Longwood Gardens

You might get the idea with these photos that my favorite color is pink!

My hubby loves to take photos.  We have lots and lots of photos that of this beautiful place!

One of the favorite spots that our daughter and my hubby love to visit is the vegetable garden.

Our wonderful, lovely, daughter!

Sorry that I have not visited my blog lately.  It's been busy!  We've finally been getting out of our house...after a long time of hibernation.  

The above pictures were taken at one of our favorite places to visit,  Longwood Gardens.  We have been going there for many years, and have lost count as to how mnay times we have been there.

Our daughter, offered to drive us down as a birthday presnet to me.  (Nice birthday present)

I haven't made any cards in a couple of weeks.  I tried to get back this weekend and find someone to come to my house to make cards with me on my birthday.  (I used to have several people come to my homs on a weekly basis to craft with me)  The people I called were all busy.  Either going out of town or busy baby sitting grandchildren, etc.    So that did not happen!

I received some beautiful birthday cards...  and I still haven't gotten around to thank everyone yet...

which I hope to do later today.   (And also catch up with my commenting and visiting other blogs.

Thank you for stopping by...

Blessings,

Jill

 

Finally

 I had hoped to post these pictures on Father's day...  

Our daughter had taken us to

Longwood Gardens this past May

When I go to Longwood with my camera...I always seem to come back with photos from the wooded areas of  Longwood.  There are so many pretty gardens,  And of course, lots and lots of flowers.

But the wooded areas have always been my favorite (and our daughter's favorite too).

I think they remind me of my childhood.

To see the more pics of this beautiful place  click here

https://longwoodgardens.org/

When I look at my daughter I find it so hard to believe that so much time has gone by... since we first started going to visit these gardens with her.  Our daughter had been about four years old when we first went to these gardens with her...she is NOW the mother of two college age children.

I just hope that I am posting all these pics correctly, etc.

It's been so long since I last posted that I almost forgot how to do post.

I have finally made some cards to post...and I hope to start posting them tomorrow.

Hope everyone is having a good week...
And thank you for visiting my blog
Blessings,
Jill

How we spent part of our Weekend...

For many years we have been visiting Longwood Gardens...

and this year for the third time we were able get there to see their wonderful

Christmas display...

The place never fails to amaze me...

To see more...   http://longwoodgardens.org/

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world,
and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful."
~Norman Vincent Peale

Thank you for visiting my blog today,
Blessings,
Jill

Longwood Gardens

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.  I know that I did!  The weather was just Beautiful in my area.  It was one of those days that I wish I could have bottled to use again on another day.  You know, exchange it when the weather is over 100 degrees or super cold!

I did not have time to make a card lately, so instead I'll sneak a couple more pics of our last trip to Longwood Gardens... http://longwoodgardens.org/

...The soul is

A Garden enclosed,

Our own perpetual,

Paradise where

We can be Refreshed

And restored.

~Thomas Moore

 

 

 We went to the Gardens along with our daughter and son-in-law.  I think this is the cutest pic.

Mothers worry, at least this Mother worries a lot...I thought they might get in trouble standing

on the gazebo like that...but I didn't see any signs telling you not to...smile.   (And yes, they do

have signs around telling you not to walk on the walls, etc). 

My question for you.  Does this look like a couple celebrating their 25th Wedding Anniversary?

Thank you for visiting my blog today,

Blessings,

Jill

I almost forgot My day started out wonderful with finding out that my Cantaloupe card was the winning card at last week's

AAA cards challenge.   Thank you so much.

http://aaacards.blogspot.com/

Merry Monday (on Saturday)

 I made this card for this week's Merry Monday Challenge #120,  You can find the link to the challenge here....

http://merrymondaychristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/2014/08/merry-monday-120-skiis-skates-or-sleds.html

I'm still not sure I should enter it...It is definitely a "cheater" card...but it still seems to fit the rules...To make a card with a ski, sled or skates on it.   My card was made using fabric that I burnished to sticky paper,  and then fussy cut out.  Just stamped a sentiment from Stampin' Up and my card was done!  Hope it's not considered too CAS!  Smile...

   

 These cards were made with the sizzix die I purchased with the gift card I won in Darnell's NBUS challenge.   And before, this die would become  NBUS,  I thought I better get it out and use it.
(the Link to Darnell's great blog is on my sidebar)   I now have 4 more cards to add to my Christmas stash which means I am up to 37 cards so far, this year.

 This is a pic of the die I used and what I used to adhere my fabric to my card...
..............................................................................................................

Picture taken by me, At Longwood Gardens August, 2014

"A well ordered life is like climbing a tower, the view halfway up is better than the view from the base, and it steadily becomes finer as the horizon expands."
~William Lyon Phelps,  Autobiography

Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Blessings,
Jill

Silver Anniversary Card...

