Tour de Duck

~ A Bus ~ A Boat ~

A Big Pink Duck

In search of cooler temps, we flew off to the eastern shore . . .

And spent a few days in Boston before heading north to Maine.

Come along as the pedicab winds

its way through the streets of Boston . . .

To our destination at the

corner of Beacon and St. Charles . . .

and a favorite spot,

The Boston Public Garden.

The first public botanical garden in America, The Boston Public Garden was designed for meandering with paths through grassy lawns, beautiful blooming beds, and a charming lagoon where one can still ride the Swan Boats.

Created over 100 years ago specifically for The Lagoon, the Swan Boats are still operated by their originators, the Paget family.

The grassy banks along The Lagoon are

the perfect spot to linger on a warm summer day.

The Lagoon is home to many live ducks . . .

And graceful swans.

And the Public Garden is home to

the famous Mallard family of

MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS.

The bronze sculpture by Nancy Schon was created for the Garden in 1987 as a tribute to Robert Mc Closkey and the book that introduced Boston Public Garden to children around the globe.

Robert Mc Closkey published his now famous children's classic in 1941. It was awarded the 1942 Caldecott Medal for Mc Closkey's exceptional charcoal drawings.

Mrs. Mallard proudly leads her

caravan of eight ducklings along the Boston cobblestone.

Jack

Kack

Lack

Mack

Nack

Ouack

Pack

Quack

One of my favorites, MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS, is a classic that I think belongs in every child's library. It offers children a "duck's eye" view of Boston and child-like behaviors to which children easily relate. Click here to read about another famous city park with a wonderful statue in tribute to ALICE IN WONDERLAND.

You can find MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS, here on Amazon.

Robert Mc Closkey published eight books for children.

His work often reflected his island life in Maine.

Three More Favorites:

BLUEBERRIES FOR SAL

ONE MORNING IN MAINE

TIME OF WONDER

Come back soon for a peek at our trip to coastal Maine.

Click the links below to join:

Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound

Seasonal Sunday @ The Tablescaper

Blue Monday @ Smiling Sally

Outdoor Wednesday @ A Southern Daydreamer

Bunny Hop @ Bunny Jean's Decor & More

Wayfaring Wednesday @ Decor to Adore

Cool Off with Courtly Check

The Dog Days of Summer

Or as the French say,

"Canicule"

In any language, this time of year is

HOT ~ HOT ~ HOT

But I know a place with cool temps and cool things.

Come along with me to . . .

Neiman Marcus' Gift Gallery

And my favorite MacKenzie-Childs' look

~ Courtly Check~

Ottomans, Pillows, and Poofs

Courtly Checks and Courtly Stripes . . .

With a punch of red.

Whimsical Fun!

A fashionable mix for the table.

Delicate porcelain from

Mustardseed and Moonshine, South Africa . . .

Absolutely adore these

fabulous chargers in poppy red . . .

And the Courtly Check covered cake plate

ready to head out to a picnic.

Bowl Full of Sparkly Courtly Check Balls

Organically Styled

Metal Accent Pieces From Donna Karan

A Bit of Asian Influence

Bamboo Chargers by Juliska,

topped with MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check dinner plate,

Mustardseed and Moonshine salad plate in poppy red,

and porcelain noodle bowl with chopsticks by Donna Karan.

Such a clever presentation with the

chopsticks an integral part of the noodle bowl design.

Interesting Layers of 

Color, Pattern, Texture

Beaded Coral Napkin Ring,

Kim Seybert, NYC

Eclectic fashion makes me smile!

I find it all

~ Pretty COOL and Inspiring ~

Tell me, what do you think?

Table styled by the talented Mr. Glenn!

Joining

Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage

Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Rednesday @ It's A Very Cherry World!

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here

Tablescape Thursday @ BNOTP

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

"Minou, Minou, Minou"

"Minou, Minou, Minou"

Calling all French kitties

and other felines of Blogland.

To celebrate this big boy!

Baby Kitty

@ Confessions of a Plate Addict

is 8 years old today.

Those of us who follow along at Confessions of a Plate Addict know of Debbie's famous staff and her love of all things French. The days of actual pets living here at HFTS were long ago, but we do love a party and wanted to join in the fun.

The Plate Addict Staff is here and ready to party!

So put on your party hat and join the fun.

Our purrrr-fectly paired aristocats are here.

Lilike, the sweet Hungarian mama cat

and her little Duci are eager to join in the fun.

Our hostess today is mademoiselle Gabrielle, le chat.

She is the essence of French country style.

You can read more about Gabrielle and her French friends here.

Gabrielle has brewed cat nip tea

and filled the party bowls with crunchy treats.

This handsome Frenchy is Monsieur Alexandre.

Mademoiselle Angelique, le chat du jardin,

has a fresh bouquet for Baby Kitty.

Bijou has filled her baskets

with Baby Kitty's favorite crunchy, kitty treats.

Sadly this dearest of kitties arrivied en détresse.

In a rush to join the group

~ catastrophe! ~

Her pretty little head crashed to the floor.

How's that for a "blogging blooper", Susan?

Her wobbly head was an accident waiting to happen!

I think she looks like a piece of MacKenzie-Childs,

but actually she's just a copycat

and was a thrifty Goodwill find.

Not that her pedigree makes us

any less sad about this unfortunate accident.

Angelique and Alexandre quickly rushed to her

aide and put the pieces back together again.

Just like Humpty Dumpty!

So the paw-ty could go on as planned!

Tuna cake for the Birthday Boy.

Solid Light Tuna

Only the best for you, Baby Kitty!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY,

BABY KITTY!

It's time for a Kitty Cat Linky Party!

Click here to join

Confessions of a Plate Addict

for the big party.

Also joining

Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound