Things I love about Saint Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden

This is the 6th post in my Things I love about Saint Louis Series. Check them out!

 ( This is a very picture heavy post. I can't help myself. I took 120 pictures. Consider yourselves lucky)

We are lucky enough here in Saint Louis to have so many amazing things to do, see, visit and eat. One of those is the Missouri Botanical Garden.   It is a beautiful  acre Garden and research center that you can walk through.

When J and I got engaged we knew we wanted an outdoor wedding since we felt closer to God out in nature than any other place we could think of.  But we weren't crazy,  we needed a backup area in case it rained.  We had been to the Botanical Garden before and heard there were a few areas to get married.  So we checked it out and decided on the Japanese Garden by the Lake and backup area in the auditorium.

The Missouri Botanical Garden is 79 beautiful acres in Saint Louis City that once belonged to a man named Henry Shaw. There is a Chinese Garden, the Climatron(big dome thing that is pretty warm and mimickes the rain forest), the Japanese Garden., the Children's Garden...there is a lot to see.  It is pretty much like walking into the prettiest park you have ever seen.  It is $8 for adults and kids 12 and under are free. Of course you can become a member and get discounts and free tickets to things. And if you are a Saint Louis City or County Residents and go before noon Wednesdays and Saturdays, you get in free. Not too bad.

We normally can spend about 2 hours there walking around, letting the kids play, and taking pictures.  This weekend we got to see the Lantern Festival. Of course we went during the day, not at night. I heard it was even better then (and it was pretty pricey) but I wanted to take pictures of the plants.

There were beautiful lanterns and sculpture all over the Garden. They were made from a satin material and flexible steel rods as the skeleton. So colorful and  intricate even in the sun.

They  had two dragons made out of china plates,cups, saucers and other plate ware.

See... plates, cups, saucers. Pretty amazing stuff.

The flowers, trees, and plants here were just beautiful. You can't even tell we've had a drought in this area.

There are two things that K looks forward to when we come here...the sheep sculpture to sit on...

 And the Children's Garden. There is a slide, cave, play store, jail, rope bridge, and other fun outside kids things to explore.

They also have some awesome sculptures there. And I don't know about you but I'm a sucker for a a sculpture. They are beautiful works of art and from a photography stand point, they are great models because they don't move :)

 

And she's my favorite...isn't she beautiful.  I want her in my backyard so bad. 

When my hubby and I got married here 6 years ago(ahh, the wedded bliss of it all)  There was an exhibit by Dale Chihuly. He makes gorgeous works of art out of glass in different forms. Here are two images from our wedding album to show what was there. Our photographer took these..not me.

They were able to purchase some of his work that is still there in the main building and a few around the garden.

They have a few big events here every year like the Whittaker Jazz festival, Japanese festival coming up during the Labor Day weekend and the Best of Missouri Market in October. They are crowded so get there as early as you can. And there is an additional charge because it is a special event. We really enjoy this place so much so that we signed up for a membership this year to enjoy more of what the Garden has to offer.


Monday
What is the Gunny Sack -Making the world Cuter -Debbie Doo -DIY Show Off
DIY Shop - Lines Across My Face -I should be mopping the Floor
Great Fun 4 Kids

Tuesday
How to Nest For Less - Tip Junkie - My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia -The Kurtz Corner
Sugar Bee - Romance On A Dime - Debbie Does Creations - Funky Polka Dot Giraffe
The Winthrop Chronicles

Wednesday
 Thrifty Home - Someday Crafts - Sew Much Ado
- Junk in Their Trunk  - Southern Lovely  -SNAP

Thursday
 Beyond the Picket Fence - Somewhat Simple - Live Laugh Rowe
Loving this Crazy Life - The Shabby Cottage
The Taylor House- House of Hepworths 
Two In Diapers-Mommy Brain Mixer


Friday
Naptime Crafters - Stay At Home Nation
Young and Crafty -  My Turn(ForUs)
Delicate Construction
Serenity Now
Here Comes the Sun

Saturday

Six Sister's Stuff

Cheerios and Lattes
Natasha in Oz -Say G'Day

Linky Party Organizer ( Printable and Downloadable)

Long Long ago..... you know, March or April of this year, I started really participating in linky parties.  I had linked up to some before attending Bloggy Boot Camp-Saint Louis.  After being there and meeting some great ladies and hearing all of the advice,  I really ramped up my involvement.  So involved that I didn't know which projects had been shared with which linky parties. Oops!

I decided to make a Excel spreadsheet with the days of the week, linky parties I participated in, and  which projects I shared.  I've been using this form ever since.  It didn't dawn on me until talking to a friend, that not everybody knows how to use Excel or make spreadsheets. So I thought I would share mine with you. I'm by no means an expert. But I can be quite dangerous looking up how to do things on Google.

