Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Tulips, Foxgloves, Bluebonnets,Indian Paint Brush, and more

We had a wonderful trip to Texas last week to visit family.
On the way to Dallas we broke up  the long drive from Alabama to Dallas by stopping to visit our Alma Mater. I shared a few pics of that on Instagram (Join me if you haven't yet) but I'll share a few here, too. I won't tell you how many years it has been since we have been to Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It is too convenient to watch the football games on television. The campus had changed so much. It was a special and nostalgic afternoon. 


The tulips were gorgeous as we walked the quad and visited many of the buildings where we attended class. It was a  Saturday afternoon thankfully because if it had been a week day parking would have been a problem. Not to mention they have added many one way streets and new buildings so we hardly recognized things.


After arriving in Dallas we visited the Arboretum and the foxgloves were putting on a show. 


It was a beautiful day to stroll through the Arboretum and enjoy a myriad of pretty gardens.




 There were a few tulips left that were still pretty. We saw workers busy pulling up spent tulips and planting new plants for the new season. Tulips are a cold weather bulb and it is warming up quickly in Dallas. The mornings were cool but by mid afternoon it was clear summer is around the corner.




 Boxwood parterres  filled with delphiniums were beautiful.



 Here's our little angel that made the long drive from Alabama to Dallas worthwhile. Her brother was in school so she had us all to herself.



Face painting and a petting zoo is offered on Tuesday's for children.  Being a member of the Arboretum has been a blessing for my son's family and we have had the opportunity to visit a number of times. The memberships are very reasonable. See Christmas, fall and summer visits here.








 While in Dallas we also toured the George W. Bush Presidential library and museum located on the Southern Methodist University campus. 


 I was thrilled to see Blue Bonnets and Indian Paintbrush growing. Just the night before, I enjoyed reading two books by Tomie DePaola to the grandchildren about the legend of Bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush flowers. (link provided)
One of the most interesting things are the natural areas around the museum. There is a walking trail around the large building and wild flowers and natural plants abound. They don't use pesticides and keep the grounds in a natural state. This is a haven for pollinators, birds and other native species.  We are accustomed to a manicured look so it was good for me to see, read about, and acquire a new mind set. To read more about this 15 acre urban park, google, Native Texas Park or listen to a you tube video about the part here: Native Texas Park 


 Bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush are beautiful and this was my first time to see them in person.

Bluebonnets usually bloom from the end of March to early May. Bluebonnets were named the state flower of Texas in 1901.

 The library was very interesting.  Shown here are President and Mrs. Bush clothes worn for the state dinner for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh at the White House.


The menu and invitation was interesting and the china and the flowers beautiful.

 
There were interactive things for children to do.The school bus was a perfect viewing area for videos about, No Child Left Behind.

I didn't take many pictures because our time was short and I wanted to see and read everything. From the moment I walked in the door many emotions raced through my mind. From seeing the Bush family from their younger days to the horrible images of 9-11 made me thankful for our nation and it's leaders. What an awesome responsibility they have. May we never forget those that lost their lives and what happened on that day in 2001.
I highly recommend you visit the Presidential library and allow yourself plenty of time. 


We had to hurry back to pick up this little guy from school. We had a wonderful week with our Texas family. 

On the way back home we stopped in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and spent the night in a lovely bed and breakfast called, Baer House Inn.  If only we had known it was the Spring Pilgrimage in Natchez and Vickburg we may have planned to stay longer.




Our bedroom and bath was spacious and furnished with lovely antiques.  We had a great meal at a local restaurant that night.
The next morning we enjoyed a delicious breakfast along with other guests in the dining room. It was fun  meeting interesting people from around the U.S. visiting the Spring Pilgrimage of Antebellum Homes.
Isn't the magnolia china pretty?


The first course was fresh fruit.


Followed by cinnamon scones, crisp bacon and breakfast casserole.
Do you enjoy staying in bed and breakfasts as you travel?  I have decided it is the way to go.

