Spirit of Springtime in Niagara

Though Springtime has officially come to Niagara, here is a blast from the past when Spring was only showing INSIDE the Botanical Gardens. We are certainly welcoming the blooms outside now as well!

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Dear Readers,

We know that you’ve been cooped up indoors for a long, harsh winter… We know that the snow drifts have been taller than your car (or in some cases, your house.) We understand that your eyeballs have frozen solid in their sockets! We are here for you. We’ve taken it upon ourselves to warm the cockles of your heart and soul. We may not be able to offer you any soup for the soul, but we can give you a feast for your eyes. Ah yes, we know some of you live where the weather is warm year round…. Lucky you. But, you can look too.

While we were freezing our socks off here, we took a day to visit the neighboring city of Buffalo. We included two things in our day trip – first we went to the Buffalo and Erie Botanical Gardens, which was displaying an…

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Delaware Park ~ Olmsted’s Buffalo Paradise

It’s a lovely week for a stroll in the park, don’t you think?
The 2chicks have been out and about for a while now, and thought we’d stop in for a re-post. We’ll be back soon!

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One of the great things about living or vacationing in Niagara, is it’s proximity to some pretty outrageous scenery, cities, parklands and more. Delaware Park, in nearby Buffalo, is one of our favorites! It was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, and mainly completed in 1876. Olmsted is of Central Park reknown.  https://www.bfloparks.org/ and http://www.pbs.org/wned/frederick-law-olmsted/learn-more/olmsteds-buffalo-park-system-and-its-stewards/ *Also, keep in mind our previous posts regarding America’s Oldest State Park, the Niagara Reservation State Park http://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/Americas-Oldest-State-Park.aspx

At the beginning of the park is the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. The Greek Revival structure was dedicated in 1905. This is a spectacular building, adding to the ambiance and beauty of the park.

Let’s stroll the perimeter of Hoyt Lake together…

There is nothing like a bike ride around the Lake on a lazy summer day.

Marcy Casino is open to the public as a beer garden and also for private events. http://marcycasino.com/historic-location/

Lovely flowers are placed…

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Happy New Year, from Niagara!

Remember when Niagara was frozen, ‘real good’? Hoping for a warmer winter this year…

From the 2chicks, here in Niagara, to you, whichever corner of the world you may be in, we wish you a very Happy, Joyous, and Hopeful New Year!

Happy New Year! photo/poem

Cleveland Terminal Station. Poetry & photo, Sherrie Robins.

 

Happy New Year, from the 2chicks!

All hail to Autumn, as winter knocks…

Niagara on display.

I am hesitant. The day inviting, the view unparalleled, but winter imminent.

The grounded leaves are in a kerfuffle, blustering about, looking for a limb to hold on to. Isn’t that the way it’s always been; since inception?

But I, on the other hand, am grounded, plodding, peaceful despite the knowledge of the inevitable, as I trod the path beneath my feet. Beauty has a way of doing that. It humbles us, rescues us, lifts above the mundane to exaggerated and exalting heights.

In this case, beauty comes from beyond and below, enhanced by above. Sunlight flickers between yet attached and gloriously attired leaves. The water, away down, perpetual and exhausting in it’s permanent purposefulness, resonates on canyon walls.

 

I, small. Alone. Individual. I among the many and the few. Many trees, many leaves…clouds, colors, grasses, pebbles on the ground. Few travelers, tree stumps, forks in the path, the earth.

 

I am here to revel. Admire. Be invigorated. Soar.

You are here to absorb, imbibe, share in our journey and enjoy.

 

We invite your presence with pleasure and send warm, sun set, color-filled greetings your way.

Remember us, those ‘neath the white, frosted earth…

All photos taken one November afternoon, Whirlpool State Park, Niagara Falls, New York.

Autumn in Chagrin Falls, a quiet beauty

The sun is setting, silhouetting trees and shades and golden hues of color. Glimmering leaves dazzle, shimmer in the breeze or float peacefully past rocks or broken branches. The sound of water dashes hard. It pummels and penetrates the lower banks, creating a second home.

The church bell chimes, the town hall tower shines, the square defers. Muted colors, softly enclose in preparation of a bolder season of celebration, ahead. Christmas and the holidays are drawing near, and chopped evergreens subtly await, still slumbering, hidden in back alleys or along building’s edges.

Shopkeepers anticipate the cold bite of winter, while shoppers shiver and pull their coats a little bit closer.

We open a door and warm air rushes out, greeting us with genial arms of invitation. Though the hour has not yet come, we are welcomed with tea, cheer, and a cozy fire. Through sprawling windows we see the long, wide drop of inspiration.

A sip and a nudge. A view, and a bite. With you by the fire, the world once again, right.