                                                       Click  here to download

It's not super fancy or cute but it works and helps me remember ( you know that mommy brain) what I linked up and who I linked up with. I type in the name of  the post I am linking up in the column with the date on it.  If for some reason I didn't link up that week, people don't have the party that week, it's not up  in the morning, or I'm sick... I will type an x in the space. See in the green circle,vacation.

I've already set up the dates for you on  the top to be every seven days depending on the day of the week. And the far right column that has the linky party names is frozen so you can move the dates over and not have to scroll off the page. Try it. It's fun. (1) To unfreeze it go up to View, Freeze Panes, Un Freeze Panes. (2) Easy as that.

 Your tabs will be on the bottom for the different days. (3) I left  the linky parties that I  like and link up to in there. You should check them out. They are all great ladies who throw great parties. If you don't need any more parties, then you can  start fresh and type in your own over mine.(1) I don't have any on Sundays right now. It's just too busy for me.

I've also made a more user friendly option for those that want to print something out and put it in a binder, which I may do myself...someday. You know, when I start on that to-do list.

 There is a vertical list and a horizontal list. I will say that the horizontal list gives you way more space for linky parties and columns to type in.  These were all done in Excel. I can always figure out how to make them into blank forms if people want. Or PDFs.  I'm still learning this printable thing.

                                                              Vertical - Horizontal

I couldn't figure out how to make the border go all the way around. So if you know, let me know, and  I'll fix it for everyone else.   I hope this can help someone else stay as organized as it has helped me.

On a side note- it took all day ( in between mommy stuff)  to figure out how to get this to you guys.  I normally use Google Docs for my downloadable stuff but it took my Excel file and did wonky things with them. So this time I am using Drop Box.  You get 2.5 GB free. That's a pretty good amount.

Again, if something isn't working , let me know. I want help you, not confuse or frustrate you. :)

Monday
What is the Gunny Sack -Making the world Cuter -Debbie Doo -DIY Show Off
DIY Shop - Lines Across My Face -I should be mopping the Floor
Great Fun 4 Kids

Tuesday
How to Nest For Less - Tip Junkie - My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia -The Kurtz Corner
Sugar Bee - Romance On A Dime - Debbie Does Creations - Funky Polka Dot Giraffe
The Winthrop Chronicles

Wednesday
 Thrifty Home - Someday Crafts - Sew Much Ado
- Junk in Their Trunk  - Southern Lovely  -SNAP

Thursday
 Beyond the Picket Fence - Somewhat Simple - Live Laugh Rowe
Loving this Crazy Life - The Shabby Cottage
The Taylor House- House of Hepworths 
Two In Diapers-Mommy Brain Mixer


Friday
Naptime Crafters - Stay At Home Nation
Young and Crafty -  My Turn(ForUs)
Delicate Construction
Serenity Now
Here Comes the Sun

Saturday

Six Sister's Stuff
Cheerios and Lattes
Natasha in Oz -Say G'Day

What I probably won't do now that I'm a mom

I was at my book club a while back , talking with another mom. One who has kids much older than mine ( college age, high school and elementary). On a side note...this woman doesn't look a day over 35.  I can't hate her though because she's so nice, funny and likable. Sigh..

Any who.... we were talking about how when you are younger  ( teens, twenties, pre-kids) you are so much more adventurous and want to do all of these crazy things.  You really don't think a thing of it....until... you have kids.  You don't mind risking your own life but then you think , I want to see my kids  go to school, graduate, get married, have kids, etc. The list can go on and on.  She said her thing was skydiving.  Another woman in the group ( her mom )  said that she learned to fly a plane ONLY when all of kids were grown and out of the house.

So I started thinking... what did I think was no big deal or that I wanted to do that I won't probably ever do now  or until I'm much older.

Here's my list of things I may never do again or when my kids are much older:

• Skydiving
   Don't want to go splat
• Getting really really really drunk
   I want to be aware if my kids need me and don't want to do anything we all would regret some day.
• Leaving the country without them
  This I may do later when they are older
• Shooting guns
   So much can go wrong there
• Riding or Driving in a fast car/boat/ small plane/ATV
   Really do I need to explain that one?
•  Jumping Horses
   I used to jump but I fell off/been thrown off numerous times.  I don't know if I want to take that chance. But I may change my mind when they get older.
•  Going to bars late at night in really bad parts of town
   Why did I ever do that in the first place?
• Eating exotic foods that are alive
   eewwww and gross and food-poision-y

I'm sure there are more I could think of and will. If I do , I'll add them in later. Remember these are just my issues. I'm sure there is at least one thing you won't do now that you are a mom... what is it?