 Click on photo to enlarge

 I made this 25th Wedding Anniversary card, using Specialty Designer paper by Recollections, for my background,  Cutting out my Center Ovals using Spellbinders Grand Nestabilities Ovals and Scalloped dies.  Added a Ribbon, stick on Pearls by Recollections, and a Peel Off for my Number 25. My sentiment was computer generated.  
I usually put my ribbons on my cards using glue dots, etc.  But they don't always hold.  This time I used some Aleene's Fabric Fusion glue to glue on my ribbon, and I have no fear of that ribbon falling off.

"The path that leads to happiness is so narrow that two cannot walk on it unless they become one."

Photo taken by me at Longwood Gardens, July 2014.

I went to the eye doctor today, and I am so happy that my eye drops have finally worn off  (after many hours)  So I have some catching up to do with my commenting etc.  (Hard to do that with blurry eyes..smile)

Thank you for visiting my blog today
Blessings,
Jill

It's getting close...

 I wish I could say that this is my Living room..but it's .NOT!  This is how one of the rooms was decorated down at Longwood Gardens where we were yesterday.  Everything is always so well done...

Before I forget to add this...here is the link to Longwood Gardens...so you'll be able to see some more beautiful pics of the garden...

http://longwoodgardens.org/events-and-performances/events/longwood-christmas

http://longwoodgardens.org


Beautiful day here in my area...almost like spring... I should have been home getting ready for Christmas.  As my title above reads...It's getting close...and I am no where ready.

 This is another display at Longwood, so pretty!  The theme this year is fruit...and in the center of this display is Apples...thousands and thousands of apples.

 This is just ONE of the many many outdoor displays...

 And this was another one of the outdoor pics that I took...we arrived when it was still this light outside...and left very late in the evening...and I was zonked.  I do think I got my exercise for the day yesterday.  We walked many miles around Longwood Gardens...

It was very crowded at Longwood...after two weekends of snow...I think most of the people, (Like us) waited for a nice day...This picture was taken in my back yard after we had our first snow...and we had several days with snow after this picture was taken...but I know we didn't get as much as some areas did...so I am thankful for that...(can you guess that I don't like snow?)

I'm sorry I haven't been around as much to comment or to post...I had planned to get on line much earlier today....but my (OLD) computer did not cooperate!  Took my hubby, a good part of the day to get me up and running....AGAIN!  What would I do without him?  I thought for sure, that this time he wouldn't be able to do it...but he obviously, did...for how long?  Who knows...

I will wish everyone Merry Christmas now...(In case I can't get on again...
(Hopefully, I will be able to).  I finally have some new cards to post...but I had to wait for people to receive their cards before I could post them.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Blessings,
Jill

Beautiful Autumn Days...

 Autumn at Longwood Gardens...this year we managed to get down winter, summer, spring and now during Autumn.  Here is the link for Longwood...http://longwoodgardens.org/
Our daughter and son-in-law purchased a one year membership for us as their Christmas gift to us this year.  We have definitely enjoyed our Christmas gift.

 This is something new at Longwood...Furry Ambassadors...They have four kitties...
 they are there as greeters and for pest control.  They are cared for by the Longwood workers...but allowed to roam around the grounds outdoors.  I like cats, but sometimes I have a problem with my allergies with cats...
The strange thing is...It's not with all cats...just some of them...

 I like their outside train set up...This probably reminds me of my childhood when my Mother would always set up a miniature village scene under our Christmas tree.

 I enjoy the formal gardens...but I think the paths are still my favorite...

 This September they had a Dahlia Show.  Lots of winners there!  And I do mean winners!  Beautiful Dahlias of just about very color and size.

 My husband spent so much time taking pictures of the flowers.  I thought he was taking a picture of every flower!

The weather was beautiful and the gardens were pretty full, so it was difficult to get pics without people in the picture.  But I'll excuse these two since it's my daughter and son-in-law.

"Thy bounty shines in autumn unconfined.  
And spreads a common feat for all that live.  "`James Thomson

Thank you for visiting my blog today...
Blessings,
Jill

The path not taken...

No time for card making these last few days so I thought I would post a few more pics from our visit to Longwood gardens a few weeks ago...(Again I forgot to look for the link)  I'll try to remember to put a link to the gardens on my side bar.  Click on pictures to enlarge...

I wonder where these stairs go?

 Look what I found at the top of the stairs...My Prince Charming...

 Which path should we take?...so many choices...

 At the end of the path...a refreshing site on a summer day...

As soon as we were at the top of the steps and saw there were  different paths to choose from...

this poem kept going through my mind...

