CFC #110 + Adventure Pics

Wow, it was wonderful to see so many polka dot entries from last week! This week's challenge proves to be just as fun ... using numbers in your CAS creation. And the winner will receive a free stamp set from CAS-ual Fridays Stamps!

I wanted to use the number word strip from the CAS-ual Fridays Countdown set to count down to the sentiment. But I was SO unhappy with the result. It was just so. not. right. Bleah!

So I slept on it and crossed my fingers that something better would hit me in the morning. 

My idea was to stamp on paper that matched the fiery grades of color in the word "blast," draw a box around the numbers, and cut them out. Now they tie in much better to the card, especially since they lead right to the word "blast." Whew, no longer embarrassed to post this card!

Also thought I'd share pictures from our city adventure this week.

The night before I happened to catch a "top twenty" list of things to do in Chicago, and was interested in #7, the Osaka Garden. Never been there, never even heard of it. So we decided to go check it out. 

One of the things I love best about our adventures is finding new things in surprising places. I've gone to the Museum of Science and Industry since I was a kid, and had absolutely NO IDEA that it's on a pretty big lake. The entrance is on the north, and the building is so wide that it completely obstructs a huge lake on the south side. I'm sure this feature was used in the 1893 World's Fair that Chicago hosted since there were many canals between the buildings.

Side note: The Science and Industry is the only building left from the 1893 World's Fair since all the other 200 buildings were built of stucco, intending to be temporary. This one has a brick base since it was used to house the priceless art exhibits.

Anyway, we were all blown away when we came upon the Garden. For the most part, we were the only ones there for two hours. What a gem!!

Our activities centered around two main things. The first was following this green heron (on the rock), who let the kids get insanely close to it. 

Love this shot!!

The young heron lives on this tiny island in the middle of the garden. If you look closely, you can see it eating the catfish we watched it catch. If you look even closer, on the middle rock you can see a speck of white. That's her egg, just lying out in the open like that!

 The second activity was fishing. Old school fishing. Macgyver-style fishing. We started out wrapping string that Jackson found around some blades of grass. When the catfish started nibbling at it, we got a little hopeful and put some more effort into trying to catch one. 

 My friend had the great idea to bend her key chain in the shape of a hook, and put some berries from a tree nearby on for bait. (which of you moms are just focused on the detergent-commercial-worthy berry juice all over Logan's hands?!?)

Would you know, it actually worked!!

 

We caught the huge momma catfish! There was so much noise and commotion from our sheer disbelief that it actually worked, that the creepy guy never once moved from his spot on the bridge for all my fish pictures of Logan. Bummer.

Then they all wanted a turn to fish and made a line behind Logan. Who knew three bodies could fit on that tiny rock?

Being patient. So sweet.

 

The kids are needing some beach time in this heat. But first we walk to Promontory Point and check out the sculptures ("talk, talk, smile" is this triangular mesh sculpture).

     

And the view, holy smokes!!

(Much as it may look like we have no concern for our children's safety, there is a sizable ledge that extends to the water below this ridge!)

 

 It was designed by the same Alfred Caldwell that designed the Lily Pool from last week's adventure.

The South Side of Chicago is typically thought of as blue-collar and often a bit scary, but man, the skyline views simply cannot be beat.

 

 No self respecting adventurer would be stopped by a little rain. Luckily, especially since we hadn't gotten to the beach yet, it only lasted 10 minutes.

To 57th St beach!

Lake Michigan never warms up until August, at the earliest! But once you get over the initial shock it's quite refreshing : )

 The only picture of me ... in the long shadows of late afternoon. So in love with the glowing sun and the crazy clouds.

 How refreshing when your kids are interested in doing something you did as a child! Make a wish, and make it a good one.

Dinner is at Medici (blue sign on the building) where I had been earlier during a tour of Hyde Park. It's one of Obama's favorite places to go when he comes back to Chicago. My turkey/cranberry/nut/brie sandwich is wonderful!

We only let them sit together when they're being good : )

They even have a fresh bakery and ice cream shop next door. We saw them making bread for the next day in the back. And ordered ice cream. Dark chocolate is perfect for imitation facial hair, you know.

Just because it's 10:00 pm doesn't mean it's time to go home, especially when there's a fountain across the street on a 90 degree evening. It will be another half hour before we pack them up and head back home. 

Well you made it, tour's over! Thanks for stopping by and sharing in our weekly adventure!

-Kelly