THE LION KING: Up Close

Even people with front row seats won't get this close to THE LION KING. 

The Center for Puppetry Arts, one of Atlanta's magical and marvelous cultural destinations, recently opened a new temporary exhibit, THE LION KING: Up Close. This rare opportunity features four masks and one puppet used in the Broadway production of THE LION KING, and you get to experience the masks really up close!

THE LION KING: Up Close is on display in conjunction with the run of THE LION KING opening at the Fox Theatre on Thursday, April 10, 2014 (video preview). The exhibition—on display now—and the performance will run through Sunday, April 27, 2014.

The Lion King: Up Close, Center for Puppetry Arts

The Center for Puppetry Arts treated me (wanderlust ATLANTA) to a private tour of THE LION KING: Up Close, as well as the Center's incredible—and extensive—museum. If you've never visited the museum, you're going to be swept away to a land of awe and wonder. That's assuming you get past the giant Pinocchio coming through the ceiling at the museum entrance!

My tour guide was Daniel, of the Center's Marketing Department. It was fantastic to see so much enthusiasm for an exhibit, and his knowledge of the Center's collections is impressive. And they're ALL super excited about the upcoming expansion of the Center for Puppetry Arts...it's going to be AMAZING! (There's lots of information about the expansion near THE LION KING exhibition) 

The Lion King: Up Close, Center for Puppetry Arts

THE LION KING: Up Close showcases Julie Taymor and Michael Curry’s award-winning designs. Visitors get an intimate look—we're talking super close—at the Simba, Nala, Mufasa and Scar masks, as well as the Zazu puppet, used in the Broadway production. How cool is that?!

The Lion King: Up Close, Center for Puppetry Arts

Did You Know: There are more than 200 puppets in the stage performance of THE LION KING, which took more than 17,000 hours to build.

The Lion King: Up Close, Center for Puppetry Arts

The stage performance features a wide range of dance, including: modern, ballet, African, and hip hop. That was a deliberate effort, to ensure that everyone could connect with the show.

Choreographer Garth Fagan says that the lioness dance—performed by character Nala (her mask above, lower left)—is his personal favorite.

The Lion King: Up Close, Center for Puppetry Arts

When you visit the Center for Puppetry Arts' THE LION KING: Up Close, be sure to make time to explore the museum and/or take in a performance or workshop. There's a LOT going on at the Center, and it's all quite brilliant! 

Watch for a separate post in the near future that goes into more detail about the museum.

The Lion King: Up Close, Center for Puppetry Arts

Please allow me to acknowledge those who made this exhibition possible...THE LION KING: Up Close is presented through a partnership between the Center for Puppetry Arts, Disney’s THE LION KING and FifthThird Bank Broadway in Atlanta. 

Having watched a decline of the arts in school, it's refreshing and reassuring to see partnerships like this one that bring excitement and encouragement to so many who are interested in pursuing a career in the arts. And that we have institutions, like the Center for Puppetry Arts, that serve as arts education destinations for our children.

The Lion King: Up Close, Center for Puppetry Arts

I love themed outings, so I'm compelled to suggest enjoying a "Day of THE LION KING".

How's this sound: Visit the lion habitat at Zoo Atlanta; then head over to the Center for Puppetry Arts to see THE LION KING: Up Close, followed by a performance of Disney's THE LION KING at the Fox Theatre. Sounds like fun, yes? 

Here's a quick preview of what you can expect to see at the stage performance, showing the masks you will have seen earlier in the day at the Center for Puppetry Arts. Have a great time!

American Craft Council Show

If you didn't make it to the American Craft Council Show at Cobb Galleria last weekend, you totally missed out! May I recommend following them so that you're in the loop for next year.

The Show was nothing like your typical "craft" show...it was filled with artists! Showing and selling high-end art, jewelry, furniture, and fashion—what I would call fashion art, much of looking like the fabulous designs on Project Runway!—the Show was basically a full-scale convention. It was so much more than what I had imagined.

Before I go further, I'd like to thank the American Craft Council Show for the tickets to attend the Show. I won them in a Facebook giveaway via the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA), so "Thank you" to MODA, as well.

American Craft Council Show, Atlanta, Mike Sluder Metalworks

The Show also featured, in the middle of the showroom floor, a home decor exhibition, "Make Room Modern Design Meets Craft." The iPhone photos in this post are of that exhibition.

