Bucket Lists, Books, and Backpacks with Deanna

08/03/2025

When I was in Santa Fe, NM this past Fall, I was able to squeeze in a visit to the AMAZING, original Meow Wolf! I’m sure the first question on many folks’ minds after they read this title is, “What the heck is Meow Wolf?” Well, you are not alone. I thought the same thing when I first read about it. So, let me explain it and show you around. ⬇️

I’m sure the first question on many folks’ minds after they read this title is, “What the heck is Meow Wolf?” Well, you are not alone. I thought the same thing when I first read about it. So, let me explain it as best as I can.

04/03/2025

Photo of the Day! The Orpheum Theater in downtown Phoenix. It’s gorgeous both inside and outside and still hosts performances and tours.

https://www.orpheumphx.com/

02/03/2025

Are you into decorative jewelry? Do you enjoy the color turquoise? Or do you enjoy gemstones and minerals? Then you need to visit the Turquoise Museum in downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico. Check out this post below for more information! ⬇️

While I have never been much of a jewelry person, I have always been interested in gems, minerals, and rocks in general. My dad was an avid rock enthusiast and so it was hard NOT to become interested in rocks myself. One of the gems (minerals) that has always fascinated me was turquoise. You can alm

01/03/2025

Travel Photo of the Day… At Lewis and Clark State Park near Onawa, Iowa.

25/02/2025

Travel Photo of the Day! Taken yesterday at Hitchcock Nature Center near Crescent, Iowa. Such a beautiful day to do some photography!

24/02/2025

Looking for a creative outlet for your kids or grandchildren? Or are you visiting the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha with young children or “big kids” that love to play and experiment?
The Joslyn also has a newly-redone kids area called Art Works: A Place for Curiousity. It is located on the lowest level in the original Joslyn building and features many interactive areas for kids and big kids to create, experiment, and even read books in cozy little wall nooks. How fun!!! 👏

Looking for a creative outlet for your kids or grandchildren? Or are you visiting the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha with young children or “big kids” that love to play and experiment? The Joslyn also has a newly-redone kids area called Art Works: A Place for Curiousity . It is located on the lowest...

23/02/2025

This is a GREAT Omaha-area opportunity! You can sign up for one class or take a full schedule of classes all three days. I attended this last year and absolutely LOVED it! It’s well-organized, the instructors are super, and the other participants are friendly and fun. It is held at the Hot Shops in downtown Omaha. Give a class or two a try, learn something new, and make new friends. Classes are reasonably-priced too. Seriously, this is a wonderful event! 👏👏👏

22/02/2025

For a great list of what to do in the Omaha area each weekend, be sure to check out Oh My Omaha! I greatly respect this blogger’s work!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18SsYrQ7f7/?mibextid=wwXIfr

16/02/2025

When in St. Louis, here is a gorgeous place you don’t want to miss, regardless of your religious beliefs. See hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of mosaic tiles fashioned into the amazing interior of The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. It is one of my favorite cathedrals anywhere in the world.

When I travel I like to do a wide variety of things, everything from visiting botanical gardens to historical sights to different types of museums to nature attractions to cathedrals and historic churches. One of my more recent road trips took me to St. Louis and the majestic Cathedral Basilica of S

15/02/2025

Reposting this one in case you’re looking for something fun to do today! Lauritzen Gardens

Does your family enjoy Lego creations and beautiful flowers? Then you should absolutely go to the Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects exhibit at Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha before May 18! It is fun, informative, and the kid in you will love it. So will your actual kids and grandchildren.

15/02/2025

Wishing you all a Happy Valentine’s Day!

13/02/2025

Well, today, after a fresh drop of snow and frigid temperatures around the U.S., I thought we could all benefit from reading about something beautiful, joyful, and fun. Check out my latest blog post about a brand new exhibit at Omaha’s Lauritzen Gardens

Does your family enjoy Lego creations and beautiful flowers? Then you should absolutely go to the Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects exhibit at Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha before May 18! It is fun, informative, and the kid in you will love it. So will your actual kids and grandchildren.

01/02/2025

Good morning, fellow travelers! Are you yearning for a beautiful flower display in combination with some AMAZING Lego creations? You MUST go to Lauritzen Gardens to explore Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects! It starts today! I got a sneak peek of the exhibit last night during my charcuterie class. Kids of ALL ages will enjoy it. Plus it will be nice enough this weekend in Omaha to get outside and explore the 20 outdoor gardens!

Stretch those legs, get some steps in, clear your mind, and let those kiddos run and play outdoors! There’s a Lego play area set up indoors too! At Lauritzen Gardens

Blog post to follow next week at

https://www.bucketlistsbooksandbackpackswithdeanna.com/blogposts

01/02/2025

So I did a thing today. I took a class tonight at Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha and learned a bit about how to do charcuterie boards! Super fun and got to snack while we worked/designed. 😋 You and a friend can do this too! There are more dates coming up! Here’s my masterpiece, which I gave to a friend tonight. 😁

And here’s a link to sign up yourself!

https://lauritzen.ticketapp.org/portal/product/48/events

31/01/2025

Passing this along for those of you who like to quilt or fabric or fabric art or all of the above!!! A little quilt-related road trip opportunity!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17wCt7daQ3/?mibextid=wwXIfr

I am super excited and honored to be a part of this hop! Make plans to attend!

30/01/2025

I had a delightful afternoon today! I ventured to downtown Benson (part of Omaha) and saw a small, but beautiful exhibit at the Ming Toy Gallery. It’s a small gallery that features local and emerging artists. Today’s exhibit, Murmurations by Brad Marr. The Omaha artist creates works based on the ever-changing and graceful flight patterns of starlings.

https://mingtoygallery.com/news/murmurations-opens-jan-3

I enjoyed the exhibit and the gallery itself was beautiful too, with exposed brick walls and high, decorative tin ceilings. I also greatly enjoyed visiting with the gallery owner, Teresa. I walked away feeling like I had made a new friend. You can’t beat that!

Murmurations runs through February 1, so make plans to see it very soon! The Ming Toy Gallery winter hours are as follows for the rest of the week:

Thursday: 5pm to 8pm

Friday: 1pm to 6pm

Saturday: 10am to 1pm

29/01/2025

Happy Lunar New Year! Looking for a place to celebrate or get Chinese take-out? Let me introduce you to my family’s three favorite Chinese restaurants in Omaha and Council Bluffs, Iowa!

Happy Lunar New Year! My family loves Chinese food and ramen any time of year, but a cold January day seems to really bring out our cravings for it. With that in mind, I’d like to tell you about three family-owned Chinese restaurants we love in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area. I think you will love ...