CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--NASHVILLE ZOOLUMINATION

Zoolumination at the Nashville Zoo is billed as "the country's largest lantern festival, featuring magical scenes of more than 1,000 custom-made silk lanterns," some 100 feet long and 50 feet high. You'll find everything from mythical creatures to wildlife to flowers and even an outdoor skating rink! Each year the event grows bigger and more spectacular. If you're anywhere near Middle Tennessee through February 9th this year, it's a not-to-be-missed evening of awe.

And for another special evening, join author Lois Winston on Monday evening, January 27th at 7pm ET (6pm CT, 5pm MT, and 4pm PT), where she'll be the guest of the Cozy Mystery Party Facebook Group, hosted by Heather Harrisson and Shawn Stevens. If you'd like to join in for a fun hour + of all things murder, mayhem, and cozy mysteries (there will be prizes and surprises!), join the group ahead of time at https://www.facebook.com/groups/cozymysteryparty. Hope to see you there!

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--ZOOLUMINATION AT THE NASHVILLE ZOO

During a recent holiday trip to visit family in Nashville, I had the chance to go to the Nashville Zoo's Zoolumination: Chinese Festival of Lights. 

This massive lantern event spans more than sixty acres and features more than 500 custom-designed lanterns, along with a life-size North Pole holiday village, acrobats from Zigong, China, and artists who practice traditional Chinese crafts. 

Here are just of few of the incredible exhibits on display. Some of the lanterns are as tall as a four-story building. The dragon is nearly the length of a football field. 

The festival runs through February 2^nd. If you’re within a drive of Nashville, you won’t want to miss this extraordinarily breathtaking event.