

Birdies!

The Labyrinth.  We are more at peace with ourselves now, or something.

Where's Waldo?

Happy Birthday to Me!

Ranunculus!

I bought new flowers! My flower loves have been Peonies and Ranunculus...Ranunculuses...Ranunculi? Whatev.

And my Peonies are coming along nicely (pictures will come eventually to update you all). I couldnt find any good bulbs for a Ranunculus. But walking into the grocery store the other day, a familiar flower caught my eye, and I had to bring it home with me.

I'm trying hard to turn my thumb green!

It's finally warm enough (and by that I mean upper 50's) to go lay on the hammock and read. One of my most favorite things in the world to do. But what I actually want to do, is talk more about my gardening adventures.

First, a visual update on the Zinnias (now sporting FOUR leaves):

And the herbs (the bottom right is a late bloomer, just recently having 4 little guys come up):

But something more exciting is happening.

I've planted Peonies!

They take 3 years for the seeds to germinate. So I got these roots. I'm not too optimistic. I mean, I'm starting them inside and they were a little confusing when I planted them. But I'll keep my fingers crossed!

So they are in the basement. The packages didnt say when to expect to see any growth, so I'll just wait not-so-patiently, checking and watering daily!