Burgh Perfect Staycation Step #2: Stop and Smell the Flowers
A few days before the in-laws were scheduled to hit the town, I put out a question on a twitter-ish place that is not twitter which I will not name because I am still annoyed that it has sucked me in. The question was basically a call for ideas on things to do while we were having our little staycation. A whole slew of people mentioned Phipps Conservatory. In fact, more than a few all but called me a LOSER for not having been there before.
I was a loser, no doubt about it.
We are going to have to buy a family membership because I could spend days and days just slowly walking around taking photographs. In the couple of hours that we spent there yesterday, I took over 300. Why, yes, the resident Japanese tourist took a total of over 500 photos in one day. When I tried to narrow them down for posting here, I still had 37.
Alexis is missing from the first half of the photos because she was blissfully napping in Mr. Husband's arms the first hour we were there. In what may just be the most perfect timing of all time, she woke up just as he was walking through the butterfly garden. I don't think you have to be a two-year old girl to find waking amongst a flurry of butterflies to be magical, but it most certainly helps. I have a feeling she may just remember that moment for a very, very long time.
(To answer a question that more than a couple of people asked, the red polka-dotted dress is from Gymboree, but I bought it two years ago on clearance for $10. It is on eBay, but not for that price. That was a clearance rack score worth bragging about.)
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Reader Comments (22)
that is ABSO-freakin-LUTELY fantastic!!!!!!!!
That looks like so much fun. Great dress too. So cute.
Good for you for going to Phipps. Your photos are so pretty! It's a 2 min walk from my office so I go sometimes for lunch.
Love the dress too. I'll be watching for that one on eBay. The one that's listed is too big for E, though I hesitate to guess how big she will be next summer.
I haven't been there since middle school. Thanks for reminding me about it!
The look of awe and wonder on her face is just awesome.
Oh,and look. She even made some plastic pink flamingo friends!
I, too, am a loser. I have yet to get to Phipps, even though people rave about it and it always looks gorgeous. Gotta do something about that.
Beautiful pictures. Alexis, as always, is the prettiest flower in the bunch.
ciao,
rpm
Wonderful pictures.
Oh and the hubby looks so manly carrying his pink purse in the 28th picture. It goes smashing with his t-shirt and shorts.
Some of my favorite pictures I've ever taken are from Phipps. I'm anxious to see where you're going next.
What an awesome place and some beautiful photos!
Gorgeous pics and GORGEOUS kid!
Wow. I can hardly believe some of those flowers/plants are real! That is amazing.
Only thing more beautiful is Alexis. I love that pic of her with her mouth open in awe of something.
Wow! That might be worth a day trip north!
If I remember correctly you have a Rebel, right? Are you in love with a Rebel, too? ;)
I need to check that place out if I ever get by where you live. Love the glass work...truly beautiful!
We have nothing like that here...I thought I saw a white rabbit looking at his watch...are you sure this is a real place?
Lol.
Great pictures. I can see you had a great time.
mr b used to work there - he designed and built all the sets. I miss it - we still go, but we miss out on a lot of great events now.
We always meant to go there when we lived up that way. Thanks for the pics. So beautiful. Sorry we missed it.
Can you believe that I don't know where that place is either? Geez, I've gotta get out more. Like to Phipps. I think I'll spend more time looking at your pictures than you did walking around taking them.
And is that a ducky watering can from your Just Ducky tour? Too cute!
After seeing these photos I am now offically dry humping the online listing for the Rebel 12 megapixel I'm getting for my birthday.
Just thought I'd share.
Also? I love Gymboree ... especially the outlet sale rack.
WOW! That place is truly A-MA-ZING!! And that close-up pic of A looking up... OMG she is gorgeous!
gorgeous baby, gorgeous flowers, gorgeous dress. :)
I think our conservatory boasts the gigantic flower that smells like a 5-day-old carcass. I think it would be better to drive PGH to see yours sans stinky flower...
I love how your hubby looks kind of like: "Oh crap. There she is with that camera again. Go away."
The shots are great.
Can I book a ticket on your next Stay-cation? Cause, um, you're like GOOD at it and stuff.