Magical nights of garden lights

Lights at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

A million lights and 30 acres of trees made the Atlanta Botanical Gardens the place to be on a warm December evening this week. This is the second year of the Garden Lights and it was a magical journey for my little one and me. A few pictures from the evening...

Entrance to Atlanta Botanical Garden. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

We began with a walk through the Storza woods along the Canopy Walk. From the soaring walkway, we could see the cars lining up to get into the garden.

Lights at Atlanta Botanical Gardens. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Lights at Atlanta Botanical Gardens. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Lights. Atlanta Botanical Gardens. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Lights at Atlanta Botanical Gardens. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books


These lights reminded me of Dr. Seuss - it's the Cat in the Hat and Truffula trees all together.

Lights at Atlanta Botanical Gardens. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books


Into the the Edible Garden where grasshoppers and flowers lit up alongside cabbages and herbs.

These groovy space shapes changed colors in sync with music - Michael Buble's "Feelin' Good" while we were there.

Lumina at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Above, Lumina, the beautiful Snow Queen, stopped for pictures with the children.

Below, s'mores over the firepit.

A break for s'mores. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

The Chihuly fountain is lovely at all times, but especially radiant with lights.

Chihuly fountain. Atlanta Botanical Garden. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

It's very hard for a seven year old to stay away from the fountain, even when a gentleman is popping the question to his girlfriend on this lovely evening. (and yes, that happened while we were here!)

The lights made the ordinary radiant.

And the bare, beautiful. 

 And the beautiful, extraordinary.

 

Wishing you a season full of light!

Merry Christmas!

A walking tour of Fairhope, Alabama

Downtown Fairhope, Alabama. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Fairhope, Alabama, is the cutest town on the planet.

 I know that many may disagree with that statement, particularly if they live in other contending towns. But I bet they've never visited Fairhope on a clear, warm October day, when the downtown merchants have their doors open and the restaurants patios are filled with tourists and townies alike.

Fairhope, Alabama. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Fairhope is on the eastern side of Mobile Bay and is filled with memorable restaurants like Panini Pete's, a must-visit sandwich shop that you just may have seen if you follow Guy Fieri's Food Network show "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives."

Panini Pete's. Fairhope, Alabama. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

The decor is Gulf Coast funky.

Panini Pete's. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

And the food is dynamite. Like my favorite, the Seared Tuna with cucumbers, sliced tomato, baby greens and Key lime aioli on ciabatta.

Seared tuna panini. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Grilled cheese for the kidoodle.

Grilled cheese. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

After lunch at Panini Pete's we walked around the downtown area and my friend introduced us to R. Bistro and Pastry, where the pastry case is filled with lovely sweets and the decor is all about Southern charm.

Caramel apples. R. Bistro, Fairhope, Alabama. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Autumn display at R. Bistro. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

R. Bistro, Fairhope, Alabama. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

R. Bistro desserts. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Downtown Fairhope features art galleries.

Art. Fairhope, Alabama. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Fairhope museum. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Fairhope has a  fascinating history featuring socialists, economists, dreamers and doers. The town museum covers it all.

Fairhope mural. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Antique fire engine. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

The museum is located in the city's former jail. And this is the lock-up, a former ship's brig.

Jail at Fairhope Museum. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

The museum currently spotlights the area residents' participation in World War II.

World War II Memorial at Fairhope Museum. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

This was an afternoon excursion and we didn't allow enough time to fully view the museum. I will definitely be back!

On our way back to the beach, we relived the day in Fairhope with a piece of R. Bistro's lemon meringue tart...

Lemon meringue tart from R. Bistro. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

If you've been to Fairhope, please tell me where I need to visit on my next trip. If you've never been, please tell me your vote for cutest town on the planet.

Text and images copyright 2012, Lucy Mercer.