We enjoy listening to books on tape as we travel by car. My husband selects wonderful books. I highly recommend the book we listened to on this recent trip called, A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. Actually, I want to read the paper copy to enjoy the language and reread parts over and over. I also look forward to reading another of his books, Rules of Civility. Have you read these books?
Hope you are enjoying the new month of April. Upon arriving home we have had two days of threatening  storms. Fortunately, we were spared. Schools were cancelled on Monday and today on Wednesday. 

Have a great week. 


19 comments:

  1. What a lovely visit you had! So great to go back somewhere that you have lovely memories of and think about them again.

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  2. Oh, Bonnie, your visit was literally picturesque. So beautiful!! Love your Littles! The Arboretum is amazing, isn't it? Let me know next time you are coming this way! blessings ~ tanna

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  3. Bonnie, I enjoyed looking at your pictures so much this morning. What a fun trip. Awe...that sweet little beauty is too cute! So glad she had you all to herself! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  4. Bonnie, thanks for letting me enjoy your trip. I know you enjoyed being back on campus at Alabama, I haven't been there since our son was a student. Your grands are so adorable and your granddaughter with that gorgeous red hair! I have never seen a bluebonnet in person, but you got some beautiful shots! I need to visit the Bush Library and the natural landscape is so very pretty. I do enjoy a B & B! Have a wonderful Thursday, cool and very windy here!

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  5. What a wonderful trip. It is so nice to see Spring flowers. We haven't any here yet. Your grandkids are darling and I love those little red curls. Hope you have a great upcoming weekend- xoDiana

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  6. What beautiful flowers... and pictures... and the food looked good also. :)

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  7. Your grandchildren are adorable and those flowers are just breathtaking! Looks like you had a wonderful time. Thanks for linking up to Take Me Away this month! It's always great to have you!
    Shelley

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  8. Your granddaughter is such a cutie Bonnie! And those flowers!! I have never seen foxgloves like that! So glad you had a good trip. Hopefully Mother Nature is through with her antics!
    Jenna

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  9. Looks like you had a most wonderful trip!...I love B&B's and beautiful gardens. Have not been to Dallas in a long time, but will be sure to go to the Library when we are there. The Reagan Library is also one to see! Thanks for the show of the gorgeous flowers!

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  10. What a wonderful trip, Bonnie! Since I just visited the arboretum, I know the beauty that you saw, but your own little granddaughter is the most darling flower of all! Your little grandson, on his bike, is just a cutie patootie, too. The B&B looked like a fabulous place to stay. Thanks for sharing your trip with us. Happy Springtime, Bonnie!

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  11. Love your pictures from the arboretum. I have some of those magnolia plates!!

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  12. Bonnie, what a wonderful outing. Those flowers are quite awesome. I have never been, so this is a treat. I have stayed in B&B's. They are so lovely to spend time in. Beautiful magnolia dishes. Your little angel is a sweetie. Thanks for sharing this lovely tour.

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  13. It looks like you had a wonderful trip! Your photos are beautiful. Your grandchildren are gorgeous. I've never been to Natchez, and now I really want to visit it.

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  14. I am so glad you and yours were safe in the terrible storms. The new reports are very grim and sad.

    Your holiday in Texas looks four star. I wonder if foxgloves would grow in Michigan -- they are beautiful. And you sweet redheaded angel might just be the cutest thing I have ever seen. It looks like a wonderful time. (I always enjoy presidential museums too. They are a step back in time!)

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  15. What a wonderful visit you had. There is nothing like spending time with grandchildren! Those foxglove are stunning. They remind me of the foxglove I used to grow in my perennial garden! I love those magnolia plates, too! Thanks so much for sharing at Celebrate Your Story!

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  16. Such a wonderful visit, Bonnie. The flowers, the happy little children, that B&B, all so beautiful. Happy Easter!
    Amalia
    xo

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  17. Good Morning Bonnie,
    What a nice little trip you made to Texas with your stops along the way.
    This was a beautiful visit for you and your sweet family and I am thankful that the arboretum was still providing such splendid color for you all.
    Your grandchildren are beautiful and I just know the joy and love you experienced while you were in Dallas.
    Wishing you a Happy Easter Monday and blessings for the week ahead.
    Jemma

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  18. What a wonderful trip! You visited so many wonderful places. We are big Tomie DePaola fans too. I hope we can get together your next visit here. Have a wonderful week!

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