Happy Belated...

...New Year!

Late last summer, as I toiled away in the garden, an idea took hold.

What began as a gentle tug and whisper grew too loud to ignore.
So, I did some research...

and, I got started...growing MORE flowers!

I have always loved creating arrangements for friends, co-workers,
or even just for my own dining room table.  
Using fresh picked flowers right from the garden made them even more special.

So why not get more resourceful and broaden that creative side of
my love of gardening?  Makes total sense, right?

Growing flowers strictly for harvesting and designing on a weekly basis
will have it's challenges, I am sure.  But I am ready to give it my all.

I hope you'll continue to visit and enjoy reading about
my new adventure as a flower farmer.

Happy Belated New Year, friends!
(All photos from a recent visit to Longwood Gardens)

2016 Philadelphia Flower Show

Explore America is the theme of this year's show. 

Inspiration came from our nation's national parks and monuments throughout history.

Visitors are treated to wonderful creations of flora and fauna inhabiting
our wetlands, forests and dry deserts.

 

Amid the themed gardens are the bulb display I always look forward to!

And, of course, the vast varieties of orchids, orchids, orchids!

See the cute pine-cone turtle tucked in below?

I really LOVE the bold contrast of this spring arrangement! 

As you can imagine, I took hundreds and hundreds of photos,
but they'll have to keep til next time.

Thanks for visiting, friends!
Hang in there...10 more days 'til SPRING!

These Final Hours...

It's almost the final day of the year, friends.

The day when we look back o'er the year

and remember those truly special moments...

not just the happy ones that will forever
remain in our hearts,

but also the difficult and challenging ones,

 

for they not only taught us a lesson,

but made us stronger!

And it's a great day to remember that time is precious,

and not guaranteed.

So choose to be happy...

NOW!

 

Live in every moment...

 

with LOVE,

GRACE,

and GRATITUDE!

Happy New Year, Friends 
See ya in 2016!

"Articulture" ~ Take Two

I'm taking you on another stroll through the Philadelphia Flower Show.  Ready?  Let's go!

While I was not a huge fan of this year's theme...I can certainly appreciate all the work that went into creating these massive orbs of floral materials. 

Do you recognize these tropical blooms?  It's a Gloriosa Lily.  I've actually bought tubers from the show in past years but the vines were weak and very few blooms.  Maybe worth another try...I do love them!

These variegated boxwoods were quite formal and tulips planted en masse...Aahh!

There were lots of cool vertical plantings.  Are you a fan?

These framed designs were my fave.  Looks easy, yes?

I love orchids...just didn't love them in blue!

 

Huh...?

   

Ok, how about some 'real' flowers to end this post...

Thanks for visiting, friends!  Hope your week is in full bloom!