Find beauty ’round the corner, just beyond the bend,
Or in the eyes of loved ones near or far,  

Past, present, in the future, For always in the end,

We n’er leave ourselves behind,
Create your joy, your love, your friends.

Sherrie

Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Just beyond… Cleveland.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A sampling of shops,  Inn and Restaurants of Chagrin, Ohio, listed below:
https://www.facebook.com/Winds-of-Change-111953242215815/

http://innofchagrin.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nola-True/159967410692272https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nola-True/159967410692272

http://hedgeschagrinfalls.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Toni-In-Style-195127467202003/
http://www.jekyllskitchen.com/

http://www.sugarmedesserterie.com/

Or contact https://yourhometownchagrinfalls.com/

Also, for more 2chicks information:

https://www.facebook.com/sherrierobinsart/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

https://www.facebook.com/2chicks2go/

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/sherrie-robins.html?tab=artwork

https://twitter.com/Tweaterpated

 

 

 

2chicks Photos ~Light on the Marsh

Light on the Marsh

A calm weekday evening, a few people milling about, but mostly quiet, nature, silence and beauty. A heron flies low and lands just out of reach. I wonder what else is happening out of our view? The sun is getting tired from a long day’s work, but still has some show left in her. “Do you mind if I take a picture of a smidge of your work, oh sunshine, fair”?

Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve and Marina, Mentor, Ohio

https://twitter.com/Tweaterpated

2chicks2go Facebook

Sherrie Robins’ Art Facebook

Sherrie Robins’ Art Fine Art America (Purchase of art, available here. *Requests taken).

2chicks2go Pinterest

2chicksNiagara ~ Whale Breaches Niagara?

Whale Breeches Niagara?

#Really ? #NotReally

The Arteest in the 2chicks came out to play. 

Enjoy your hot July summer’s day

Think of the cool refreshing Niagara

And the mysterious whale who says ‘back atch’ya’! 😉

(You were wondering what THAT rhyme was gonna be, weren’t you)??

#original #art #SherrieRobinsArt

 

2chicks Niagara ~ Gorgeous Gorge

For the Beauty of the Earth.

The wind curves ’round the bend,

The Hawk and eagle glide on by,

The water rushes down below,

My heart it soars, touching the sky.

Sherrie Robins

 

#ForBeautySake #NiagaraGorge #NiagaraRiver #NiagaraFalls #SherrieRobinsArt
#2chicks2go #WhirlpoolStatePark #DevilsHole #IloveNewYork

2chicks Canada ~ Having a Tea Party!

Niagara on the Lake is History come alive. But sometimes it’s just plain fun history. Like Alice In Wonderland kind of fun. Mad Hatter Tea Party kind of crazy.

This is a two-parter blog post. First the tea party, because we just couldn’t resist. Our next blog post on Niagara on the Lake, will be “History alive”. But isn’t that kind of the same thing? So we shall just begin at the beginning.

It all starts with the Shaw Festival and their play, Alice in Wonderland. Here is the link including dates and showtimes. This really is something you wouldn’t care to miss. Surely you’d better hurry and not be late…for a very important date! http://www.shawfest.com/playbill/alice-in-wonderland/

The Shaw Festival across from Fort George. Everything old is new again.

Secondly, all in strictly proper timing, we’re sure, Beau Chapeau has the most felicitous of window dressings. You will be missing out if you don’t drop by for a look-see. And while looking you may just want to stop inside and find the very hat you’ve been looking for, from a by-gone era or not. https://beauchapeau.com/  (3 slide-show below. Click arrows if you’re still late)…

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See how that crazy Mad Hatter worked on his tea-potion to blend the old and new? What a guy! Gotta tip your hat to him. 😉

Lastly, nothing like a sample of the real deal. A real tea party, done up in Mad Hatter style. An homage to the Shaw and the Carroll, Alice and the Queen.

Let’s stroll down the Avenue to meet the Prince: Prince of Wales that is, the dreamy little Hotel hosting this gem of a party in their very own Tea Room.

Step back into yesteryear and enter the upside down world of the Hatter. The Queen will be sure to greet you. The Queen of Hearts, that is.

She will beguile you with her charms and entice you with the aroma of sugar and spice and everything nice.

For your pleasure, another quick slide-show, below, 4 photos.

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With a tower of tea sandwiches, pastries, buttery croissants and muffins set before you, who would not surely be happy? Mouth watering house made scones with devonshire cream and strawberry jam? Specialty teas? Served by a Queen? Oh my!
http://www.vintage-hotels.com/princeofwales/downloads/menus/pw-alice-wonderland-menu.pdf

All in all, if in Niagara on the Lake and you see a cute little rabbit dashing down a hole, we would suggest that you “begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end, then stop”.