Among the featured artists was Mike Sluder of Mike Sluder Metalworks. I had the pleasure of meeting Mike at the "The South's Next Wave: Design Challenge" hosted by the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) in late 2012 and early 2013. 

Mike also had a booth at the Show where we stopped by and caught up for a few minutes. I absolutely love Mike's design aesthetic...his work is brilliantly awesome! Check it out here.

The Show was held at the beautiful Cobb Galleria Centre, located near the stunning Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center. Parking was easy, entry was easy, navigating was easy...I was impressed with just how easy the experience was.

American Craft Council Show, Atlanta, Kathleen Plate

I had not before met Kathleen Plate, but recognized her work immediately as having also participated in The South's Next Wave: Design Challenge hosted by the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA). She too had a both that featured a chandelier similar to the one above, as well as a few pieces of her Smart Glass Recycled Jewelry collections. 

Don't let the word "recycled" scare you...Kathleen creates her own materials from recycled products and her art is stunning!

Kathleen is engaging, charming, talented, and beautiful...and she's a new mom. Congratulations, Kathleen!

American Craft Council Show, Atlanta

The Show included some pretty awesome programming. There were quite a few demonstrations over the course of three days. Included in that programming was a demo by The Georgia Association of Woodturners, a pottery wheel demo by Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, a discussion on the "Craft of Puppetry" by the Center for Puppetry Arts...and that's just to name a few!

There was also a tasting salon featuring "The Balvenie Handcrafted Scotch Whiskey Experience", a brand that several of my friends enjoy. There was really something there for nearly everyone...a great Show!

American Craft Council Show, Atlanta, Redfined Home Boutique

Of the center-floor designer booths, the one by David William D'Ambrosio of Redefined Home Boutique was by far my favorite, and would be a favorite of Steampunkers everywhere! And they're local—not too far from my office, in fact—so I'm looking forward to a studio visit before too long.

It'd take too long to talk about every vendor, but I did want to share links to a few of the vendors whose work I really enjoyed. Please have a look at their websites:

• Gabriel Ofiesh (jewelry)
• Michael Szabo (sculpture and fountains)
• Myra Burg (textile art)
• Alan & Rosemary Bennett (clay fish sculptures)
• FOBOTS (found-object robot sculptures)
• Redefined Home Boutique (furniture and art)
• Kathleen Plate Custom Glass Art (jewelry, chandeliers)
• Mike Sluder Metalworks (sculptures)

There were more than 225 participants in this year's show, its 25th year in Atlanta, from all over the country. And there are American Craft Council Shows in other cities, so if you're traveling, check out their website to see if their next show is near your destination.

Keep the American Craft Council Show on your radar for next year...I think you'll be glad you did!

JoeLanta Toy Convention

I learned about the JoeLanta Toy Convention yesterday morning while Facebooking and immediately rearranged my schedule to fit it in. It was pretty cool to hang out with GI Joe and other toys from every genre, television show, and Hollywood movie that you can think of. 

The Convention also has some great programming, featured artists, and the expected merchandise. And you can't beat the $6 admission price...or, if you go in costume, it's free!

JoeLanta Toy Convention 2014

Yes, it's true...I'm a zombie fan. And there were some brilliant ones at the Convention. The dioramas in the Convention are amazing! And there are a lot of them in quite a wide range of styles and subject matter.

JoeLanta Toy Convention 2014, Chris Hamer of UrbnPop

Learning that my artist buddy Chris Hamer of UrbnPop was at the Convention was the deciding factor in my going. Chris is a super nice guy, with a great sense of humor, and 'brilliant' doesn't even come close to describing his work...the man is phenomenal!

Dressed in my UrbnPop t-shirt--featuring Byron, UrbnPop's mascot and logo--I stopped by to chat with Chris and was gifted a copy of the debut issue of Ann Beretta, one of Chris' comic books. Looking forward to the read!

Chris' new hardcover art book, The Hope Conspiracy, The art of Chris Hamer--is also amazing. I absolutely love what he does with characters from Mars Attacks. 

He also told me about Atlanta Comic Con coming up in May. Turns out Nathan Fillion of Firefly--one of the best shows ever on television (so incredibly sad it was cancelled after one season--but they kept changing its night). They did however make a movie based on the show, Serenity. I am so going to Atlanta Comic Con!

JoeLanta Toy Convention 2014

There are a lot of military toys at this particular show...and some of them are HUGE! I was rather impressed with just how much is at the show, given its modest size. I walked the entire show at least three times, just to be sure I'd seen most everything, but I know there's a lot more that I missed, but that's the life of a conventioneer.

