Mental Health Day

Judy is my friend-for-all-seasons, meaning that we try to get together at least once every season to do something fun and catch up with each other.  Today was our day, and it was so necessary AND so wonderful!

First we went to the Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago.  If you live in the area and haven't been there, it's a great resource for beauty, peace, tranquility, color . . .  Here's some pictures I took today.  I haven't processed them in Photoshop at all yet.  I was too excited to show off the lovely blooms.

 These are glass sculptures done by Dale Chihuly and they are gorgeous.  They seem to glow!

 These are called Angel Trumpets.  They were hanging from a tree and were huge!

The conservatory was damaged by hail a few months ago, so not all the rooms were open.  But we had a great time meandering through one room after another -- each more breathtaking and awe-inspiring than the last.
 Then we headed over to Inspiration Kitchens for lunch.  Check out their web site and, if possible, consider dining there.  The food was amazing and -- from their brochure:  "The 80-seat restaurant serves healthy and affordable American cuisine . . . in a family-friendly atmosphere. . . it is a site for inspiration Corporation's award-winning food service training program, which has helped more than 450 homeless and low income men and women gain the skills and experience to succeed . . ."  It was clean, upbeat, affordable, and my mushroom flatbread with roasted shallots and gruyere was fantastic.  And don't get me started about their basil infused lemonade!