Three Bean Salad {My St.Louis Style}

Summer is coming to a close but we are still going to lots of BBQs and parties.  One of my favorite make and take things to bring is Three Bean Salad. And it makes so much that normally ,since my kids are small, my husband and I would be eating it for days if I even made a normal batch.  For most parties , I make a double batch because it goes very fast for the same reason..... Who is going to make it at home for just themselves ? Just double up everything the recipe calls for and there ya go.


Three Bean Salad ( serves 6-7 people,  double batch: 12-16)


1 can wax beans
1 can cut green beans
1 can  sweet corn
1 can red kidney beans
1/4 cup pimentos
1/2 cup sweet onion ( chopped small or large depending on how you like it)
1/2 cup celery ( chopped small or large depending on how you like it)

1/4 cup chopped peppers ( optional-I don't usually do this)

2 TBSP olive oil
3/4 cup  white sugar
1/3 cup white wine vinegar
1 tsp salt


1.) Mix together: Olive oil, sugar, vinegar, and salt in bowl and microwave  1 minute or until dissolved
 ( when I did the double batch it took 4 minutes with stirring in between)

This is what it looks like after it has all dissolved. Clear, not cloudy and grainy.

2.) While that is cooking,  pour all of your canned vegetables in the bowl(drain all cans first), chop and add your fresh onion and celery.  Mix.

3.) Pour the liquid mixture over the vegetables and stir.  Let it sit in the refrigerator  for at least 2 hours before serving so it all has a chance to really marinate and soak in the sauce.

It's so good and so easy to make. It always reminds me of BBQs, parties in the backyard, family and friends.


Monday
What is the Gunny Sack -Making the world Cuter -Debbie Doo -DIY Show Off
DIY Shop - Lines Across My Face -I should be mopping the Floor
Great Fun 4 Kids

Tuesday
How to Nest For Less - Tip Junkie - My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia -The Kurtz Corner
Sugar Bee - Romance On A Dime - Debbie Does Creations - Funky Polka Dot Giraffe
The Winthrop Chronicles

Wednesday
 Thrifty Home - Someday Crafts - Sew Much Ado
- Junk in Their Trunk  - Southern Lovely  -SNAP

Thursday
My rePurposed Life - Beyond the Picket Fence - Somewhat Simple - Live Laugh Rowe
Loving this Crazy Life - Fireflies and Jellybeans - The Shabby Cottage
The Taylor House- House of Hepworths

Friday
Naptime Crafters - Stay At Home Nation
Young and Crafty -  My Turn(ForUs)
Delicate Construction
Serenity Now
Here Comes the Sun

Saturday

Six Sister's Stuff
Be Different Act Normal
Cheerios and Lattes
Natasha in Oz -Say G'Day

My adventures of second shooting at a wedding

 Last October, I was lucky enough to be asked to second shoot at a wedding. I was excited and nervous as hell that I would have nothing but crappy photos. Mark, the friend who asked me, had shot some weddings before and  really knew what he was doing.  He is very knowledgeable about all aspects of photography and how to use it to his advantage.

I feel like  I have some vision but some of the technical stuff is still  lost on me. I learned a ton doing this. I did shoot manual the entire time with RAW and JPEGS so I could  manipulate images later. I don't really have any formula or anything , just watching my ISO, shutter speed and aperture depending on the situation. I also primarily shot with my 28-70mm zoom.  I love that lens.  I use almost all of the time whenever I'm just even taking pictures around my house.

I met him at the wedding site at Jefferson Barracks Park ( yes, the national cemetery is in the same park )  There was this great outdoor space called , that I had never heard of or been to, that the families of the bride and groom  had set  up with chairs and an arbor.

Mark  was the primary photographer so he was front and center with the procession, the ceremony, and all of the important shots.  It was my job to take the side shots and anything else that caught my eye. it was nice to not have all of the pressure:)

We took some pictures of the site and then waited for the bridal party to start showing up.  They were such a cute couple and so easy going. They let us tell them what to do 99% of the time. The didn't have a list of shots and they were happy to try anything we suggested.

Then after the ceremony, we took the group shots that they requested. It was again my job to make sure no had silly faces, or messy hair or  in one case a cell phone in a pocket that I could see in the photos. Whoops!

Aren't the boots awesome?

The flower girl was the niece of the bride  and she was so cute and photogenic.

One of my favorite pictures of the day

After the more formal pictures,  we walked around and took some more pictures of the wedding party. All of these were taken less than 100 feet from the ceremony site.  It was a great location.

We did go down the road to another great location that had more trees with even more color.

The reception was very intimate, had a great dance floor, and just enough room.   I learned lot  about indoor photography with my flash. But there's always room to learn more. Indoor, night time photography is definitely not something I'm 100% with yet.

