Tuesday, February 26, 2013

The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

My daughter and I found ourselves without anything to do a few weeks ago, so, we decided to explore Des Moines.  Faith had been to the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden this past summer with her summer camp group and had a lot of fun exploring.  I hadn't been there since my friend held her wedding there almost five years ago, so we went.
 

Faith loved showing me all the sculptures surrounding the building, this is the one people can see when driving by on the interstate.


There is a fun walkway that takes you all around the garden.  The waterfall was an unexpected surprise, Faith especially loved the fish swimming around it.



The botanical garden looks like a giant golf ball on the outside it's fairly noticable when you drive by.

They are starting big renovations on the garden, so I am glad we were able to see it before it changes. 
 
If you would like more information on the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden please click here!

Monday, February 25, 2013

Ken's Coin Cutting and Bead Making

 
I had previously mentioned my friend Ken who sells glass beads at local art shows.  Well, he also does coin cutting.  I had given him some of my coins I brought back from Egypt and he made one of them into a necklace for me.  I absolutely love it and people always stop and ask me about it when I wear it.



Here are some examples of the beads he makes.  So cute!  My mother bought a few pigs.  I think he should teach classes on how to do this, but only time will tell.

 
I had some people email me questions on how to get a hold of Ken.  You can reach him by email at coinoperatedks@gmail.com
 
He's incredibly talented!