JoeLanta Toy Convention 2014

I've never seen so many action figures in my life! Not even in any of the mega stores that are so pervasive in our society. They were certainly fun and many displayed quite creatively.

JoeLanta Toy Convention 2014

JoeLanta was created and is operated by The Cody Lane Foundation. The organization is fundraising to create The Cody Lane Toy and Diorama Museum. Cody, who was an avid collector, including GI Joe collectibles, passed away from CIDP in 2007 at the much too young age of 17. The Museum will be dedicated to the memory and life of Cody.

JoeLanta Toy Convention 2014

I am frequently astonished and just how much there is to do in Atlanta and Georgia. Seems every time I turn around there's another museum or attraction to add to my list. The Currahee Military Museum, in Toccoa, Georgia, is now on my list...it looks like a fascinating experience. The above photo is one of their dioramas.

JoeLanta Toy Convention 2014

This is a convention, so there's LOTS of merchandise, and there are always deals to be found. 

JoeLanta Toy Convention 2014

I was quite pleased to see my beloved Star Trek represented at the show, particularly Star Trek: Voyager. I'm still on a mission to meet Kate Mulgrew, who played Captain Kathryn Janeway on Voyager...one day!

JoeLanta Toy Convention 2014

The American Civil War was well represented. The diorama above is one of the larger Civil War ones on display; this shot is a close up.

Speaking of the Civil War, Atlanta Movie Tours will launch a new tour on April 5..."Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind Tour"--a three-hour experience led by costumed tour guides. I can hardly wait!

JoeLanta Toy Convention 2014

This flaming zombie (above) was one of my favorites! He's part of a large diorama of a car exploding on a bridge--obviously during the Zombie Apocalypse. 

If you've not read The Center for Disease Control & Prevention's (CDC) report Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse, I highly recommend it. The CDC also has an amazing museum.

And for a first-hand zombie experience, check out Atlanta Movie Tours' "Big Zombie Tours"...they offer two!

The JoeLanta Toy Convention concludes today. If you want to go, head there soon, and if you can't make it today, "Like" them on Facebook so you get their announcements.

Orchid Society Show 2014

One of the perks of the Atlanta Botanical Garden's Orchid Daze exhibition is that the Atlanta Orchid Society holds their annual Orchid Show at the Garden...and it was pretty awesome!

Atlanta Orchid Society's Orchid Show, Atlanta Botanical Garden

The Show is presented in Day Hall, adjacent to the Parterre Garden, and fills the entire space. I can't imagine how many orchid blossoms there are in the show! And I always see varieties that I've never seen before—not terribly difficult given orchids have more varieties than any other flowering plant on Earth!

Atlanta Orchid Society's Orchid Show, Atlanta Botanical Garden

I'm loving the first few photos in this post. All the photos are of course mine, but they turned out well because some of the vendors provided dramatic lighting...fantastic for those of us who had cameras—and there were a LOT of us!

Atlanta Orchid Society's Orchid Show, Atlanta Botanical Garden

One of the vendors, artist Larry Mayse of Nature Glassworks, "was one of only 17 artists worldwide selected by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., to have works included in their The Artistry of Orchids exhibit." His resume is quite impressive!

Some of his Mayse's work was on display at the Show and it's stunning!

Atlanta Orchid Society's Orchid Show, Atlanta Botanical Garden

A few of the others at the show were Kool-logs, Peach State Orchids, Orchid Inn, Marble Branch Farms, J&L Orchids, Owen's Orchids, Odom's Orchids, Chidori Orchids Study Group, and several others.

Atlanta Orchid Society's Orchid Show, Atlanta Botanical Garden

"The Atlanta Orchid Society was formed in 1947 as a non-profit organization for people to learn about orchids, share their knowledge and experiences, and promote their love of orchids." - Atlanta Orchid Society website

They've been around since the year my mother was born! And they're one chapter of approximately 550 local chapters associated with the American Orchid Society. Who knew there were so many?!

Atlanta Orchid Society's Orchid Show, Atlanta Botanical Garden

The Atlanta Orchid Society meets at 8:00 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at the Atlanta Botanical Garden and they welcome visitors! I've not seen any hard data, but I believe that given the popularity of the Fuqua Orchid Center as a Garden destination, the Society's membership must be pretty enthusiastic. 

