Wordless Wednesday

Thursday Doors

On Monday, I mentioned I was going to Brookgreen Gardens for a lecture on insects. So, let’s start off the year with a gate to a lush demonstration garden in the Low Country where I attended the lecture.

What were the top three things I learned from the Clemson Extension agent on insects? They have many of the same bugs we deal with in New England, bugs are becoming resistant to insecticides, and read the label carefully or you’ll kill the bees and butterflies as well.

It was a good learning opportunity, and if a picture is worth a thousand words, and this one does the job pretty darn well.

Photo credit: Researchgate.net

Have questions about insects and chemicals? Look up your local Cooperative Extension and contact them. In NH, we have Ask UNH Extension, and we can walk in, email, or call, and a volunteer staff of Master Gardeners will do the research for you and get back with an answer. It doesn’t get much easier than that.

Before I left, I also grabbed the first shot of the turtles. Have a great Thursday. 😎 🐢

Like doors, or gates in this case? Check out Norm Frampton’s,
Thursday Doors, January 9, 2020.

Postcard from the beach

Happy Monday!

Walking the beach gives  a little different slant on things especially when a kayaker appears to provide some interest.

Mother Nature sure knows how to paint a picture.

What’s going on this week? Well, hubby is playing golf, and I’ve been working on a wall hanging I’m hoping to finish.

Tomorrow, I’m going to a gardening class at Brookgreen Gardens on insects. It will not only be interesting to hear about their insect challenges, but it counts as CEUs for MG. Wednesday morning, we’re having a card making class.

Have a great week, and I hope it doesn’t include shoveling otherwise I’d be feeling really guilty about the forecasted 60-70°F temperatures. 😎

Floral Friday

Poinsettias floating in a sea of cranberries at Brookgreen Garden’s ‘Nights of a Thousand Candles.’

Life’s a wave right now

We made it – 1,100 miles rolling south like a moving parking lot at 60-80 mph. Quite an experience.

Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, had a few sprinkles this morning, but the sun is coming out, and the temperature is going to hit 72°F. Color me good. 🙂

Meeting up with a group of retirees covers a wide range of feelings. There are those who are here, we share a hug, and it warms my heart. There are also some who are not here this year for a variety of reasons but in most cases related to medical issues. Those we miss and keep in our thoughts and prayers, but know that you’re on my mind, and I will miss our breakfasts and lunches.

Tomorrow may be New Year’s Eve, but today is unpacking and putting away. It certainly isn’t near as much fun, but it is required if we’re going to survive in a smaller space for three months.

New Year’s Eve there is a get-together planned which, of course, includes food and beverages. Retirees still know how to party even if most of us will be sound asleep at midnight.

Before we leave Christmas 2019 behind, I want to share some lights we saw at a private home last night heading back from dinner with a Maine friend. These folks know how to do LIGHTS, and this is only part of the front yard and the back yard is full of trees of all shapes and sizes.

Have a great Monday and a safe and Happy New Year. 🥳

Merry Christmas

Holiday lights

I love holiday lights, and I’m guessing most of you do too.

A friend, who is a member of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay, Maine, asked if I wanted to ride up with her to see Gardens Aglow. Road trip to see a light display? Absolutely.

Gardens Aglow is in its fifth year and is expecting well over 100,000 people to visit during its six week display.

650,000 LED lights on 43 miles of cord will definitely draw a crowd. Tickets are required and attendance is capped each night to keep things flowing smoothly.

Boothbay is a pretty straight shot about two hours north along the coast from where I live. The town of Boothbay got into the season as well by having plenty of lights and also some of the most beautiful wreaths, swags, and window box greenery displays I’ve ever seen.

We were extremely lucky that it didn’t snow and there was no wind, but it was 19°F. It was cold, and I had so many layers of clothing on I could hardly move.

It was a spectacular display, and my iPhone photos definitely don’t do it justice.

Over 37M tourists visit Maine each year. It is truly a beautiful state whether you gravitate toward their rocky shores, mountains,  flatlands, or spectacular Acadia National Park.

On a Thursday in December, it is pretty quiet in a tourist town like Boothbay Harbor. Matter of fact, except for the people going to the see the light show, you could say it is was deserted. On the plus side, that makes for easy traffic flow, cost effective rooms, and no waiting at their pubs or restaurants.

As we approach Christmas, I hope you are all having a wonderful holiday season full of  light, joy and peace. 🎄