I have decided for the sake of inspiration and over-all enjoyment of life, I will venture to a new place each week. I think I underestimated how involved travel blogging was. It has been a bit overwhelming for me so I’ve just avoided it. However, part of the joy of traveling is sharing it. If I start small, once a week, I can kill a few birds with one stone.

This week I went to the Missouri Botanical Gardens. I’ve lived close to the gardens my whole life and I’d never been.

Currently, the Gardens is hosting their annual Chinese Lantern Festival.  I haven’t been at night yet, but the decorations are mind-blowing.

Each one of the above sculptures is made with thousands of porcelain plates, cups, spoons, etc. tied together. The tradition is passed down from father to son and the Gardens bring people over from China to build them on site. It took double shifts weeks to get everything built.

Here is a giant, double headed peacock vase made out of thousands of Chinese glass medicine bottles.

There are really impressive, moving displays wrapped in silk. They light up at night and there’s fire. I was told it was over the top, but isn’t that the entire point of a festival?

As for the regular displays, they are lovely.

This is inside one of the greenhouses. They have a display with plants from the bible.  All through the gardens they have different architecture and sculptures. It is a visual feast.

I love alliums. I just discovered them last year and I was so happy they had some. They are right out of Dr. Suess.

Chihuly glass everywhere!

Look at this sucker.

Yeah, I just added that picture so I could say that. I may have also said it at the time. I’m easily amused.
I’m hoping to return in the evening to see the sculptures and lanterns lit.

They also had a small park off to the side where kids could play and learn, as well as, a small building for even more playing and learning.  It would be  great interactive place to take kids for a change of pace from the usual parks.

Before we headed to the Gardens, we stopped by a restaurant called Seedz.  It was delicious. I was looking for paleo/whole30 compliant, but I couldn’t find anything open. Seedz is vegan and it was very delicious. Their tempeh rueben is delcious. Unfortunately, I tried it and only later realized it was made with soy and grains.  It was amazing though. I had their rawfredo. Also very good.