Atlanta Orchid Society's Orchid Show, Atlanta Botanical Garden

If you'd like to learn more about orchids, the Atlanta Orchid Society has a decent Orchids 101 on their website. And of course the Atlanta Botanical Garden has a number of resources, including The Orchid Column, a blog authored by Becky Brinkman, Manager of the Fuqua Orchid Center, and an orchid reference library.

Atlanta Orchid Society's Orchid Show, Atlanta Botanical Garden

If you missed the Show, you can still catch Orchid Daze through Sunday, April 13, and you can visit the Fuqua Orchid Center all year long! You'll never be for want of spending time exploring the amazing world of gorgeous and interesting orchids.

Atlanta Orchid Society's Orchid Show, Atlanta Botanical Garden

If you'd like to see a few more unique orchids, check out these on the Orchid Society's website.

Atlanta Orchid Society's Orchid Show, Atlanta Botanical Garden

The Orchid Show takes place every year during Orchid Daze, and there are LOT of other shows at the Garden throughout the year, so "Like" them on Facebook, become a member and get the member newsletter Clippings, or sign-up for Garden emails, which include event announcements.

Daffodil Festival at Gibbs Gardens

The Daffodil Festival at the astoundingly beautiful Gibbs Gardens is well underway. Before you say "No, not another flower festival!", know that this one is unique...it features 20,000,000 daffodils...Yes, 20 MILLION!

Daffodil Festival at Gibbs Gardens

My best friend, Barry, and I made the one-hour drive to Ball Ground, Georgia, on Saturday, hopeful that enough of the 20 million daffodils were up to be worth the trip. We were not disappointed...we saw the "early bloomers" of which there were millions of blooms! Yes...we counted! ; )

Daffodil Festival at Gibbs Gardens

When we arrived at the Visitor Center we noticed Mr. Jim Gibbs himself greeting, welcoming, and chatting with visitors. Of course we had to meet him. Barry talked with him about family history and I wanted the inside scoop of the Daffodil Festival.

Mr. Gibbs shared with us that in two weeks, the weekend of March 22-23, one third of the 20 million daffodils will be in bloom—we're totally going back! And two weeks after that, the late bloomers will be up, most of which are fragrant varieties.

Daffodil Festival at Gibbs Gardens

Daffodils, daffodils, daffodils...they were everywhere! There are quite a few above the Waterlily Gardens, which is very close to the Arbor Cafe, which features all outside seating. I was starving when we arrived so we started with lunch.

The Garden makes their own bread and OMG is it delicious! We both had the Chicken Salad Sandwich on their cranberry-walnut fresh-baked bread. This is reportedly Jim Gibbs' favorite sandwich...and for good reason—it's AMAZING! Oh...and you can buy loaves of fresh-baked bread to take home, which I've done!

Daffodil Festival at Gibbs Gardens

I was impressed with the plantings...locations, swaths of daffodil design, and the numerous varieties. Barry's favorite were the ones with the orange cup (above photo) and my favorite were the miniatures.

According to Microscopy-UK, "Daffodils belong to the Amaryllidaceae family, which contains about 1,100 species. A large number of these species are cultivated for their attractive flowers. The genus Narcissus includes the daffodils, narcissi and jonquils."

Daffodil Festival at Gibbs Gardens

Okay, okay...so sometimes I'm silly, but it's just good clean fun. Give me credit for not picking it and putting it in my hair, alright?! You should see my Vulcan salute photo in the daffodils! Perhaps I'll post that in a photo gallery after publishing this post...

Daffodil Festival at Gibbs Gardens

It was great to see how much fun visitors were having among the millions of daffodils. There was a family photographing one of their graduates in her cap and gown, there were groups of girlfriends on flower-viewing excursions, and there was one family celebrating a birthday with a bundt cake with daffodils coming out of the middle—it was a beautiful cake! I assume it was a lemon bundt cake. Have I told you how much I love lemon?

Daffodil Festival at Gibbs Gardens

While I love the giant beds of daffodil blossoms, I really enjoyed the single blooms, too. You can see above that this blossom is by now no longer single, but about to be joined by numerous daffodil buddies. There were entire fields of yet to bloom daffodils...what we saw was already quite incredible and I'm sure I can't even imagine what it'll be like when the blooms are at peak. 

That's one of the great advantages of having purchased a Four Season Pass...their annual membership. Barry and I both picked up a membership during our last visit, for the Maple Tree Festival. 

Daffodil Festival at Gibbs Gardens

I'm impressed with how convenient they make everything at Gibbs Gardens. There are plenty of sitting areas, there are lots of chairs at the shuttle stops, there are conveniently located restroom facilities throughout the Garden, free parking, a real-person orientation when you arrive...and so much more!

