![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9H2EzxJYYfWat95suQ4Du_wCtpJV7mD9iDR8FQQ96f1cC3KC2A_y1xhpQQTtw6Z14Pwpw-phc-6Y4iPeYu64-pwrxyALvB20b1gHTix9NTysGU68LSeZK0J6KKFxeMt4sL9tWewzUkeM/s1600/IMG_1733.jpg) |
The entrance to the exhibit |
Spring is almost here again. We've had a terrible winter season and signs of spring coming in is a sign of big relief. Spring brings one of the most awesome events in Chicago. Yes, I am talking about the Chicago Flower and Garden Show in Navy Pier.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8sFBX2L2fJWBmujuTDt42x3n91Lsmfh8g1bbKV1YMaB_TqQw1gHeAPJ84W2NBKZIttVVtIu24OyaToramwfaQzBCVJ0jcaoN6Np4ZhKcaxCQUIqYRayrRXveIT0jJQ2ytvHM0T-Bf2I/s1600/IMG_1736.jpg) |
A fountain near the entrance. |
This year I enjoyed a lot of their exhibits. One of them is an exhibit of old file cabinets used to contain plants and flowers. It's a pretty ingenious way of reusing them.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3v5XjwBqvSAxCw5IkCLsEXTpwNZarprTQ9MuO4se39HlEv79wFEZunTnQbrZ5dgWk8xP45j9f6-Sj2lz9D6uG3F52tu_7iUaNgrm249okQqUQknME28SNz1KOsbRvYWzWAMipZr6pJas/s1600/IMG_1739.jpg) |
Flowers in old file cabinets. |
This year, instead of making my visit miserable by carrying a bag full of photographic equipment, I decided to bring one camera...yes, one camera, my
Canon G15. A small but powerful camera that can shoot in raw and pretty good in lowlight.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfTEy96eCanQB4t0ioFV8rVHKdAo81qjFNh7Iniw2dEIKz0F4RwL2jQJ8LaZ-Z0f6Bb_v0lTyDF7VMJpiYIpn4EEDrjVukKRZQgt-ApJN7e6jqdbakNO_yjvQ_BhDE6JVV1z451few34/s1600/IMG_1741.jpg) |
There is even some honeycomb in this one. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgfgUslz7Ry41BnxMCN-h42GKVWiCdSOt9KfnT5rKcuC8DJ3GXXchmSOGCsZQd9pBWCyJ6yjFcvxP87beXs1BMYfZp5otWfpFE4gM-mwo1T1MdO0IedrsCdXlPk9clEiQoKfxAjYd5z4/s1600/IMG_1745.jpg) |
The old file cabinet exhibit is pretty much artsy and ingenious at the same time. |
Next is the Paradigm Shifts. The shifts in the exhibit is decorated and created by different artists. They cover subjects from fashion, to peace, to different cultures. There's a lot of stuff to see here.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs33farw0nhZaS7ijKBC174dev3jCKDCxA4Pq-kRDEsc8fpdP6AN5gnWILXUZlyfhZBzir2qwOYS9ZgZNdMNfWkN96H5Lk880lmxWD8FPr2YTF6Ork__LjHhhzZND7JXigvAnDiXxwPBs/s1600/IMG_1750.jpg) |
One shift that has models imprinted on it. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPADbbfq2wQq6nIjQeaKuL0ZNxdvXZo6a2-acRO9HW3v0ETmkQdlJjdepbISQ1s6dCmK7TrgkoU6GFnJS6mY5Zw0aJmWr3KyICXOlLKqgn_OVyWOD1kdeeRhNXYJ5kR3iFKz5dLABdq5o/s1600/IMG_1754.jpg) |
This one is complete with a hat. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpS1fykivg1amNDWKEsi4s0xUzKV3mIRCdBKS70GDyFqhwboH9uafF3rL_aoGQA-UKKMGNlpEpLNeLGSHsG4fdaQVjW4FIg9XJVGFyykC7-C3gZ4jinj2YMCxUDeT9SXYSW0dP9kpz1SA/s1600/IMG_1760.jpg) |
Pretty colorful. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7AsXlkbQtPkewdls0L6rR5HASuUozKLnNU2kCAxF4RM1w0PX7lSeffQq-GQv1HcerlGnsgSZ6Rjc45E1wqjUZ3sFwm9lFpxQ758sI839aiuGYrXBJ8ewA8ZbngY4R2y5DuoUFlB2YPic/s1600/IMG_1763.jpg) |
