Botanical Garden, Botanical Gardens, Lauritzen Gardens, Sofia’s Play Garden, Creative, Fun, Fantastic, Fabulous, Sensational, Inventive, Paths, Exploration, Flowers, Plants, Garden, Omaha, Classes, Art, Crafts, Storytime Deanna Etherington Botanical Garden, Botanical Gardens, Lauritzen Gardens, Sofia’s Play Garden, Creative, Fun, Fantastic, Fabulous, Sensational, Inventive, Paths, Exploration, Flowers, Plants, Garden, Omaha, Classes, Art, Crafts, Storytime Deanna Etherington

The Sensational Sofia’s Play Garden at Lauritzen Gardens!

Ever wanted to explore an OUTDOOR children’s museum? You (and your kiddos/grandkids) can certainly do that at Sofia’s Play Garden at Lauritzen Gardens! It is a lovely and magical place for ALL ages, not just for kids. Heck, when I attended on Grand Opening weekend in May, I wanted to play and explore!

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Iowa History, Art, Murals, Ray Sorensen II, Artist, 99 counties, Iowa, This is Iowa, Freedom Rocks, Oakland, Lewis, IA, History, Memorial, Tribute, Honor, Respect, Veterans, Independence Day, July 4, July 4th Deanna Etherington Iowa History, Art, Murals, Ray Sorensen II, Artist, 99 counties, Iowa, This is Iowa, Freedom Rocks, Oakland, Lewis, IA, History, Memorial, Tribute, Honor, Respect, Veterans, Independence Day, July 4, July 4th Deanna Etherington

In Honor of July 4: Iowa Freedom Rocks 2025

In 2024 I became interested in Iowa’s Freedom Rocks! What is a Freedom Rock? It is a large rock painted on all sides with patriotic murals and tributes to those who have served in our armed forces in the U.S. These unique murals are painted by Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II. Many towns in Iowa have one. In fact, all 99 of Iowa counties do. Check out two Freedom Rocks I went to in 2025!

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Museums, Little Rock, Arkansas, Art, Culture, Purses, Handbags, History, Unique, Fashion, Style Deanna Etherington Museums, Little Rock, Arkansas, Art, Culture, Purses, Handbags, History, Unique, Fashion, Style Deanna Etherington

A Wonderful, Unexpected Gem of a Museum in Little Rock!

If you’re like me, you love to discover unexpected little gems when you travel, especially ones that are underrated or somewhat unknown. When you find a place like that, it feels sort of like you have opened a surprise birthday gift and are delighted. That was the way I felt when I visited the ESSE Purse Museum and Store!

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