Sunday, January 10, 2016

Wings & Other Magical Things

YOUNG AND OLD alike were giddy with delight at the sight of a human fairy that miraculously appeared during a recent holiday event called Enchanted Nights at Bloedel Conservatory in Vancouver.

I joined my niece there just as the late afternoon sky dimmed and a luminous haze settled in. This whimsical start to the New Year was her nice idea.

The long line to get indoors moved slowly giving us time to view the beauty of bare branches draped over the changing pastel pink and blue horizon.

A mood of anticipation hung in the air as we hovered over the edge of the hill and looked down from what is said to be the highest point of the city.

Despite the wintry chill, someone wrote a warm "hello" in a dusting of snow.

As dark seeped more deeply into the evening commonplace ponies transformed into unicorns offering adventurous children magical rides.

Steaming hot chocolate was available to take a bite off the cold.

The large dome looked golden from the outside but when we went in ...

the ceiling was infused with purple and multicolored lights. Moon glow and starlight shimmered in the leafy nooks below.

Birds seemed resigned to hundreds of people pointing and chattering excitedly along designated pathways.

A stream of visitors through their cozy Conservatory home was a common occurrence for these exotic creatures that grew into their wings naturally.

Never too old to pretend, we looked in awe for the crafted miniature things that were cozily snuggled into the branches and foliage.

Creations of wood, ceramics, metal and glass were scattered throughout. Melissa Hume, Benjamin Kikkert and Corey Cote were part of a team of artists and helpers who worked hard to make the enchantment feel real.

Fairy dresses hung prettily on clotheslines.

Balloon rides were available for those small enough to fit in the baskets.

Sometimes art mimicked reality ... and sometimes reality mimicked art.

Glass creations looked like frosty icicles.

Flouncy leaves took on the appearance of wings.

The show delivered on its promised wonder-filled experience.

Our voyage was one of the imagination where ...

fairies ruled the land, played on swings and became artists.

My niece was reminded of the Friendly Giant, a Canadian television show from several years ago, and I can see why. Although we giants were far too big to join the fairies for a cup of tea, a spell was cast and we were refreshed.

Our journey through childhood seemed to suggest: There's no need to wait for wishes to come true to find that spark of magic all around and inside of you.


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Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

18 comments:

  1. I just love this Maria. What a perfect way to welcome in the New Year -- the Conservancy did a wonderful job putting this together. All your pictures are just great -- I think the fairy dresses on the line would honestly have made me believe again (if I didn't already!).

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  2. Wonderful magical shots. A delightful post.

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  3. Hi Maria,
    Awesome! What a wonderful collection of what we saw. Your pictures are beautiful. I'm glad your camera held up. I love the expression on the pony's face. The fairy is awesome too. Thanks for joining me.. it was lots of fun. One of those times when everything goes right. I hope Bill liked his treat..lol
    love Sherry

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  4. What a wonderful event to visit.

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  5. What a magical place. Looks like a lot of fun.

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  6. Ah, a wonderful way to greet the new year indeed!! What fun!! Thanks as always for sharing the beauty and the fun with us!! I hope your new week and new year are off to a great start!! Enjoy!!

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  7. What a delightful place ~ so magical and brought to life in your marvelous photography!

    Wishing you a Happy Week ~ ^_^

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  8. What a great place to start a new year. I hope your 2016 is wonderful - it should be if it starts with fairies!

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  9. Unicorns and fairies - what could be better!

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  10. Hello, what a wonderful and fun place to visit. Beautiful photos. Happy Tuesday, enjoy the week ahead!

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  11. Nice they did a nice touch to the place. Love all the shots!

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  12. Oh, wow! What a delight. Thanks for sharing your day and night at the festival. I would've been ooh'ing and awe'ing all over the place. I definitely was looking at your photos. I wouldn't mind having a dress like the fairies. Theirs are so colorful and joyful.
    The View from the Top of the Ladder

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  13. An enchanted night, indeed! My expectation got higher and higher as I approached the place with you. I really enjoyed the world where “fairies ruled the land, played on swings and became artists.” By the way, did you see Arrietty enjoying herself in that miniature world? Wish you a healthy and creative year full of pleasant surprises and miracles.

    Yoko

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  14. Arrietty was a nice discovery, thanks to you stardust! The size and spirit of this adorable little character fits right into the fairy homes hidden in the Enchanted Forest. I wonder if you have mentioned her to me before and I have forgotten. :)

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  15. Well, Penelope, you really outdid yourself here. Gorgeous photos! And I really did think that glass creation was ice until I read what you'd written about it.
    I hope you and your family are having a good start to the new year. How wonderful for you to have a niece to invite you along on a fairytale trip.
    Hugs, K

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  16. That must have been a magical time. I loved all these photos. Would have loved that outing. Thanks for sharing it with us.

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  17. Hello! I'm happy you liked Arrietty. I’m not sure whether I told about Arrietty or not before, but remember about a charming witch Kiki (Kiki’s Delivery Service).

    Yoko

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  18. The fairy is dressed beautifully for the Bloedel Conservatory. She could almost be one of the colourful blossoms. Beautiful photos of an enchanting place.

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