The Road not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
and sorry I could not travel both
And be on traveler, long I stood
and looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
An both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!....

(there is more to this poem)

By Robert Frost...

Thank you for visiting my blog
Blessings,
Jill

Through the grapevine...

 These are some 3d cards I made with some very OLD 3d sheets I had...Can't even tell you what year I printed these out...So I'm not sure where the images came from.  They are both 3d and pyramid cards that I am keeping blank inside to give them together as Note cards for a gift.

Click on pictures to enlarge
The above pic is another one I took on our visit to Longwood Gardens this week.

http://www.longwoodgardens.org/

We have visited so many times through the years that I have lost count as to how many times we have been there.  It was actually FREE to visit when we first started going there.  (Of course, it's not free anymore...but they have added so much).  This past visit I didn't even go through too many of the flower bed areas...So most of my pics are of the wooded areas...which I will share pics of later.

But I had to take a pic of this area...with the Grape Arbor...It reminded me of my childhood.  We had grapes growing in our backyard...and I liked to sit under the arbor during Hot summer days, It was nice and shady.  My grandmother made grape Jelly with the grapes.

Be Like the flower, turn your face to the sun.  

~Kahlil Gibran

While I was posting the pic of the grape Arbor...  A song sung by Marvin Gaye, "I heard it through the Grapevine." kept playing in my mind...(I'm dating myself again...smile)  Of course, I had to go to UTUBE and play it while I writing my post... 

Believe it or not...this month, I have posted over 60 cards to my blog...It is a record for me!

Thank you for visiting with me today...

Blessings,

Jill

 

Home "Tweet" Home

Click on pictures to enlarge

 The above image was colored by my hubby (Jim) with copics

This is "The Birdhouse"  at Longwood Gardens.

Yesterday (and Today)  Two beautiful days, (weather wise)  We took advantage of  the nice weather yesterday by going to Longwood Gardens again.  As always, we both took lots and lots of pictures, but I don't want to overdo posting them on my blog, so I will post them a little at a time.

This is what they call the Bird House at Longwood.  It's one of the largest birdhouses that I have ever seen.  I thought the image that my husband colored with copics was a good match to the above picture.

I don't know where the image is from (It was a borrowed rubber stamp)  It was stamped a while back. I made the image into a note card, because my husband wanted the card kept rather plain so his coloring shows up.

Keep a green tree in your heart,

and perhaps a singing bird will come..

~Chinese Proverb

Thank you for visiting my blog today,

Blessings,

Jill

Peaceful Pics

Click on photos to enlarge

These photographs were actually taken at Longwood Gardens last Christmas.  They just looked so peaceful to me...I love to walk on the paths through the woods there.

I thought that they might be great pictures to post on a Sunday...  Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you:

not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not

your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

~John 14:27 (King James Version)

Thank you for stopping by today,
Blessings,
Jill

Here is the link to the Longwood Gardens webpage...
 http://www.longwoodgardens.org/

Beautiful day

It was a beautiful day here...and we took  advantage of it by taking in the beautiful sights at Longwood Gardens...Here are just a few of the pics I took...

 The above picture was my favorite pic of the day...The fountains are so beautiful and I just like how the blues and greens just pop out in this pic.  To the right of the pic is my daughter taking in the beautiful sight...

 This is a picture of the pond located near the fountains...

My daughter standing in the tulip gardens...Just about every color of tulip was there...some I have never seen before.

It was a perfect day to visit the gardens.  The weather was just right...not too hot...not too cool.  and the beautiful spring flowers in bloom.  The tulips, the dogwood trees, etc.   and just spending the day with our daughter is a treat.  She's so busy with her job that days like this with her are rare.  We really enjoyed our time together.

Hope everyone had a great weekend too.

Thanks for visiting my blog today...

Blessings,
Jill

Longwood Gardens

 This is just the first of many beautiful decorations at Longwood, This is located at the front entrance.

 This is at the entrance of the conservatory, Beautiful tree, but I had a difficult time photographing it, there is usually a lot of people standing in front of it, or walking by it, and the tree is slowly rotating.

How is this for a table-scape?  Just fabulous isn't it? 

We spent a lovely day at Longwood Gardens yesterday.  We have been visiting the Gardens for over 30 years, so it goes without saying, I have been there many times.   Each and every time we visit the Gardens we would see something different.  I could never get tired of going there.  As I was walking through the outdoor gardens, I was thinking to myself..."I wish everyone in the world would be able to see this place."  It is so beautiful, and peaceful.

The gardens were just wanted I needed right now.  After all the heartbreaking news on TV, and sadness I feel with another loss in our family (I will post more about that later)  I needed the serenity of yesterday.  All told I took 60 pictures yesterday.  I hope to post a few more later on.