Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Outdoor Wednesday...In Mr. McGregor's Garden - Imagine with Me.



Perhaps You, like me,
were read to as a child.

We would snuggle on the
couch. Mom in the middle.
My brother Allan and I squeezing
in from either side.
Not wanting to miss one
clever illustration.

Did someone you love
read books aloud to you?

Books with good values?

Lessons about obedience,
consequences of disobedience,
caring and the
importance of family.

Occasionally the memory of a story
will rush back into my mind.

Such was the case last week as I
visited the vegetable gardens at
Longwood Gardens.
In my mind's eye it was not a stretch
to see Peter Rabbit sneaking out from
his hutch to explore these perfect
heads of cabbage.

Surely you remember Peter Rabbit,
brought to us by Beatrix Potter.
Wikipedia



This garden had features which brought
Peter to life in my imagination.
I can't help but think young children
who are familiar with this story must
think the same when they see these
perfectly amazing veggie plots.

Perhaps he would hide among the beans
when he heard the good farmer coming.



I can see that this could be a good
idea until this kitty would happen to
catch a whiff of Peter's scent.



I am so sure that Mr. McGregor's wife
feeds this kitty well,
but it is not immune to
an opportunity to tease
a straying bunny.

Perhaps kitty chases Peter into this
potting shed.



It could've happened.



A hummingbird...



larger than life...



sucks nectar overhead.



While nearby...



The simple branch fence row
and corn are surrounded by...



...itty bitty vining flowers.

Oh, I do hope Peter finds his way home
safe and sound....but I also hope that
he has learned that it never pays to
disobey his mother.

She will be so happy to welcome him home
to his safe hutch and will tuck him safely
into his soft warm bed...



...to recuperate from that
awfully full tummy.

Oh, how I adore children's
literature
with a great message.
I also love gardens that
inspire. Don't you??

Have a super Outdoor Wednesday!
For more posts relating to things
found outdoors please visit Susan at
A Southern Daydreamer.
She is a wonderful hostess.

♥♥Becky K.♥♥

24 comments:

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

That was fun! I love the veggie garden at Longwood!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Becky, I just had this conversation with a friend about how much we enjoy children's literature, and I loved going on this journey with you and Peter. That was one of my favorites as a child. I loved stories with animals. Still do.

Happy Outdoor Wednesday!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Unknown said...

What would life be like without books? I can't even imagine it! They enrich our lives so much. I love how you brought Peter Rabbit into your story, it totally reminds me of him.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Thanks for the tour!
Glenda

Claudia said...

Love the background of your blog!

Great humming bird! The Peter Rabbit story is one of my all time favorites.

Love your garden... so lovely

Enjoy your week!

TTFN~~Claudia ♥

Sue said...

Hi Becky, Thanks for telling me this wonderful story, especially since Peter Rabbit is one of my favorite friends, He and I chat quit often you know.
Your garden is beautiful too. Thank you for sharing.
Sue

Kat said...

What a lovely garden, and it does look perfect for Peter! Thanks for stopping by. We actually moved to Texas from Pennsylvania 28 years ago. Come on down, we'd love to have you! Just write GTT on the door and take off lol. Kathy

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Becky,
I loved Peter Rabbit! The pics are just perfect for the little story you created! Thanks for stopping by, Cindy

SmilingSally said...

Your garden photos are beautiful. I like the hummingbird sculpture. Thanks for illustrating Peter Rabbit. Happy OW.

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hi Becky! I love this post! I absolutely saw every illustration in your photos! How wonderful! Yes, I was very fortunate to have a mom who believed in reading to her children and introduced us to the classics early on. Thanks for the wonderful reminder!...Debbie

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Such a lovely post, Becky! Beautiful words and photos!

I loved being read to, as a child.
Our mother read to us. Our local librarian had story hours at the library and read, every Saturday morning, on the radio, too. I'll never forget that. I read to my children and they are reading to their children. We are a family of readers.

Maryrose said...

Hi Becky,
I loved your post. I think I did see Peter under one of those cabbages. I still remember the magic of listening to stories and then being able to read them on my own. What a gift we give our children when we read to them. Lovely post. Happy Outdoor Wednesday.
~Maryrose

Carrie said...

What a delightful post! I love the story of Peter Rabbit.

Anonymous said...

Such a beautiful post Becky. You like a few of the other bloggers, have such a way with words. I envy you.

Christi @ A Southern Life said...

My mother read to us all the time. I was always afraid Mr. McGregor would catch poor Peter Rabbit. Now, that I have a garden of my own and have to keep the rabbits out, I can sympathize with Mr. McGregor more. Thanks for sharing these great pics.

Christi

Barb said...

Love your post, Becky!

I adore the flowers in the top pic!!!!!

Barb

Mary Bergfeld said...

I loved traveling with you and Peter through the garden. Your photos are lovely and are paired perfectly with your words. Have a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

Brenda Pruitt said...

I remember once my two now grown daughters were in a play about that story. Wonderful words and photos alike.
Brenda

the wild raspberry said...

Books are one of the greatest treasures to me....taking you to places you never dreamed of going!
I love to read to my girls every day.
What a wonderful post...
chasity

Anonymous said...

I love the hummingbird!

joyh82 said...

Have you seen Miss Potter the movie with Renee Zellweiger (sp?)
very cute.

Kelly said...

I've always loved the story of Peter Rabbit. It was quite clever of you to incorporate him and your pictures together into a post. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Blondie's Journal said...

What a cute post, Becky!! I really enjoyed it! My mother did not have a spare second to read to us (7 children) but we learned how to read on our own very early. She provided plenty of books and I always loved Beatrix Potter. In fact, I have a small collection of the Bunnykins china.

The gardens in your pictures are great! A little something for everyone. I love the vegetable garden with the impatiens all around the edge.

Thanks for such a fabulous post!!

xoxo
Jane

Sandra said...

Hi Becky, Thanks for dropping by my blog and leaving me a comment. I was just going thru your blog and I hope you don't mine me following you.
Blessings,
Sandra