The Chicago Flower and Garden Show opened this weekend, and runs through next Sunday, March 13th at Navy Pier. The weather outside the Pier, especially on Saturday, was frightful. Inside the exhibition hall one could forget about the snow showers and 70-MPH wind tunnel gauntlet she walked through crossing the last street before reaching Navy Pier's entrance. The cold and bluster of Chicago's lakefront was soon replaced with the fragrance of hyacinths, exotic tropical blooms, and hardwood mulch, and all the sights and sounds of the official start of Chicago's gardening season.
The best part of the show for me was the opportunity to meet up and hang out with new and old gardening friends - too many names to mention them all! So much time was spent socializing on Saturday, I'm glad I went back on Sunday to take in more of the show. Plenty of time was spent socializing again on Sunday - this time with a smaller group. We enjoyed lunch together, and most of the rest of the time was spent making the rounds of the exhibits. With so many photos, the slideshow seemed like a good format to cram in as many as possible, and I hope you enjoy it!
Thanks GG, loved the slide show. That hat area was so crowded I couldn't see what was going on, nice to see the designs.
ReplyDeleteEileen
It was nice to get to see some flowers on Saturday because it was nasty. Like Eileen, I didn't get to see the hat thing so I'm glad you posted some pictures. Also, it was nice to hang out for a while with other gardeners.
ReplyDeleteWasn't the weather horrible on Saturday?! Great slide show!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it Eileen. We hit the hats during a pretty quiet moment. Just as we were finishing looking at them it started getting packed again.
ReplyDeleteIt sure was MBT! Saturday's weather was pretty shocking after it was 60 degrees here in the south 'burbs on Friday. The hats were pretty cool! Thanks to Lisa @ Greenbow for her interest in seeing them, or I might have missed them too.
Oh my gosh Rose - the weather was really awful! I walked from my train, and it wasn't really so bad until I got closer to the pier. As I got closer to the lake it was hard to stay on my feet the wind was so strong. Glad you enjoyed the slides. Wish I'd run into you Saturday!
You have some really nice pictures of the raptors, too! It was wonderful to hang out again yesterday. We'll definitely have to take Rose and Beckie up on their suggestion to visit downstate.
ReplyDeleteNow that was worth braving Chicago's wind and snow to see. It looked like a gardening neighborhood instead of a showing. Fantastic.
ReplyDeleteThank you Diane! I really enjoyed hanging out with you guys! I'd definitely be up for a roadtrip downstate to visit Rose and Beckie!
ReplyDeleteIt was definitely worth braving the weather Lona. The bright colors and wonderful fragrances were good therapy for us winter-weary gardeners!
The show felt like being in a gardening neighborhood with all the friendly garden bloggers in attendance!
I think I missed seeing the Meditation Garden! Knowing me, I was busy talking instead of paying attention as we passed by it:) The slide show was a great way to get a real feel for the show; I'm still sorting through all my photos. So nice to meet up with you again, Linda, and spend the afternoon; we had a great time! I do hope you'll think about coming downstate some time this summer.
ReplyDeleteSorry you missed it Rose! I missed alot the first day for the same reason - busy talking! That's ok though - visiting with everyone was at least half the fun of going to the show. I had a wonderful time too. I'd love to visit - you and Beckie really aren't all that far away.
ReplyDeleteThose container gardens are to die for. What great combinations. Thanks for the slideshow...Balisha
ReplyDeleteLinda, It looks like a wonderful show~Maybe next year, I can make a trip to Chicago and see it. gail
ReplyDeleteThose containers were stuffed and beautiful Balisha! Glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteThat would be fantastic Gail! We'd love for you to visit!
That was a great slide show! I so wish we had such great garden shows in our area. What fun you must have had visiting with other garden bloggers...
ReplyDeleteThank you Skeeter - so glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteThe CFGS has become a great place for bloggers to meet up!
I'm seeing garden show postings everywhere. Spring must be coming!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos.
What a wonderful slideshow of memories of a great show. I'm so glad you got to visit with some blogging friends too. What a great time with lots of great gardens. One of these days I might make it up there. Love Chicago!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great show. Thank you for sharing. I am glad I stopped by today.
ReplyDeleteAnd not a moment too soon Victoria!
ReplyDeleteIt would be wonderful to see you at the show sometime Tina!
My pleasure Shanae. Thanks for stopping by!
I have got to figure out how to make a slide show, cuz that's deffo the way to go! I think I focused more on friends than the show, but that's OK! Good seeing you again! According to my photos, the main theme was leafless trees and flowers used to represent flowing water. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Gardengirl!
ReplyDeleteI really loved the slide show! You must have had a good time and the Garden show. Hihi... and all those funny hats... who is really wearing them in the garden???!!!
The birds must have been spectacular too, but wasn't that a stress for them?
Kind regards
Alex
Hi Alex! Glad you enjoyed the slides. It was a good time - nice to enjoy flowers and lots of green before our own gardens wake up from winter.
ReplyDeleteThe hats were really interesting and colorful. They were more like works of art than something to wear.
The birds were wonderful. Besides meeting up with other gardeners and bloggers, the critters were one of my favorite things there. The chickens just did their thing, eating drinking, sleeping as if we weren't even there.
The raptors seemed very confident and unconcerned about us. I think it's because of three things - 1.) They are natural-born hunters, so they're naturally less frightened of people than prey birds would be, and 2.) They are used to handling by their trainers, and 3.)They are good-will ambassadors for their kind, and help to educate people about our precious wild things, so they are used to being out in public around people.
Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!
Thanks for sharing, Linda. Not only wonderful, especially considering the weather, but sounds like you gals also had lots of connecting. Probably because of Monica, who had glowing tales of your 'loveliness', I feel as though I know you too :) And then, would love to meet 'Thelma & Louise' (Rose & Beckie) ... you know, I named them :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by with your words of encouragement. I hope to see you again sometime.
ReplyDeleteYou are so sweet, dear Joey!
ReplyDeleteThelma and Louise . . . I love it!
My pleasure Shanae. Likewise - feel free to stop by anytime!
Hey Monica, I see you figured out the slideshow thing! It's wonderful to see you posting on your blog again!
ReplyDeleteIt was wonderful seeing you again too! I had a great time hanging out.
I know what you mean about the dearth of photos on the first day. All I had from the first day was the chickens (probly cuz I took them before we met up!) I'm so glad we went back again the second day, for the photos, for being able to see more of the show, and for the company of friends!