July 1, 2020!

Salmon Daylily!

Today was the day!  It's July 1, 2020!  Every year in the early Spring I watch the leaves of the Salmon Daylilies pop up from the ground.  As the weeks go by the leaves become longer.  Then, stalks appear.  Each stalk grows in length and then has buds.  That's a sign that flowers will be on the way.  Soon they open. 

The beautiful sight began today when the first Salmon Daylily bud blossomed!!  It looks like 3 more flowers will appear tomorrow!

Enjoy!

     

May Colors!

There is a rotation of color in our yard when the flowers start to blossom.  I've been waiting for the Peonies' buds to open and this morning some did.  Bright pink flowers!

Overnight, the Iris buds appeared.  It was also a very welcome sight today!  Before I know it the lavender flowers will be visible.

The Zinnia seeds planted last week are beginning to sprout.  It's always so cool to see.  The seeds we planted were saved from last year's colorful crop.

Spring is here and beautiful colors are visible!

Enjoy!

 

"Santa Consulting Globe"

"Santa Consulting Globe"
by Norman Rockwell
The Saturday Evening Post Cover
December 4, 1926

Norman Rockwell's work for The Saturday Evening Post  is always great to revisit!  Living in Western Massachusetts & appreciating his work, it's a tradition for my hubby & I to travel to the Berkshires (farther west in my state) & visit the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA.  We visit at least once during the year.

In 1926 The Saturday Evening Post cost 5 cents.  On December 4, 1926 the magazine was printed with a Norman Rockwell Santa Claus.  Santa is studying the globe, planning his route, so he may visit all of the "good" children when he makes his journey around the earth.

Enjoy!

 

~Reminders of July~

Halloween candy is advertised & on the shelves in our local stores.  The leaves are changing colors & with a gentle breeze, some are falling down from the tree branches.  The calendar reminds me that it is the month of October!   But, looking at my front garden, I may forget for a moment.

The Stella D'Oro Daylily & the Rose bushes are enjoying the weather.  A Rosebud, a blossoming Rose & a Yellow Stella D'Oro are enjoying the season.

What a beautiful time of year!

Enjoy!

Winter in New England

Walking past any window in our home brings a beautiful view today!  We were very lucky that we did not get the total snowfall that was predicted nor the snowfall that central & eastern MA got.  There will be snow flurries adding to the 6.5" that was measured in our driveway from this storm. 

The welcoming sound of snow blowers can be heard.  My DH & our neighbors are all outside working.  Driveways, sidewalks & paths to our storage sheds will be cleared & we will be ready for the next snowfall.  

In a few months our outdoor grill will be used, again.  It's covered & hidden in the above photo!  It is winter in New England!

                     

~Summit House on Mt. Holyoke~

Admiring the CT River that flows through the Pioneer Valley
from the Summit House porch

Autumn!  The season when leaves change color from green to vibrant shades of yellow, orange & red!  Before they make their way to the ground it's such a treat to stop to admire them.   It's a beautiful time of year!  This is also the time for me to save seeds from my annuals & divide/ transplant bulbs.  There are many outside tasks, but enjoying the beauty that Mother Nature is sharing with us is an added plus.

Yesterday, my DH & I drove north to Hadley, MA.  Our destination was the Summit House on top of Mt. Holyoke.  On the winding road up the mountain we drove past some hikers.  The view from the parking lot at the summit was a tease of what awaited us.  Climbing up the ramp/ then stairs, gorgeous views were in all directions!  Walking around the "wrap around" porch of the newly renovated Summit House was definitely a treat!  We live in a beautiful area of Western MA!  Looking north my hometown of Amherst & also VT was visible.  Looking south in the distance we viewed the Springfield, MA/ Hartford, CT area!

Zooming in Looking North

The Summit House has a long history.  During the second half of the 1800's it was a hotel located on the top of Mt. Holyoke.  To learn about its fascinating history, click here.

For us, yesterday was the perfect opportunity to visit!  This is Columbus Day weekend!  Our New England scenery is beautiful.  Anyone interested in visiting this wonderful location, click on the "Plan Your Visit" info here.  Before leaving home, we did call the listed phone number for updated detailed info.     

Terrain near the Summit House
with my shadow

What a great opportunity to view our CT River Valley & learn a little history!

We did Enjoy!

        

Happy 109th Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

March brings whimsical thoughts!  Thinking about Dr. Seuss writing his rhymes and also thoughts of leprechauns on March 17.

Dr. Seuss + Friend!

On Tuesday afternoon as I was leaving the grounds of the Springfield Museums, a young child ran through the snow to the Lorax who greets visitors as they enter/leave the museum complex.  She gave him a hug!  Now, that's a sweet compliment to Theodor Seuss Geisel.  Her parents & I smiled as we watched.
 

The Lorax 

Ted as his friends called him was born on March 2, 1904.  His birthday is celebrated every year at the Springfield Museums!  Seuss was his mother's maiden name.  Dr. Seuss' books written for children of all ages are fantastic!  The people and the places in his stories are all part of Springfield's rich history.  At this time of year we remember our fave story that he wrote.  For more info about Theodor Seuss Geisel, click on this link.

Last year I took photos of the bronze statues located in the Memorial Sculpture Garden at the museum complex.  The beautiful statues were designed by Dr. Seuss' step-daughter, Lark Grey Dimond-Cates, who is a sculptor. 

I like many Dr. Seuss stories, but my all time fave is Green Eggs and Ham!

"Green Eggs and Ham"

What is your fave Dr. Seuss story?

Enjoy!

                

18"

Well, really need to chat it up a bit with "Punxsutawney Phil"!  The large amounts of snow at once throughout the northeast ... before spring arrives is... exhausting!   

Our picnic table is our go to "snowfall counter" for us. 

~February 9, 2013~

18" of Snow

So happy our snowblower is always good to go!

Enjoy!