Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Down the Rabbit Hole!

You may remember when I visited our Children's Garden and it was a little cold! (HERE) Make that super snowy. Well, things have turned a bit weatherwise (although I hesitate to say it -- it's still cold but warmer and the snow is gone -- today at least!) It was nice a couple weeks ago so I decided to return to the garden and go down the rabbit hole with Peter, and Alice's white rabbit and the Cheshire cat! (Cue the music -- "Cheshire Kitten.") And don't forget to dress for the occasion!


These bunnies are at the Peter Rabbit garden, which will eventually grow all things one might find appealing to Peter and his friends -- lettuce, carrots, spinach and much more!


We'll pass by the big, beautiful "Wonderful World." It's surrounded by a rainbow walkway -- a fine reminder that our wonderful world is indeed a rainbow of sights, sounds and most of all, people.


Step with me over Monet's Bridge. Modeled after the famed bridge in Giverny, it crosses a wee pond in which soon one will see the golden koi fish (and maybe a frog or two!).


I'm told to get the color just right, the designer discretely removed a small chip of paint from the real deal in Giverny long ago and had it matched!


Just beyond that we enter the world of...


...and the Alice in Wonderland Maze!


Children love dashing through the maze, only to find a dead end!


Along the way they are "greeted" by some of the characters from the story, like the white rabbit...


...the caterpillar...


...and my favorite, the Cheshire Cat!


When all is done and if you find you way out the maze, a small, sweet courtyard awaits you!


I leave you with a few tags from a long-ago swap.


It was so long ago, most of you probably haven't seen them!


And now, without further ado, I must...


...because I'm late!


Have a wonderful week!

Sharing with:  Let's Keep in Touch at Let's Add Sprinkles   /   Share Your Cup  /  Pink Saturday  

50 comments:

Linda @ A La Carte said...

What a lovely children's garden!! I would so enjoy a stroll through there. We have a Botanical Gardens here in Athens, GA but I haven't been to it in a long time, I think I'll have to make a visit soon. I know the Grands love it there!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

From above....."a fine reminder that our wonderful world is indeed a rainbow of sights, sounds and most of all people." Far too many people, unfortunately. We are outstripping the world's resources at an exponential pace and yet our population continues to grow at an alarming rate. There is abject poverty in most of the world. There is not enough water to go around in most places. Species are becoming extinct at an ever faster pace. What we really need is a good pandemic to wipe out about half of us, followed by a whole generation without reproduction. As David Attenborough so succinctly put it, "We are a plague."

Linda d said...

I remember it well. What a difference a day makes (or a month). Sweet in snow...sweeter in sunshine.

Barbara Windle said...

This is so sweet, Jeanie. Children must just love this garden, especially if they know the story of Alice in Wonderland. It won't be too long before we start to see tulips and daffodils. I am looking forward to opening the windows. Have a great week.

Pam Richardson said...

Thank you Jeanie for the walk in this sweet garden! My little princess would love it! It certainly looks beautiful with the sun shining!

Valerie-Jael said...

Thanks for this wonderful walk down memory lane, hugs, Valerie

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

Jeanie,
I enjoyed this little walk on this windy March day. I do know some grands that would love to join in on this walk with me! So pretty and sunny too.
Jemma

Iris Flavia said...

Here it´s still (way too) cold, too!
Aw, that was a lovely tour!
And, hehe, I had to smile upon your story, also!
We lived some 65 km apart, and I worked some 35 in the other direction, too, so no chance to see each other in the week other than emergency. Like bigger. The minor like TV broke etc usually happened on Mondays or Tuesdays and I was two weeks off the hook!
I´m so very glad we live together - buuut! The time spent together sure was more... worthful, I agree to that: It both has it´s ups and downs and I reckon you really made the right choice with having both ways possible!
Awww. And. I love cats! One day, when I´m retired/and/or ... well, one day I´ll have a cat, too!

BB said...