Camo with a bullet belt in it. And yes those are bullets. |
The art of floral exhibit is another interesting area in the show. Here they showcase art and flower arrangements from different artists at the same time.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkHZLalekzjKS41NqOgZWCVvlBgwUFR-hU8RHBa-VnEHrtDsV_2BPNGUAfYYqznQ0KAhb18ODHIEjghAPTLXxcrQyE_JEYiCXKmarJaOmHHiFUGmGVJYor1kDotccl_qdZYrDggxLShU/s1600/IMG_1766.jpg) |
One of the entries in the artsy plants exhibit. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEH_ToKVweHhY_OqhgmUI55gupu5TOu7nUtxURCSGBiREvf_yM4I8-fEO50lqAILDJpHwq_cFyZLO7p6yFuzwE4AGhFD3K1xdLOEqxbAM9LhUNQdTZxmjUtJG_svValikR49XX6ROGZTE/s1600/IMG_1770.jpg) |
Flowers arranged to look like a deers head. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozbSuZnkuAPQvNoLz86K_vsGP72yV5Run5jeLnnxD2MduPqaJEhvrG8AUzOiq-d706_6gy_UIvyp0GpWyQ6F-mOwxMAzg_nFXSIEowKq3mCtPYkH4psZ8Bi-hr6S1XqPjX71wRpMZCu0/s1600/IMG_1771.jpg) |
Very artsy. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfR6bai7CElF1AwkarkSugVF9rAiF-2Z-1Nj-5r8HEfGr_sGwLSApOjFbMy_WpPTkayNASJzHV3gxcKW3CZZf1VtSvLQfWyCJQzDiB132qDJzkxjzmj0RJcnn0_Wcs-_1A03nH1O9DXjA/s1600/IMG_1790.jpg) |
The honeycombs in one of the drawers of the file cabinets. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJN2io9QLadXEVWzgU7mnvqq6kzoa07_DlJN_JotwnSCwMqFeRdw4hRCnOIyX4ttwxU2Kw21TXFaUws0xKeSdtpHriCBCxVWrqmRgsL49UgfIOuv2-9BdUZraFagDjF38saMn5UtQRMQQ/s1600/IMG_1799.jpg) |
I love this shot of the tulips. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MOxDDTezFxyyNPa1BdBHRH4-sLNBUyhY7c2UMzjqQw1t1BnIauVmYgXc24N0kFCk3fmdl3RJ3zepBf6qOTySUP5dCJkBZ7nvORmQOiC_bHPzJ85zF98b5BwRHBa8_r-8k7C80J3FOwI/s1600/IMG_1815.jpg) |
One of the vendor exhibits. This one is from Crate and Barrel. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-mkshySI_ME9u1Yi1DDi2jiYMAiAJa4ZDS_2g7l8Kug77a0eQ601TKv61mUug3T5KgmT5_eEjRerAAU383SZEXTAAO-vN1VmDHsVpGhOlISKyzOKKLyifGsN_Hnb1K3uokxAH6f_mHE/s1600/IMG_1829.jpg) |
So what's in the menu? |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vTQXR5uJ81uMLgiluNx60IOQQzHAygZSNKOWMb9me6jVLcDzj_l9AE3ZVfONvPejrn5ZUL_BO9Ihsg08sipxEc3OtkB8TLKoj6JibtT3flxkC5VbMzJZqCJCx6tebuWQv7vrD5OxudQ/s1600/IMG_1832.jpg) |
This one is near the center of the exhibit. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08FyGwpBpbJb22mI3bdHja9NC_CBmWt_I4pvhJmm-mTFJt2aHx90cBj9Ygf4xO0UdZv73tTsSMSdL64Kj6GbTQ89st3U8UlaA0rwTpewJbEDfh_T0pb8ngPaPLAIzXCDwGq0JxJ-8kMI/s1600/IMG_1847.jpg) |
The photo contest area. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHi_xQ9DX4jm18jYW2EKhs-T3TDwpQL0svn7HHFnfP4IxFE8PNvvIVl0I7J66TpkdRsycbMl1vYWuc5n2S48rORcGBKWyU6U_cB-V0o1mrlUYgV1bq-ECk89PsskxCz74QFK5dm5VJ1w/s1600/IMG_1853.jpg) |
Taken in the Tulip section. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJRv_D_3mnuYgYaiOz1cuAYY_dO7a1tALVkU25cAW2baPsTh5NSlWjpod9fIpODyHxAQvnuWfQ3Kb4dL6tmHcuPLc2PnqK7hql27IbjFDEvd_YoMK-AzLH5zRgIJ-HDvoloxFmrX62Kk/s1600/IMG_1855.jpg) |
Another shot from the Tulip area. |
