A slave to the Goddess Flora shares his garden adventures.
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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.
Wednesday, December 26, 2018
Festival of Trees for Boxing Day.
Tacoma's Mary Bridge Children's Hospital's annual Festival of Trees is a thirty year tradition that has grown more and more elaborate. Theme trees are surrounded by lavish gifts. In a single weekend there are gala events (at one of these, the trees/gifts are auctioned) and the displays are open to the public for a short time before the whole thing is dismantled so that the trees/gifts can be reassembled in the homes/businesses of the winning bidders. Whew, that's a lot of work. This year the event made $1.6 million for the hospital.
This year, I didn't pay much attention to the descriptions in the brochure which include the designers, themes, sponsors, etc. just wandered aimlessly snapping shots. As an aural balance to the visual glitz, here's a lovely setting of Заповеди блаженств (The Beatitudes) by Russian composer Vladimir Martynov (b.1947.)
The festival is well attended!
The boy nutcracker in the bubble.
I was rather fond of the blooming tree because of the exquisite cloisonné vases.
In the gift shop.
The gnome tree was clever.
Table-top trees.
Entertainment
A warm beach sounds delightful at the moment.
Hope you enjoyed looking at a few of the trees in this year's festival and that you're having a peaceful holiday season! (Christmas, after all, lasts for twelve days starting on the 25th!)
I will definitely bid on those cloisonné vases! I like the trees whose theme was more straightforward like the teddy bears. And I did love that red pickup truck. I had a friend who decorated his pickup with lights and had them lit while he was indoors at a party at my house. What fun to see it aglow outdoors.
Goodness! Each one of those trees is a piece of art, but together they are a bit overwhelming. It reminded me of the display gardens at the flower and garden show: each one a gem, all together though, they make me dizzy. I'm glad people attended and opened their hearts and pocket books: $1.6 million is pretty terrific, and for such a good cause.
Very elaborate, but none of the trees and their accoutrements particularly interested me, until the headless mannequin in the beaded top caught my eye. Maybe I could reinvigorate an interest in Christmas decorating next year by having a Christmas mannequin instead of a Christmas tree.
Kudos to the hospital for managing to turn such a temporary thing into such a lucrative fund raiser. That must have taken some astounding persuasive work of nurturing goodwill! When you first mentioned Festival of Trees, I was thinking they were urging people to plant more trees. With the latest climate reports, I think the addition of such a festival might be another feasible fundraising idea. I mean, if they can sell Christmas trees with such tremendous success, can you imagine what they might be able to achieve with living trees? I would love that...
Good idea! It's really the gifts that people go for, like the all-expense paid trip to Costa Rica that comes with that tree. One year there was even a car that came with the tree. Amazing what people will donate.
Elaborate indeed. Some of the trees are very clever and the gifts surrounding them were surprising. Furniture?! As charity drives go, I'm impressed by this one.
Most of the trees came with a trip somewhere, services of some sort, and other such things. It's really a nice fundraiser and the gala events must be interesting to see as well.
Peter these were so amazing to see ! My favorite was the gnome tree .. go figure? I guess I missed out on the latest fashion trend with those explosive toppers on the trees this year .. they did make me .. hum .. giggle ? I prefer not to see "living" trees sacrificed so artificial is the better way to go in my humble opinion .. leave what is alive alone, it is alive for a purpose .. not entertainment .. end of my tiny lecture ? LOL Enjoyed the tour very much .. thank you ! Happy New Year ;-)
Happy new year to you Joy! The explosive topper thing started many years ago. I even did one (long ago) with sparkling gold twigs behind a bunch of angels (a multitude of the heavenly host) It would be okay if the living trees were in pots so that they could be planted outside after the event I suppose. It's easier to decorate the artificial trees as ornaments can be wired right to the branches without worrying about hurting a live tree.
quiet here today, which is a welcome change. Thinking of the song "Keep Christmas With You" from "Christmas on Sesame Street. Hopefully the good feeling will last at least 12 days. Thanks for all of the pretties.
It's fun to share such pretty stuff. Happy to hear that it's quiet there today. I went to the Watson's after Christmas sale and got a few gold Fatsia stems that I admired on a tree earlier. I didn't go to Molbak's at all this holiday season but may make a field trip up to see the sale.
