Izzy loves playing the 'pinano' and the 'titar' at my parent's house. My mom equally enjoys the opportunity to have a jam session with Izzy.

This is what it looked like:

This is what is sounds like:

I like the photos better.

When I was a student in Philadelphia, I was never lacking for inspiration. In a city filled with museums and art colleges you are hard pressed to find yourself in a space without art. From the Toynbee Tiles I passed every day on 15th and Chestnut to the paintings I studied in the Philadelphia Museum of Art on the Parkway, every day was a challenge in absorbing as much inspiration as possible in the time I'd live in the city.

Of all the art that I saw while living in Philly, the creations that I treasure most were the ones that puzzled me most. All over the city I'd see these mosaics on buildings. On South Street there was a mystery (to me) being constructed. A building, covered in mirrors, tiles, broken cups, plates and knick knacks. The most intriguing part to me was the courtyard, hidden from public view by a large, wooden privacy fence. You could see bicycle wheels and bottles set into concrete peaking over the edges of the fence. What are they doing in there? Who is doing this? When will they let everyone see?

Every visit to South Street had to begin and end with a peek through the slats in that wooden fence. I couldn't wait to see the finished product. Years passed, I moved away, the mosaics fell away from my every day thoughts and I would only intermittently think about that mysterious courtyard and wonder what had become of it. It wasn't until this past November that I finally got the chance to visit this place that filled so many of my daydreams. I left with my head spinning and feeling so blessed to know that there are people in this world that can take someone else's trash and turn it into a stunning masterpiece.

Take a trip with me through the Magic Gardens. It is truly a visual feast. Since it is such, I will leave you with photos rather than more stories about the Magic Gardens. However, I would not only encourage you to visit this masterpiece in person - photos just do not do it justice - but please visit their website and learn about the artist, Isaiah Zagar. The history behind this project is not just about a work of art, but a labor of love and a story of recycling and revitalization.

One man's trash has become this city's unique treasure.

Thanks to Philadelphia's Magic Gardens for hosting our group. I was given complimentary passes to tour and review Philadelphia's Magic Gardens but all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. Thank you again for hosting us and thank you to Mr. Zagar for sharing your gift with the city of Philadelphia. 

 

Last Friday, my friend Stephanie took a train from Philly to Wilmington to meet me and my family. When I picked her up from the train station - it was so funny - all the nerves I had about meeting her in person were instantly gone. [Before Friday, Stephanie and I had only ever 'talked' online and never met in person.] I no longer worried about whether we would actually like each other in person, if we really had a lot in common or if we'd run out of things to talk about over our long weekend together. I instantly clicked with her and was so happy and grateful that she decided to take this trip up north from Florida. We went through the standard barrage of questions: How was your flight? How was the train? Were you able to figure things out okay? How far are we from Philly now? Is my husband going to need to file a missing persons report?

But the question that delighted me the most was 'What is Wawa?'.

Short version: Wawa is amazing.

Long version: It's technically a 'convenience store' a la 7-11 or Circle K - but Wawa puts those establishments to shame. I mean really, they don't even belong in the same category. Wawa is a Mid-Atlantic institution that began in the 1920's as a simple dairy farm and by the 60's began expanding into chain stores all over PA, NJ and eventually DE. They sell the usual convenience store items like sodas, (fantastic) coffee, cigarettes, gas and newspapers. Wawa is often imitated but never replicated (I'm lookin' at you Royal Farms. I've got mad love for your mooing milk refrigerator - but you are no Wawa).

Wawa's food selection is what I love. They have everything from hot dogs to fresh fruit. The hoagies are of course their signature offering but personally I love a sausage Sizzli and a hot coffee (half french vanilla, half cappuccino thanks!) in the morning. The meatballs in a cup with extra sauce and buttered roll were my favorite lunch. Sadly it's not on my Medifast plan - but I can still spread the word about the goodness that is Wawa.

And if you still can't grasp the awesome that is Wawa - well, I don't know about you but I've never seen anyone with a 7-11 or Royal Farms tattoo. But I have seen Wawa tattoos:

So of course I had to take Stephanie for her first Wawa experience. We only got coffee but this was after we drooled over the bakery items, marveled at the touch-screen ordering system and debated in our heads if it would count if we ate bagels and no one saw us eat them. ;)

My favorite part of this photo is the look that the Wawa guy is giving this over-dressed out-of-towner. You wouldn't know it by looking at Stephanie but it was warm that day.

But Stephanie doesn't mind. Just look how happy that delicious Wawa coffee has made her!

So, what is Wawa?

Short Answer: Wawa is amazing!

P.S. Wawa is in no way compensating me for my opinions on their stores. I just REALLY love Wawa. But I would not protest should a Wawa gift card for some of that fantastic coffee show up in my mailbox. ;)