Colleen's Gardens & other Hobbies

Test from the iPad

2011-08-05T20:48:00.001-04:00

When i first got the iPad i thought i tried to make a blog post and it was not supported. May be now? This is a test!

Goochland Public Library Free Events

2011-06-08T11:38:00.001-04:00

Ice Cream Social Thursday June 9 at 6:00 p.m.
Kick off the Summer Reading Program and enjoy ice cream with us. Ice cream provided by the Friends of the Goochland Library.

Amazing Tales from around the World Saturday June 25 at 10:00 a.m.
Travel around the world using your favorite children’s books. Enjoy global crafts, games, and stories. Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Goochland Library.

The Diggity Dudes Monday June 27 at 4:00 p.m.
Join the Dudes for a rollickin’ good time with fun, happy music guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Kids will love it and parents will, too!

Mike Klee, Magician Friday July 15 at 10:00 a.m.
Watch in wonder as Mike Klee magically brings some of the most memorable characters from your favorite books to life and uncovers some of the "Amazing Tales" found at your local library.

Rhythms 'round the World Thursday July 21 at 4:00 p.m.
Join a fun musical tour of Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia with musicians Kim & Jimbo Cary. Play along with an Irish jig, a Mexican waltz, an East European frailach, West African dance rhythms, & more!
This performance is sponsored in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts & our Friends of the Library groups.

Game Night for Teens Thursday July 21 at 6:00 p.m.
Calling all teens! Join us for a fun-filled night of your favorite board, Wii and PlayStation2 games.
Pizza and drinks provided by the Friends of the Goochland Library.

Virginia Wildlife Center: "Legends of the Night" Thursday July 28 at 1:30 p.m.
Owls aren't just in books and movies! Meet some of the owls that live around us, learn about these magnificent silent hunters, and find out what brings owls to the Wildlife Center of Virginia. Best for K – 5th, families or mixed-age groups.

Summer 2011 Camps & Enrichment Programs

2011-05-22T14:49:00.000-04:00

These are just a few I've been looking at. I know there are tons more...

CAT's Camp at St. Catherine's School in Richmond offers enrichment and sports programs for boys and girls from 3 years old to rising 12th grader's. Their registration begins 2/1.

University of Virginia Curry School of Education has a number of SEP / summer enrichment programs for rising 5th through 11th graders.

The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg Center for Gifted education offers both Spring and Summer enrichment programs / SEP for rising K and up.

Maymont Summer Camps:
https://www.maymont.org/Page.aspx?pid=279

Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center:
http://www.artsglenallen.com/

The Center for Creative Arts at Shady Grove:
http://www.center4creativearts.org/summercamps.html

Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens Summer Camps:
http://www.lewisginter.org/children/family_programs/investigation_stations.php

School of Performing Arts Richmond (SPARC) http://www.sparconline.org/
Summer 2011 Camps and Workshops:
http://www.sparconline.org/classes/classes_offerings.shtml#1-3

St. Mary's Episcopal on River Road in Richmond http://www.stmarysgoochland.org/
Vacation Bible School: http://www.stmarysgoochland.org/educational/children/documents/REGISTRATIONFORMforVBS2_000.doc

Other on-line lists I've found:

Richmond Mom dot com's blog has another list:

http://richmondmom.com/2011/02/20/richmond-va-summer-camps-2011/

Kid Camps dot com

http://www.kidscamps.com/kc_dba/owa/kids_home?distance2=60&state=va&firstrow=&cityname=Richmond

Richmond Parents Monthly:

http://www.richmondparents.com/rpm_campfair_09_participants.htm

Feel free to send me more if you'd like and I'll add if I can!

Taking pictures outside in between the rain drops

2011-04-28T14:29:00.003-04:00

What's blooming today that took a good enough picture to post?

Iris

Viola johnny jump ups

Columbine or Aquilegia (deep purple)

Columbine or Aquilegia (baby girl light pink)

Columbine or Aquilegia (deep purple with white)

Grandma just repainted him/her. He was sunbleached.

purple / red / yellow center clematis

Baptistia or Blue Indigo

Peach and white Iris Grandma Wms bought me a few years back.

I bought a new decoration from Hobby Lobby to sit with the Candytuft & Iris in bloom.

April Flowers Bring... Tornadoes?! How about iris, clematis, wisteria, late daffies?

2011-04-28T13:14:00.000-04:00

This weather is crazy in the Southeast right now. While we had a tornado come and supposedly touch down twice within 5 miles of the house, we're a-ok here. As opposed to the people of Alabama where the devastation is incomprehensible. I have a shot of what I saw below. I snapped quickly because I had to get back in the house for safety.

So now that it's starting to clear up out there, I decided to go clip a few flowers outside for the windowsill. I think this one came out the nicest. Enjoy!

I have a few more things to catch up on this week but am looking forward to trying out the new Nikon D5000 and see if I can get some better shots around the gardens this Spring and start blogging again. Wish me luck in making the time.

Sports and Enrichment Program Registrations

2011-01-14T14:41:00.002-05:00

Wow! It's been awhile since I posted!

So many sport activities available for my kids this year and most all have started registration. So many choices!

Goochland Parks and Recreation has a ton of offerings ranging from basketball to dance to gymnastics to arts and crafts to senior activities and many more! Their Winter/Spring program guide can be found HERE.

Their Mighty Mites basketball program just started and is proving both my kids to be quite good at it. And it is so much fun. It is offered for 4-5 year olds and 6-7 year olds.

GYAA - Goochland Youth and Athletic Association has their Spring 2011 Baseball and softball registration open, including T-Ball for 5-6 year olds. I believ their schedule is April - June.

GUSA - Goochland United Soccer Association has their Spring 2011 soccer season registration open. Season runs March - May.

Our Goochland YMCA has a variety of offerings including a soccer and t-ball / blastball program for 3 and 4 year olds.

SCOR - Sports Center of Richmond: http://www.scor-richmond.com/campsClinics.asp

In addition to that, summer programs and camps are starting to take registrations now or within the next few weeks. Spots can fill up so quick that we need to decide on these things soon!

CAT's Camp at St. Catherine's School in Richmond offers enrichment and sports programs for boys and girls from 3 years old to rising 12th grader's. Their registration begins 2/1.

University of Virginia Curry School of Education has a number of SEP / summer enrichment programs for rising 5th through 11th graders.

The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg Center for Gifted education offers both Spring and Summer enrichment programs / SEP.

Maymont Summer Camps at https://www.maymont.org/Page.aspx?pid=279

Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center: http://www.artsglenallen.com/

The Center for Creative Arts at Shady Grove:
http://www.center4creativearts.org/summercamps.html

Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens Summer Camps:
http://www.lewisginter.org/children/family_programs/investigation_stations.php

There are certainly tons more, especially for the summer but this is where I'm at right now.

NYC Info

2010-12-24T07:46:00.003-05:00

Wollman Skating Rink. http://www.wollmanskatingrink.com/main_wollman.htm

Public Skating Hours :

Monday & Tuesday 10:00am - 2:30pm

Wednesday & Thursday 10:00am - 10:00pm

Friday & Saturday 10:00am - 11:00pm

Sunday 10:00am - 9:00pm

Best Entrance:

Central Park South (59th Street) and 6th Avenue. Wollman Rink is a two minute walk into Central Park from this entrance. Follow the footpath directly into the park.

American Museum of Natural History

http://www.amnh.org/

Entrances:

The Museum is located at 79th Street and Central Park West and is easily reached by public transportation. The main entrance to the Rose Center for Earth and Space is located at 81st Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue.

Museum Entrance Hours:

Main Entrance (79th St. at Central Park West): Every day from 10 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.

Subway Entrance (Lower Level): Every day from 10 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.

Rose Center Entrance (81st St. between C.P.W. and Columbus Ave.):
Every day from 10 a.m. – 5:45 p.m

Pierre's Restaurant Monmouth Junction:

Borders / Donorschoose / $15 GC giveaway info

2010-12-03T08:25:00.000-05:00

Tween Tribute:
http://tweentribune.com/borders

Borders TeachingZone FAQ on donors choose:
http://www.bordersmedia.com/teachingzone/donorschoose

Donorschoose FAQ on how the g/c works:
http://help.donorschoose.org/app/answers/list/session/L3RpbWUvMTI5MTMwNDI0Ni9zaWQvcGVEZS12Z2s%3D/c/11,39

Oprah's Favorite Things:
http://www.donorschoose.org/blog/2010/11/25/oprahs-favorite/

Waiting For Superman:
http://www.waitingforsuperman.com/

BN educational partners
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/BN-educational-partners-organizations/379000209/

Bing $5 give away:
http://www.bing.com/gives/default1.aspx#

AP News
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j9EIacJ_tP4rX_YTHgpxyOrmx6eQ?docId=cbc95578a21f42d8aa6242f820d3c392

Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/29/borders-to-offer-15-gift-_n_789245.html

Hot Blooms in September

2010-09-19T09:13:00.004-04:00

Gaillardia blanket flower

Hot reds and orange

Gaura 'Whirling Butterflies'

Peruvian Lily or alstroemeria by the pool

Plumeria

September harvest

2010-09-19T08:49:00.000-04:00

The September skies are perfect blue and the butterflies are still loving the butterfly bush. Last week we had what seemed to be a swarm of monarchs. It was amazing. We debated as to whether they all just hatched near our house or if they were on their journey. Their wings were perfect which led us to believe they were born on our property.

