Lunch in the Garden

Had an AWESOME lunch with some lovely ladies today. The location was absolutely stunning!



Molly was my guest at the NOSCO (Naval Officers' Spouses Club of Okinawa) social for November, which included admission to the Southeast Botanical Gardens...



And a lovely, living ichibana craft. The president of the gardens was our instructor. She was delightful.


It was such a beautiful day to be out on the patio.



Here's my finished product. I think he looks like a pineapple. He's supposed to be round, but I prefer pineapples, so I made him this way on purpose.



Isn't this gorgeous?



And then in an instant, it starts to pour. That's SO Okinawa for you!







Then we went in to get washed up for lunch. Even the bathroom is botanically.



More lovely ladies (Kaylin and Angela)



I forgot to get a before picture, but this is what the table looked like when we were done.



The produce is all organically grown on the premises. It was one of the yummiest lunches I've had on the island. I'm considering a membership just so I can come here for lunch whenever I want.



So many colors of bougainvillea in one spot. (Took this one for you dad...know you love these.)



So, Molly has been here before and had to take me down to see the rabid carp.




Is this unreal, or what? They can hear you coming and they are waiting for that first morsel to drop...and then the frenzy begins!







Had to get one more shot as we left the park. Can't wait to show Cliff!