Like I said before, this wedding seemed easy because they were both so cute and the nicest most easy going people I have ever had to photograph yet. They have spoiled me I'm sure. I can't wait to do this again!

Monday
What is the Gunny Sack -Making the world Cuter -Debbie Doo -DIY How Off
DIY Shop - Lines Across My Face -I should be mopping the Floor
Great Fun 4 Kids

Tuesday
How to Nest For Less - Tip Junkie - My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia -The Kurtz Corner
Sugar Bee - Romance On A Dime - Debbie Does Creations - Funky Polka Dot Giraffe
The Winthrop Chronicles

Wednesday
 Thrifty Home - Someday Crafts - Sew Much Ado
- Junk in Their Trunk  - Southern Lovely  -SNAP

Thursday
My rePurposed Life - Beyond the Picket Fence - Somewhat Simple - Live Laugh Rowe
Loving this Crazy Life - Fireflies and Jellybeans - The Shabby Cottage
The Taylor House- House of Hepworths

Friday
Naptime Crafters - Stay At Home Nation
Young and Crafty -  My Turn(ForUs)
Delicate Construction
Serenity Now
Here Comes the Sun

Saturday

Six Sister's Stuff
Be Different Act Normal
Cheerios and Lattes
Natasha in Oz -Say G'Day

Cute Cloud Felt Case

I entered the world of smart phones for the first time a few weeks ago. I know, I know...craziness. But for a while, I couldn't justify the costs. Now with my blog, kids, and crazy schedules....it's nice to have around.

I bought a Samsung Galaxy 2. And let me tell you, compared to IPhones, there is a sever lack of cute cases for my phone.  I came home and jumped on Amazon and found a cute one and ordered it but it was going to take a week. I didn't want anything to happen to my phone.

I happened to have some of the felt laying around from the  USA projects so literally wrapped up my phone in  piece of felt and put it in my purse  because ..well... it was brand new and I didn't want to mess it up. My husband was thoroughly embarrassed by my wrapped phone.  I also have some new sunglasses and a point and shoot camera that roll around my purse sometimes. So I wanted to make a little case that could hold one of them when ever I need to.

As you know I have a thing lately for felt and embroidery, so I brought them together . I sketched out a  little design with some clouds. I have to sketch most things out first on paper still. It's just how I roll. And who doesn't like cute, white, fluffy clouds?  Ok , I'm sure some people but I  like them.

I folded the felt and cut it in half. Then I got out my handy dandy sewing machine, and decided that , hey, I'd try the zig zag stitch today. Why not? It looks kinds fun.  I measured about an  inch  around the phone and then trimmed the  felt again. Then I started sewing.....

...at the right top, went down to the corner, stopped the machine, turned the felt to go across the bottom, and then turned it again to go up the left side.

It was not without it share of oops.. I had to start over a few times.

And then I cut the top for a flap and then realized  I wanted the stitch to go all the way around.....Started sewing that  and realized I needed it to be double thickness or it wouldn't hold up through the sewing machine......So I grabbed another piece and sewing it on top of that. Yikes. what a mess.

Ok...cut it and then realized...shouldn't have cut it

 Sewed new piece back on

Now you have learned through my mistakes, don't cut it until you are sure what you are doing. On to the cute part...

I cut out  the little white clouds and arranged them on the front and back of the case until I liked the arrangement.

Then I started to embroider them on with some blue thread. So cute.

 Then when that was done, I needed to be able to close it. I grabbed some velcro we had for a project in S's room, cut and stuck it on. Not super cute but easy.

There I have my new phone or sunglasses or camera case. And it has clouds on it.  Cute and Happy.  What kind of cute would you put on your case?

Monday
What is the Gunny Sack -Making the world Cuter -Debbie Doo -DIY How Off
DIY Shop - Lines Across My Face -I should be mopping the Floor
Great Fun 4 Kids

Tuesday
How to Nest For Less - Tip Junkie - My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia -The Kurtz Corner
Sugar Bee - Romance On A Dime - Debbie Does Creations - Funky Polka Dot Giraffe
The Winthrop Chronicles


Wednesday
 Thrifty Home - Someday Crafts - Sew Much Ado
- Junk in Their Trunk  - Southern Lovely  -SNAP

Thursday
My rePurposed Life - Beyond the Picket Fence - Somewhat Simple - Live Laugh Rowe
Loving this Crazy Life - Fireflies and Jellybeans - The Shabby Cottage
The Taylor House- House of Hepworths

Friday
Naptime Crafters - Stay At Home Nation
Young and Crafty -  My Turn(ForUs)
Delicate Construction
Serenity Now
Here Comes the Sun

Saturday
Six Sister's Stuff
Be Different Act Normal
Cheerios and Lattes
Natasha in Oz -Say G'Day