1st pot of homemade tomato sauce of the season! We were very late in planting or veggies this year. For a number of reasons. Fortunately, with the long summer seasonal temperatures, that was okay! The tomatoes are coming in now and our veal parmesan dinner that I cooked with Bill's sauce was absolutely delicious!

This lantana was a surprise this year. I've noticed it growing from behind one of the a/c units and could not believe that it had seeded itself back there of all places. Finally today I checked its bottom and found that it truly was in a pot that I had stored back there last winter to protect it from the cold and forgot about. Now of course the roots have the pot attached to the ground so I need to decide if that's its new home or if I should try to get back there and dig it up.

I didn't get to as much gardening this year as usual. I did too much in the late Spring and wound up with tennis elbow, or in my case gardeners elbow. I was unable to do anything major with my left arm for most of the summer while I went to physical therapy. It is mostly on the mend now and I need to do my best to keep it rested until next season so it totally heals. That means that a bunch of my container plants that desperately need dividing and repotting may need to wait.

Today's Flowers

2010-07-05T09:20:00.000-04:00

We are forecast to have another stretch of 100+ degree weather so I thought I'd best get out and take some snapshots while I can still breathe out there! Here's a few things going on in my gardens today!

Fireworks

2010-07-05T09:10:00.000-04:00

After such a full day on Saturday, Sunday was much more relaxed. Time visiting, swimming, barbecuing, stopping by the annual neighborhood celebration and then watching our county's firework display from the top of our hill! How convenient is that?

My husband was then able to set off all of the legal fireworks we are able to buy at the local grocery store for some added fun and the kids designed all sorts of jewelry with the glow stick packs I had.

I also made sure to record 3 of the televised firework displays the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, Macy's 4th and a Capitol Fourth in Washington DC so we could watch all the firework displays we want today.

Our 4th of July Weekend

2010-07-05T08:58:00.000-04:00

Saturday started off with a visit to the Goochland Farmers Market. Richard LeBlanc, dressed in period attire, read the Declaration of Independence starting promptly at 10am for all gathered to hear. He is a gifted orator to begin with and hearing him deliver these words to us was a perfect start to the Independence Day holiday weekend.

The baby chicks at the Fireweed Farm Alpaca stand. http://www.fireweedalpacas.com/

We walked down to Java Jodi's for a little lunch afterwards. The Spicy Amigo panini is my favorite.

After a quick stop home to freshen up, we headed down to Capital Ale House Midlothian for their 3rd Annual Beer Festival. My sister is visiting for the weekend and we met up with three other friends there so it was a great time.

After using my 5 tickets to try 5 different beers that I was unfamiliar with, I went inside to escape the heat and sipped on my favorite, Rogue's Dead Guy Ale.

For the record, these would be my 2nd and third favorites. Rogue's Hazlenut Brown Ale and Legend Brown Ale.

Rounding out the night with a tasty dinner at Shackleford's in Richmond with our group of 7, it was quite a memorable fun day and night.

Some of the girlie things I would like to do this summer and beyond.

2010-06-21T14:23:00.003-04:00

I need to keep this list to remind myself!

Some of the girlie things I would like to do this summer and beyond... (without kids...)

The Shops at 5807
Walk down Cary Street shopping Carytown, especially Mongrel and World of Mirth
Stony Point Fashion Park
Williamsburg - The Pottery, Prime Outlets and others.
VMFA Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Get back to Yoga classes.
Try horseback riding again for the first time since I was a teenager.
Get back to reading!
Take some horticultural classes at Lewis Ginter and J.Sarge.
17th street Farmer's Market Thursday - Sunday

I'm sure I'll add more as I come up with them. If not this summer, I'm sure I can start once school starts back up again in the Fall, right? ;-)

Today's flowers

2010-06-14T10:05:00.000-04:00

The Shasta Daisies are just about at their peak. Then I'll take Rachel's advice and take the hedge trimmers to them unless I find the time to move them!

9:45am sunflower. Let's see if she is awake by 5!

The white phlox. I don't think I've ever taken their picture before.

Some of the gladiolus.

Some of the oriental lilies.

Black eyed susans or Rudbeckia hirta

Just love the portulaca in the sun.

or moss rose if you prefer.

Ornamental grasses

Purslane, big bloom scarlet

This year's blue daze (evolvus glomeratus)

Playing with templates

2010-06-13T15:15:00.001-04:00

I have not taken any recent photos in the garden so I thought I'd post one of my original photos from 2005 of my plumeria. I now have many of them after most of the cuttings I took rooted.

And yes... I spent some time playing around with some of the new template designs and really bolloxed things up. Sorry. I'll get back to it another time and see what I can do to make it LESS busy!! I just try to use my blog as a place for me to find what I need as well. Maybe I need to separate the two... Sounds like more work than I want to do today. The garden and the pool is calling!
But I did add a photo of me over there on the right. YIKES!

Did I tell you I like orange?

2010-06-01T15:09:00.000-04:00

Red Hot Pokers / Torch Lily / Kniphofia

With their Yucca companions

Everywhere

Didn't I tell you... EVERYWHERE. I divided a HUGE plant last year and spread it around. Want some?

Oriental Lily

Gaillardia blanket flower with our copper fountain that we bought with a gift card given to us as a wedding gift for Plow and Hearth almost 9 years ago along with a matching bird feeder. Thanks JMD.

I know some people consider this a swamp daylily but I like it.

Some of the random hollyhock seeds I spread around last year from the mommy plant are coming up. Maybe I should have planned there location better.

And another

One of my pink Astilbe (one of MANY plants that need dividing!!)

Inez has some deeper colors in her garden. Guess we'll need to divide and share.

Speaking of Inez. This is her newest raised bed garden my hard working neighbor built for her. It's gorgeous!

She had it planted up the day after he filled it with soil. She's ready for another!

Bill's Vegetable Garden and compost bin expansion is underway... A few unexpected out of town trips have set us back in outdoor time this Spring so now we need to make up for it or just have late produce!

Grow where you are planted.

Free Summer Movies at Local Theaters!

2010-06-01T12:01:00.011-04:00

Regal Free Family Film Festival for this summer!

Virginia's listings are here:

http://www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/familyfilmfestivalschedule.aspx?state=VA

I use common sense media dot org http://www.commonsensemedia.org/ to help me decide which movies are best for my age group and tastes.

and the most local to Central VA are here:

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Short Pump Stadium 14

11650 West Broad Street

Richmond ,VA 23233

804-360-5621

06/22/2010-06/24/2010

Tale of Despereaux (G)

Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs (PG)

06/29/2010-07/01/2010
Horton Hears A Who (G)

Monsters Vs. Aliens (PG)

07/06/2010-07/08/2010
Doogal (G)

Planet 51 (PG)

07/13/2010-07/15/2010
Space Chimps (G)

Hotel For Dogs (PG)

07/20/2010-07/22/2010
Curious George (G)

Alvin And The Chipmunks Squeakquel (PG)

07/27/2010-07/29/2010
Charlotte's Web (G)

Astro Boy (PG)

08/03/2010-08/05/2010
Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (G)

Bandslam (PG)

08/10/2010-08/12/2010
Wallace and Gromit (G)

Aliens In The Attic (PG)

08/17/2010-08/19/2010
Pirates Who Don't Do Anything (G)

Night At The Museum II (PG)

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Commonwealth Stadium 20 & IMAX

5001 Commonwealth Centre Parkway

Midlothian ,VA 23112

804-744-7421

06/22/2010-06/24/2010
Tale of Despereaux (G)

Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs (PG)

06/29/2010-07/01/2010
Horton Hears A Who (G)

Monsters Vs. Aliens (PG)

07/06/2010-07/08/2010
Doogal (G)

Planet 51 (PG)

07/13/2010-07/15/2010
Space Chimps (G)

Hotel For Dogs (PG)

07/20/2010-07/22/2010
Curious George (G)

