Omaha Home & Garden Expo~

I'd gotten up during the night, watching the wind blow the snow from every direction.  By morning, the sun had appeared & the porch & deck were again covered with a light coating of the powdery, dry white stuff.

No birthday ride for me this year, a huge difference between the almost 60 degrees of last year & today's forecast high of the mid-teens.  By the time we were on the road to Omaha, the clouds had covered the sun & the day was looking like snow again.  When everyone told us what a mild winter we were having last year - they weren't wrong!

Century Link Center~

Even though we'd found a close place to park, the wind chill had everyone hustling to get inside!  The room was full of a variety of vendors.  This would be our first visit to the Omaha Home & Garden Expo.  I didn't find the flowers & displays I had expected, but a few booths had nice arrangements with primroses & blooming bulbs.

Warmth!

There were a lot of exhibits though - with fire!  I think everyone's mind is in the same place this time of year & with the weather we've been having.  I was so impressed with the amazing variety of fire products on the market.  They'd have to put out a lot of heat to convince me to sit out!

Old Barn Beams~

This company had some totally beautiful wood, reclaimed from old barns.

If you like the shiplap look~

The price though - was far from inexpensive.  Each piece was cut to what look like maybe a quarter of an inch thickness, making one piece of old siding go a long way.  There's no way I'd pay this much & then paint it.  I have a shiplap project in mind, but it will be painted.

We did find a contractor; Nightscapes that had a super pretty display of a variety of lighting products for the yard.  I fell in love with the Rusted Steel Tower.  You can order a variety of iron panels for over the glass.  Snowflakes, trees, a spider for Halloween etc.  It all runs off DC, so is energy efficient.

Rusted Steel Tower~

 Tobey Jack's was on our way home, our usual go to spot for dinner.  Kathy mentioned she's thinking of sponsoring a Equestrian Ride.  It might include an auction to raise funds to open the 4-miles of overgrown equestrian trail.  A section along the Wabash Trace from Margaretville to Mineola.  I told her I'd be more than happy to help organize the event.  Fingers crossed!