Click on image to enlarge calendar photo for January 2010.

Click on image to enlarge calendar dates for January 2010.

CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON

It's time for the December Bienvenidos Luncheon.......

Where the tables are set in holiday decor with a Christmas menu........

In fact, the entire Country Club is decorated with a festive flair--as is Alice.....................

Donna is having the time of her life because...............

Artie is attending as a guest!...................

The gang's all here........................

And a good time was had by all! Let the season commence.................

NEW YORK TRIP-DAY 11
BROOKLYN BOTANICAL GARDEN

Today we are spending a few wonderful hours in Brooklyn at the Burroughs's Botanical Garden....

The day started out at my WW meeting in the Radio City area with the interesting lobby murals....

The Botanical Garden is commemorated with tiles at their subway stop......

And we're back in Brooklyn.........

Dwight approaches the park entrance......

Through this leafy arbor, we spy.......

A giant topiary bug in the children's section...........

I'm very happy to share my birth month with the lovely rose...............

Knockout roses at the entrance............

The Botanical Gardens are extensive, so Dwight is plotting a plan............

One of the things you might expect to see in a botanical garden is a lovely mixed planting like this one in a wooden planter..............

Another thing you might see is lots and lots of leaves.............

And blooming bushes.............

And blooming trees..................

And verdant corners for reflection...........

And colorful plants..............

and waterfalls.............

And REALLY colorful plants...................

This border is pretty tropical............

A lovely old tree...................

Interesting pods and cones.................

Some sweet poppies.......................

And my favorite--iris!

Dwight even managed to find a yucca to remind him of home.............

This is one of our activities that I look forward to on every trip.........

Look! Is that a dead body on the grass?.........................

These folks checked it out and just joined him in this green space between the two groves of trees........

These trees were planted after 9/11 to commemorate the victims of the terrorist attack...............

Click on the image to enlarge it if you want to read the inscription.

The trees have grown quite nicely and make a lovely red show in the fall.......................

This is one of the areas where young NYC brides stage their weddings...............

Dwight enters a whimsical gate to enter..................

The rose garden!...................

Here are some tree roses................

A golden variety......................

And a gorgeous Chicago Peace Rose................

A simple pink.................

And a fresh yellow.........................

Multiple blossoms................

A lovely rose maiden..................

We share a love of roses..................

And are sisters under the skin (and bronze).......................

Hail to thee Rose Maiden!..............................

A lovely and large trellis house.....................

The staff told us that we missed peak rose bloom by about ten days, but it was still a magnificent show..............

Golden girl....................

And the scent was fabulous!......................

An outstanding pink...........................

Very festive!!....................................................

I can't express what a joy it is to spend time in this magnificent rose garden!!............................

Tropical Peach.................

Sweet and pure.......................................

One Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaapy Woman!............

If you can spot the higher ground esplanade behind the garden, that is where we are headed to take a break with a view and to wait for our beautiful Frannie......................