Alvin And The Chipmunks Squeakquel (PG)

07/27/2010-07/29/2010
Charlotte's Web (G)

Astro Boy (PG)

08/03/2010-08/05/2010
Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (G)

Bandslam (PG)

08/10/2010-08/12/2010
Wallace and Gromit (G)

Aliens In The Attic (PG)

08/17/2010-08/19/2010
Pirates Who Don't Do Anything (G)

Night At The Museum II (PG)

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Westchester Commons Stadium 16

361 Perimeter Drive

Midlothian ,VA 23114

804-794-6942

06/22/2010-06/24/2010
Tale of Despereaux (G)

Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs (PG)

06/29/2010-07/01/2010
Horton Hears A Who (G)

Monsters Vs. Aliens (PG)

07/06/2010-07/08/2010
Doogal (G)

Planet 51 (PG)

07/13/2010-07/15/2010
Space Chimps (G)

Hotel For Dogs (PG)

07/20/2010-07/22/2010
Curious George (G)

Alvin And The Chipmunks Squeakquel (PG)

07/27/2010-07/29/2010
Charlotte's Web (G)

Astro Boy (PG)

08/03/2010-08/05/2010
Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (G)

Bandslam (PG)

08/10/2010-08/12/2010
Wallace and Gromit (G)

Aliens In The Attic (PG)

08/17/2010-08/19/2010
Pirates Who Don't Do Anything (G)

Night At The Museum II (PG)

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Virginia Center Stadium 20

10091 Jeb Stuart Parkway

Glen Allen ,VA 23060

804-261-4994

06/22/2010-06/24/2010
Curious George (G)

Planet 51 (PG)

06/29/2010-07/01/2010
Space Chimps (G)

Hotel For Dogs (PG)

07/06/2010-07/08/2010
Charlotte's Web (G)

Alvin And The Chipmunks Squeakquel (PG)

07/13/2010-07/15/2010
Tale of Despereaux (G)

Astro Boy (PG)

07/20/2010-07/22/2010
Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (G)

Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs (PG)

07/27/2010-07/29/2010
Horton Hears A Who (G)

Aliens In The Attic (PG)

08/03/2010-08/05/2010
Doogal (G)

The Spy Next Door (PG)

08/10/2010-08/12/2010
Pirates Who Don't Do Anything (G)

Bandslam (PG)

08/17/2010-08/19/2010
Wallace and Gromit (G)

Monsters Vs. Aliens (PG)

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Bow Tie Cinemas has a Kids Club FREE Film Series at Movieland 17 at Boulevard Square:
http://www.bowtiecinemas.com/summer_2010.html
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What's happening at the Goochland Public Library this Summer?

2010-06-01T11:49:00.001-04:00

What's happening at the Goochland Public Library this Summer?

Summer Volunteen Training
Tuesday June 1 at 6:00 p.m.
Would you like to volunteer at the library during the summer? Find out how you can help out with the Summer Reading Program.
Pizza & soft drinks served!
Sponsored by the Friends of the Goochland Library.

Ice Cream Social & Summer Reading Kickoff
Thursday June 10 at 6:30 p.m.
All ages
Sign up for the Summer Reading program and enjoy ice cream sundaes, face painting, and balloons.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Goochland Library.

Crafting Tees for Teens
Thursday June 17 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Bring a T-shirt from home and we’ll show you how to decorate it using spray paint.
Pizza, drinks, and dessert served!
Sponsored by the Friends of the Goochland Library.

Betsy Q Concert
Saturday June 19 at 11:00 a.m.
Ages 5-11
Join us for a fun, upbeat concert with Betsy Q.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Goochland Library.

"Beach Day" Concert with LEONARDO
Monday June 21 at 10:00 a.m.
All ages
Leonardo is a Parents' Choice Award winning family musician writing and performing songs that entertain, educate and empower audiences of all ages and abilities. With fun props and a colorful set, his concerts are a pep rally, rock 'n' roll show, and beach party all on one stage.

Mad Science: Up, Up, & Away
Friday July 16 at 10:00 a.m.
Ages 5-11
See a fun, fast-paced, and educational performance that introduces you to the principles of air pressure.

Set Sail with Steve Somers, the Amazing Teacher
Monday July 19 at 10:00 a.m.
All ages
Ahoy mates! Gear up for a high-seas adventure with Captain Steve and his friends as they take your kids on an amazing voyage in search of good character using magic, puppetry, and music.

A Visit with Little Squirt & Friends
Monday July 26 at 1:00 p.m.
All ages
Meet Little Squirt, a miniature horse from Broken Road Farm, and some of his farm friends, including bunnies, chickens, a goat, a lamb, and a pig.

Toddler Storytime
Wednesday June 9, 16, 23, and 30 at 11:00 a.m.
Age: 2 years old w/adult

Preschool Storytime
Thursday June 10, 17, and 24 at 10:00 a.m.
Ages 3-5 years old

Mother Goose Storytime
Thursday June 10, 17, and 24 at 11:00 a.m.
Ages 6-24 months w/adult

Goochland Book Group
meets the second Friday of each month at 10:30 a.m. (Sept.-June)
Please call or visit the library for more program information.

Goochland Mystery Book Group
meets the second Wednesday of each month at 2:00 p.m.
Please call or visit the library for more program information.

http://www.pamunkeylibrary.org/calendar.htm#Goochland

Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo on Roanoke Island

2010-05-30T15:01:00.004-04:00

The Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo on Roanoke Island were beautiful. What a hidden jewel.

Hardscape

Entrance and Great Gate
The impressive entrance wall of old, handmade Silas Lucas bricks holds the beautiful wrought iron gates which once hung at the French Embassy in Washington, D.C. The Coat of Arms of Queen Elizabeth 1 of England is over the entrance door. The motto, “Honi soit qui mal y pense”, meaning 'shame be to him who evil thinks' is the basis for the Order of the Garter.
A large bronze plaque embedded in the entrance wall bears this inscription by Inglis Fletcher, a noted author:
“Down the centuries, English women have built gardens, to the glory of God, the beauty of the countryside and the comfort of their souls. The women of The Garden Club of North Carolina, Inc. have planted this garden in memory of the valiant men and women who founded the first English colony in America. From this hallowed ground on Roanoke Island, they walked away through the dark forest and into history. 1985-1951/1585”

Gatehouse

The lovely Gatehouse is designed in the style of a 16th century orangery with a flagstone floor, hand-hewn beams and a wide door with a cross design. The Gatehouse is furnished with rare antique tables, chests and desks. Perhaps the finest is the Jacobean table with typical Tudor rose carvings, circa early 1500s. The walls are adorned with many antique paintings, engravings and maps. Of special interest is a sixteenth century portrait of Queen Elizabeth I.
The Gatehouse Reception Center doubles as the Gift Shop, which is filled year-round with a wide variety of garden related gifts. The carved carrara marble fountain has a center pineapple motif that is a symbol of wealth and welcome.

Entrance to the gardens.

Foyer

Hot colors in containers

Trees

Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)

Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)- with a face?

Ancient Live Oak believed to be over 400 years old. This magnificent towering live oak tree is believed to have been growing on Roanoke Island when the first English colonists landed on the island in 1585.

Statuary

The world's largest bronze statue of HRH queen Elizabeth I.

This magnificent bronze statue is a gift from Irwin Belk in honor of his wife Carol.
Created by sculptor Jon Hair and modeled by renowned actress Miss Barbara Hird, this nine-foot beauty is the largest bronze of Queen Elizabeth I in the world.

A marble statue of Virginia Dare carved in Italy by Maria Louisa Lander.

Virginia Dare Statue
This graceful statue is the artist’s version of an adult Virginia Dare, the first English child born in the New World.
Sculpted of Carrara marble in Italy by American sculptor, Maria Louisa Lander in 1859, the statue spent two years at the bottom of the sea following a shipwreck off the coast of Spain. The statue was salvaged and shipped to Boston, where it survived a fire.
In 1923, Miss Lander willed the statue to the State of North Carolina, where it was displayed in several buildings but was eventually sent to the basement of the old Supreme Court Building as some found her lack of clothing objectionable.
When The Lost Colony drama was written by Paul Green, the statue was sent to the waterside theatre. In the meantime, Fort Raleigh became a National Historic Site. Again, she fell out of favor. The statue was shipped to Paul Green’s estate near Chapel Hill.
When The Elizabethan Gardens were created, Mr. Green sent the statue to its present site, almost a hundred years after her creation.
Today, Virginia Dare stands at the place of her birth gazing toward the future despite the odds of the history, mystery and fantasy that surround her.

The Sunken Garden

The sunken garden with an antique Italian fountain as its central focal point.

