Back half of January---where does the time go?

It's hard to believe that January is almost over.  We've had four or five days of 50+ degree temperatures and lots of sunshine here.  Such a nice respite from the usual, typical cold and gloom.  I'm ready for a few colorful primroses...I hope the local grocery floral department has them in.  Nothing like a little blast of color to make me 'think Spring"! {{60 days!!}}

Photo from Martha Stewart Living, February 2015 issue

In the meantime,  I'm on the hunt for a few small Japanese painted ferns.  They won't be at Lowe's or Home Depot for several weeks, but I absolutely love, love, love the pairing of the ferns with orchids as seen on the current Martha Stewart Living.  Gorgeous!  I'll just have to make do with my little orchid from Fresh Market!

Orchids at Amazonia

The Tuesday afternoon sketching class at my library branch took a field trip today to Amazonia at the Mesker Park Zoo.  The building is filled with a beautiful display of orchids.

I can't think of a better place to be on a gloomy winter afternoon.  The colors inside were so vibrant...and we were serenaded by the sound of the howler monkeys.

I want to visit again before the display ends...maybe the next cold and gloomy day.  It sure brightened my spirits!

 I'm glad the photos turned out...they're so much better than my sketching!

The weekend at Burdette was wonderful!  We're planning another retreat, possibly in the fall.  A good time was had by all...