A Night of Wonder and Fun

OK Gang, we wanted to share some of the other aspects of the magnificent "Night of a Thousand Candles" we experienced at Brookgreen Gardens. One of the first photos on the last post was of the entrance gate to Brookgreen Gardens and it showed the powerful statue "Fighting Stallions" by Anna Huntington with the addition of the holiday lighting.  We showed photos of that statue in our earlier posts and I think you will agree it looks totally different in this perspective.  Well ... from that point on to the parking area the roads were all festooned with lights and candles and volunteers were present at every turn to make sure we didn't get lost in the dazzling display.  After checking in at the welcome area we looked briefly at some of the "inside" exhibits - including an exact replica of Archer's study as would have looked decorated for Christmas in the early 1900's.  In another area, toy displays showed items that were popular in past Christmases -

Dr. Seusse Tree and Decorations

including a train set that was exactly like one I received when I was a child.  I added a photo of it to our post yesterday.  There were also a large number of displays that contained items put together by the folks

Orchid Christmas Tree

in the botanical gardens.  They included Christmas trees made out of an amazing variety of plants and other substances. 
Can you imagine the skill and patience it took to create a Christmas tree using exclusively orchids???  Or how about one made from Poinsettias?  By the way, you did know that Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett for whom the plant is named was from South Carolina, right??  Yep, turns out that ol' Joel was quite a gentleman.  Born in 1779 and trained as a physician he also was a remarkable

Poinsettia Tree

statesman, serving in both the South Carolina legislature and the United States Congress.  His story is absolutely incredible and if you want to read about someone who got about as much out of life as you possibly can, please take the time to read his biography.  Oh - talk about 'serendipity'... remember the other day when we

Peacock Feather Tree

talked about "Geocaching?"  Recall the pictures of the grave of General Thomas Sumter?  Well, General Sumter resided in Stateburg in the Pee Dee area of the state  - and - Dr. Poinsett is buried at the Church of the Holy Cross in Stateburg, not far from the resting place of General Sumter.  Of course we automatically have to be partial to Dr. Poinsett's namesake but the other Christmas trees created from plants, feathers and foliage were equally compelling and I found that the beautiful tree made from Bromiliads was one of the most remarkable. 

Bromiliad Tree

But then there were also the countless wreaths, window treatments and wall hangings that formed a breathtaking display as well.  Although Linda is an artist with a wonderful imagination, and Sherwood has a tremendous talent for decorating and style,

Feather Wreath

the folks who put all of this together are really something special and I am so thankful that we have them here with us in the Palmetto State.  I know that each of our home locations had equally skillful artisans and I suppose this is a great reminder of the debt we owe them for enriching our lives.  Please make sure to support the artists in your area - whether they are sculptors, painters, musicians, thespians - whatever - they add so much to our lives!!!  As we moved through the exhibit we were astonished at the artistry and creativity displayed in this one relatively small location.  The trees, organic sculptures and toys created by the marvelous craftsmen and women at

Butterfly Wreath

Brookgreen were nothing short of

Horse Sculpted With Succulents

miraculous.  I mean - who would have thought to create a spectacular sculpture of a horse using succulent plants? Amazing!!!!!!  And a family of deer from grape vines?  Genius!!!  And, believe it or not, these were just a tiny sampling of the spectacular treasures we encountered at virtually every turn throughout the gardens.  But - there was still a lot more to see, do, hear - and - taste!!!  We decided that before we embarked on our longer

Grape Vine Deer Sculpture

walking tour we needed some nourishment.  (Yeah, right!!!)   So we went into the pavillion near the Arboretum and found an absolutely remarkable feast.  We found seafood of every kind, barbecue, sandwiches, salads and just about anything else your taste buds could hope for.  Linda and I opted for "shrimp and grits"  (.... for those not familiar with one of our 'Southern delicacies', we'll come back later and talk menus...) and Sherwood chose the 'pulled pork barbecue.'  With a glass of a very good Merlot to go along with them, our meal choices were excellent!!  I hope we haven't worn you out yet - but - I'm sure we probably did enough to get you hungry!!  So, we'll take a short time-out to let you get a snack and rest up a bit and then we'll come back to continue our stroll through this wonderland of light, sound and art.  Be sure not to miss the next installment because I want to introduce you to two of our newest 'best friends' and share with you a little of their spectacular musical skill.  See ya.