The photo contest showcases the best of plant and flower photography from different photographers. I wasn't able to enter this year due to the fact that I was so busy with other stuff. I'll be in it again next year. Hopefully I win best in show again.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8daVWi_Pw5W5C-ZhVI32hQLUVx5qJyeINgJoXsAA-7ZND2DNXTPqbVLVVzrFv3DuF0AB2s6_iIsLA8tKDz6Vi9s85tA9poEX3PV4EOg4Mk0diPEGNBHAjQmTY-iiZQA37z_ZadoOQGoY/s1600/IMG_1869.jpg) |
This looks familiar. It looks like the same one from last year. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYnYNxJjh1zpkst7amDiHVDp-ywRaV-93gEKmUWgY1-jfG8q4bQY31AviblXOka8zbQBMITzjGoCcEdNheGnlMBpxmVLFJejFXXEXYl7PXVU38_1Xku3AVoOAnL8flaLuGn077SipCY4/s1600/IMG_1874.jpg) |
Inside the Peterson Garden Project area. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ELj4O1qp37wA1_18p7viGNEojWJ6JSLvFAHAUoT7v_GbXNbetwSNtOvFARfNjZFCjvjPSCscU0dmHCmFAy-zD6FXH6YShJaeI2kSrWtmPJgqbIyhHzPd_1X0VOY9ihlBqf-lF8pqwjQ/s1600/IMG_1876.jpg) |
Lots of tips for gardening here. |
The Tablescapes area is pretty good this year. Lots of stuff to see from different businesses and organizations ranging from wedding planners, florists grocery stores and more.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_foMRuFlLzWUHXbSON9R88w7PNLng7zsyq26kaB5bd02US5lYs1F6lvMgUZ9OjdMfqHF6O-uYcdjSFFjTuWlXttgJbPPtYcVxoumlkvfJLRz7fOC7-2bSJZanW8P1OaWry0v6Cxqv3k/s1600/IMG_1884.jpg) |
More of a fashion type tablescape for this one. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXHhXuilgtZIBkZc0c-S7-ZAh9c7nwnbMyIcz6Out1KgnrA0eW2UKavDj0fAXnPnH8s4uqo_VE7twWyeSzHLimrjs3sSqyO5xj5mhXufycWtlZZjwcGPkDrrfviv1Y8YW1uFOxOeubso/s1600/IMG_1888.jpg) |
Flowers, and more flowers! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmx-hbYK8eCr5QUTg5Rb44TGi8NiasgQSMDJ0rZimG6oF1YYhmCg_TB2xWQufiuG3_o7aRgTY1coz_dQhP_1W1EZvju8uG0sl6tI_9UEijcB8bi943x9M07dkXy4qNKrJyJsBTOX_jKA/s1600/IMG_1890.jpg) |
This one is a wedding themed tablescape. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsO0y-uW1DhhZ4l8ve5d_ahoLRDdC4YdjZ_0RtlCd57jDvqBesFRsnVcRYfc3ywYVdU631wao1pwYOiOI9iq63teH7w04LU08Gn2TzByV-5YjQUBcHtcXrsfgi0ywK8XF8OwCYspky_4o/s1600/IMG_1897.jpg) |
Complete with shoes and a stuff toy. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdem1bQjTrcezvxHHbz_ItYEhLAos2hjPpeymP65nrVBxBFIRcncSp2F5M7U0TfFkgaDqAXYMUQ0G5TedhzEJgL_ahuOWtY3_30RsTh1Jq_4rTe4ad70zKBa_m2r5eEGvKR0Vk0VMqRc/s1600/IMG_1898.jpg) |
This is one big tablescape. And one of my favorites. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBI-eEDzM_9QMbhtcpFN5Hf_oq8LPSxo0cH2Tes1-xeVB8svZzN-fiGp5XgcUW2VNuLQBC3ooET9J-_Ns9tYYrL7sIIHOtmYqtr-2GERw-uNFDpbuK1_qf6aDkMsqcdaKCji3qW7Fy39Q/s1600/IMG_1901.jpg) |
More of like a fairy tale tablescape. |
And last but not the least...the marketplace, where you can buy whatever you need for gardening. They even serve wine and spirits.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWK3ysPIxx54zHKyM8JuJzCqILO0XcQVd3ftBujhBowPZ66kl6IWMl-VflS9GWmywskEL7Xd10oocY5ZUt51DnVjxEs0gWCxxKEMoOmd2loJF9zAySQEEg3FpXBcGDG9w8aUvzpLTxQM/s1600/IMG_1923.jpg) |
The Marketplace. |
The show runs from March 15-23 2014. For more information visit the Chicago Flower and Garden show website at:
http://www.chicagoflower.com/.