Daffodil Festival at Gibbs Gardens

The Daffodil Garden was new for us. On the last two visits to Gibbs Gardens, I didn't explore that part of the Garden, which is a shame...it's beautifully designed and the Daffodil Garden is 30 acres (what I heard verbally, but the website says it's 50 acres)! 

On this particular visit, we started in the Daffodil Garden and then walked over to the Manor House, which is very close to the Daffodil Garden (and there are plenty of signs to help you find it effortlessly), and then we wandered over to Japanese Garden. The Maple Trees are down for winter, but the one giant Willow is coming in nicely...love that light, bright green color of new leaves!

Daffodil Festival at Gibbs Gardens

Atlanta has a lot to offer, but you totally can't ignore all the incredible destinations near Atlanta, including Gibbs Gardens. They have 15-16 flower/plant/tree festivals, as well as concerts, and other special events...there's always something spectacular going on at Gibbs Gardens. 

Right now, go for the Daffodil Festival, featuring 20 MILLION daffodils!

Phoenix Flies: Architecture Through the Lens

The 2014 Phoenix Flies started a few days ago and I and this year I'm mixing it up.

Phoenix Flies is a program from the Atlanta Preservation Center...a program that I'm grateful for. This year there are more than 230 events at nearly 100 venues all over Atlanta. Most of those events are tours and all of them are free! Some require reservations, so be sure to double-check before you head to your event.

I do plan to go on several tours throughout Phoenix Flies—which runs through Sunday, March 23—but my first 2014 event was a photography class presented by Easements Atlanta at the LP Grant Mansion, which is also Atlanta Preservation Center headquarters, in Grant Park. Introducing the class was Angela Threadgill, Executive Director, Easements Atlanta, Inc.

Angela Threadgill and Judith Pishnery

The class, Architecture Through the Lens, was just as the name suggests...about photographing architecture. The instructor, Judith Pishnery, is a professional photographer—Pisconeri Studio—and a SCAD-Atlanta professor.

And she was amazing! I imagine her students love her. She's energetic, loves to laugh, and is incredibly talented. The current photo exhibit at the Atlanta Preservation Center is all her work. For the show, Judith shot [correction] nearly 3,000 images and Easements Atlanta received 500 of those...that's a LOT of post-production! Although, Judith prefers optimum timing the shot, reducing required editing, and doing most of her editing in-camera. The 40 buildings in the project were shot January-May 2013.

Judith gave us some great tips for architecture photography, as well as general photography. A few of her tips included:

• Scout the location, prior to a shoot;
• Shoot in the best light—and never mid-day;
• Emphasize the best features;
• Always carry your camera (and extra batteries and memory cards); and
• Take a lot of photos!

She shared a lot more! And actually, Judith was very generous with her time. Immediately following her presentation, she gave us an extra half hour of Q&A.

LP Grant Mansion, Atlanta Preservation Center Headquarters

So, you have nearly two weeks to get in all the tours and other Phoenix Flies tours you want, and may I recommend the tour of the LP Grant Mansion. I did that tour last year and think you'll be amazed at what you learn about this historic home.

This year I'm planning on touring Rhodes Hall (another historic home that I love!), Hammonds House Guided Tour; Center for Puppetry Arts Behind the Scenes Tour; Westview Cemetery Tour; The Temple; Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, and go on the Piedmont Park History Tour (something I've been wanting to do for years!).

If you see me out and about, please say "Hello"!

Orchid Daze 2014

Since moving back to Atlanta, there's no way I would miss Orchid Daze at the Atlanta Botanical Garden...there's just no way! And as usual, this year's Orchid Daze is spectacular.

Orchid Daze 2014, Atlanta Botanical Garden

Orchid Daze: Lasting Impressions has been extremely well executed. You know immediately what the theme is and who inspired this show. The Atlanta Botanical Garden says of this year's Orchid Daze that it:

"...celebrates the work of three artists who found creative energy in the beauty of landscapes: Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet and Paul Gauguin. The exhibition showcases the artists eye-opening ways of seeing and perceiving the world."

Orchid Daze 2014, Atlanta Botanical Garden

One of the highlights of Orchid Daze is the Atlanta Orchid Society's annual Orchid Society Show, hosted at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. And it's this weekend! There's the Show, there are classes, and there's so much incredibly enticing beauty...prepare yourself!

