You’ve made it halfway through another week of self-isolation. Way to go! Consider this your virtual high-five; you’ve earned it. And essential employees? Saying “thank you” could never adequately express the level of gratitude that you deserve. Thank you for your love, service, dedication, and sacrifice. We are eternally indebted to you. You get infinite virtual high-fives from all of us.
I thought that today’s post might be a great time to stop and take a Disney-inspired beauty break. I don’t know about you, but I’m finding that the days are starting to blur and run together, and my energy is lagging. It’s a lot, isn’t it? This funky and difficult moment that we’re living in is just heavy.
To help combat the weightiness of everything, I’d like to offer a bit of light and joy, courtesy of the horticulture team at Epcot. The first day of the Flower and Garden Festival was just last month (although it seems much, much longer ago than that), and I thought that stopping to gaze at a few of the topiaries and vibrant blooms might be a nice break right about now. Ready? Here we go…
Bambi and Thumper took up residence this year just outside of MouseGear’s temporary location. They were found among a bed of wildflowers, zinnias, and, I believe, phlox.
Up until this year, the topiary of the Three Caballeros has been my annual favorite. I’ll share details about my new favorite tomorrow, but suffice it to say, it has to do with a sweet little (well, not so little in topiary form) rat. Jose Carioca, Panchito Pistoles, and Donald Duck are personal favorites of mine, and I love getting to see them represented each year at Flower and Garden. Gerbera daisies in a spicy color palette comprise the flower bed for the topiaries.
In middle school, my Intro to Spanish/French 1 teacher would arrange for us to watch The Three Caballeros almost every time that we had a substitute teacher. Needless to say, I saw the first 40 minutes of The Three Caballeros numerous times over that year and a half period, and I love it – the whole movie – to this day.
I take pictures of these flower-filled terra cotta pots in the Italy pavilion every year. Their vibrant colors never fail to surprise me. The pots are filled with zinnias, petunias, hydrangea, geraniums, and Gerbera daisies.
Lady and the Tramp were found again this year on the steps by the water in the Italy pavilion. They were surrounded by pink and red geraniums, petunias, ivy, and fluffy celery ferns.
A new dragon topiary stands majestically in front of the torii gate located on the waterfront in the Japan pavilion. The angular lines used in the topiary are echoed by the junipers and dwarf palmettos used in the flower bed.
Do you have a favorite Flower and Garden topiary? If so, please share in the comments section below. Take good care! See you tomorrow!
