Another Birthday In The Books

In case you missed it I had a birthday. Ha! If you're on social media it was pretty hard to miss. But it was fun!

Let's back up to Thursday which for the sake of blogging we'll just go ahead and call my birthday eve's-eve's-eve. I told you I can work a birthday.

A friend who lives on the lake invited me to join her for an outing with her neighborhood day trip group.

They were going to spend the day at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, and since Dale Chihuly currently has an installation there how could I say no?

He is one of my absolute favorites. I went to his exhibit in Seattle in May while visiting my daughter and wrote about that here. Coincidentally I noticed he has a birthday tomorrow, and since I imagine he's reading my blog...happy birthday Dale Chihuly! Your art in cities and gardens all around the world is so very lovely.

And inspiring. There's something about glass in a garden I find inspiring.

I'd never been to the Atlanta gardens and would definitely go back. Workers were in the process of installing holiday lights (I know!!) for the Christmas season, and since there are literally thousands they have to start wrapping tree trunks at the end of summer.

It was a great day and I spent Friday catching up at home. Hubs returned from an out of town business trip that evening, and then I woke up to this on Saturday morning (aka my birthday eve)-

We were going to walk a trail into a nearby town and while I was getting ready to go he ducked out and came home with these gorgeous roses. He wanted to sneak out and back before I noticed, but I noticed and was preparing to be annoyed that he had gone to wash the car before we took our walk, so I popped out to scold him and caught him coming in.

I did not scold him.  He also knows I love these ginormous balloons and got me two for my birthday. He gave me one for Valentine's Day and I might have left it tied to the kitchen chair for months. Those things have some serious staying power. 

We walked a little over three miles to a restaurant one town over (there's a great paved trail, mostly through the woods), had a yummy breakfast, then walked a little over three miles back home. It was cloudy and not too humid so really enjoyable.

I did a little birthday shopping in the afternoon, then we headed downtown for dinner. We started at one of my favorite little venues, a rooftop wine bar overlooking downtown.

The temperature was just right and we toasted another year with a glass of Prosecco before heading a few blocks over for dinner in the park. Al fresco dining is on my list of favorite things, especially on my birthday eve.

Sunday (finally-my actual birthday!) we met Daughter2 and her boyfriend for a noontime brunch and I was spoiled with gifts from my girls. Then hubs and I had to trek out to the lake to give the go-ahead on stain color, because there is no escaping the home build even on your birthday. Since it was beginning to drizzle we pretty much trekked right back home for some football and a nap on the couch. Hubs picked up Chinese food for dinner and we called it a day.

Cheers to birthdays, thoughtful husbands, adorable daughters, friends near and far, and finding beauty wherever a new year takes you.

People Who Live Near Glass Gardens Should Take Lots Of Pictures

Just a reminder there will not be a Wednesday Hodgepodge this week. Go here to read my overly long explanation as to why not. No worries though...we'll be back with the random next week, May 17/18th. 

Continuing now the ongoing saga of my Washington adventure. This is Day 2. Really more like Day 1 because I didn't arrive until midday Sunday and every second counts when you live on opposite coasts. 

When we made our first trip to Seattle last May we had Mother's Day Brunch in the Space Needle. Pretty sure the law says you must visit The Space Needle if you're a first time visitor to the city, and it's definitely worth a ride to the top. As we made our way into the queue that day I noticed something lovely peeking out from behind the fence next door.  

The Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibit. 

Be still my heart. I might be his biggest fan. I told Daughter1 that was on my must-see list for next time, so first thing Monday morning we trekked into Seattle and did just that. 

Y'all I am totally in love with this man's art and talent. I first saw his work when we lived in the UK and he had an installation in Kew Gardens. Since then I look for the name Dale Chihuly when we travel and make it a point to seek out his beautiful glass works. 

As it happens he hails from Tacoma Washington so there's plenty of gorgeousness close to my daughter's home. The first thing you see as you round the corner into the museum is this-

These pictures will not do the beauty justice, but until you can see them for yourself photos will have to suffice. Just know they're enormous and bold and my daughter and I agree there's something very soothing about glass art. 

The 'spears' are as tall as I am if that helps put the piece in perspective. This 'under the sea' display stretched from floor to ceiling. 

Go big or go home-

The Sistine Chapel meets the Pacific Northwest-

My favorite pieces by far are the ones he sets so naturally in the garden. This is something Chihuly's known for and I would surely love for him to landscape a little corner of my lake lot.

 Or create a chandelier for my covered deck-

We had the best day. My daughter1 has a bit of the artiste in her so this was right up her alley. When we finished meandering in the garden we moved on to another of our shared loves...charming French cafes and long leisurely lunches. 

Moms of littles! Stay the course! Grown up girls will rock your world in a hundred thousand little ways. One day they're coloring at your kitchen table and the next they're by your side relishing the beauty of a Seattle Monday in a garden filled with glass.