Wedding Wednesday at the Desert Botanical Garden

 

Beautiful bride at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix

There were two weddings on this perfect Arizona spring day

I'm skipping out of chronological order to post about my very last adventure in Arizona, a visit to the wonderful Desert Botanical Garden. When the last day of my trip rolled around there were just five of our original group left. My friends, Elizabeth and Neal, had made 8:00 am reservations, but the we three laggards figured we'd arrive later in the day and just waltz in. No waltzing! When my friend Charlie arrived later in the morning, there were no tickets and no parking. We three remaining took a nice walk and had a farewell lunch together. But thanks to resourcefulness -- not mine -- and a quick cellphone check of tickets, there were tickets for 2:30 and I got to end my visit to Arizona with one of my favorite activities of the trip. 

Greetings from the Desert Botanical Garden

The Garden was extraordinary -- beautiful and fascinating. I knew just about nothing about desert plants and environment on arrival and have a much better sense of the complex ecosystem of the Sonoran Desert. I especially enjoyed seeing the hummingbirds and do regret missing the butterfly exhibit, but the line was at least half a city block long. 

Along the Desert Wildflower Trail

I enjoyed all five trails that comprise the Garden, but I loved the wildflowers. When I was there I wanted to make sure that I saw every section, but I wish I had spent more time in this section. March is a fabulous time for desert wildflowers in Arizona and despite taking a lot of photographs, I wish I'd taken more. There was beauty in every direction.

Spectacular plants and sky

We ended the day with a fun dinner at Gertrude's, the Garden restaurant. Loved dinner on the patio and the elotes -- Mexican corn -- fritters. Then it was off to the airport and my red-eye flight back to New York. 

It's been a rough re-entry, but after two medical visits, grocery shopping and a few errands I feel that I'm back to New York life. I walked my usual three miles today -- didn't quite make it for the last few days -- and now I'm happily blogging.   

I've got a few more Arizona posts and then we're on to spring flowers in New York City. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and happy spring!

 

Wedding Wednesday Goes to Kansas City

Here comes the bride 

And the bridal party at historic Union Station in Kansas City, MO

I'm happy to host a return to one of my favorite features, Wedding Wednesday (WW). I can't even remember the last time I hosted a Wedding Wednesday, but it's always a treat to find a wedding party being photographed. I've found photographs for Wedding Wednesday in Richmond, VA, Philadelphia and New York City. Now I'm happy to add Kansas City. 

I was waiting for the downtown street car in Kansas City when I came across this fabulous scene and couldn't resist taking pictures. I'd already taken photographs of the beautiful and iconic Union Station, the train station of Kansas City completed in October 1914. It's a magnificent building and one I'm delighted to share with you. 

The magnificent waiting area at Union Station

On a different note, I want to be very clear that Buttercupland is not leaving Blogville. A few friends have expressed concern that I'm ending the blog and that is far from the reality. I don't believe that the days of blogging are any more numbered than other forms of communication. Neither I, nor anyone else, can foresee what the future of online writing looks like, but as long as I enjoy writing and taking photographs the (mythical) flag of the  Kingdom of Buttercupland will proudly wave. Instead of ending Buttercupland I'm planning to blog more often and visit friends' blogs more frequently. It's time for more blogging, rather than less. 

I started blogging in the winter of 2009 and it wasn't a bright winter. My hope was that blogging would be a bright light in an otherwise dark landscape and it has been, much to my somewhat pessimistic expectation.  In a world that can use all the light and optimism it can get I want to keep Buttercupland an upbeat and hopeful gathering place for friends. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care. 

Wedding Wednesday Goes to Central Park

 

Isn't this the cutest couple? I was their elopement photographer, which, 

of course, I loved doing. 

We haven't celebrated Wedding Wednesday in Buttercupland in quite awhile. But I'm always hoping that I will be able to photograph a wedding. My hope came true Sunday in Central Park. I was in the park to participate in the CaringKind annual walk, and while I was walking over to the registration area I saw a couple that looked dressed for a wedding. I didn't see a wedding party or a photographer and thought they might like a few pictures. It might have been a little presumptuous, but I asked if they'd like me to take pictures, and happily they agreed. This is one of the photos I took for them, and I'm grateful they agreed. 

