A Picture Speaks A Thousand Words.

We've just returned from a wonderful Fall Friday meet-up with dear friend E. at our beloved Meadowlark (see pictures from our visit here). While more of the crispy, colorful leaves were on the ground than on the trees, Fall was there in all of its splendor. Just ask A.

A. was thrilled to be visiting a place with hills and vast space where she could climb and run. And when I added that we were meeting E., that beyond-sweetened the deal. Just now when she saw the picture below, she happily exclaimed, "that's me and E.!"

A. loved, loved, LOVED the Corn Snakes and the turtle, which were located inside. She specifically requested that E. photograph her with the turtle. Look at that precious, but very serious face!

She was equally enamored by the carp and kindly pointed out as a school swam past us:  "look, they're friends!"

E. was there, along for the ride. Literally. And sometimes she spent some QT in our arms, warming up in the breezy, crisp Fall weather.

We spent a fair amount of time by the gardens' new Korean Bell (read about it here) (or, rather, E., E., and I spent a fair amount of time by it; A. enjoyed wandering its pebble-y path). Thank you to E. for taking some gorgeous photos of it and its surroundings.

And all of our visits to Meadowlark include a picture of some flower and today was no exception, despite the fact that most of the beds had been cut down and cleaned for winter. But do these flowers yell "Fall!!" or what?!

We eventually wound are way back to the main building from the Korean Bell. A. met up with her friends the snakes and turtle and we decided to eat our picnic lunch indoors (it was quite chilly out). And so we enjoyed PB&J sandwiches, homemade oatmeal cookies, carrots, apple, and some sips of water before we returned home. Thank you, E., for joining us for such a wonderful morning/afternoon. We're looking forward to our next adventure with you!.