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the magic gardens

November 2, 2012

“Art should not be segregated in museums; it needs to live free among us.”  

 – Isaiah Zagar (creator of Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens)

The Magic Gardens

This Friday field trip is a glimpse into a really unique mosiac environment.  The Magic Gardens in Philadelphia’s South Street neighborhood includes a fully tiled indoor space and a massive outdoor mosiac sculpture garden that spans half a block.  I would like to share my first trip to The Magic Gardens with you.

The Magic Gardens

 

The Magic Gardens

A photo from The Magic Gardens in Philadelphia.

The artist, Isaiah Zagar, spent fourteen years excavating tunnels and grottos, sculpting multi-layered walls, and mosaicking the 3,000-square-foot space.

The Magic Gardens

The Magic Gardens

The gardens are really one of those things that need to be experienced to be fully enjoyed.  So, I urge you to check it out if you find yourself visiting Philadelphia.  I hope some of the phtos here will give you a sense of what a unique spot Isaiah Zagar has provided for the South Street community as well as all who visit.

The Secret Gardens

The Secret Gardens

I plan on making repeated visits to the gardens – it is not even possible for one’s senses to absorb everything in one visit!

The Secret Gardens

The Magic Gardens

A photo from Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens.

The Magic Gardens

Hope you enjoyed sharing some of my trip to Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens.

The Magic Garden

Thank you for visiting my blog.  My prayers to those that suffered loss during the storm, Jackie

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reflecting by steam train

October 19, 2012

Riding the Essex steam train through the Connecticut River Valley was a very exciting trip when my children were young…there was much commotion and anticipation as our family would prepare for one of our MANY trips to Essex to ride the magical train.  The kids were always SO animated and seeing the trip through their eyes was always such a thrill.  Riding the train for the very first time without them was a much different experience.  It was a time of quiet…a time of reflection…and, a time of enjoying nature.

But also, a time of missing my two little ones…

Ones that aren’t so little any more…sigh…

 

And, as I enjoyed the quiet beauty of the Connecticut River Valley, I also enjoyed the memories of many trips that weren’t so quiet….

The trips where I didn’t really enjoy the nature around me…

I was much too busy enjoying the two little kids that were growing up way too fast…

 

 

 

The real beauty for me in the Essex steam train ride is something no one else will ever see.

Thanks for sharing this week’s Friday field trip.

So glad you could join me on the Essex steam train.  Have a great weekend, Jackie

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oozing with inspiration

May 14, 2012

terrain’s opening

Terrain's Connecticut opening

Since I have been anticipating the opening of Terrain in Connecticut for quite some time, I was thrilled to find out the official opening was scheduled for Mother’s Day weekend.  I decided that would be a perfect treat on Mother’s Day morning –  to visit the new store.  Owned by Urban Outfitters, Terrain is a home and garden store, that up until this weekend, only existed in Glen Mills, PA.  The store has that same hip vibe as Anthropologie (also owned by Urban Outfitters), but with a gardening aesthetic.  An old car dealership in Westport, CT was transformed into a 16,000 square foot retail space, a restaurant with an outdoor patio, a coffee bar, and an outdoor nursery…Terrain.

Relief prints by Connecticut artist Bryan Nash Gill

It was hard to resist not calling in sick to work on Friday to attend the opening day of the store.  I had been driving by occasionally during the construction process and was very excited to finally see the store completed.  I could not wait to look around inside.  Finally, I was able to check it out and I soon found out that I would not be disappointed.

Free sessions in container planting – this one was with herbs.

The store is oozing with inspiration.  I especially love the beautiful hand blown glass terrariums by Vermont artisan Simon Pearce.  They can be planted by one of the Terrain staff, tailor-made to the purchasers tastes… when I was there on Sunday, many were being created to bring home to a mom on her special day.  I vowed to put a Terrain terrarium on my birthday wish list so I could someday put one on my desk at work.  There would be no reason not to smile every morning with a work of art like that in your workspace.

The frame of a 1920’s green house is used in the decor.

The knowledge of the barista at the coffee bar was extremely impressive and I am sure the 7:30 am opening time will make it a popular spot for locals to make a quick stop before heading off to work.  I didn’t take the time to sample the menu, but the café boasts a Food & Wine “Best New Chef” of 2011 on staff and provided both a visually interesting indoor seating area as well as seating on an outdoor patio.

Terrain’s website is:   www.shopterrain.com

 

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