Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Outdoor Wednesday....Decorating with the Animals



Susan at a Southern Daydreamer invites us over each Wednesday to share the great outdoors with her and lots of others who share her love for our beautiful world! You can stroll through at http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/. Over the weekend I had out of town guests. One of the things I love about houseguests is that they remind me to look at my own hometown as a visitor again--to take advantage of sites and things to do that I have begun to take for granted. We love the zoos, but I have not visited strictly to see the animal exhibits in quite a while. When my guest's daughter expressed interest, I jumped at the chance to see zoo again and through fresh eyes!


It's hot here and we were luck to see so many animals out--even though they were resting in the shade. No wonder giraffe print fabric is all the rage! Wouldn't that make a scrumptious chair--not the real thing, just the pattern :)?


The flamingos playing in their pool were another favorite. I love pink and green together. How about a tablescape centered around pink and green featuring flamingos?

The gardens at the zoo are gorgeous and well tended. Wouldn't this water garden make a beautiful poster? Lori at http://www.familytreesmaycontainnuts.com/ is offering a giveaway to make one of your photos into a poster. I think this one would do for me!









The zoo has recently added a Birds and Bees exhibit. I'm helping my daughter redo a bedroom in these colors--guess Someone Else thought it was a good color combo before me :)






There is also an aquarium. This little fish is in the same colors as my guest bedroom. I love blue and yellow together!



Do you think zebra print makes a better chair or would it be best as a rug? I like black and white together---so fresh and basic. But there are other pattern options.


How about black and white with green as an accent color? Our zoo is one of only four in the country with Giant Pandas. We were lucky enough to catch them at feeding time. I was amazed at their size!


Sometimes I think a room or a tablescape is beautiful in all white. There is something so elegant about a monochromatic color scheme. I guess there really is nothing new under the sun. It appears that mother nature beat us to the punch when it comes to decorating!


One last picture of the zoo--this one at night in June. Our daughter's wedding reception was held in the courtyard of the zoo. It's even prettier at night. I told you I loved the zoo!

26 comments:

  1. Friends have just decorated their newborns room with a giraffe pattern. Too cute.
    I think the photo you have chosen will make a fabulous poster. I have noted your second entry for posting about it here.

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  2. I love to play tourist in my own (near by) town! We don't have a zoo..., I don't even remember the last time I actually was at a zoo.

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  3. Thanks for the tour. I have not been to the zoo in years. What a great photo of the newly weds.
    Glenda

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  4. What a great tour of the zoo. Love that last photo of your daughters wedding. It looks magical...

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  5. thanks for the tour!!! I love that giraffe!!! as for the wedding...what a fantastic idea!!!

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  6. Oh My Gosh, I cannot believe the Memphis zoo has a Panda. What a wonderful surprise and then to have a wedding reception held there as well. It is so pretty. I also love the flamingos. Great Outdoor Wednesday post. Thanks so much for sharing. Country Hugs, Sherry

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  7. I am jealous of the panda's. They are one of my favorite animals because they just look so soft. Great pics!

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  8. Hi Susan
    What a great OW post - loved all the animals pics, but have to say, love the last one of your daughter and her husband, what a great place for a reception.

    I get a lot of my irises from Napa Iris in CA. Here is the link:

    http://www.napairis.com/index.html

    Their prices are really reasonable for most of their irises - some of their new editions are a bit pricey, but that is only for the new ones, and the selection - wow!!

    Thanks for stopping in and if you'd like - come back and enter my giveaway - I have several things the newlyweds would like (or you too)! Its the next post under OW -

    Happy Hump Day -

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  9. What great zoo picture. And what fun to have a wedding reception at the zoo. Glad that those zebras and gariffe kept their "hides"!

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  10. It's been "many" years since I've been to a zoo. This was alot of fun.. I especially loved the shot of the giant panda...he's just too cute for words.. Your daughters wedding photo is beautiful.. Thanks for a wonderful Outdoor Wednesday...hugs ~lynne~

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  11. What great shots. Love the panda. But I love the last picture. The bride and groom running like that is a great shot!!! Enjoy your day!

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  12. How cool to have a wedding reception in the zoo. Beautiul photos, Susan! I really enjoyed them. The animals are so colorful and have so many pretty patterns...Christine

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  13. Beautiful wedding at the zoo.
    Fantastic and cool shots.
    Happy outdoor.

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  14. Susan
    Interesting you post about the zoo today. I'm reading the book "life of Pi", and his dad owns a zoo. Very interesting facts to running a zoo for sure.
    Your pics are beautiful.
    Happy OW
    Love Claudie
    xo

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  15. I especially love the lotus in the pond. But all the photos are beautiful...haven't been to the zoo in years!!

    Happy OW!!

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  16. Gorgeous photos! I love the zoo too!

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  17. Very nice zoo outing. Glad you shared with us. I may have to go to our zoo after seeing your nice post.

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  18. What a pretty zoo! It reminds me of the San Diego Zoo. I think it must have been fun to have wedding reception there --your daughter looked beautiful!

    Happy Outdoor Wednesday!

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  19. I enjoyed walking through the zoo with you. Your photos are great. I hope you are having a great day.

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  20. They look like they had the time of their lives on their wedding day. She is a gorgeous bride and I wish them so much happiness and joy!
    Yes, I also enjoyed the zoo pictures:-)

    Beth~♥

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  21. Nice pictures, I felt like I visited the zoo myself!

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  22. What lovely captures on your zoo adventure :)

    Isnt it the most wonderful -- when our kids love the same things we do-- enough to celebrate her life beginning at the zoo.

    TTFN~~Claudia ♥

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  23. I just love being at the zoo....it's just way too hot here in Phoenix right now to go. Can't wait until fall though, then I'll be there again. I love taking photos at the zoo too and yours are lovely! One of my sons and his family moved to Nashville a few weeks ago and one of the first things they did was to get a season pass to the zoo there. I understand they have a wonderful zoo there and they are having a lot of fun being able to go to the zoo in the summer LOL!! What a nice place for your dauhters wedding reception....sounds like she has an adventurous spirit! Great post!

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  24. I love all your zoo pictures. It is great playing tourist sometime... Stop by any time. Love your tablescape...

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  25. Hi Susan,

    I loved your photos of the zoo and the animals.
    Sometimes it does take guests visiting, to make us look at our own backyard and enjoy. That is such a lovely photo of your daughter and husband on their wedding day.

    Hugs
    Carolyn

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