Monet's Bridge is lovely, even in winter. Great story about how they got the perfect color. What a pretty children's garden (children of all ages.) Thanks for the enchanting walk.

Joanne Huffman said...

It's a lovely garden. It will be wonderful to go there with your grand.

William Kendall said...

Whimsical and fun!

"Follow the white rabbit, they said. It'll be fun, they said..."

Tammie Lee said...

That looks like wonderful gardens Jeanie. Will be beautiful when spring gets further along. I am starting to see some earth around trees, but not much. Lovely Spring to you!

The French Hutch said...

I can't think of a better way to spend the first day of Spring than touring this lovely garden and meeting up with Alice. I could spend hours there along the paths and looking for that rabbit hole. Love the bridge too. Happy Spring Jeanie...........

Sandra Cox said...

Oh my gosh. That garden is delightful. Thanks for sharing.

Jenny Woolf said...

Oh, I had not heard about this Alice section of the garden, and I have heard about most things "Alice"! What a nice idea to have a special section of garden for children. It would be nice if it also features things that children can grow themselves, or gets kids from the local community involved. I always like going to City Farms and seeing what the kids have grown under adult supervision. I'm glad your snow seems to be melting at last!

Karen said...

WOW!What a magnificent garden.

My name is Erika. said...

That looks like a really fun garden. I bet when it is green it is even more fun. And I must say-lucky you to have all your snow gone. I am jealous! :) Hugs-Erika

Zaa said...

What a delightful garden...I’m so glad that there are still special gardens for children, young and old alike to enjoy ... We do need to keep the magic in our lives... I could spend hours there( ha Ha) ...I’m such a kid at heart... and really need to find that rabbit hole ....Cute post... Thanks for sharing ... Hugs

Marilyn Miller said...

I love your visit to the Children's Garden. What a wonderful place to take wee ones and big ones. Your baby grand will love a visit there I bet even by summer. I can just imagine him running or toddling through the maze.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

What a delightful post and magical garden. I see tiny shoots are trying to sprout, too.

I love the big earth. It is fabulous and the rusty bits are calling my name. Monet's bridge looks like the real deal, only smaller.

What a fabulous Alice Garden. Seems like it would be a great way to get children interested in nature, gardening, and reading all wrapped up in one magical spot!!!! I was thrilled you took us with you today.

Joyful said...

What a wonderful place to visit. It's beautiful. xx

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

What a lovely garden, Jeanie. The cat has to be my favorite. :) It's great that the snow is melted and I hope that the long winter is over for you.
xo Julia

BeachGypsy said...

that's an adorable little garden, I love it! So glad you posted these pictures so we can all enjoy it. Has it been there long? Hope your week is going well?--I've been super busy and I'm trying to visit everyone and comment to let y'all know I have been reading! LOL

Rita C at Panoply said...

Fun tour, great tags! I have a niece who's been crazy for Alice in Wonderland for years. Her vanity plate on her Jeep is CURIOUSR (8 max in our state). :)

Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made said...

This is amazing! You definitely don't have to be a kid to enjoy something like this! Your tags are SO pretty - a great way to use up the cool 'scraps' we all have laying around. You created some beautiful art!

Victoria Zigler said...

That garden sounds so delightfully fun!

Tristan Robin said...

Good morning! Ahhh - a trip to the garden;just what is needed on a cold-gray-being-of-a-nor'easter day! I do love that garden (that's the one that has the butterfly chair, right?!). And, all that Alice in Wonderland stuff! I'm an unnatural freak for all think Alice in Wonderland! I have made so many photo albums, mini-theatre, miniature diarama, matchbook scenes, tags, etc with Alice and her cohorts as themes! Sometime we'll have to get together and share our Alice tag collection! Although I probably use Alice, White Rabbit and Queen of Hearts most often, my true favorite character is the Frog Footman - I think he's marvelous!
How wonderful to have the Monet Lily Pond bridge right there to enjoy! I have a photo of myself on it - unfortunately, it's packed with so many other tourists it takes me about five minutes to find myself LOL
Thanks for sharing - I love getting to know you - have a terrific week!