Inside the pleached allee, a low pierced wall of old, handmade brick surrounds this garden, which is the centerpiece of The Elizabethan Gardens.
This square area consists of 32 parterres outlined in clipped dwarf yaupon that are planted with seasonal flowers.
The central focal point is the antique Italian fountain and pool with a carved balustrade. Statues representing Apollo, Diana, Venus and Jupiter center each of the four quadrants of parterres. This exceptionally fine fountain and its statues are from the Whitney collection.

Jupiter - Ruler of all gods

Apollo God of Music and Poetry

Venus Goddess of Spring & Bloom

Diana Goddess of the hunt

Hidden treasurers in the woodland garden - mostly gnomes
Woodland & Wildlife/Children's Garden
This mini garden is a delight for children as they try to find the gnomes and other figures hiding among the native plants and other shade-loving shrubs and trees.
Features include a small frog pond, Pan statue, and the lovely Bashful Girl fountain donated by the Youth Gardeners of North Carolina.

Blossoms

Rhododendron Walk
While all azaleas are considered rhododendron, not all rhododendron are azaleas.
With that said, visitors can enjoy all of the above as they stroll down the Rhododendron Walk. The mixed planting provides visitors with blooms from April until frost.
Visitors will also see several cultivars of the new Encore Azaleas, a unique group of azaleas that bloom in the spring and then again in the fall.

ME relaxing in the rose garden

Queen’s Tea Garden
This pierced wall rose garden was built in 1976 in honor of Queen Elizabeth II. Access to the rose garden is through handsome brick piers, a walkway is centered with a 500 year-old sun dial from the Whitney collection. The handmade brick pathway continues to a brick “throne” area reached by three broad steps guarded by antique marble lion sculptures and is topped with an antique hand-carved white Carrara marble bench that is canopied by white dogwoods.
The Tea Garden features the Queen Elizabeth Rose that was given to The Elizabethan Gardens by Queen Elizabeth II from the royal rose garden at Windsor Castle. The Queen’s Tea Garden was dedicated in honor of Queen Elizabeth II by her emissary, British Ambassador, Sir Peter Ramsbotham.
The rose collection includes the Virginia Dare Rose, the Lost Colony Rose and the Sir Walter Raleigh Rose.

The history of the gardens is just as fascinating:
History, mystery and fantasy are combined in these special gardens, which are a memorial to the first English colonists who came to North America in 1584-1587 and “walked away through the dark forest into history” as memorialized in Paul Green’s symphonic drama, “The Lost Colony”. For here and nowhere else, Sir Walter Raleigh made initial attempts to colonize the New World under Queen Elizabeth I. Truly this hallowed site is the birthplace of America.

The Garden Club of North Carolina adopted The Elizabethan Gardens as a project in 1951. In 1953 land was leased from The Roanoke Island Historical Association to begin building an English Pleasure Garden. In 1952 The Honorable John Hay Whitney donated an outstanding collection of European statuary and garden ornaments to the project. In 1953 the internationally acclaimed landscape firm of Innocenti and Webel were commissioned to design The Elizabethan Gardens.

From the beginning, garden club members have worked tirelessly to fund and assist in the development of these fine gardens. The Elizabethan Gardens were formally opened on Virginia Dare’s birthday, August 18, 1960.

Worth the trip.
**

** Searching for Virginia Dare
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**

**

**

A Kingdom Strange by James Horn

Our May OBX Beach trip

2010-05-30T13:08:00.006-04:00

What a relaxing and beautiful week. Time to rejuvenate the soul.

Sunrise in Kitty Hawk 2010

My 2 urns I created with supplies from Walmart and Home Depot to add some color to the weathered deck.

The new higher deck chairs allowed us a great view of the deafening surf, beautiful blue sky and ever present dolphins.

Pelicans flying over the waves.

Joe Lamb and WPM have most of the reasonably priced oceanfront cottages. And yes, we fixed that crooked W once we noticed it!

Sara Belle and Mew resting

2010-05-30T12:52:00.000-04:00

Our Mimi and Little guy look-alikes.

Pinks and purples

2010-05-03T08:12:00.004-04:00

Clematis in bloom.

Purple

and white.

Lily of the valley or Convallaria majalis

Iris of every color. Here are a few.

More iris...

Baptisia or blue wild false indigo and the fountain.

Cranesbill, the perennial Geranium incanum (?)

Roses are happy, the first Abraham Darby pink bloom of the year. What a fragrance!

The knockout rose has exploded in pink color.

May is bringing on the flowers!

Sunday morning dew on green.

2010-04-25T11:54:00.006-04:00

Hostas leaves.

The Lady's Mantle or Alchemilla with its dew drops like strings of diamonds searching for the philosopher's stone.

Lamiastrum 'Herman's pride' silver archangel - Bluestone perennial LINK.

Green glass flower. Thank you Inez.

Reminder!! Saturday, April 24 is the Spring Garden Fest at J. Sarge

2010-04-19T08:48:00.009-04:00

Reminder!! This coming Saturday, April 24 is the Spring Garden Fest at J. Sarge 8:30-4. It is free to come and see the vendors, plant sales and ask questions of on-site master gardeners. There are 3 sessions of classes. $10.00 Pre-Registration Fee covers all classes except those with additional charges listed below ($12.00 at the door). Some classes are full and others are very close to capacity so get your registration in today!! It's not too late if there's available space. You can drop off with Shannon Grayson or call her at the Goochland extension office: 804-556-5841. The registration brochure can be found here in .pdf or .doc format: http://gpmga.org/SpringFest.htm

The Goochland-Powhatan Master Gardeners in cooperation with

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College & VA Cooperative Extension

present

A Gardening Festival

classes
Featuring

workshops

demonstrations

displays

ask the experts

plant vendors

garden vendors

food for sale

Saturday, April 24, 2010

8:30 am –4:00 pm

Held at

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College

1851 Dickinson Road, Goochland

Register in advance for classes or

just stop by to shop, browse, and learn.

Call 804-556-5841 or visit gpmga.org

Annual Spring Garden Fest April 24, 2010 Class Descriptions

Session 1 9:30 am – 10:50 am

1A Flowering Shrubs through the Seasons

Michael Wallace – Earthscapes Owner, Certified Horticulturist, Grower of Rare Succulents & Unusual Plants

There are flowering shrubs that enhance landscapes in every season of the year. Participants will learn about both common and unusual flowering shrubs, their characteristics, growing needs, and care.

1B Using Hardscape in the Landscape

Eric Evans – VCE Horticulture Program Associate, Custom Landscape Solutions Owner

Participants will learn how the use of hardscape can enhance the landscape as well as help solve problems. The types of commonly available hardscape materials and their appropriate applications will be discussed along with their relative merits with regard to cost and ease of use.

1D Trees for Eden – Small Ornamental Trees for the Home Landscape
John Wise – Horticultural Adjunct Professor and Propagator
This class will offer examples of small trees appropriate for the private landscape. You will see what they look like and learn about their growing needs to enable you to choose just the right tree and location for beautiful results.

1E Perennials for Central Virginia: Selection and Propagation
Lisa Sanderson – Extension Agent, Virginia Cooperative Extension Agent, Henrico County
Participants will be exposed to a variety of perennials that are suitable for central Virginia, their features and characteristics, environmental requirements and sustainability, as well as information on best methods of propagation.

1F Planning Ahead for Successful Berry Growing
Michael Lachance – Extension Agent, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Nelson County
Want succulent berries as part of your landscape? Learn all about land preparation, plant selection, and planting considerations for small fruit growing. Special emphasis in this class will be on blueberries, strawberries, and cane berries.

1G Workshop: Container Gardening with Flowers – Design and Care Basics
Melinda Crouch – Melinda.s Garden and Designs, LLC
Specializing in Container Gardens, Landscape Design and Consultation
Learn how to design and care for beautiful flower container gardens with the use of plant color, textures,shapes, and sizes. In this workshop you will create a flowering container garden to take home. Container, plants, and soil will be provided for a materials fee of $10.

1H Workshop: Making Hypertufa Containers
Charles Cassell – Retired Civil Engineer, Active Gardener
Hypertufa (pronounced hie-per-Too-fuh) is a type of lightweight, artificial stone with the look of real stone. Participants will be given recipes for making hypertufa containers, tips on how to handle the mixture, and safety considerations. One pot will be created in this workshop to take home along with the knowledge and skill to make more. All supplies will be provided for a materials fee of $5.