Orchid Daze 2014, Atlanta Botanical Garden

Each of the three featured artists are quoted in the exhibition, with a quote that's specific to the experience of Orchid Daze.

"Keep your love of nature, for that is the true way to understand art more and more." - Vincent Van Gogh

So true!

Orchid Daze 2014, Atlanta Botanical Garden

To give us the greatest orchid experience possible, the Garden starts the Orchid Daze exhibition in the lobby of the Fuqua Conservatory...what a treat! One of my favorite artists, Van Gogh is featured in the Conservatory lobby.

By starting Orchid Daze in the Conservatory lobby, visitors get to explore the Dorothy Chapman Fuqua Conservatory on their way to the Orchid Center. If you've given yourself plenty of time, do explore all five display areas in the Conservatory. There's the lobby, the Tropical Rotunda, the Desert House, a special exhibits space and an Orangerie!

Orchid Daze 2014, Atlanta Botanical Garden

Aside from Orchid Daze, the Atlanta Botanical Garden boasts one of the largest collections of orchids in the United States. Of the 25,000 species of orchids on planet Earth, they have approximately 2,000 species in their collection. Now that's impressive!

In addition to the permanent collection, the Garden  brings in thousands of additional blooms for Orchid Daze...making for a truly wonderful exploration of one of the world's most fascinating and beautiful flowers!

Orchid Daze 2014, Atlanta Botanical Garden

In the Fuqua Orchid Center lobby you'll see Claude Monet featured (first photo in this post). Over in the Orchid Center Display Room you'll see Paul Gaugin featured, and keep an eye out for some of his trademark Tahitian female figures among the foliage.

While you're in the Display Room, keep an eye out for the world's second most expensive spice...you might be surprised! And also seek out one of my personal favorites, the Darwin Orchid, at the back of the Display Room—and it's in bloom now!

The Display Room is also where you're most likely to find one of the Garden's very helpful and knowledgeable Orchid Specialists. I've never asked a question that they couldn't answer!

Orchid Daze 2014, Atlanta Botanical Garden

Becky Brinkman.

Yes, Becky's name alone gets its own paragraph. Becky is the Fuqua Orchid Center Manager and has managed the Garden's orchid collection since 1995, seven years before the Fuqua Orchid Center opened in 2002.

One of the reasons that I have such great respect and admiration for Becky is her authorship of The Orchid Column, her blog about orchids and the Fuqua Orchid Center. She's a brilliant writer, and spectacular photographer, an engaging teacher...I would LOVE to see The Orchid Column win a "Blog of the Year" award. Becky totally deserves it!

"While you were pounding the ice from your doorstep, we were putting the final touches on our orchid display. ABG's impressionism-inspired orchid display, Lasting Impressions, open this weekend!, is exactly what you need to put all that behind you." - Becky Brinkman, The Orchid Column

Orchid Daze 2014, Atlanta Botanical Garden

There's no short supply of Orchid Daze add-ons. One of the bonuses is the now annual Orchid Market Weekends. There was one going on when I last visited and the orchids for sale were gorgeous! There are also crafts, other products, and Chef Phil was selling the most delicious cookies...I enjoyed the lemon cookies, and I mean really enjoyed! (Chef Phil also works in the Garden's Gift Shop)

The next, and final, Orchid Market Weekend is April 4-5. 

There's also Orchid Care Clinics, an art show in the Orchid Center, and although Vanilla Sunday has already passed, there are some vanilla recipes on the Garden's website that you can enjoy anytime.

Orchid Daze 2014, Atlanta Botanical Garden

Keep your eyes open for some rather odd looking kinds of orchids, too. Truthfully, some of those are my favorites, the Dracula Orchid, in particular. 

If you find yourself in the Orchid Center and you spy an orchid or plant that doesn't have an identification plate and there's not an Orchid Specialist on duty, there's always the Plant Hotline. I recommend making a photo of the plant/flower in question and emailing it to the Plant Hotline. But you can always call and give them a location and description of the plant/flower in question.

I've used the Plant Hotline on numerous occasions and have ALWAYS met with success in having my questions answered. (Thank you, Luanne!)

Orchid Daze 2014, Atlanta Botanical Garden

Orchid Daze: Lasting Impressions is on display at the Atlanta Botanical Garden through Sunday, April 13. And while you're there, you'll get to enjoy Atlanta Blooms! When I was there last weekend, there were already hundreds of daffodils up and a few tulips, too! Just make sure you see the orchids!