Got to spend the afternoon at one of my very favorite places with some of my favorite people. Today our Botanical Garden was host to the annual Japanese Festival. Bonsai displays, art, demonstrations, food, flowers, Japanese product vendors…there was a lot of neat stuff.

We were surprised by how many people dressed in ethnic costumes for the occasion. Lots of kimonos and over-the-top Japanese fashion. This girl’s hair matched her kimono.

This was a demonstration of some sort, but I couldn’t get past the cotton candy costume in front of me.

One of the biggest surprises had nothing to do with the festival itself. As we ambled through the garden, we found a yard filled with (what we think was) crocus! What an unexpected reminder of spring as we head into fall!

Loved the pebble mosaics embedded in the pathway in the Chinese Garden.

My favorite Harry Potter tree in the Japanese Garden.

And then there were flowers. Lots and lots of lovely flowers, both growing outside in the garden and on display in arrangements inside.

Loved this day. Loved time spent with friends. So very grateful.