Sixth Annual Spring Garden Fest April 24, 2010 Class Descriptions

Session 2 11:00 am – 12 noon

2A Hydrangeas: An Introduction to Their Diversity and Cultural Requirements

Richard Waiton – Master Gardener, Tour Guide at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Get the scoop so that you can choose hydrangeas best suited to your garden situation and grow them successfully. The four distinctly different species of shrub hydrangeas which are adapted to Virginia will be described and compared. You will be given examples of varieties of each type and review their differences in bloom, growth habit, soil type, sun exposure, pruning, and other cultural requirements.

2B Garden Renovations David Seward – JSRCC Horticulture Program Head

Have some tired, overgrown, or not so good looking landscaping that could use a boost? Learn the thought processes that go into a garden renovation. Plant removal, renovation pruning, and new plant selections will be discussed.

2C Basic Organic Vegetable Gardening Laura Mallinak & Gail Murphy – Gardeners Trained at JSRCC and Using Sustainable Agricultural Practices in Their Own Home Gardens of 144 sq. ft. in Richmond and 250 sq. ft. in Varina Learn the basics of growing vegetables organically. Topics presented will be: soil testing, soil prep (tilling, digging, double digging, raised beds), cover crops, crop rotation, transplanting, season extension, companion planting and attracting beneficial insects, and composting.

2D Native Plants in the Virginia Landscape Stu Doetzer – Horticulturist

Are you always on the lookout for beautiful plants that will do well in our area? This class will provide in depth information on many native woody plants that can easily be incorporated into Central Virginia landscapes.

2E Composting Your Organic Kitchen Waste with Worms

Susan Davis – Master Gardener, VNLA Certified Horticulturist

Learn how to recycle your organic kitchen scraps into a dark, rich compost that your plants will love. Learn about Red Wigglers, their life cycle, what to feed them, how they turn kitchen scraps into compost, how to use this compost, and how a worm bin is built and cared for in the home. Note: There is no workshop fee if participants just want information. To actually make a worm bin to take home, please select Class 2EW below and include the materials fee with registration.

2EW Make a Worm Bin Workshop: Composting Your Organic Kitchen Waste with Worms

Susan Davis – Master Gardener

For a materials fee of $35, participants will learn everything as listed in class 2E above, and will build their very own Worm Bin filled with happy worms ready to start feasting. All needed materials and a pound of worms will be supplied. So, if you want to actually assemble a worm bin to take home, please enter 2EW on the registration form and include the $35 materials fee with your registration.

2F New Landscaping Products on the Market – Seeds, Fertilizers, Pesticides & Weed Control

Eddie Wirt – Landscaping Consultant & Sales

Learn about new items available and how to use them: new seed varieties, pesticides, and weed control products. Also find out why there are different varieties of fertilizer and when it is appropriate to use each.

2G Workshop: Container Gardening with Herbs – Design and Care Basics

Melinda Crouch – Melinda.s Garden and Designs, LLC

Specializing in Container Gardens, Landscape Design and Consultation Learn how to design and care for beautiful herb container gardens for form and function. In this workshop you will create an herb container garden to take home. Container, plants, and soil will be provided for a materials fee of $10.

Sixth Annual Spring Garden Fest April 24, 2010 Class Descriptions

Session 3 1:00 pm – 2:20 pm

3A Selection and Care of Trees to Promote Health and Beauty - Getting Started Right!

Joel Koci – BS & MS Horticulture, Certified Arborist, Commercial Arborist - What do you look for at the garden center when selecting a tree to buy? How do you plant and care for a new tree to promote its health and beauty? This class will focus on selecting, planting, and caring for young trees. Learn about mulching, watering, fertilizing, pruning, and proper training.

3B Simply Beautiful – Easier Ways to a Beautiful Landscape

Karen Shipp Kelly – Landscape Designer, Shipp & Wilson - This class will introduce ways to create a landscape tailored to your time, money and energy level! You will get “do-it-right-the-first-time” hints from an instructor with 25 years of design/build landscape contracting experience.

3C Landscaping with Edible Plants Lisa Dearden - Executive Director – Center for Rural Culture, Horticulturist, Master Gardener - Landscaping with edible plants is called „Foodscaping.. Learn how to grow a variety of edible plants in

your own backyard without chemicals. Save money, conserve water and energy, improve the soil, and have FUN growing food!

3D Hands-On Pruning Techniques Stu Doetzer – Horticulturist Participants will learn when to prune, and the pruning techniques which will keep plants healthy and shapely. There will be hands-on practice on the grounds of the college. To learn by doing, please bring hand pruners if available and dress with the weather in mind to enjoy the outdoors.

3E Feed the Soil – Not the Plant: A Guide for Backyard Composting Janet Queisser – Master Gardener; B. S. in Biology from Virginia Tech - Learn the what, when, where, why and how of making and using compost right in your own backyard. You will learn exactly what compost is, its benefits especially as a soil amendment, how to assemble a

compost pile and accelerate the composting process, and many different techniques you can use to decompose organic material. Also included will be an overview of compost bins, frames, and other containers.

3F Practical Plant Propagation for Home Gardeners Kelly Stuart – Grower of Flowers and Herbs, Medical Doctor, Seminary Student -The class is divided into sections of lecture and hands-on propagation. Participants will learn basic information via a propagation overview and methods of home propagation which will include seed gathering. In the hands-on portion, there will be an emphasis on taking cuttings of plants that yield “more bang for the buck.” Students will have the opportunity to use propagation techniques and take their work home. Plant medium, cuttings, and containers will be provided. There is no materials fee for this class. Participants are asked to bring hand pruners or clippers if available.

3J Rain Barrel & Beyond – Ways to Harvest and Use Rainwater Eric Evans – VCE Horticulture Program Associate, Custom Landscape Solutions Owner Explore a variety of ways that rainwater can be captured so that it can be used in the landscape and not wasted as run-ff or pollution to nearby streams. Note: There is no workshop fee if participants just want information. To actually make a rain barrel to take home, please select Class 3JW below and include the materials fee with registration.

3JW Build a Rain Barrel Workshop: Rain Barrel & Beyond – Ways to Harvest and Use Rainwater

Eric Evans – VCE Horticulture Program Associate, Custom Landscape Solutions Owner For a materials fee of $45, participants will learn everything as listed in class 3J above, and will build their very own Rain Barrel to take home. All needed materials will be supplied. So, if you want to actually assemble a rain barrel to take home, please enter 3JW on the registration form and include the $45 materials fee with your registration. Participants will need a vehicle large enough to transport the 50 gallon rain barrels home on Fest day.

Classes count as continuing education credits for Master Gardeners.

Spring Garden Fest Activities Open to the Public without Registration:

Plant/Vendor Sales: Many kinds of plants will be
available for purchase from local vendors, JSRCC
students, and GPMGA. Other garden-related
products and helpful information will also be available.

Educational Displays and Demonstrations will be
on site covering a variety of gardening topics. Master
Gardeners will be happy to answer your questions.

Wrap-up Panel Discussion will take place in the
Student Lounge from 2:30 – 3:00 pm with experts
such as Stu Doetzer, Joel Koci, John Wise, and
Karen Kelly to answer your questions.

Lunch will be for sale on site at the event.

Spring Break trip to DC

2010-04-12T13:40:00.000-04:00

The spring blooms in Washington DC this weekend were beautiful. This is landscaping outside of the National Air and Space Museum on the National Mall side.

The Lincoln Memorial

In this temple

as in the hearts of the people

for whom he saved the union

the memory of Abraham Lincoln

is enshrined forever

The view from the Lincoln Memorial of the Reflecting Pool, Washington Monument, Capitol, Smithsonian Natural History Museum and the Castle.

This peacock is on display in the far room of the west wing of the Smithsonian's Castle. This reminds us of The Peacock Room by Whistler which can be found in the Smithsonian's Freer Gallery.

Seed catalog display in the castle.

I'm considering using this little guy in the Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals in the Natural History Museum as my facebook profile picture.

Took this photo to show to the 2 cats living here when they think they are fierce.

We searched out all the information we could on Amelia Earhart for a Famous American Social Studies project. The A&S museum has her Lockheed 5B Vega that she flew across the Atlantic and across the US, both as the first woman to do so.

One of the exhibits I found most interesting and new to me was Written in Bone - Forensic Files of the 17th Century. Of course we raced through it but I now know there are a number of books and a dvd available. Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland by Sally Walker is the companion volume to the exhibit. Written in Bone: Bone Biographer's Casebook was also available at the gift shop. The History channel has a dvd as well: Written In Bone.

