By Orders of the Queen...

My parents were very nice to me (not sure the reasons why, MAYBE just because they love me?) because they took me to the Chicago Flower and Garden Show at Navy Pier! Just us 3. Fun for me, because this NEVER happens. (not the garden show part silly, the me and ONLY me and my parents. Sorry everyone else!) So here's our day, or most of it in pictures... enjoy...

Mom and me took a class on Container Gardening! For $20 we got the fun biodegradeable pot, the dwarf daffidol, the cyclman, ivy and the polka dot (now known as splash) lots of fun!

Here's the 3 of us! The Queen, myself and Carrots!

And my dad sneeking a snack while mom and me were in our class, BUSTED!

Pretty flowers!

Not kidding this was super cool. (I am a bug and lizard lover!) This is a female Hissing Cocaroach, from Madagascar! Very cool!!

This was cool, and I even let it crawl on my hand. It's a millapede from South America. Hard shell body, but wormy underneath. And yes the bazillion legs were kinda creepy on my hand.

I LOVE this. If you don't understand how much. Think of how much you know I LOVE coffe, and art supplies, and that is how much I LOVES this sectional. OH how pretty this would be on my deck. Right in the corner... I would live on my deck...

Who's this REALLY tall guy?

The guy from the Feldo window comercials!!

I think me and my mom need these in our yards!!

Cute bird houses... wait? Who's the crazy lady in the window!? It's the Queen mom!!

Afterwards we went to Chili's (here in town) and I enjoyed a sideways rain ass woopin' while driving down the highway, thank goodness when I got to the dark side roads it was a wall of hail. I did get home after driving 20 on the highway, and 5 on the side streets!

Thanks again mom and dad! I love you!!!

20 Happy thoughts about Spring

(My fist Lilac bloom! Spring 2008)

My mom sent me this fun email, listing the top 20 things to look forward to for spring. I added some of my own, plus some fun spring pictures. Living in the Midwest really makes Spring a big deal, since we have about 5 months of cold winter, with the weather getting into the 50's we can escape to our yards just for a bit to start prepping for spring!

I am hoping that I can really put some effort into my garden this year. I live in a 9 year old subdivision that was made from a cornfield. So we have no trees really established (the little ones along the street) and the houses are all close to the same. I want our house to stand out and really be unique!

Here's to a great spring!!

1. The hope of bright sunshine for a few days in a row
2. The first pretty little spring flowers poking out of the dirt
3. Waking up to tweeting birds outside the window
4. Seeing the rain through the rays of sunshine
5. Sweeping away the dead winter leaves from the front porch
6. Cleaning out the planting beds & pots
7. Replacing the crunchy plants by the front door with happy spring flowers
8. Walking out the door with just a sweater on instead of a down coat and gloves

(I love to walk my mom's garden! This is her garden October 2008)

9. Putting away the layers of cozy winter decor and lightening up for spring
10. Smiling at the tulips on the entry table
11. Opening a window for fresh air to clear out the stale air of winter
12. Feeling energized for spring cleaning
13. The happy moment you first notice pink blossoms in the trees
14. Decorating with nests, eggs, bunnies, and other springy things
15. My first bouquet of flowers from my yard!

(My Chives make an awesome bouquet anytime! This vase was hand painted by a gardener friend)

16. Inhaling the fresh smell of spring
17. Taking a walk without shivering
18. Spring vacation (this year we are headed to Nashville! To visit Nikki and Loren!)
19. A Spring Drive By (Check this link out, and get lost in some amazing gardens!)
20. What would YOU add to the list?

My #20 would be the Garden Walks that my mom and me go to. I love to just escape into someone elses garden. Be it traditional or funky. But the best part of the garden walks, is just me and my mom taking pictures and sharing a day of something we love together!

(I am SO my mother after all!!!! Garden Walk, Morris, Spring 2008)

FYI bout poison.

Did you know that many common house and garden plants could be poisonous to your little one if they are ingested? Since your infant is at an age when he is apt to put anything and everything in his mouth, you may want to consider removing certain plants from your home entirely, or at the very least placing them far out of reach from your exploring baby.

Some poisonous plants include:
Iris
Lily of the Valley
English Ivy
Hyacinth bulbs
Azalea
Daffodil bulbs
Rhododendron
Rhubarb leaves
Tomato plant leaves
Holly and Mistletoe

Though you may have heard that poinsettia is poisonous, holly and mistletoe are the real culprits. Poinsettias are not poisonous, but they can be irritating, so you should still be cautious and keep this plant out of baby's reach.

Thanks to this email I receive, to update and remind us all about our plants!