It Feels Like Spring!

Since it's been unseasonably cold for many of you I thought I'd share

some flower photos from my trip last weekend to the Ocean Expo Park.

Hibiscus are the official flower of Okinawa.

See my fat finger there? This bloom was massive. 

It probably could have been used as a child's hat.

  

I read about these in the paper. 

They are genetically engineered "blue" orchids. 

They still look purple to me.

 There were massive orchid displays 

as part of the international orchid show 

that was being held there at the time.

 This is a full view of the display 

with the "blue" orchids mentioned above.

 

My favorite display of the orchid show each year.

In the background is the symbol of the tropical dream center.

The midground shows the Wonderland maze display for the orchid show.

 It rained all day, but it started to rain too hard to have my camera out.

So we headed for lunch.

 This window shows the banyan tree, a Kijimuna or Okinawan fairy 

& Okinawa's endangered bird the Yanbaru Kuina or Okinawan Rail.

It was created by this artist. She came to one of the base libraries a few years back. My son had the opportunity to meet her, and participate in a class where she taught them to make animal art with recycled materials.

Have a Great Day!

Pop Rocks Valentines

In years past I have gone above and beyond with holiday gifts for my son's class.

I am by no means consistent, but I've been that Pinterest mom that pisses off the other moms.

I'm a bit proud of that actually. If I am willing to put forth the time and effort to create these things no one gets to take my pride in that away.

As a fifth grader my son really doesn't care as much any more so 

I'm keeping it simple, but still doing my thing.

For lacrosse half time snacks last weekend I just took a sharpie and wrote "Go Middies!", "Keep up the Great Work", "You're Awesome", etc. on the Ziplocs which I filled with both green and purple seedless grapes. Thank goodness I sampled the grapes. I had bought 3 colors, but the red ones had seeds. Ooops!

So Valentines I asked my son which one he'd like. He says, "Pop Rocks," and walks away. That's not always something you can find here on island so I ordered some, and they've been sitting in my craft table for about 2 weeks. 

Since Valentine's Day is Friday I thought today, Tuesday, would be a good day to begin.

Yeah cutting it a little too close for my liking, but life's been getting in the way around here.

Anyway, here's a copy of the little Valentine I've spent most of the morning making. Maybe it will be of use to someone else who's running a bit behind this year.

  Click HERE

Thanks!

Have a Beautiful Day!