Sunday, July 15, 2007

A Family Outing

Every month I go with my sister and her children (and their girl friends) on what we call a "Family Outing". July's Outing was to Boerner Botanical Gardens in Hales Corners, Wisconsin. It's a fantastic group of gardens set in acres and acres of wooded parkland called Whitnall Park. We have been going there since we were children and it holds many special memories.


Today Cindy, Kelly (her daughter), Jesse (her son), Mika (Jesse's girlfriend) and I were in the jolly little band that comprised this "Family Outing" group. Jesse is just getting into photography and spent a lot of time finding interesting close-ups. I just snapped away and ended up taking 220 pictures!! Don't worry, I've only included a "few". This will be pictorial so I want to explain the very colorful "horses". These were painted by various individuals, schools, and organizations to raise money for the Botanical Gardens.


As a wonderful ending to our Outing, we had a little picnic. It was in the same picnic area that my family and I had enjoyed 50 years ago. It brought back such fond memories and Cindy and I shared them with the kids. What a perfect day.
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"The family is one of nature's masterpieces."
George Santayana
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Bye for now,
Alyssa

8 comments:

Mary said...

Alyssa, my goodnes did you have some great views! What's with the painted hippos? Where they hippos or another animai?

I'm glad you enjoyed your family so much. I wish I lived closer to mine but we get together every few months.

Those gardens were wonderful and I enjoyed taking the tour with you. Hey, I wouldn't mind scrolling through 200+ photos :o)

Alyssa said...

Mary - Thank you. You know I figured they were horses but you're right - they are hippos!

I guess they are for raising money for the Gardens.

Yes, I'm lucky that everyone is close by. Especially Cindy.

Some of the 200+ pictures are pretty boring, over-exposed, and of day-lilies that I'd like to buy (like I need more!!)

Pam said...

Oh, how absolutely lovely! The bits of art in the gardens were a nice surprise, especially the little painted horses and the grasshopper.

Alyssa said...

Pam - Everything was beautiful and we did like the painted pieces. But they were put amoung the flower beds which really didn't show them off properly. I think if they'd been set on the green lawn areas they could be appreciated better. No matter what, they sure added some whimsy to our Outing.

DeeMom said...

Wow, very lovely.

Last year I had the chance to visit Foxfire Gardens in Marshfield, Wisconsin. How close are these two areas?

Alyssa said...

Deemom - The Botanical Gardens are not to far west of Milwaukee so it is quite a way from Marshfield.

kate said...

No wonder you took lots of pictures. There was a lot to capture. I loved the metal sculpture and the other garden art pieces. The horses are fun.

It's pretty wonderful going to a place with your family that you were at 50 years' ago.

Thanks for your blog comment ... it was cheering to read!! You are a wise woman...

Anonymous said...

Hmm that's interessting but actually i have a hard time seeing it... wonder what others have to say..