I did a two-mile walk through the park and it never got sunny, but the rain was minimal and didn't dampen our spirits or take away from the enthusiasm my team had for the walk. CaringKind provides information and support for those who are caregivers for people with Alzheimer's Disease. This is the seventh year I've done this walk, though in 2020 it was a virtual walk. I'm so glad we're able to do this walk again with others.

I enjoyed seeing the changing colors in the park and have chosen a few of my favorites to share with you. I'm hopeful that this will be the beginning of a few more weeks of changing leaves in New York City. There hasn't been much color for the last few years, so this year has been a very welcome treat.

There were lots of dog walkers in the park on Sunday

The leaves were only beginning to change in this area, but loved the majesty of this tree. 

If I could  find this tree again, I'd make a return visit this

 weekend to see the progress of the leaves. 

I've got several more posts planned with photographs from my trip to North Carolina and Tennessee. I posted one photograph of the sunset view in Asheville and will be sharing some of my favorites from the Biltmore House and the fabulous scenery in the Smoky Mountains. I took far too many pictures, but the views were glorious and every way I turned there was something memorable.

I've been slow getting back to my regular routine, but I will be getting to the gym tomorrow, at least that's my plan. I've done the walk, gone to a literary reading and two medical appointments. I've caught up on the mail (mostly), grocery shopped, gone to the library and set up my new Fitbit. The latter took a lot more time than I expected, but it's great to be counting all my steps again. What's your week been like?

As ever, thanks for visiting and have a terrific Thursday.    

Wedding Wednesday Goes to the Metropolitan Museum of Art

It's time for Wedding Wednesday

Our last Wedding Wednesday was celebrating my parents' anniversary in March and before that, a post about Nessie and EBunny's December wedding. I've been on the lookout for wedding photo shoots, but haven't seen any, until last Sunday. As I was walking to the entrance of the Metropolitan Museum, I was happy to discover a photo shoot. I loved the setting and the happy, upbeat look of the wedding couple. 

Things are quiet in New York City these days, which I realize, is what every other August is like. It's vacation time before school starts again in September. My goal for the rest of the week --besides blogging, Weight Watchers and another trip to the gym -- is to do at least a day of decluttering. I want to take advantage of this less busy time and clear out my closet and drawers. If I haven't worn summer clothes this year, it's safe to realize I probably won't be wearing these items next year. Anyone else doing major closet cleaning?

I spent time this afternoon at the Community Garden, enjoying the summer afternoon and taking lots of flower photographs. My goal was to find pink and, with some editing, I've got my theme for this week's Pink Saturday. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and hope you had a wonderful Wednesday.

 

Wedding Wednesday: March 2, 1947

 

My mother's wedding portrait

In this week's Wedding Wednesday we're going back in time to a wedding that took place on March 2, 1947 in Hartford, Connecticut. The beautiful bride is my mother. I rediscovered this photograph during my most recent round of decluttering. There was a smaller framed version on my parents' dresser when I was growing up, but that was over fifty years ago. When I saw it again last month, it was as though I'd never seen it before. 

My parents met in October, 1946. They were introduced by a couple who was friends with both sets of my grandparents. My mother lived in Hartford and my father in Brooklyn. There was no quick interstate highway between the two cities, just the Merritt Turnpike and the Hartford, New Haven and New York Railroad. In the five months between first meeting and their wedding they decided to get married, became engaged and planned a large, formal wedding. No internet, no cell phones and no texts, just the U.S. mail and the telephone to keep the relationship going and put the wedding together.  

Though they'd spent very little time together before they married, somehow it worked. Their personalities were very different, but their values were right in step together. Family and family time together, faith and country were top of the list. They were both voracious readers, books and newspapers, and they were happy to bring me along in the family pastime. We raked leaves as a family, shoveled snow as a family, visited historic sites as a family and loved summer weekends at the Connecticut shore with extended family.   

Even fairy tale weddings and the stories that follow them come to an end. My parents were married for 34 years, until my father passed away in 1981. But like fairy tales, the memories of the story live on, especially in the memory of those who loved them. 

Happy anniversary, Mom and Dad. Your love and your story live on in my memory.    

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care. 

