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This weekend, Carly and I went to my aunt and uncle's lake house in Wisconsin.  The original vision was to take advantage of the Friday the 13th and do scary stories, a campfire and s'mores on Friday night.  It was cold and rainy, so there was no campfire, no scary stories and no s'mores.  There was, however, Noodles and Company, margaritas and The Devil Wears Prada.  Just as good, right?

Carly is vegan, so eating with her can be tricky.  We did realize that we were very close to Milwaukee and she had been to a cute Mexican place, called Cafe Corazon, that served a mexican brunch - with a few vegan options.  This is a luxury for Carly.  She often gets one choice on a regular restaurant menu that she can eat.

Bloody Mary & Pink Grapefruit Margarita (photo credit to Carly)

After we enjoyed brunch, we went to the Mitchell Park Domes. It was a cold and windy day - the high temperature was only 48 degrees.  Silly us for thinking that because it was the middle of May that we might have warmish weather to be able to spend time outside. 

There are three domes, but only one was open - the Show dome.  The domes are conservatories, climate-controlled environments for plants of all kinds.  The whole concept of a conservatory allows plants and flowers to grow and thrive, be protected from the elements and receive a maximum amount of sunshine.

All the conditions inside the dome were perfect - a little warm, a little humid and lots of space for the flowers to grow.  There was even a spot for the garden fairies.

We knocked on the door, but no one was home.

It was a beautiful place.  The colors were bright and vibrant.  It was calm and peaceful inside the dome.  Even with the small waterfall at one end of the pool, the water was remarkably reflective.

This place gave me an idea.  I need to have an environment for myself that creates an atmosphere of growth.  

After the domes, we decided to go on an adventure to the Mary Nohl House in Fox Point.  Mary, who passed away in 2001, was long thought of as a witch while she independently lived, spending 50 years transforming her yard into a sculptured work of art.  One article I read said this: "She was a single woman in society who carved her own path.  It is no coincidence that she was labeled a witch."

Little did we know that it is currently under construction, which means all the statues are protected and covered with plywood.

Fox Point Art Yard - Under construction and due to reopen in the Fall of 2016.

What you can't see in this picture is that this house is situated FEET from Lake Michigan.  Just past the left frame of this photo is the lake.  What an amazing and inspiring location for a unique home like this.

I could focus on the disappointment of the weather, the two domes being closed, or the "witch's house" being under construction. Our day didn't go according to plan.  I could have allowed it to ruin the whole weekend. 

Not a very beachy shoreline of Lake Michigan

Or I can focus on the beauty and the strength of the flowers in the conservatory.  Focus on the idea that if I can surround myself with sunshine and keep myself protected from the elements, get grounded in good soil, I can grow too.

I can focus on the journey - the adventure.  How we got there.  What we saw.  What we learned.  What revelations we had.  The beauty in the small things.  The courage we had to just get where we were.  The way we started to see ourselves differently.

I can focus on the idea that maybe Carly and I were supposed to go to the Mary Nohl House, even if we didn't get to see the sculptures.  To see that she left her mark on the world - and how she did it - despite the open criticism and doubt from others.  She believed in what she was doing, and that was enough for her.  And while a flood damaged the home in 2010, it was being renovated - the sculptures being protected on the outside, and more of her art being protected on the inside, so that the pieces that she created with love and available resources can be shared once again.