This past weekend, Lizzie and I went to a Japanese lantern festival in St. Paul.  There were lots of things to see, but we were especially taken with all the colors and patterns everywhere like these rows of paper necklaces…

 

And these colorful lollipops

 

How cute is this little girl!  Lizzie was mocking me for stalking her to get a good picture, but goodness gracious she was cute in her kimono.

 

There were beautiful gardens with lovely plants

 

And loads of beautiful umbrellas

 

I’m especially taken with the one with the sparkly purple tassel

 

And seriously, this paper art is crazy awesome!  These shots are details of a larger hanging with tons of flower folds all around it.

 

 

And finally, the actual lanterns themselves.