Plant Lady

I have been to the Naples Botanical Garden several times but this time I got to bring my Grandma with me.

She's always loved plants and the challenge of making them thrive.

So I knew this place would be right up her alley.

There is something new and amazing every time I've been.

I can't help but feel closest to my Father in Heaven when I am among his wondrous creations.

I always think of the Hymn "How Great Thou Art".

The 10 year old tomboy in me would hate to admit it but I don't think I can make it through that song without getting emotional.

Sometimes we get caught up in the wants and superficial things in the world, we forget to keep an attitude of gratitude.

Oh Lord my God

When I in awesome wonder

Consider all the worlds

Thy hands have made

I see the stars

I hear the rolling thunder

Thy power throughout

The universe displayed

I will leave you with that and now get back to the photos and memories from that day with Grandma.

This is the gorgeous path that Mike and I took a picture at about a month before he proposed and everyone asked if they were engagement photos. 

I told him about it and we laughed, little did I know he had already talked to my Dad and had the ring being made at that point! 

We heard the gong before we saw it.

A class was on a tour of the gardens and they had sounded the gong, we pretended to look at something until they left and then she ran to bang the gong too.

We're basically little kids who can drive.

Admittedly I did the same thing the first time I saw it.

For as long as I can remember my Grandmother has had cacti and succulents in every available corner of her house.

What can I say but she liked them before they were cool.

One of the coolest parts of the garden is how they have separated it into different regions so it's like a trip around the world for a small admissions fee!

Truth time... I almost fell in trying to take this picture.

The last little garden that you walk through is an orchid paradise with the most interesting orchids I've ever seen.

If you can't tell, I'm a little obsessed with this entire place.

It's my #1 suggestion for anyone who finds themselves in the Naples Fl. area with an hour or two to spare.

I think you will like it even if you aren't a Plant Lady.

xoxo

Piper Arielle

Chasing Waterfalls

The sky over the bay on our way home from Taran's Graduation.

The tallest waterfall in the state of Florida!

We have just about everything here in Florida! ;)

Wild hydrangeas right beside the falls.

My Dad in full on hike mode, always a scout!

The forest shaped by fire.

This guy jumped out at Grant and I making us both jump!

Aunt Kay and Grant came along for our little adventure! 

Butterflies always make me smile! 

Milkweed has such unique Blossoms!

May berries that we ate right off of the little tree! 

Blackberries that aren't quite ripe.

Out of all of the birds we saw that day I think the love birds were my favorite!

How cute are my parents?!

Nature is so perfect!

This plant is one of my favorites!!! 

Not only is it pretty!

When you touch the ferns leaves...

They close!!!

We call it sensitive plant but it is known as Mimosa Pudica!

Ferns of all shapes and sizes covered the ground.

This is a Spurge Nettle... as in a ouchie waiting to happen!

But even they are Beautiful!

On our way to the swimming hole, I think everyone should have a covered bridge like this.

You were great Falling Waters State Park now off to the Florida Caverns!

Sooo... I've met someone, he is solid, a really great listener and he can't, ugh, I mean, won't run away from me! :) 

Welcome to the entrance of the caverns!

We hiked the trails instead of going on the cave tour this time but we still took a moment to cool down, the temperature difference was amazing and that wasn't even inside the caverns!

I think I could never get tired of looking at moss, especially when it encompasses such a large area.

It's enchanting to say the least.

The Mosquitoes just about flew away with me but we kept a pretty brisk pace and a bottle of mosquito repellent on us at all times so I wasn't in need of a blood transfusion afterwards.

Keep that in mind when hiking in this kind of place.

A blocked off entrance to the caverns and all of our surroundings eerily reminded me of Jurassic Park! If they ever make another one I know the perfect location!  

Last but not least, I leave you with an over exposed Karate Kid.

And the advice to explore the places around you!

It's okay to dream of far off places but what's the point if you don't even want to take advantage of the magical places close to home?

Get some exercise, drink plenty of water and save money!!! 

Entrances to state parks are way less than movie tickets these days!!!

And of course don't forget your camera and/or journal to record your memories!

I hope everyone is having a fun and safe Memorial Day weekend!

Thank you to all of the countless men and woman who have served, are currently serving and who will serve to keep our country safe but more importantly FREE!!!

xoxo

Piper Arielle

Life is the Bubbles.

My niece and nephew dancing and playing in bubbles. It's all about the magic of ordinary moments.

The kids found a nest high on top of one of the porch pillars.

I was the only one tall enough to see in it, I took a picture so they could too!

Blackberry picking soon I'll have purple hands for days!

The goats doing goat things on our little walk today.

Thistles are one of my favorite things to photograph, I guess it's because it reminds me of something you would see in the ocean.

Beautiful white flowers that cause my allergies to really act up! But they're still beautiful! ;)

Everyday is an adventure and this guy contributed to it!

It's not everyday a peacock waltzes into your yard!

We kept him in the barn until his owners, who stopped by the day before looking for him, could pick him up.

My favorite picture of Jaizy at the moment, of course I saved the best for last! ;)

I know this was pretty random today but that's what I am for the most part!

xoxo

Piper Arielle

Photos by: Piper(Moi)