Indoor Gardening...

We visited Longwood Gardens on Monday 

and they had their paper white bulbs out for sale in the gift shop.

I like when they are sold loose like this,

I can buy just the right number of bulbs to fit in my "paper white" pot.

Six fit perfectly,

and because they have large sprouts, 2 inches or more, they were ready to plant!

My "just add ice" orchid is in full bloom,

it has eleven gorgeous flowers on it.

I purchased this orchid way back when on the cheap in the food store...

3 ice cubes per week, and it blooms beautifully.

I have had this Cyclamen Plant forever as well, 

in the center you can see it is getting ready to bloom.

My basil was not looking so well, 

leggy and stringy, the basil leaves were small.

So I gave the plant a toss, added new soil and seeds to the pot,

and now we will have fresh basil all winter.



It's a tiny little garden, just enough to bring me a little joy!

Missing Summer...

All of a sudden, my mind is filled with memories of summer...

I think I miss the pool the most.

I miss my garden and fresh vegetables...

 bike rides in the park...

and the colorful summer flowers.

I am thinking about fun sandcastles at the beach...

and pretty butterflies in the garden.

I miss raising and releasing my own butterflies...

rides on the peddle boats...

and fireworks!!

Here's to an amazing summer, and dreaming of warm weather days to come!

Yarn Along

- drum roll, drum roll -

please!!

Finally...It's Finished!!

Chevron Baby Blanket in Blue
This pattern can be found for free on Revelry. 
I am knitting with Berroco Vintage Yarn, which is a super nice yarn to work with.

No more baby blankets for now.
I have 4 on reserve, and that is definitely enough for now.

I started a new project yesterday, I'll share that next week,
unless I run out of blog material...then I will share it sooner!

Barlow Flower Farm

We all have one, a favorite garden center...one where there is magic around every corner.

Mine is,

Barlow Flower Farm & Garden Center

Beautiful flowers, plants, trees, wreaths, gifts, lanterns, ceramics and so much more.

Family owned and operated, 

what I love most about this place is that you see the same people every single time you visit.

The displays are gorgeous, their merchandise is beautiful,

and everything is displayed with so much artistry!

A trip here, any time of the year, surely puts you in the gardening spirit!

Here are a few of my favorite things...

Many thanks to all the lovely people who work here...I am always excited to visit.
This is a great place to shop for Christmas gifts and pick up a few things for yourself.
Sometimes I just come to see the beautiful flowers and displays.
If you are ever in Sea Girt, New Jersey, 
a visit here is a must!

ps...they just messaged me and asked if they could use my pictures in their marketing campaign.
ummm, yes!! please do...
I am so excited...I about wet my pants. What a thrill and such an honor for me!
If you know me, you get it!

Turkey Day!!

Thanksgiving was awesome!

I was able to watch the entire Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on television.

The last time I saw the entire parade was when we watched it live in New York City.
Pictures from the live parade can be viewed here.

- here's Santa -

The hubs and I went to my niece Deanna's for dinner and had the best time ever.

Fried Turkey, it was delicious!

There were 20 + of us, a very lively bunch!

I adore my niece Deanna and her husband Anthony, 

holidays at their house are always the best.

And a huge Happy Birthday to the hubs, he turns 60 today!
You are the love of my life!

Holding On To Autumn

I don't mind winter but right now I am holding tightly on to fall.

Enjoying the colorful leaves as they fall gently to the ground.

Making time to play in the leaves...

enjoying natures natural decorations.

I had a little time to play with my Crystal Ball...

This photography is known as Crystal Ball Refraction Photography
I kind of like it...

Saturday Critters ~ 258 ~

It was the first time I had seen a Male American Wigeon.


A medium sized dabbling duck,
the male has a striking head pattern with a green stripe stretching from it's eye to it's back.


They have a creamy white patch on their forehead and crown.


Their face and neck are a speckled gray.

Swimming in the middle of my favorite lake, they are generally only seen here in winter.
So I guess that means it is winter here...it surely feels like it.

There was no green strip on this one,
I thought perhaps it was a female but it did not match the picture in my book.

I also saw a Female Wood Duck
I looked for it's prettier male partner but did not see him.
Last year there was a pair in this lake, so I assume / hope the pair is back.

- stay tuned, I will keep looking -

Sharing today with

Eileen at Viewing Nature With Eileen
and 
Anni at I'd Rather B Birdin