Valentine's Day Wedding Wednesday: Nessie and Edgar

 

Congratulations to Nessie and Edgar

 Buttercupland is Pleased to Announce the Marriage of

Nessie Jean Scotland and Edgar "Easter" Bunny 

December 31, 2020

New York City

Honor Attendants were Miss Fluffy and Jamie Scotland and the Best Man was Paws Bear. 

Entertainment was provided by the Snowman Chorus. The recessional music was "The Easter Parade," in homage to the groom's family tradition.  

Instead of the traditional cake, Cadbury mini eggs were served. 

The bride is originally from Inverness, Scotland and moved to New York City in 2019. She is a noted social media influencer. She is descended from a long line of distinguished sea creatures from Loch Ness, Scotland. The groom is a long-time resident of New York City. He serves as Chief Transportation Officer of his family's egg delivery business. They will continue to reside on the third bookshelf, next to the cookbook collection. 

Buttercup note: It was a spectacular wedding. The bride looked elegant in her faux satin gown with its lace train. It was the perfect end to a challenging year to see our newlyweds so in love and happy. Even Pep LeMonkee, the bride's ex, joined in the celebration and had a great time. 

I hope you've enjoyed our celebration. It was fun to remember the wedding and to share the wedding album. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and keep cozy! 

Wedding (and Relationship Change) Wednesday

Nessie and Pep -- Aren't they the cutest?

Love blooms where one would never expect it, and happily there's romantic news in Buttercupland. Pep is telling the world, or at least his Facebook friends that he is in a relationship with Nessie. They're not engaged, but there could be a June wedding in the forecast. Who knows what this love struck pair will decide to do? Congratulations to Nessie and Pep!

   Photo opportunity at Grand Central Station, Thanksgiving night

I was walking through Grand Central Station to the subway on Thanksgiving night and noticed a bridal photo shoot. It's the third bridal photography session I've seen at Grand Central and this didn't seem to be the norm. Bride in wedding gown and groom -- perhaps -- in ski jacket. I knew I had to capture the moment for Wedding Wednesday.

Tomorrow we return to the sights of Christmas in New York and there's definitely a visit to a classic that you won't want to miss. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and sharing in Pep and Nessie's happy news.  

(Belatedly) Wedding Wednesday Goes to New Jersey

The groom and wedding guests before the wedding

 

I'm always on the lookout for wedding moments and never know when I'm going to find them. Last Saturday morning I was at a conference at a hotel in suburban New Jersey. I was listening to a panel discussion on mystery novels when a Baraat -- the procession before a Hindu or Sikh wedding - went past the window in front of me. The panel was interesting, but I had to go outside and see the procession. 

 

The groom traditionally is led to the site of the wedding on a Ghodi, or white horse. He is accompanied by family, groomsmen and friends, and in this case, Buttercup. The groom was also accompanied by a drone -- top center of the picture -- which was there to capture all of the pre-wedding festivities. I was awed by the beautiful clothes that the guests were wearing. Alas, I didn't get to see the bride. 

 

It's a beautiful summer day in New York today. I'm feeling very sloth-like, but I'm going to get a few long overdue errands out of the way and then plan a visit to the Metropolitan Museum. What are your plans for the rest of the weekend?  

 

As ever, thanks for visiting and keep cool!  

 

Wedding Wednesday Goes to Grand Central Station

It's time for Wedding Wednesday

 

After a long hiatus -- it looks like about a year -- it's time for the ever-popular Wedding Wednesday. My research of the evening shows the first Wedding Wednesday in 2014. I don't seek out weddings, but I always photograph weddings that I find. I found this beautiful bride and her stunning wedding party in Grand Central Station a few Sundays ago, and stopped to take pictures. These are my favorites.

 

  This is very similar to the photograph above, but I am enthralled with the lighting.

I like the setting in Grand Central and all of the activity around the bridal party. At the top of the stairs in the photograph is the Apple Store. 

 



The finale of the photo shoot.

 



One of my activities before my trip is deleting some of the infinite number of pictures on my phone. I know I'm going to add hundreds -- literally -- and it's time to delete the ones that don't give me joy, as Marie Kondo would describe it. I've discovered several that I haven't shared in Buttercupland and I'll be posting a few of them tomorrow. I hope you'll stop by.

 

As ever, thanks for visiting and have a terrific Thursday.