We traveled up 95 on Friday, stayed at the Holiday Inn - Capitol, 1 block from the Air and Space Museum. Awesome location. The room was ok. Got to visit the Air & Space Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Castle 2 different days. Saturday we watched the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, kids rode the carousel in front of the Castle, walked to the Lincoln Memorial, passed the Capitol, Washington Monument and White House more than once on our journey, passed the Vietnam Memorial, rode the Circulator back around the Mall from 16th to 6th Street for $2 total saving our tired feet. Ate at the Capital City Brewery Company downtown Friday night. We ate at the Arlington location last time. Probably won't go again. Breakfast and 1 dinner at the hotel were good. We took advantage of our parking pass until 5 at the hotel on Sunday before heading home. Overall, a very enjoyable trip.

On the drive home, we knew we were going south as we saw this:

Ye Haw!

Purples, pinks, butter yellows

2010-04-09T08:02:00.000-04:00

Wow! This is the first year one of our Wisteria has decided to bloom. Amazing.

The lilac is blooming.

The new columbine from Lowe's.

More LG

2010-04-05T18:22:00.001-04:00

Lewis Ginter today

2010-04-03T22:10:00.001-04:00

I cannot wait to get my photos and post together from our Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens trip today. It was spectacular. Here is a small glimpse.

Powder Puff Tree

Calliandra

haematocephala

South America

Fabaceae

One of many of the orchids in the conservatory.

Their current exhibit which runs through January 2011 is: GLORIOUS GLASS IN THE GARDEN: THE ART OF HANS GODO FRABEL. That will have to be its own post altogether.

Holy Thursday. What's in bloom today?

2010-04-01T18:15:00.010-04:00

Spring is bringing some beautiful colors to the gardens and the yard.

You're a Good Man Charlie Brown

2010-03-31T09:34:00.005-04:00

Yes! My pictures were published in one of the weekly local papers. The Central Virginian, formerly the Goochland Courier. I gave them permission to reprint my blog post pictures and they did! Goochland High School stages "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown". Unfortunately, they even printed my misspelling os Schroeder. Nut hey, whose counting?

Director: Gemma Smith

Technical Director: Michael Jarvis

Choreographer: Susan Doczi

Student Director: Tori Gregory

Stage Manager: Annelle Cleveland

Charlie Brown played by Stephen Woodson.Lucy and Sally, played by Harli Engel and Julia Trongone. Will Sompayrac as Linus. Michael Massie as Snoopy. Ashby Neterer as Schroeder. Carrie Bullard as Woodstock.

You're a Good Man Charlie Brown GHS Spring 2010 Production

2010-03-21T13:00:00.008-04:00

Goochland High School Presents You're a Good Man Charlie Brown. Friday March 19 7pm, Saturday, March 20 7pm and Sunday, March 21 at 2:30

Charlie Brown played by Stephen Woodson.

Lucy and Sally, played by Harli Engel and Julia Trongone, were phenomenal.

Will Sompayrac as Linus.

Michael Massie as Snoopy performing the "Red Baron".

Ashby Neterer as Schroeder.

Carrie Bullard as Woodstock.

The entire cast and crew showed such dedication to their craft.

"The Baseball Game"

Miss Trongone and her pink polka dotted dress and curls.

Taking a Well Deserved Bow to a standing ovation from the audience.

Thank you Inez for dedicating your time and expertise in sewing 11 of the costume dresses for the production. There's no one like you.

Director: Gemma Smith

Technical Director: Michael Jarvis

Choreographer: Susan Doczi

Student Director: Tori Gregory

Stage Manager: Annelle Cleveland

Ensemble:
Madalyn Carter Samantha Hightower Devin Thompson
Diana Graziosi Jason Howell Haley Thompson
Jalen Gregory Madelynn Hyman Julie Vogel
Sara Hardy Nastacia Nickolaou Maddie Wright
Mary Salon Ryan Querry

I apologize for not having the best photos of them all and not listing the entire crew by name. It was an awesome show and you can still catch the final show if you get out now and support local theater!

Bouquets for my mail lady & the runners!

2010-03-16T17:46:00.000-04:00

I have a few bouquets of crocus at the mailbox for my mail carrier and all the local runners who use our neighborhood as part of their training circuit as they prepare for the Ukrops Monument Avenue 10K coming up on Saturday, March 27.

And I haven't yet been successful at getting the perfect shot of the Veronica 'Georgia Blue' speedwell since I've owned it. I cannot be sure if it is Veronica peduncularis or Veronica umbrosa but you get the idea. The pretty blue flowers are very similar to a forget-me-not or my Jack Frost Brunerra or Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’.

Mimi is now sending up the teeny iris bulbs.

and yes, the sun is finally opening the daffy dills ;-)

My mother-in-law's garden

2010-03-16T16:41:00.002-04:00

My mother-in-law's garden, a dozen miles south of mine, is doing very well too, starting to spring up. Here are some shots of hers.

She's always loved her hens and chicks and they are looking great after being out all winter.

Even her houseplants are pretty.

Purple crocus

2010-03-08T12:47:00.000-05:00

Purple crocus opened beautifully this weekend.

Mimi called me out to look for crocus...

2010-03-05T14:42:00.001-05:00

I glanced over at the butterfly garden and saw that Mimi's grave has started to bloom. I went in for my camera and walked around scouting for more. Here's what I found before I just got way too cold!

These are planted near the swingset. I had planted crocus bulbs around the perimeter of the swingset a few years back and these 2 are up now.

The hellebores Pink Beauty Lenten Rose is full of buds. It will be spectacular shortly. I guess I should clean it up a bit. What do you think ;-)

This wimpy white one is near the front downspout. Surprised the poor bulb didn't drown with all that snow that melted on top of it this year.

These purple ones are to the right of the front porch stairs. They should be open by tomorrow.

These 2 are at the mailbox. They were in fact the first 2 I noticed he other day. I think the others drowned. It's rather wet down there.

And yes, I do rush the season. But in this case, besides the fact that the season should have started a month ago, these were on sale when I was at Strange's the other day so I picked them up to be prepared for the first chance I get to pretty up the school container pots and my mailbox. That may be this weekend!

And don't forget:

"BE HAPPY WHILE YOU'RE LIVING, FOR YOU'RE A LONG TIME DEAD." - Scottish proverb

Refrigerator magnet purchased at Magnet Madness, a store in New Hope, PA when we were up there in November of 2008. Not sure if they are still open.

Dr. Seuss Accelerated Reader Books

2010-03-02T18:52:00.026-05:00

In commemoration of Dr. Seuss' Birthday, March 2, 1904, schools across the country celebrate. March 2nd is Read Across America Day. And this year Green Eggs and Ham celebrates its 50th Birthday!! Wow!
The school's media specialist (librarian) recommends checking out http://www.wordle.net/ I want to play with it, just haven't had time yet. As an example for Green Eggs and Ham:http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/1723274/GreenEggsandHam
So, in conjunction with this event and the school's Accelerated Reader program, we are reading at least 1 Dr. Seuss book a night and taking the test the next day. Below is the list of available AR test at the school that we are reading to take tests.

Quiz#	Title	Author	BkLvl	Points
9018EN	Foot Book, The The Foot Book	Seuss,Dr	0.6	0.5
44926EN	Eye Book, The	Seuss,Dr	0.8	0.5
9020EN	Great Day for Up!	Seuss,Dr	0.8	0.5
9035EN	Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now!	Seuss,Dr	1.1	0.5
9021EN	Green Eggs and Ham	Seuss,Dr	1.5	0.5
9023EN	Hop on Pop	Seuss,Dr	1.5	0.5
9042EN	One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish	Seuss,Dr	1.7	0.5
9044EN	Shape of Me and Other Stuff	Seuss,Dr	1.7	0.5
9013EN	Cat in the Hat Comes Back, The,	Seuss,Dr	2.1.5
6107EN	Cat in the Hat, The	Seuss,Dr	2.1	0.5
9016EN	Dr. Seuss's ABC	Seuss,Dr	2.1	0.5
9029EN	I Can Read with My Eyes Shut!	Seuss,Dr	2.2	0.5
9014EN	Cat's Quizzer, The	Seuss,Dr	2.7	0.5
9025EN	How the Grinch Stole Christmas	Seuss,Dr	3.0	0.5
5472EN	Horton Hatches the Egg	Seuss,Dr	3.1	0.5
9034EN	Lorax, The	Seuss,Dr	3.1	0.5
9003EN	Bartholomew and the Oobleck	Seuss,Dr	3.2	0.5
9024EN	Horton Hears a Who!	Seuss,Dr	3.3	0.5
9012EN	Butter Battle Book, The	Seuss,Dr	3.9	0.5
9001EN	500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins, The	Seuss,Dr	4.0	1.0
9032EN	If I Ran the Zoo	Seuss,Dr	4.1	0.5

Maymont Flower & Garden Show

2010-02-28T08:33:00.012-05:00

The Maymont Flower & Garden Show Glorious Gardens Great and Small, at the Richmond Convention Center is always a sight for sore eyes, especially with a long white winter like we've had this year.

