Springtime Around the Way: Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon

I have spent the past couple of weekends just soaking in as much sunshine and good times as humanly possible. The weather has been absolutely perfect! The trees are blooming, the sun is shining, and the breeze is a perfect mix of jasmine and fresh cut grass. 

I used to say that fall was my favorite time of year, and I'm sure that is only because I get so excited about the holidays. But if I am completely honest with myself, spring and summer is my favorite. It is hard to keep that in sight when you live in such a hot and humid area. If I can keep my mind on all of the fun we can have... well then... it's alright.

It is Cherry Blossom time in Macon, Georgia. My Sweet Guy and his girls came up for a visit. I got the chance to show off the beautiful pink petals all over our fair city. Behind us in this pic is Third Street Park in downtown Macon. We were visiting the Mulberry Festival - sponsored by Middle Georgia Art Association

The Cherry Blossom Festival takes place over 10 days. One of the big events happens at Central City Park. The first weekend of the festival, I went with my dad and niece to the Carnival. You can see my dad and niece riding the Pirate Ship./

What is a festival without Pink Margaritas?

Another one of the big events is the Food Truck Frenzy. Unfortunately, Macon does not have a plethora of food trucks, so it is a treat to get the ones down here from Atlanta. I was thrilled to see my favorite from last year return - Mixed Up. I ordered the buffalo cheese fries. DIVINE.

The city goes absolutely pink blossom crazy in March! We don't call it the pinkest party on Earth for nothing! Amanda's Cakery made these delicious Cherry Amaretto cupcakes.

Two Words - Cotton Candy.

I did mention we have blossoms right? Lots and lots and lots....

of blossoms. There are over 300,000 Yoshino Cherry Trees in Macon. This makes us the Cherry Blossom capital of the world!

My niece rode this ride!

Even I got into the spirit with my Cherry Blossom Scarf.

Sweet Guy and the girls

I actually wrote the articles about the Cherry Blossom Festival for the 11th Hour and for Macon Magazine. To say I had to get into the Pink Spirit is an understatement. :-)

If you get a chance to visit Macon - make sure to mark the third week in Macon as the one to do it. The weather is typically perfect and the community erupts with flowers.

Where can I buy a Happy Tree??

I am in search of a little positive reaction today. Actually, every day. As I was trying to come up with some ideas of what would change my mood - then I realized - a happy tree.

I am not talking about a tree that bears fruit that magically transforms your mood once you take a bite.  

I am talking about the kind of tree that transforms your day. When I look back on all of the times I felt glorious peace, it involved a tree. 

When I was a small child, and we lived on Pineworth Rd in Macon, I remember going out into our big front yard and hiding under the magnolia trees. There were two, I believe. It was my secret garden of sorts. 

Later, we moved to an aparment on Mercer University that had these large trees with big puffy pink flowers. I would hide under this tree, grab one of the pink puffy things and blow them. The little petals reminded me of the fairy petals from Disney's Fantasia.

Once we moved to Crystal Lake, I loved sitting on a bench off to the left of the dock. Next to this bench was a tree which had roots on the bottom that jutted out to look like a running pig. Seriously. I call that my pig tree and it made me smile.

Then we moved to a house on Spring Meadow Drive and there was this glorious burning tree. (My nick name for it.) The colors in the fall were magnificent. Then spring brought amazing flowers.

In college, I saw dozens of dogwood trees. I would sit on my front porch swing at my duplex and just gaze at the beautiful white petals.

When I moved back to Macon, and had a house of my own on Dogwood Circle, I was blessed to have an adorable Cherry Blossom tree (this is not rare in Macon..) and a beautiful dogwood. I would sit outside with a glass of wine, and admire all of the colors that were my front yard. Azaleas, Jasmine, Freesia.. I had an amazing garden. It was my place to come home to. To decompress.

What is missing since I moved to Birmingham? A tree for me.

I found myself feeling a bit home sick during the Cherry Blossom Festival. Not so much for the cheesy festival itself, more so for the celebration of spring and the beautiful flowers that are blooming.

I am so grateful some friends posted a few beautiful pictures. I got to see a few happy trees that way.

But what to do about Birmingham?

I did move to an office with a view. I specifically moved my desk so that I can look out of the window. There seems to be a Dogwood tree right outside.

I suppose this will have to suffice for now.

Perhaps, I need to go spend some time at the Botanical Gardens.. and there, maybe I can find my happy tree.