This past weekend was a weekend to myself. I like to take one weekend each month to myself, to get away from all the hoopla. With Sunday being so gorgeous, I decided to take some cucumber sandwiches, my favorite summertime staple, and a few other items, a blanket, book and my music, and just relax over at the Morris Arboretum, which is over seen by the University of Pennsylvania and is the official arboretum of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and is located in the beautiful section of Philly's Chestnut Hill. It was a great day to relax, and dine al fresco. I planted myself by the swan pond.
The arboretum was formerly the estate of John T. and Lydia T. Morris, a brother and sister who purchased and landscaped much of the arboretum's current site beginning in 1887. John Morris was interested in growing plants from around the world. Their mansion they lived in, no longer exists. It was demolished in 1968. It's quite the place, with over 20 special features to be seen. But I just opened the blanket, with a book and just sat for a age nibbling and drinking.
The Fernery, the largest in the county.
The arboretum contains more than 13,000 labelled plants of over 2,500 types, representing the temperate floras of North America, Asia, and Europe,
This is a special installation currently made entirely of branches and sticks by artist Patrick Doughty.
Now here it is almost Friday again! Smile!
I would be interested in seeing their garden railway. and you planted yourself near the birdies (swans and ducks).
ReplyDeleteVery loverly. Thanks for all the pictures. My garden is much, much, much more modest!
ReplyDeleteLovely!!!! That looks like the perfect spot for some serenity.
ReplyDeleteI think I was there once when I lived in Philly. It was quite a relaxing place. And a perfect place for birding. Chestnut Hill is a very quaint town.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first saw the special installation made of branches and sticks, I thought all you need is an anthropomorphic wolf standing next to it who will say: "I'll huff and I'll puff..."
ReplyDeleteLOL,LOL,LOL!!!!
DeleteWhat a gorgeous spot to spend a day!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty and peaceful. I just have one question. Who is this Al Fresco with whom you were dining?
ReplyDeleteAl Fresco....you know his partner..Ben Dover.
DeleteWow, that Ben Dover sure gets around!
DeleteAwesome fotos! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThe swans in the lake look stunning. I'm so glad they were well behaved and didn't maul you for your sandwiches. That duck looks spectacular. What a gorgeous arboretum! Vibrant flowers, splendid plants, and fantastic architecture and marvelous art.
The twigs installation is a fire hazard, just a big old pile waiting to be turned into a huge bonfire! Luv it! Wickerman! I hope you had chocolate and marshmallows and cookies on hand, in case the opportunity arose to make s'mores.
The fernery has a banana tree. Did the tallyman come over and tally your banana?
When dosing, I did think I felt someone tallying with my banana, but thought I was dreaming.
DeleteNow we're cooking with gas. This is right up my alley being in garden landscape. That place looks amazing. I sure hope you we're lounging about naked?
ReplyDeleteThe only thing sticking up with two balls was the topiaries.
DeleteLove that park. It is such a beautiful summer so far to get out...no heat and we don't see enough swans!
ReplyDeleteMistress, such wonderful pictures every single one of them! The kind of pictures you like to have in an album on your coffee table to look back on. If one is in Bucks County this is a much more manageable place to get to over Longwood Gardens and not as overwhelming in beauty or ground to cover.
ReplyDeleteI visit your great blog often and I like to read about all interesting adventures you do in your everyday life. It´s great to see someone take so much care of his life and don´t miss a second of it. You give inspiration to as all to do the same.
Thank you Agnes for such a sweet comment.💋💋💋
DeleteI know that I would be a frequent visitor of the park. Thank you for the beautiful pictures of such a beautiful post. It is a clearly the jewel of the city!
ReplyDeleteThose images are amazing and the foo dog is my favorite...
ReplyDeleteThank You for sharing. It has been too long since I have been to the city park let alone a arboretum. The swans!
ReplyDeletePlease keep sharing with us!!!
The pictures of the park are beautiful! I miss the Springtime in the Northeast, since moving to the Netherlands. It is always so long in coming and so special when it finally does arrive. I have been to Longwood Gardens, but never the Morris.
ReplyDeleteMorris is a great alterative to Longwood Gardens.
DeleteThis looks such a pretty place - and it looks like you had it all to yourself! I'm with you on solo downtime, especially somewhere as beautiful as that.
ReplyDeletePray tell, what book were you reading?
Sx
I am actually re-reading a favorite by Quentin Crisp, The Naked Civil Servant. But I just ordered at the urging of a fellow blogger, from England no less, a copy of Etiquette and Entertaining by Lady Troubridge.
DeleteQuite beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAnd the book you took to read, of course was one of my buddy's novels, right? Right?? ;-) Hugs!
I didn't want to get turned on in the park.
DeleteWait, did I just say that????
The place with cucumber sandwiches is my idea of heaven. Day like that can be as a getting away day trip.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great idea (the regularly scheduled blissfully solitary weekend). And what a gorgeous place. I thought the first photo was a painting.
ReplyDeletea day of cruise in the park...nothing like it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely place to go for an all day picnic! It looks like my kind of place - just right to spend hours and hours wandering or lounging about, feeding the swans and wondering if a more manageable version could be created at home.
ReplyDeletePatrick Doughty's installation looks intriguing and, unfortunately, a little bit like a very large, fibrous poo. The grinning lion statue is just perfect, though.
Happy Weekend!