Brookside Gardens at Eastertime

We were so fortunate that Desirae had the opportunity to be with us over the Easter weekend!

We packed lots of fun and traditional activities into the time we had to share. We colored Easter eggs, baked and frosted Easter cupcakes, and, on Easter Sunday, paid a visit to the Grotto of Lourdes. We also went to a cat show, which was very entertaining! I fell in love with the Maine Coon Cats - so large with such striking markings and lush, thick fur coats. We saw all sorts of breeds that were new to us. One type had a curly coat making it resemble a teddy bear :)

On Easter Monday, we drove down to Wheaton, Maryland and visited Brookside Gardens. When Desirae was a young child, we lived in an apartment complex that bordered Wheaton Regional Park, and we walked through the park to the gardens many a time. So, it was like visiting an old friend - a place we both remember fondly.

The day we visited the gardens, robins were hopping about everywhere! Desirae got this shot of one spry bird that slowed down long enough to pose for the camera.

A favorite first stop at the gardens is the large greenhouse conservatory that houses many tropical plants. Here, Desirae poses in front of a puff ball flower tree.

Brookside Gardens is such a beautiful natural sanctuary. It covers 50 acres and includes a wide variety of horticulture displays and formal gardens. Another favorite stop is this lovely Japanese Gazebo overlooking a pond filled with colorful koi and aquatic turtles. There were all sorts of turtles swimming about and sunning on the pond banks.

Walking trails wind through the gardens, linking points of interest and offering a peaceful retreat for the enjoyment of the natural beauty all around.

The bright flowers and flowering trees and shrubs of the gardens attract many butterflies. In the photograph above, a Mourning Cloak butterfly gently alights among the blossoms of a flowering cherry tree.