I love our sunrises. Maybe it’s because we have property here and don’t live in a neighborhood but it satisfies something in my soul when I see the early morning sun breaking through the trees.
Yesterday, Claire and I made a trip into Houston for a 4-H field trip. Yep, that’s right. I drove into the city, a major city, I might add. The interstate is an fascinating mess but people actually know how to drive it which means everything keeps moving even though there is a ton of traffic. And the skyline is so amazing.
We went to the museum of natural science for the Ramses exhibit. After all our years at Trinitas studying ancient Egypt is was really interesting to see all of the artifacts and mummies.
The museum is huge and after we finished up the planned portion of the visit a group of us did the butterfly center which was super fun. I love butterflies and the museum has created a really beautiful habitat to enjoy them in. I did hesitate going in because their sign said something about free roaming reptiles and I was not sure I was okay with that. Turns out they have an iguana that has free reign of the place so it was all good.
It had been a long day but we still wanted to take a turn through the dinosaur exhibit. Those creatures really were huge.
We thought we were done at this point but then a few of the kids came running up and said we just HAD to go see the hall of gems and minerals as well as the Everyday Faberge exhibit. They were so right and I was so happy we didn’t miss them. All the sparkle 🥰
I am always amazed more and more by God’s creation activity looking at what are basically rocks that He made. The myriad of colors and textures…it is mind boggling!
I do wish they had a before picture to accompany each one. I know they don’t come out of the ground looking like this and I bet it is fascinating to see the process.
Look at this chunk of opal! Isn’t it gorgeous?
And then you can see all the incredible ways man uses these stones to make beautiful and elaborate jewelry.
Tiaras and necklaces too, oh my!
There were also some more delicate “everyday” pieces like some very lovely cigarette cases or calling card cases.
I loved this little broach watch made with rubies. The exhibit has a tiny mirror set up under it to reflect the watch on the back.
All in all it was a good trip but our timing was off a little bit. One, I think it is smarter to spend more than one day there and two, do not go at the end of the school year. There were gobs of schools there and it was crowded.
I definitely want to go back and visit the museum district as a whole and Houston in general. There just seems like there is so much to do!
Have a good weekend y’all!
The Common Place 