Wedding Wednesday (on Thursday)

When sweet Margaret and Joe were married in Old Saybrook, CT last summer, her mother, my friend of very long standing, Lonni, and I decided we wanted to visit the Saybrook Point Inn in every season. We'd made a visit in the spring to make some plans for the wedding and spent a fabulous long wedding weekend in July. Our autumn trip to Saybrook took place two weekends ago. Sadly, the leaves hadn't turned at the time, but it was still beautiful.   
 

As we sat and enjoyed the view of the marina we had the good fortune to be a tiny part of the wedding that took place that day, and I captured a few photographs for this week's Wedding Wednesday. 



Beach chair, marina in the background and beautiful bride and handsome groom.

Happy is the bride and groom the sun shines on!

The marina was as lovely in the autumn as in the summer. Some of the boat slips were empty, perhaps the boats were already on their way south for the winter. But we sat in this loveliest of places, extending the bonds of friendship for another season. This trip included our dear friend, Joni, who also went to high school with us.
 

A trip to the Saybrook Point Inn would not be complete without at least one meal. I splurged with both the homemade potato chips -- with just a splash of malt powder -- and dessert. And what a dessert! I had apple bread pudding with caramel sauce and cinnamon gelato. Each element was the perfect complement for the others, so delicious and so perfect for fall.  Definitely photo worthy.

From year to year I forget how busy the fall becomes, especially after the slow days of August. I've been out every night this week -- not my norm -- and it's a lot more running around than I'm used to. It's put me way behind where I'd like to be in my blogging life. I had every intention of posting Wedding Wednesday on Wednesday, but traffic, a long train trip home and staying until the very end of a fun retirement party with my former colleagues kept me out until almost my bedtime. 

I have a very fun event coming up -- and I promise to post about it on Sunday. The hint to my event is in the first paragraph of this post. Happy guessing!

As ever, thanks for visiting and have a fabulous Friday.

Wedding Wednesday -- The Most Beautiful Bride of Summer, 2016

I know all brides are beautiful, but I also have learned that the brides of our heart are the most beautiful to us. There is a fabulous dress, perfect makeup and hair style, but mostly there is a glow of love and affection that gives the complete radiance of beauty. If we are very lucky -- and I was -- this glow settles over the wedding and those of us who share it. I was especially fortunate to share four days with friends who are family and celebrate Margaret and Joe's wedding. Margaret's mother and I met in fifth grade and to see her lovely daughter married was a sweet, sweet moment.

I took a lot of pictures, both of the festivities and the hotel and area in Old Saybrook, CT, where the wedding took place. Selecting photographs for this post was very difficult. Today's post features pictures of the wedding and I will do another post later in the week with photographs of Old Saybrook. 

The very beautiful bride and her handsome father.

The marina in Old Saybrook is in the background. The bridesmaids were lovely and so much fun to with which to spend time. The bride's mother, my dear friend, L. and Margaret's father are seated on the left, watching the ceremony.

Margaret and Joe wowed us with their first dance. They danced to a medley that included "Can't Help Falling in Love," one of my favorite songs.

Margaret changed to an adorable reception dress for the cake cutting and the dancing.

This was probably the most fun wedding cake I've ever had -- yes, funfetti! It was as delicious as it was pretty.

 

 

 

Wedding Wednesday Goes to Richmond

I expected to get lots of pictures during my visit to Richmond, friends, gardens and the sights of the city. I got pictures of all of those things, but I had the added good fortune of discovering a wedding party being photographed during my walk around the city.

 

As I walked back to our hotel with friends, my friend Betsy, who is a citizen of Buttercupland, called my attention to this beautiful young woman in a wedding gown being photographed. "Perfect for Wedding Wednesday," she said. I think my friends are pretty special, but I am especially touched when they look out for ideas for Buttercupland. Thanks, Betsy!

I asked if I could also take a photograph and they couldn't have been more gracious. The bride, Erin, and her lovely mother, invited me to take as many photos as I liked. Soon several members of the wedding party joined in the pictures.

The adorable bride and groom and family

 

 

Soon the entire wedding party joined the fun. The bride's mother is on the far right. Thanks so much for your graciousness.

