Came across this picture that I took in Boston last fall and realized we have everything in this pot right now at the nursery. Watch for a container like this out front in the next day or two.
(hint hint Michelle)
New England Fall container
Mr. Cooper's Visit
Mr. Cooper came to visit the nursery today. Last week his wonderful caretaker Waynette (Whitehead) VanFleet stopped by to pick up something and happened to mention that he had given her some old City of Fallon water meter covers and she was plan
ning to use some of them to make a patio area. I told her about Mrs. Cooper's tree that we had planted in her memory in 2004, a lovely flowering crabapple that is out in our shade tree line. The tree has grown beautifully over the last 5 years, and is now quite large. Mr. Cooper has been out a few times over the years to see it and always has a smile for us as we share memories of Norma's many many many trips to the nursery. She asked if we might like one to put out under her tree as a memory marker. Of course I said yes, and we made plans for her to bring Mr. Cooper out the following week.
It was a very warm day, one of the last ones that we saw of the 90's this season, and Mr. Cooper sat in the shade and watched as Michelle and I placed not one, but nine, City Fallon Water Works meter covers around the base of Norma's tree. A beautiful day, and a lovely tribute to the love of his life.
ning to use some of them to make a patio area. I told her about Mrs. Cooper's tree that we had planted in her memory in 2004, a lovely flowering crabapple that is out in our shade tree line. The tree has grown beautifully over the last 5 years, and is now quite large. Mr. Cooper has been out a few times over the years to see it and always has a smile for us as we share memories of Norma's many many many trips to the nursery. She asked if we might like one to put out under her tree as a memory marker. Of course I said yes, and we made plans for her to bring Mr. Cooper out the following week.It was a very warm day, one of the last ones that we saw of the 90's this season, and Mr. Cooper sat in the shade and watched as Michelle and I placed not one, but nine, City Fallon Water Works meter covers around the base of Norma's tree. A beautiful day, and a lovely tribute to the love of his life.
We're off to see the Wizard!
Last night we arrived at The Flower Tree in four cars, transferred ourselves into one - Michelle the driver, me the instigator, and off we went to Reno. We had a scrumptious picnic packed up in the back and we had plenty of time before the show to sit by the Truckee river and enjoy the meal, the conversation and watch the kayakers practicing in the river park on what is sure to be one of the last of the 90 degree days this year. Michelle and I had planned a surprise for three of our dearest friends and we had managed to keep the secret for over a w
eek. When they figured out we were headed to Reno, the guessing began on what the evenings event could possibly be. Street Vibrations is going on this week, so it was everything from tattoo's to white water rafting coming from the backseat.Arriving in Reno we found our way to Wingfield Park, and choose a semi-shady spot right on the river. We unpacked all the goodies and enjoyed our feast. A relaxing hour later, we packed up the last of the picnic and Michelle and I picked up the cooler and off we went back to the car, skipping our way across the grass singing, "We're Off To See The Wizard....." By the time we reached the bridge that crossed over to where the Century Theater is, we couldn't stand it any more,so we turned around, and told them.....WE ARE GOING TO SEE THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY - ONE NIGHT SHOWING - OF THE WIZARD OF OZ!!! The smiles and laughter began as we all starting sharing our memories of the many many times we had watched the movie at home on the little screen. In our part of the world, the South, the movie always ran at Easter time, and I think it was Danny Kaye that introduced it. Seems out here in the West, it ran every year at Christmas, and Charmaine shared memories of years and years of the family all gathered during the holidays to watch it. We made our way up to the theatre: thankful that we h
ad ordered our tickets online weeks ago as we heard the "sold out" coming from the ticket booth, entered and found our seats, and settled in for a magical experience. We were almost 45 minutes early, and the theatre was already half full. We still found great seats though and we listened as Lucia regaled us with historical facts from the film, once more living up to her much deserved title of the "Movie Trivia Queen" of our group. They had a 15 minute historical documentary on the making of the film..............and then the lights dimmed even further, and off we went, to Oz. Oh my, the costumes, the sets, the music..........the entire theatre was filled with laughter and song, with applause filling the room at special moments. I think we all sat and wondered what our parents must have felt when they saw this movie as a child on the big screen in the late 30's. I always thought I had a "favorite" part of the film.....I don't think I can say that anymore, the entire film was magic. Now if only Gone With The Wind ..........................