It always feels good to get everything put away and enjoy the open space again. Because the time heading up to Christmas is sometimes really busy, I often don't get in the mood to decorate until just before the day. Didn't do much this year.
I will definitely bid on those cloisonné vases! I like the trees whose theme was more straightforward like the teddy bears. And I did love that red pickup truck. I had a friend who decorated his pickup with lights and had them lit while he was indoors at a party at my house. What fun to see it aglow outdoors.
ReplyDeleteThe vases were truly beautiful. What a cool thing for your friend to do!
DeleteGoodness! Each one of those trees is a piece of art, but together they are a bit overwhelming. It reminded me of the display gardens at the flower and garden show: each one a gem, all together though, they make me dizzy. I'm glad people attended and opened their hearts and pocket books: $1.6 million is pretty terrific, and for such a good cause.
ReplyDeleteIt was a bit overwhelming especially with the crush of people. Next time I go, it'll be right at opening time.
DeleteVery elaborate, but none of the trees and their accoutrements particularly interested me, until the headless mannequin in the beaded top caught my eye. Maybe I could reinvigorate an interest in Christmas decorating next year by having a Christmas mannequin instead of a Christmas tree.
ReplyDeleteShe also had a fish tail so was a headless mermaid. What a great idea for your house for next year and she could stay up all year long if you wanted.
DeleteKudos to the hospital for managing to turn such a temporary thing into such a lucrative fund raiser. That must have taken some astounding persuasive work of nurturing goodwill! When you first mentioned Festival of Trees, I was thinking they were urging people to plant more trees. With the latest climate reports, I think the addition of such a festival might be another feasible fundraising idea. I mean, if they can sell Christmas trees with such tremendous success, can you imagine what they might be able to achieve with living trees? I would love that...
ReplyDeleteGood idea! It's really the gifts that people go for, like the all-expense paid trip to Costa Rica that comes with that tree. One year there was even a car that came with the tree. Amazing what people will donate.
DeleteElaborate indeed. Some of the trees are very clever and the gifts surrounding them were surprising. Furniture?! As charity drives go, I'm impressed by this one.
ReplyDeleteMost of the trees came with a trip somewhere, services of some sort, and other such things. It's really a nice fundraiser and the gala events must be interesting to see as well.
DeletePeter these were so amazing to see ! My favorite was the gnome tree .. go figure?
ReplyDeleteI guess I missed out on the latest fashion trend with those explosive toppers on the trees this year .. they did make me .. hum .. giggle ?
I prefer not to see "living" trees sacrificed so artificial is the better way to go in my humble opinion .. leave what is alive alone, it is alive for a purpose .. not entertainment .. end of my tiny lecture ? LOL
Enjoyed the tour very much .. thank you !
Happy New Year ;-)
Happy new year to you Joy! The explosive topper thing started many years ago. I even did one (long ago) with sparkling gold twigs behind a bunch of angels (a multitude of the heavenly host) It would be okay if the living trees were in pots so that they could be planted outside after the event I suppose. It's easier to decorate the artificial trees as ornaments can be wired right to the branches without worrying about hurting a live tree.
DeleteWe are thoroughly enjoying our family and friends. I can see you are getting out to enjoy all things holiday. Merry merry...
ReplyDeleteGlad you are enjoying your family and friends! This event actually took place Nov. 30 - Dec. 1.
Deletequiet here today, which is a welcome change. Thinking of the song "Keep Christmas With You" from "Christmas on Sesame Street. Hopefully the good feeling will last at least 12 days.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all of the pretties.
It's fun to share such pretty stuff. Happy to hear that it's quiet there today. I went to the Watson's after Christmas sale and got a few gold Fatsia stems that I admired on a tree earlier. I didn't go to Molbak's at all this holiday season but may make a field trip up to see the sale.
DeleteWould you believe I deChristmasized today? Everything’s been up since the 4th or so and I was getting tired of the clutter...(bahumbug)
ReplyDeleteIt always feels good to get everything put away and enjoy the open space again. Because the time heading up to Christmas is sometimes really busy, I often don't get in the mood to decorate until just before the day. Didn't do much this year.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is a huge fundraiser. Did you bid? You never know! I wonder what the winning bids average?
ReplyDeleteThe auction takes place at one of the evening fancy dress events. I went during the day when admission was less expensive.
DeleteQuite a lot of Christmas glitz in a good cause. Thanks for the Russian choral music.
ReplyDelete