La Table De Nana said...

How utterly charming:) Love Peter..love Alice..love gardens;)

Preppy Empty Nester said...

What a darling garden! Children (and adults!) must love it. Have a wonderful week, dear Jeanie!

Little Wandering Wren said...

I hope there was a nice cuppa waiting for you in that courtyard at the end! Good to see the weather is on the turn, 'tis for us too into bloomin' hot! I would love to visit the real Monet's garden, fancy matching the colour exactly that's impressive!
Wren x

JillO said...

One of my favorite gardens to visit, though usually I get there in the middle of summer. I love the squirting frog and the sidewalk chimes and the Secret Garden as well as Monet's bridge and Alice's maze....I'll have to plan an outing this year.

Red Rose Alley said...

Oh, that bridge reminds me of one my kids used to play on when they were little, Jeanie. What a delightful place this is. The stepping stones are cool, especially the Cheshire Cat! That "wonderful world" is something else too.

~Sheri

Ms Bingles Vintage Christmas said...

Oh my goodness... I love Alice too! Great post!

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Jeanie: Love the Alice memories. I remember when I worked as a teenager at Santa's Village in Santa Cruz, there was an Alice in Wonderland maze with all the magic mirrors. The faces of the little kids and big ones too were such a delight to see..Happy Wednesday..Judy

Sandra Cox said...

Those stepping stone characters are wondrous aren't they?

Bonnie said...

Looks like a delightful outing and glad the weather was improved.You have so many interesting places to visit.

Esme said...

What a great Children's Museum. I love Peter Rabbit.

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

Dear Jeanie,
What a magical place for children of all ages to visit! Thank you so much for sharing ...
blessings,
Penny

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Good morning, Jeanie! I LOVE THAT GARDEN! The Peter Rabbit area with the little blue coat, now isn't that clever! Well my friend, we too are still in the doldrums of winter even if the calendar says spring has arrived. But we midwesterners have hope, don't we!

Happy almost spring!

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

What a delightful garden! Oh my I can just imagine, lettuce, carrots, and all sorts of growing goodies Peter would love. Thank you for my trip!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jeanie, I would love to walk around this garden. I love all the cute artwork. I love bunnies! The tags are lovely too. Have a happy day!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Beautiful, Jeanie! Forget the children - I want to go! Thanks for the tour on this fine spring day.

Kitty said...

Hi Jeanie, Thanks for the wonderful tour. We went through a garden at MSU but I don't remember Alice, so it must have been another one. It looks like a wonderful way to tell the story to a little one! Love to you and the whole mob. I told Rick last night that a box would arrive today but I checked the slip and it won't be til Monday.

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

What a wonderful place for children to visit, Jeanie, but I know I would love it, too! Thank you for taking me along with you....such fun!

Sketchbook Wandering said...

What a high quality children's garden!! You are lucky to go there, again, thanks for sharing it! It makes me want to visit it too!

Tracy said...

Sooo much FUN! I just love that, a garden for children... what a great idea! And good for grown-ups too. ;) So glad you too us along, Jeanie! Happy Day ((HUGS))

Kathy said...

Thank you for brightening another drab winter day here in Maine. I think I need to brush up on my Alice; it would be a great garden theme!

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

How fun! I have been wanting to create a Peter Rabbits garden. Maybe this will be the year. :) The maze sounds so fun and I love the whimsical stepping stones. Your Alice tags are fabulous! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann

Katie Mansfield said...

Precious. The bridge is spot on.Thanks for linking up to Keep In Touch.

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

That is so cool that the bridge is an exact match of the one in Giverny. I haven’t gone there as all but one of my trips to Paris were in the winter and I want to see it in its spring or summer glory!

What a fun place to visit. I see visits with your grandson in the future!!

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