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Friday, January 22, 2016

It's Not All Cleaning Around Here, You Know



Hubby suggested an outing to the nearby conservatory  --  oh yes, dear sir, that's a wonderful idea. Suddenly messy drawers, overflowing bookshelves, and grey winter skies seem far, far away. And, when we walked into the feature pavilion yesterday afternoon, we were indeed transported to a far away garden somewhere in the exotic Orient.

For we were surrounded by bright pots of yellow chrysanthemums alongside red and deep pink cyclamen, displays of flamboyant orchids, and to our delightful surprise, a life size ancient Chinese clay warrior with his trusty steed -- as you see in the photo above.



First, I noticed the sweet fragrance on the air as we walked in. I thought it was the flowers, but in actuality it came from light floral-scented incense. This pot of incense sticks. Quite often I find incense too intense, but this was really lovely. It was just there, if you know what I mean, evoking that sense of something special.




Then, we spotted this gorgeous red lacquer garden bridge. Also surrounded by masses of flowers, it sat over a little pond replete with koi and other fish. As we stood to take it all in,  the fish caught sight of us by the bridge and they all swarmed towards us -- must have been hoping we were the lunch wagon.

Now for a few glimpses of the orchids -- all so breathtaking in beauty, colour and shape -- it was hard to decide which few to include. These were some of my favourites...












It was a wonderful outing! Nothing better than sharing it with someone special, then stopping at the cafe afterwards for a refreshing pot of tea, and rounding it all off with a wee bit of shopping in the too-lovely gift store (can't show you because it's a gift and someone might see). It was perfect!



Now, here's wishing you a beautiful weekend
with glimpses of beauty in unexpected places,

Hugs
Brenda
xox



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17 comments:

  1. What a wonderful place to visit, you certainly took us on a beautiful stroll.

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  2. Such beauty in this post... oh I'm in love with all the images of these beautiful flowers! I so wish I could grow orchids, but I have never had much success :( But oh! Your lovely little time away from the decluttering was just perfect to come here, and relax. Food for the soul indeed! Thank you for the beauty added to my day :)

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  3. Orchids are amazing, all different and all exotic. I have had some success growing them, but they do tend to die after a few years.

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  4. What a beautiful place to visit!!! A great place in fact to stop and take five! The Chinese warrior is incredible isn't he! Thank you for joining Five On Friday, happy weekend! xx

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  5. And your husband suggested it you say? I am truly impressed. Definitely a keeper! How lovely to be whisked away in winter to gardens so lovely.

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  6. Glimpsing beauty in unexpected places, I like that Brenda. Glad you had a wonderful outing. Enjoy your weekend

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  7. So pretty Brenda! Wish we has something like this close by so I could fill my soul during the winter blah's. But I loved enjoying through your visit. :)

    Have a wonderful weekend! xo

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  8. Wow! What beautiful gardens. I like the idea of floral incense because like you I often find regular incense very overpowering.

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  9. What a lovely break from decluttering and homekeeping. Orchids are amazing flowers, so varied and intricate. So glad your husband suggested this outing!
    Have a wonderful weekend.

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  10. Brenda, I see I have missed several of your delightful posts about cleaning out the clobber. Such a satisfying feeling to get everything ship-shape and tidy and clutter-free. What a lovely break, in the middle of cleaning and winter, to go to that garden. The orchids are lovely. And the incense must have transported you to another world.
    Blessings to you, Deborah

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  11. What a wonderful place to get awa form the dreariness of winter, Brenda. Your photos are beautiful. xo Laura

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  12. What a lovely escape! It must have felt like escaping to another world for just a bit.

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  13. how fun and especially in wintertime...

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  14. Dear Brenda - such a delight to visit this garden place with you. What a wonderful way to spend a cold winter's day. Got me dreaming about spring and blossoms. Those orchids are fabulous. Something I have never tried to grow. Must put that on my bucket list. Hugs!

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  15. A lovely adventure, Brenda. We all need a little break now and then.
    Amalia
    xo

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  16. What a lovely escape from winter! Thank you for sharing these pretty images.

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To My Beautiful Readers,

Some people come into our lives, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same. ~ Franz Peter Schubert

Thank you so much for leaving your 'footprint' here in my comment box. I do appreciate you taking a moment to share your thoughts today.

Brenda xo