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Check out the beautiful and fragrant blooms in our greenhouse.

It may be cold with ice and snow out site, but inside it is warm, colorful and fragrant here in the Greenhouse! Join us for some blooming plant “therapy.”

We have a beautiful selection of blooming Orchids in our greenhouse!

Come in for your choice lemon, lime and orange bushes and trees!

In seeing the frozen water in the bird baths this morning, I was transported back to when I was 7 years old. Across the street from our house, hidden just beyond the tree line, was a small pond. There was great excitement among my brothers and sister that first Christmas to find ice skates under the tree for each of us.

Our dad took us across to the pond when he deemed the ice thick enough to hold our weight. Four young kids on ice in our new skates for the first time! Dad was patient in teaching us balance, pushing off and using the toe pick to stop. With Dad’s permission, my oldest brother would shovel the snow off the ice so we could skate after a snowstorm.

Returning to the frozen water in the bird baths, I wonder what do the birds who stay north think of ice? I imagine cartoon-like images of them gliding across the icy bird baths!

Here at The Garden, it is a beehive of activity. Plantings are happening as I write, for the spring. Geraniums and Vinca Vine just to name a few. The Gift Shop/Fashion Boutique has packed away the holiday decorations to make room for new spring items.

Pssst – Stop into the Gift Shop during March for our Bring-Friend Discount Card for redemption in April!

The other day I was walking from the greenhouse through the gift shop – on a mission to complete a task. I was stopped mid-step by the sound of a deep chorus of chimes. I was unsure of where the wind chimes were moved to in making room for the holiday items. As I looked around, a gentleman stepped out from around a display and shyly said, “that was me…I couldn’t resist touching the chimes.” We exchanged smiles of appreciation and understanding.

I say “appreciation and understanding” because I suspect he and I have a shared triggered response. When I hear a wind chime, it reminds me of someone very special who gave one to me a number of years ago. My wind chime has moved with me over the years and is currently hanging on my front porch. The person that gave it to me has since passed.  Yet with every breeze (gentle and otherwise) I hear the graceful tune that is distinct and brings me wonderful memories of the person who has brought so much love and joy into my life.

And with my wind chime, there is always music in the air!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays – from our family to yours!

Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2019!

Few times of year seem more magical than the Christmas season. I remember an especially magical Christmas morning when I was young. The family Christmas tree had been put up and decorated weeks prior. The scent of the pine tree lingered throughout the house. This particular Christmas morning we entered the living room to find a second Christmas tree had been set-up.  This tree was much smaller than the first and was placed on a table.  What made it so special is that it was decorated with the older delicate ornaments that my parents were keeping “safe” from the natural, yet often clumsy, curiosity of us younger kids. These ornaments had not been on display since my parents were married (and had yet to start our family of four children).

The glass ornaments were exquisite. The colors were vibrant. We could see through the glass…but not quite.  My oldest brother was beaming with pride as us younger kids ooh’d and aah’d at the sight of this tree. This was a magical moment for us all…including my parents who were also surprised at this unexpected addition to our decorations!

I still love to see glass ornaments that remind me of my childhood. My tradition is to add one ornament each year to hang and appreciate on the tree…with of course a beautiful angel on top!

When I was a kid, and later young adult, a special outing with my mother was about 45 minutes away from home to a “village of shops.”  First stop was the soap store that smelled so good with all of their fragrant soaps and bath items. I loved going into the pewter store for unique jewelry. In the leather store the smell and feel of incredible handbags that would last “forever” were alluring as we would look for a bag we could afford. My mother and I always enjoyed the small shops with casual classic clothing for ladies that were unique and wonderful.  Our shopping was a day-long event that included lunch out.  At home, we would unpack our bags and re-live the fun we had finding our new treasures!

As I walk through our own Gift Shop/Fashion Boutique, the treasured memory of those days spent together at the village shops returns to me, and I look forward to sharing similar moments with my own daughter.

Trick or treating is the finish to Halloween.  But candy is truly secondary to what happens in preparation and celebration of Halloween. Planning and decorating is what leads up to prowling the neighborhood, going door to door, costumed in this year’s alter-ego. This is really what seems to signify Halloween for kids and adults alike: decorating. Houses are decorated. Interiors of homes are decorated. Costumes decorate our bodies.

The pumpkin is probably the most used item and image in decorating. The carving of the Jack O’Lantern is a timed honored tradition for display on Halloween evening. My parents would be in charge of the carving to safe-guard us kids from any carving accidents. As kids, we had the fantastic fun of emptying the pumpkin brains (fibrous strands and seeds). Using spoons and our bare hands, we dove into the stringy and slippery mess of ‘pumpkin guts’ and ripped out as much as we could, shrieking “ewe” all the while!

Designs ranged from kinda scary to goofy and funny faces. Add the flickering candle and we had a masterpiece to greet our fellow trick or treaters!

If you haven’t carved a pumpkin in awhile, why not renew this tradition this year?  Be creative. Have fun. And have a Happy Halloween!