 

Before I left the bride's mother asked if I wanted to come to the wedding. I was very tempted, but the class dinner and my college friends were the reason I was in Richmond. One of my mother's favorite expressions was "You can't dance at two weddings,"  and it came to my mind as I thought about the evening.  

 

This photo and the one below were taken during our wonderful tour of the Virginia State Capitol. Designed by Thomas Jefferson, it is a beautiful building. Our guide brought so much enthusiasm and knowledge to our visit. 

 

 

 

 I think I've said this after every time I go away, but it's taking me a few days to get back to my New York life. I don't sleep quite right and my eating is leaning to the fancier food we ate in Richmond. There were crab cakes and fried oysters and this delicious apple dessert. The ice cream is maple-bacon. I ordered it to try the ice cream -- a little odd -- but I enjoyed the apple pastry a lot.

 

 

 

Of course my sleeping may be a little off after watching almost all fourteen innings of the World Series last night. I'm listening to Game 2 as I type. A Mets win would help me sleep better, but that doesn't seem to be happening.

 

As always, thanks for visiting. Take care and have a sweet Thursday.  



 

 



Once Upon a Time...

...Not very long ago a traveler came to a beautiful Shinto shrine, somewhere between Osaka and Kyoto.  The traveler thought she had somehow traveled through not only space, but time, and was floating in a period long ago when the Shoguns governed Japan.

The traveler blinked quickly and as she turned a corner at the shrine there was a wedding couple from long, long ago -- at least for a few minutes. 

 Wedding Wednesday in Japan

 

 

The traveler blinked again and it was 2015 and she was holding a cell phone, which would have shocked the shoguns and everyone else in long ago Japan. But for a few minutes the traveler had floated through time.

 

I hope you've enjoyed our visit through time. Tomorrow we move quickly into the present century with a giveaway -- I want to take a few more pictures in better light -- and a fun visitor. 

 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care.

Wedding Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

I think it's fun to see brides on the streets of New York City and through the years I've enjoyed posting these pictures on Wedding Wednesdays. It doesn't happen that often, but when it does I know I have my post for the  next Wednesday. When I started jury duty two weeks ago I started to see brides -- the bouquet was the giveaway -- near the building where I was serving.

  I found this happy couple...

 

 this happy couple...

 

...and this happy couple.

 

If you note the sign in the last picture they are entering the Office of the City Clerk, which is actually the Manhattan equivalent of getting married at "City Hall." Because of jury duty I stumbled upon wedding central for Manhattan and there were lots of couples and lots of bouquets. 

 

 

I had a nice chat with the man responsible for many of the bouquets. When I first saw him I thought it was odd to see a flower seller in the center of the courts, but quickly realized why he had set up his table there. There were also two photographers on the steps, ready to take pictures for anyone who didn't have a friend or relative with a camera accompanying them.

 

I'm returning to my regular Wedding Wednesday format and will only be posting weddings when I come upon them during my regular life. But I couldn't resist sharing my wedding discovery. 

 

It's winter here -- really and truly winter -- and I am even wearing a hat all the time when I'm outside. I've got my hat, my down coat and my fleece gloves and I was out today for Weight Watchers -- tomorrow's post -- and grocery shopping, and it was chilly. Otherwise I was very content to stay inside.   

 

As ever, thanks for visiting and keep cozy!

Wedding Wednesday Goes to Times Square

I'm taking a brief sojourn from posting only photographs of Christmas in New York for the latest post in the "Wedding Wednesday" series.  I was walking down Broadway near Times Square when I saw this couple in their wedding finery.  I detoured from my errand of buying theater tickets to take a few pictures I could share with Buttercupland.

There was a quick stop to pose for pictures near the TKTS -- discount theater  -- booth...

 

...and then a walk through the crowds at Times Square.

 

 

I couldn't resist taking a few other pictures while I was in the neighborhood. 

 

A sort-of-selfie with the Empire State Building and a Christmas tree...

 

...and the m&m folks in elf attire. 

 

December, not unexpectedly, is flying by. The Christmas tree is going up in the lobby of my building and my cards have made it out to my table ready to be addressed. I'm happy to add folks to my card list. Please leave me a comment with your email address and I will be in touch. I've begun to wrap presents that need to be mailed and plan to be at the post office for the first round of mailing on Friday. 

 

As always, thanks for visiting and take good care!