Birmingham - Day 2

Well, I was going to post some of my pictures of The Casa Maria Retreat Center, but none of them really do any more justice than the ones the Sisters have provided. Please go click around their website and enjoy all of the joyful work they do. Check out the CD page if you are interested in hearing their gladdening voices. If you find yourself in need of a retreat from the world, feel free to peruse their current schedule or have a retreat delivered right to your door!

As for the other pictures below, they came from my inlaw's house. There is a beautiful garden surrounding the house just perfect for exploring. The children thought they had walked right into Misselthwaite Manor. A robin and a key would have made the fantasy complete but playing soccer with their uncles and a Sister (in full habit) was the next best thing!

A wild strawberry peeking up to sip the sun.

A beautiful pond hidden in the corner for now until they can remove all of the poison ivy.

Flowers in bloom

Roses for Mary

Roses and fairies!

A gas light with a wooden arbor and swing in the background
~ like Springtime in Narnia

Lots of friends to uncover!

One of many fountains

Fun little treasures around every corner!

Talk to you later... unless the AC guy isn't able to replace the brand spanking new compressor that broke yesterday. If that's the case, I will be hanging out at the mall/library/movie theater/Margaret's tent/the North Pole tomorrow on the hottest day of the summer so far and you won't hear from me until it is fixed or after our company leaves... which ever comes first!

Stay cool! (I mean that.)