There were a dozen or more garden landscape displays. This is not the Philadelphia International (Feb.28-Mar.7) or Chelsea Flower show but it is very nice.

I will do my best to give credit where it is due to the designs below from memory.

Some of my photos.

Ashland Berry Farm "Just Add Water"

what's a garden without whimsy anyway...

"Bathed in Beauty" mermaid bathtub container garden by Judy Durant, Hanover VCE Master Gardener

Sam Harris Designs opened up the show.

I love the color and bloom on this azalea so much, I bought one of the two on the display after the show was over, for $2! It's a florist azalea so I'll need to pot it up.

Here's the bathing beauty again!

Chadwick & Sons Orchids, Inc of Powhatan had "Orchid Garden Party"

Wlisonara Aloha Sparks

ORC Grounds management "2010 Glorious Lane"

soft pink colored tulip with white yellow center

Cross Creek Nursery & Landscaping "Monet's Water Garden"

Virginia Water Gardens "Your Backyard Paradise"

Greenfield Landscaping, LLC. of Ashland "Forest of Dreams"

Other landscapes were by:

The Hardscape Center

Central Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association "Welcome to the Shire"

Rock Creek Innovations, Inc. "Picture This..."

Xteriors "Sanctuary"

Richmond Bonsai Society "Glorious Trees from Small to Tall"

Browsing through the Great Garden Marketplace vendor booths also makes it worth the trip. I look forward to seeing what my favorite vendor, Greg's Antiques & Gardens from Cincinnati, Ohio has. I picked up a little angel this trip. I need to take a picture of her.

He sells all sorts of iron and wire topiaries, trellises, planters, baskets,gazebos, arbors, urns. All at reasonable prices. Each year I pick up something else from them.

Looking through the pamphlets I picked up, I see

Colesville Nursery in Ashland has an open house April 17 8-3

Ashland Berry Farm in Beaverdam Spring Annual Opening April 10 but greenhouse opens Apr 3 and Garden pond shop Mar 20!

Maymont's Spring programs include

a Family Easter 100 acres 100 eggs Sat Apr 3

Spring Break Apr 5-9 Hysterically Correct Pirate Show Apr 8 6-8

Herbs galore & More PLANT SALE Sat Apr 24

Plus, they have their summer camp schedule available for 2010.

Glass Display Cases at Goochland Library for Spring Fest Promotion

2010-02-21T20:12:00.003-05:00

I was asked to fill 2 display cases at the local library in Goochland to help promote the Spring Garden Fest to be held Saturday, April 24, 2010 at J. Sargeant Reynolds Western Campus. As a Goochland Powhatan master gardener in training, I have a set number of education hours and service hours to fulfill and volunteering for the Spring Festival is a big part of it.

These are what I came up with. Not bad for a days notice if I don't say so myself!

This one is even showcasing one of the smaller hypertufa pots my husband has made for me over the years now which I felt was appropriate since the festival is offering a hands on class in hypertufa.

Spring Garden Fest - April 24, 2010 Goochland Powhatan Master Gardener Association

2010-02-20T07:56:00.020-05:00

The Goochland-Powhatan Master Gardeners in cooperation with

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College & VA Cooperative Extension

present

A Gardening Festival

classes
Featuring

workshops

demonstrations

displays

ask the experts

plant vendors

garden vendors

food for sale

Saturday, April 24, 2010

8:30 am –4:00 pm

Held at

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College

1851 Dickinson Road, Goochland

Register in advance for classes or

just stop by to shop, browse, and learn.

Call 804-556-5841 or visit gpmga.org

Annual Spring Garden Fest April 24, 2010 Class Descriptions

Session 1 9:30 am – 10:50 am

1A Flowering Shrubs through the Seasons

Michael Wallace – Earthscapes Owner, Certified Horticulturist, Grower of Rare Succulents & Unusual Plants

There are flowering shrubs that enhance landscapes in every season of the year. Participants will learn about both common and unusual flowering shrubs, their characteristics, growing needs, and care.

1B Using Hardscape in the Landscape

Eric Evans – VCE Horticulture Program Associate, Custom Landscape Solutions Owner

Sixth Annual Spring Garden Fest April 24, 2010 Class Descriptions

Session 2 11:00 am – 12 noon

2A Hydrangeas: An Introduction to Their Diversity and Cultural Requirements

Richard Waiton – Master Gardener, Tour Guide at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

2B Garden Renovations David Seward – JSRCC Horticulture Program Head

2D Native Plants in the Virginia Landscape Stu Doetzer – Horticulturist

2E Composting Your Organic Kitchen Waste with Worms

Susan Davis – Master Gardener, VNLA Certified Horticulturist

2EW Make a Worm Bin Workshop: Composting Your Organic Kitchen Waste with Worms

Susan Davis – Master Gardener

2F New Landscaping Products on the Market – Seeds, Fertilizers, Pesticides & Weed Control

Eddie Wirt – Landscaping Consultant & Sales

2G Workshop: Container Gardening with Herbs – Design and Care Basics

Melinda Crouch – Melinda.s Garden and Designs, LLC

Sixth Annual Spring Garden Fest April 24, 2010 Class Descriptions

Session 3 1:00 pm – 2:20 pm

3A Selection and Care of Trees to Promote Health and Beauty - Getting Started Right!

3B Simply Beautiful – Easier Ways to a Beautiful Landscape

your own backyard without chemicals. Save money, conserve water and energy, improve the soil, and have FUN growing food!

3JW Build a Rain Barrel Workshop: Rain Barrel & Beyond – Ways to Harvest and Use Rainwater

As some of you know, I am doing my Master Gardener Training this year which is really exciting for me. This event is one of many where I will be volunteering to get my required service hours.

I hope that anyone reading this who is somewhat local plans to attend. I do know that many of the classes fill up right away so get your registrations in quickly if you want to take a class! This is also a place to get some very reasonably priced plants!

Keeping warm on a cold day in between snow storms

2010-02-13T16:56:00.003-05:00

The firepit is going as the kids continue to toboggan as they have been able to a good part of this season.

As the snow melts in some areas, I see the bulbs peeking out. Here are some crocus.

Hyacinth

Daffodils

Iris

Wisteria

The winter interest of the miscanthus is delightful.

And yes, there is still plenty of snow around. I hope there is still a pool under that snow!

Spring Begins in ? Days

2010-02-08T16:56:00.002-05:00

Dodged the bullet this time...

2010-02-06T13:19:00.001-05:00

Glad we're just south of the 20-30"+ of snow the rest of the North East is getting. We have plenty already. Whew!

Plant Propagation

2010-02-04T09:25:00.004-05:00

Thinking of tomorrow's scheduled Master Gardener class topic, Plant Propagation, I decided to post these pictures.

Thanks to my mother in law who saw me admiring these pastel glass rooters in Bits & Pieces catalog last Fall, I received them as a Christmas gift. They are really lovely.

Originally I thought I'd put them all together as they show in the catalog photos but I decided that each having it's own window in different rooms was more of a treat.

I should add that these are probably the first official root glasses I've ever owned. I typically collect and root in everything from lime juice bottles to old perfume bottles. I have tons of old recycled glass bottles and jars that are absolutely lovely. However, these are certainly special to me. Besides, since almost every window sill is full right now between plants overwintering and plants being rooted, these go ON the windows!

2010 Grammys

2010-02-03T12:39:00.009-05:00

The Grammys

I went on-line and filled up my Amazon shopping cart. Luddite perhaps but I'm not one to download music to an MP3 player. I play cd's in my car and sometimes in the house. Old school perhaps but I want to make sure the artist gets their due if that's possible. I do stream live radio as well but typically from radio stations I am already familiar with, like 98.9 Liberty WWLB.

Yes, I was thrilled to see Stevie Nicks singing on stage with Taylor Swift. Stevie Nicks is a rock goddess. End of story. I wasn't terribly impressed with HER, unlike every review I read. Even though, personally, I'd buy any Fleetwood Mac or solo album like Bella Donna before buying a Taylor Swift album. But that's me. All of the reviews I read killed all or most of Taylor Swift's Grammy performances although she did win 4 Grammy's and certainly has a very bright future before her.

I did some quick research to verify some things and she did more than write all of the songs on her record, she at 17, became the youngest person to single-handedly write and sing a #1 country hit entirely on her own. That alone is super impressive to me but the list goes on and on of all the records she's broken.

Come on. She's a country artist. Could not be cuter. She only just turned 20. And she has some powerful voice. She will be around as long as she wants to be. So know it off with all those negative comments on her.

