33rd Annual Cathedral Flower Festival

 We shape our buildings;  Thereafter they shape us.

- Winston Churchill

A sunny brisk morning, the Glenwood Garden Club met at the bank parking lot to car pool to Omaha.  We were more than ready to see some color in the middle of the drab days of mid-winter in Iowa.

Saint Cecilia's Cathedral~

Saint Cecilia Cathedral was again decked out in the enhanced finery that only fresh flowers can provide! This beautiful building was one of the ten largest cathedrals in the United States when it was completed in 1959.  We arrived before 10 a.m. & again missed out on the long lines that form later in the day.

Beautiful American Flag~

After my first visit last year, I was looking forward to seeing what all the different floral designers would do with this years theme;  Thomas Rogers Kimball and the Cathedral.  Considered Nebraska's greatest architect, the show was dedicated to his memory & the American Institute of Architects.

White roses~

White flowers are not my favorite, I love color.  But these in the photo above drew your attention by the amazing smell that preceeded them.

Tendrils of red~

The display above was totally stunning...

All in the lighting~

The lighting on some of the displays made such a difference in how the colors appeared.

Diorama~

A beautiful rendition of Hotel Fontenelle.

Stunning hanging arrangement~

The huge hanging arrangements above the nave - drew attention!

Pots full of colorful flowers were everywhere~

Brilliant Oranges~

Since orange is one of my favorite colors, I loved seeing so many arrangements dominated by that color.

A almost tropical favorite~

Several times during the morning we were all asking about some of the varieties we were admiring?  The Bird of Paradise in this bouquet was so striking.

Antiques & Yellow Roses~

The antique cabinet made a perfect home for the yellow roses & trailing ivy~

Chandelier~

An amazing structure, so huge & impressive inside, with an aura of warmth & welcome.  We were looking forward to lunch at the Cultural Center next door.  Wheatfields provided the luncheon buffet.  Tables were covered with sweet treats, cakes, rolls, fresh baked breads...  Hot soups, sandwiches, more than enough choices for everyone. 

The drive back to Glenwood was as easy as the drive to Omaha had been.  Again, a great way to enjoy a January day!