The weeks before the holiday often involve that panic rush
feeling "to get it all done.” We forget, as my blog inspiration book, Everything I Learned About Christmas, I Learned From A Little Golden Book, reminds us that Christmas should be a
“time of wonder, a time like no other time of the year.” At Phipps Conservatory, the beauty brings back the wonder of the
season as you navigate through the 8 rooms of nature infused with lights, Christmas trees,
and poinsettias, as well as 5 permanent botanical gardens.
Reflection
 |
| 24 foot tree |
I have enjoyed the Conservatory in the past, see Day 149, but this winter show
seemed extra spectacular, maybe because it seemed to offset
some of the unfortunate recent current world events and
lack of Pittsburgh sunshine. In fact, my mother had to be pushed
to attend but she soon perked up with excitement to discover what would be found in each room. It was fun to see the expression of enjoyment on her face as
we discovered 20 decorated
Christmas trees and 1,200 poinsettias
scattered throughout the Conservatory. One of
the Fraser Firs glistened like a star towering up 24 feet and reflecting over a
pool of water!
I recommend viewing
the show at night when you can enjoy the 25,000 LED lights inside the
Conservatory and the 62,000 square- foot illuminated Outdoor Garden. I think
this was better than Temple Square in Utah see Day 151. My favorite rooms are always the Orchid Room and the Tropical Forest
and on this night, we enjoyed the sounds of North Hills High School Choir caroling.
As I looked around everyone seemed to be smiling and in “awe”
of something. Maybe it was the 24 different varieties of Poinsettias, or maybe it was the huge train layout depicting
the city that produced the smiles . Whatever it was, this winter
show sure gave us the needed feeling of
wonder like a child discovering something beautiful
and new! I sure will keep this in my survival tool box and recommend a visit to keep the wonder in your Christmas
Season.
(It is open from 5 pm to 11 pm until Jan 9th. They are hosting various holiday family friendly events and a Family New Years Eve Celebration.
 |
| Outdoor Garden |
Spiritual Source
"But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you. or speak to the earth, and it will teach you or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind (Job 12:7-10)
Other Sources