What do you think of when you see or think about a butterfly? I always think of Spring and colorful flowers. I also am enchanted by a butterfly’s flight - how they flit here and there but still manage to make it to where they want to be. In short, butterflies make me happy.

If you’re anything like me, you don’t particularly love the month of January in the Midwest. Some folks get Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) and tire of the gray clouds, lack of sunshine and monotony of being indoors. I don’t tend to notice that much in myself, but I do crave beautiful green plants and colorful, blooming flowers this time of year.

I had a blast today at Lauritzen Gardens new BRICKLive Dinosaurs exhibit! I have always loved learning about dinosaurs and today was no exception.

And where oh where have I been in the last year or so?

My mom, sister, daughter, and I went to the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. They host a special holiday event each year called Las Noches de las Luminarias” which is simply incredible.

Last Wednesday evening my family and I attended one of the Bright Nights events at Lauritzen Gardens. If you love any of the things on this list - lights, poinsettias, flowers, good food, outdoor games, plants, or the holidays this event is for you!

A friend and I took advantage of the gorgeous weather on Monday and did some exploring at the re-imagined Gene Leahy Mall in Downtown Omaha. I have to say I was completely blown away by the park. It is AMAZING!

Happy (almost) Friday! If you are like me you enjoy the fun parts of Halloween, but not if things are too spooky. So, here are some of my recommendations for slightly spooky INDOOR ideas to take in this weekend around the Midwest

Another little secret about me is that I am a Dale Chihuly glass artist nut. Consequently, I was dying to see his temporary exhibition at the St. Louis Botanical Garden.

Sometimes you just want to “get out of Dodge!” (American idiom for leave town). And that’s what I have done.