Christmas time in Alabama is a big change for me.
There is no cold weather or snow to usher in that feeling of
holiday spirit. The day I put up our tree it was in the mid 70's
and I had all the doors/windows in our apartment open.
I know you can't tell, but our tree is bit devoid of character this year.
Most of my ornaments and decorations remain in boxes in Illinois
because I just don't have any place to keep them.
I keep reminding myself, it is a season of transition...in more ways than one.
Earlier this week, Bill and I went to the Bellingrath Gardens and Home to see
"Magic Christmas in Lights." This estate was the home of Mr and Mrs Bellingrath,
who became very wealthy as early investors in Coca-Cola and owned a bottling
facility in Mobile. The 65 acre gardens have been open to the public since the 1930's.
I don't know how long the Christmas display has been going on, but it was
absolutely spectacular. Over 3 million lights and 900 custom made pieces are
placed throughout the property for nightly viewing between Thanksgiving and New Years.
Here are some of the highlights:
Butterflies in the garden
(Kate, you'd have to skip this exhibit)
Christmas trees and snowflakes
These trees were some of my favorites
The courtyard of the Bellingrath home - we toured the inside of
house, but no photography is allowed so this the best I could do.
A partridge in a pear tree
Swans-a-swimming (only 3, not 7 like the song)
This whole section of the garden was 'under the sea' themed
with starfish, crabs, dolphins, etc. They even play Caribbean style music.
Azaleas (very prominent flowers in the spring here)
There were also tulips, daffodils, roses and lilacs - it felt very spring like
A little church scene. All those lights in the background are part
of a Babes in Toyland area
This picture does no justice to these lights...it's a Chinese
garden scene with fireworks.
This tree and a few others around it must have had hundreds of
colorful orbs in them. It was so pretty!
Being as it was night time, I couldn't fully appreciate the full beauty
of the gardens so I plan to return (perhaps in the spring?) to wander
about and take it all in. If they allow wine and snacks, it will be all the better.
Ooh! I'll go with you in April...with wine and snacks for sure!
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