Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Atlanta History Center, Atlanta Botanical Garden & St. Regis

In some ways it feels like I've had no time for holiday festivities but truthfully I have managed to squeeze in a couple of events that have been lots of fun.
 The Holiday Spirit (or the Ghost from Christmas Past), event at the Atlanta History Center was a great event!   Last week my husband and I took the candlelight tour of the Smith House.   
As the tour began we ran up on some Confederate soldiers training a new recruit.  The Ghost of Christmas Past took us back to 1861, the first year of the Civil War.
Photos weren't allowed on the tour but we had the good fortune of meeting the local blacksmith, Mrs. Smith and Maude, our favorite character, who was a slave on the Smith Farm.  Maude gave an outstanding performance. 
The Atlanta History Center sits in the shadow of the St. Regis Hotel so after our tour we decided to visit the hotel.  In the lobby of the hotel sits a gingerbread house.  
Can you see my husband in the window?
The house is made from 900 eggs, 450 pounds of sugar, 30 pounds of spices and over 11,000 pieces of candy.  You can smell the gingerbread when you walk in the hotel. 
The 12 Days of Christmas cocktail menu had a little something for everyone on it.   My drink was something apple flavored.
Last night in spite of the rain, which was heavy at times, our family took the evening holiday lights tour at the Atlanta Botanical Garden
I loved watching my son and daughter head out to enjoy the lights and I managed to capture several pics of them during the tour.  I especially love this one beside the Chihuly fountain. 
And this one by the poinsettia tree. 
While we were in the flower garden there was a marriage proposal!  I was busy taking photos so I missed the "down on the knee" moment but we all heard the squealing.  

 And we were all mesmerized by this sound and light show.


A fun night for all...even the plants.

9 comments:

  1. Oooh...I almost went to the gardens last night, but bowed out because of the rain! Looks like I missed a wonderful time! A very Merry Christmas to you and your family, Cheryl!...hugs...Debbie

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  2. What fun tours. I hope they help get you into the Christmas mood, and that you will have time to relax and enjoy a "silent night" soon.

    Merry Christmas, Jo-Jo

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  3. What a beautiful place! It looks like you had a grand time. We have tickets to see the lights at Butchart Gardens and will head out there one night before New Year's Eve.

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  4. Cheryl, just stopping by to wish you a very merry Christmas. This looks like a wonderful event. Merry, Merry ~ Sarah

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  5. Wow! amazing photographs capturing the moment. It must be five years since I visited my son who was studying at SCAD, he now works in Savannah. I loved Atlanta.
    Happy Christmas

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  6. It all looks so very very festive!! And that Pointseyyia Ree is Magnificent. They really do it up there....So Very Pretty!
    A Very Merry Christmas to you & yours, my dear...!

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  7. Hi Cheryl!
    You really HAVE been busy this month & I'm glad you took the time to share all the photos from the events you've attended. It has been crazy around here, too.
    Loved seeing all your family members & also the special lights & houses.

    Wishing you a very Merry CHRISTmas!
    fondly,
    Rett

    p.s. I have ONE Wendell August ornament!

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  8. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year.....Atlanta is starting to rival NYC for holiday fun plus it's a heck of alot cleaner....New York was just a madhouse....I was so glad to get home....Daughter is visiting Jan. 1st. for two weeks....she is asking the court to re-locate.....her father would like to bribe the judge to make that happen....LOL....Joyce is suppose to be in town for a few months...let's make a point of getting together for lunch one day.......Hugs, Sue.

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  9. Just stopping by to wish you a very Blessed Christmas for you and your family. Love, sandie

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