a desert oasis

on our trip to the desert, we spent the morning at an amazing sanctuary called sunnylands.  

the rio bravo waved hello as we entered the main walkway.

there were clean lines everywhere

and the stroller looked sleek in this modern setting.

sunnylands center and gardens was an awesome experience.

ezra was already in love with just the furniture.  he loves to sprawl out on any low bench or couch.  i had to tell him not to put his feet up on the furniture quickly before taking this picture.  

have you ever heard of the annenbergs?  i hadn't until we came here.  my mom said they were the reagan's best friends and apparently they had every president visit them at sunnylands, their winter home in the desert.  they were wealthy philanthropists who have made enormous contributions to the palm springs area including the children's museum and the medical center where michael interviewed.

thank you annenbergs for sharing this lovely view with us.

it was a perfect day for a couple in love

and a very chic gorgeous gigi to stroll the gardens.

ezra blew bubbles

and i took pictures.

a 3-D video of the construction of the estate - which we did not get to tour - advance tickets are necessary (next time!)

gigi explains and my goodness - can you see the resemblance in these two?  same profiles!

i want my desert home driveway to look like this.

mom stop taking my picture.

just look at these lines!  the landscape architects were inspired by the annenberg's collection of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings, specifically by the brushstrokes of vincent van gogh.  

just lovely.

lulled my baby right to sleep.  okay, it was like 200 degrees out too.  

but, somehow it was a vibrant loving heat in mid-october.  you could still stop and enjoy your surroundings.  

oh!  one last look.

doesn't this patch of artichoke agave make you want to plant rows of pointy plants in your garden?

desert agave

this place was inspiring for what beauty can come from such a harsh living environment.  

if we move to the desert, i hope i can be so clever at gardening with succulents.