Seasons Greetings at the United States Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C.

9 CommentsFriday • December 17, 2010 • by michelle

When my mom and I went to Washington, D.C. last year at this time, we went on a bus tour through a local company; part of the scheduled day was to be spent at the United States Botanic Garden.

US Botanic Garden

To be honest, I wasn’t too thrilled about it — how interesting could that possibly be when there was so much else in D.C. that I wanted to see? But it was a rainy, cold, gloomy day, so a little inside time was rather welcome.

Rainy day at Botanic Garden

As it turned out, this was one of the most impressive, awe-inspiring, festive, gorgeous parts of our day. The annual Seasons Greetings exhibit features “Washington landmark buildings all created with plant materials set amidst pathways and pools of blooming poinsettias and other holiday plants (emphasis added).” ALL of what you are about to see was created with plant materials. Simply amazing.

The White House

Lincoln Memorial, Reflecting Pool, & Washington Monument

US Supreme Court; check out detail on this photo on my Flickr set

US Capitol

There was also a special section for children and the young at heart; the exhibit had a decidedly different feel, but again, everything was made with plant materials.

Castle and hot air balloon

One...unique ornament

See lots more photos of the Botanical Garden on my Washington, D.C. Flickr set.

This year’s exhibit will be up until January 2,

so there’s something else you can do in D.C. besides just visiting Union Station.

A Norwegian Christmas at Washington, D.C.’s Union Station

12 CommentsMonday • December 13, 2010 • by michelle

For 14 years counting, the Royal Norwegian Embassy and the people of Norway have given Washington, D.C. officials a 30-foot tree that holds some 8,000 lights and added a decidedly Scandinavian flair to an already gorgeous train station.