Thoughts of Fall
The air this morning has the delicious feel of Fall, but I know the heat will be back by noontime. Why can't it stay this way all through the winter? I love the cool mornings and evenings, but the thought of 20 degrees staring us in the face in just a few short months is another matter.
Today is the first day of Fall in our valley, and I thought I would post this photo from my trip back east when last the Fall Equinox occurred.
Enjoy the season.....relax into it.....and take in every breathtakingly beautiful color that Mother Nature brings our way.
Happy Fall!
Susan
Tahoe Sprouts
All you need sometimes in one simple day. Fill it with a great book, a wonderful friend, and clear blue skies. Last week my friend Linny and I ventured up to Tahoe for a well needed day at the beach. I don't know how so many days and weeks go by between visits, but it doesn't matter, because the moment you set your toes into the sand you feel like you never left.
On the shoreline........ love the colors!
On the shoreline........ love the colors!
Can't you just hear the waves lapping on the shore? Someone or something had thoughtfully placed this large flat rock by the shore, perfect for sitting and meditating.
This is my absolute favorite healthy eating place ever. Located on the south shore of the lake, you can pick up a snack and walk over and sit on the shore. If you like fresh juices, try the "flu fighter" a mix of carrot, fresh oj, ginger, lemon, celery and parsley.
Chinese Garden
The perfect way to end our trip to Portland, we spent the morning at the Chinese Garden before heading for the airport. Relaxing, soothing, and beautiful - we wandered through the garden and ended our morning at their tea room.
Susan V. , Mike and Michelle discussing the difference in the tea they picked out.
This mosaic walkway greets you as you enter the garden.
Susan V. , Mike and Michelle discussing the difference in the tea they picked out.
Portland Saturday Market
What a great experience the Portland Saturday Market is. Every year when we head for the trade show this is on our "must hit" list. This year we lucked out that our hotel was just a few short blocks away, so we grabbed some coffee and headed up the hill towards the University park. We wandered around up and down picking out treats for our brunch. An amazing way to spend a Saturday morning.
$15.00 for these bouquets!!!! You would find one on my dining room table EVERY WEEK! (plus...check out the adorable table it is sitting on! I would love this for RedZin)
Artichoke flower
Our brunch! A mix of gourmet cheeses, artisan breads, fresh fruit, and of course chocolate and a bottle of wine from Basket Case, one of the vineyards we carry at Red Zinnia. (This is where I first experienced their wines last year)
Too cool, and colorful. A display of carrots and beets.
Japanese Garden
Since this blog is ...............called "On the Garden Path" , here are some photos from the Japanese Gardens in Washington Park. What a wonderful relaxing, calming, spiritual place. If I lived closer this would be definitely be on my "must have annual pass" list. As it is I will just have to look forward to visiting once a year.
Looking down on the meditation garden.
Across the pond stand the two beautiful crane sculptures. I had ventured off the path to climb down to the waters edge. Hidden from view, this area inspired a short poem, which I then asked Michelle to sketch on my journal page to accompany it.
A volunteer to the gardens, she sweeps the ground cover of thyme.
This picture is for my husband, Bob. When he and I visited here a few years ago he was mesmerized by these wind chimes. They are made out of old recycled welding bottles. He has talked of making one for us and over the last few years he has been trying to find and collect the old bottles. Mission accomplished, he informed me a few weeks ago that he now has them. Hopefully if you visit my garden next year, you will his version of these playing their music in the background.
The end of the line
Sellwood treasures
This appeared to be a rather small independent book store from the outside, and there was actually a sign that read "We Are Much LARGER Than We look" posted outside. We ventured in and found that the caboose was just the front room, a clever way to catch your eye, and that the bookstore itself contained another 3 large rooms, and a small garden area with bird aviary.
It seemed like every shop we went in had a friendly greeter. This is once of three small wine shops that were located on the main street of the town.
Hula Hoops left outside in front of the children's toy shop. It certainly brought out the inner child in Michelle and Susan V., and made you want to venture inside to see what else they had to play with.
The bike basket that I fell in love with at the shop where we rented our bikes. Melissa kindly snuck it over to the counter and bought it for my birthday!! Watch for me tooling down to the store with this on my shiny red bike. I only wish we had had this BEFORE we had ventured to Sellwood, it would have come in handy for all our purchases.
Another friendly greeter inside a local design shop. Can you tell we were all missing our four legged friends back home?
Another friendly greeter inside a local design shop. Can you tell we were all missing our four legged friends back home?