April showers bring May flowers … that’s if you stock up at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens big sale. Big is an understatement. This is the largest plant sale in Alabama history! Lots to choose from, good prices and all proceeds go to the Gardens. I myself want to do everything possible to support the Gardens and keep the admission free. It will break my heart if they ever start charging. To attend the sale is free too and the hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Happy planting!

More after the jump…

If you have a little boy, chances are you don’t need me to tell you that Thomas the Tank Engine is in town at the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum this weekend. Maybe you just need me to remind you that Sunday is the last day. Me and the family took the short drive to Calera last weekend and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised at just how nice the whole event was. Sure it’s expensive to ride the train ($18 for tickets ages 2 and up/under 2 free) but you could actually skip it and just enjoy the activities — music, train play sets and picture opportunities a plenty with Thomas and Sir Topham Hatt. Lots of food choices too. We went for the Little Ceasars pizza and cheaply fed three people for $5.

So, you’ve heard that Sloss Furnaces is considered one of the biggest hot spots for paranormal activity in the Southeast. What, you’ve never heard that. Well, you can hear it for yourself Saturday night during one of three candle-lit ghost tours — 7:30, 7:45 and 8. Reservations are REQUIRED (credit card needed to hold your spot but you can pay at the door) so call 324-1911 or e-mail kimbellee@slossfurnaces.com. Cost for non-Foundation members is $10 adults and $5 kids. But this doesn’t sound like something you should be taking the kids to anyway.

And here’s my list of things that I would love to do if I wasn’t already doing other fun stuff:

It’s the last weekend to catch the 2005 Tony winner for Best Musical, Monty Python’s Spamalot at the BJCC. Don’t forget your shrubbery from the BBG sale.

I love festivals. Saturday there’s the Greenway Festival in Brookside and the Chocolate Festival in Rainbow City. I have no problem with driving a little bit for chocolate or carnival rides or fair food … like I said, I love festivals.

Closer to home on Sunday is the Jewish Food Fair at Temple Emanu-El, 2100 Highlands Ave. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Check out the delicious menu on their Web site.

Happy and safe weekend to all. And a special Happy to W!