Okay. Off my soapbox now.

Let's move on to PINK. WOW! What a voice! What a performance! What an artist! Class act. Yes, she has raised the bar for them all. A must see. I am so glad I did not miss it in HD live on TV Sunday night. There are many versions on the Internet. Here's one of many. Maybe you find a better one, let me know.

http://www.vevo.com/watch/pnk/glitter-in-the-air-grammys-on-cbs/USLV41000001

- OR another -

Since I did add her latest album (cd actually) to my shopping cart, it's a perfect time to bring this up. I am thrilled that artists put out clean edit versions of their cd's.

Pink's Funhouse is an example. It is $2 more but I can listen to it in the car with my kids and not have to hear any profanities repeated. Personally, I'm not offended. I know "it is what it is" and I guess I just don't even hear it anymore. However, I cannot in good conscience expose them to it if I can help it.

Another example, when my daughter was just a baby, I had the regular 50 cent cd "Get Rich or Die Trying" that had explicit lyrics. It didn't really faze me and there were some of his songs being played on NY/NJ pop radio that I really liked. Then as she got a little older, I went ahead and bought the clean edit and sold the other. Probably on eBay or Amazon. Again, it's more, $4 more. But worth it.

Back to the Grammys.

Michael Jackson. Lionel Richie introduced this film that was shown to the audience and tv viewers. They asked that you put your 3-D glasses. Thanks to the 1st 2010 Lego magazine's issue, they included 3D glasses for the Lego Atlantis. They worked just fine.

Although some of the greatest, most gifted artists of today sang the song: Celine Dion, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson & Smokey Robinson, when they integrated his voice into the mix, there was no compare. It sounded like the others were amateurs a la American Idol.

Michael Jackson's Earth Song:

Again... WOW! Then when Price Michael and Paris spoke on stage. Tears tears tears. Had to stop the DVR until another day.

Then there was DMB (or the Dave Matthews band for the uninitiated.) This was there first appearance on the Grammy's. Even though I believe I only own Stand Up from 2005, they are phenomenal. Plus I feel the loyalty now to stick by a locally formed band. They are out of Charlottesville and I hear they mostly all live and record in and around Albemarle county.

I need to add another of their cd's to my collection now for sure.

And yes, I did not mention Lady Gaga until now. Why? I'm just not a fan. Surprising to some but it's true.

I was thrilled to see Sir Elton John, albeit with her. He's amazing to me.

And Beyonce, she's a true superstar and outstanding performer as always.

So even though I've seen bits and pieces as it's been on in the background, I'll need to hold off on my Amazon order and continuing this blog post until I get to watch the rest.

2nd snowstorm of the season. Unheard of!

2010-02-01T09:29:00.001-05:00

And I hear we may get as much as 6+ again this coming weekend and long range forecasts show potential of a mid feb storm.

I thought I moved from the N.E.?

So, yes. We got slammed again. 2 snowstorms in 1 season. Unheard of!

We are filling this feeder once a day since the storm.

All the budgies wait in a nearby tree for their turn.

Our Sarah Belle LOVES the entertainment.

I knew I liked the red coral barked Japanese maple for a reason. Acer palmatum 'Sangokaku'

It provides such a nice contrast in the Winter landscape. I had wanted the red twigged dogwood but felt this was a better buy.

I do need to add quite a bit more to this view for Winter interest. I know the swing set will not be there forever. With all of those thuja's, I need some evergreen variation. Conifer research, here I come. I should also order some red twig dogwood or Cornus alba 'Elegantissima' before I forget. We also need to divide some of the ornamental grasses and spread them around. That'll be a chore!

Master Gardening classes have begun for me!

2010-01-29T14:57:00.006-05:00

I started my Master Gardening classes last week. Today was the 4th class. These are a few pictures of the flowers we cut up in our 2nd class on Botany last week.

alstroemeria - peruvian lilies - as we know, one of my favorites but I only have pink here at home.

Which are blooming beautifully in the house right now. Another one is resting in the garage.

I'll post more information as I have time. I'm sure it will help me retain all of the interesting and valuable information I am learning.

Cookies and Homework

2010-01-24T08:54:00.013-05:00

Between making desserts for church and school events, we have homework and dress up days at the schools. This is all a lot of work for the mother! It's all fun and fortunately, I have had the time to do it. The desserts have been nothing extraordinary but I heard no complaints. They were all tasty and sweet and here is a sampling of some of them.

Using the Land O'Lakes Best Ever Butter Cookies recipe, I cut some gingerbread man shapes and outlined them quickly with some squeeze gel tubes to decorate. I also used one of the cans my MIL gave me of cookie mix she bought from a fundraiser.

The cutout cookie recipe search was something I did a few years back. I tried a number of sugar cookie, cut out recipes from my recipe books and binders and finally found one that was easy to work with from the rolling pin to the cookie cutter and the taste. Here we have some crosses using an old tin cross cookie cutter and hearts using a much newer Wilton comfort grip Valentine Day design.

The chocolate cupcakes with chocolate icing and sprinkles or jimmies, carried in a bottled water cardboard box, are also standard. Disposable carriers that won't be missed are best when donating to a school, community or church supper.

We had Colonial Day, Twins Day, Crazy Hair Day and Pajama Day from Spirit Week activities at the school. We borrowed a matching Red Sox Matsuzaka #18 tee shirt to twin a friend.

Every seasonal barrette and bow that could fit.

Hair gel and spikes were a common sight.

Then we had a dress up day in preschool with the letter S. Had to wear a sweater, sweatpants, a scarf and silly socks. What a mismatch. Also had to create a card stock paper filled with things that start with S.
Here we have soup, sugar substitute, spoon, silly squiggly straw, a sand sticker, and a salt shaker.

Kind of glad the week is over. Report cards come out tomorrow. Wonder if I will get one?

Oh wait... one more project I need to help with for today's Daisy girl scout meeting. We have an assignment for World Thinking Day next month to bring in today. Our troop has Zimbabwe and we need a picture and information of children from there.

NYC at Christmastime

2010-01-06T15:15:00.009-05:00

We spent some time in the Northeast after Christmas this year visiting family, friends and enjoying the sights and sounds of the City. It was a great time, especially getting all the little cousins together.

We stayed at a Homewood Suites in Princeton. Always an exceptional value for the area. We met the extended family for dinner in a private room at Arthur's Steakhouse & Pub in North Brunswick. Monday was our NYC day, taking Suburban Transit from the East Brunswick towers' garage or Neilson Plaza into Port Authority. Can you say easy and cheap? $4 to park sure beats city garage prices.

We did a lot of walking. Soaked in Times Square first and last.

Marveled at Toys R Us Times Square, buying a Yankees tee for my boy and a Hello Kitty in a NYC taxi tee for my girl and checking out all of the amazing Logo models.

Checked out all 9 floors of Macy's Herald Square.

Ate some dirty water dogs and pretzels while checking out the holiday window displays at Macy's, Lord & Taylor and then Saks.

Our main destination of course was to see "that big tree". We walked up 5th Ave until we got to Rockefeller Center. It was certainly a jam of people. It was amazing and well worth it.

Walked through the NBC experience store and then realized we were getting hungry, as was everyone else in the area! We walked around the corner to see Radio City since we had taken the kids to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular touring show at JPJ Arena, they knew what it looked like. We then headed into Saint Patrick's Cathedral. We were a few minutes early for the 5:30 Mass for Feast of the Holy Innocents or Childermas. I was in awe as always at the architecture and the solemnity in the midst of the chaos of the masses of tourists walked through, us included this time.

My son decided he needed a toilet after we were in there for awhile so off he and I went in search of one. As fortune had it, we were led to Olympic Tower, the Onassis building, which was the ultimate find for more than one reason. We wound up going back to get the rest of our group and ate at the Atrium Cafe. I had a Mythos and Moussaka. Both very good. I'm there again next time I'm in the area and need to start trying new recipes.

Our walk back down 7th was quicker than I thought it would be. As we turned the corner on 42nd St nearing the Port Authority terminal on 8th, I took my gulp of Manhattan air. Until we meet again.

Snow Days

2009-12-22T08:18:00.008-05:00

Friday, December 18 our near historic snow fall began. The snow ended mid evening Saturday. Numbers in the area range from 12-24". It was the most snow we've ever seen in Central VA.

The nandina, or heavenly bamboo, makes for a nice picture in the snow.

The birdbath is stacked high with snow.Fortunately, we picked up 1/4 cord of wood to use in the fire pit to keep warm while tobogganing down the toboggan runs we created on the back hill.

The plumes of the grasses blocking the view of our propane tank give year round interest.