Strolling with Baby Joshua (May 1, 2010) May 2, 2010

I spent the most incredible spring day yesterday, strolling with Baby Joshua (and his Mom), along the beach, through a nearby garden center/nursery, and on our farm.  We even enjoyed an outside lunch at a favorite seafood stop (which Joshua slept his way through).  Somehow, the marvelous re-birth of spring flowers and outside activities seemed that much more special, sharing them with this precious seven-week-old miracle.

It’s actually May Day, but by the number of sunbathers on the beach, you would have thought it was the middle of summer!

It was a perfectly brilliant day and Joshua slept through his entire visit to the beach.  He loves to be held close where he feels most comfortable, either in his Mom’s “babywearing” pack or in Grandmom’s arms (of course I had to have my time with him, too!)

I told Joshua that he’d have  to wait just a little bit more  before he was big enough to ride the antique carousel . . .

(He didn’t seem to mind.)

Then, we visited our favorite garden center and checked out all the spring flowers.  Joshua pretty much slept his way through the Mandevilles, too . . .

Then, we walked through the orchard on our way home and enjoyed some late peach blossoms . . .

. . . and apple blossoms . . .

Mommy even gave Joshua a chance to feel the new, spring grass under his feet . . .

Then, he had a chance to play with Uncle Nate . . .

. . . and visited with Grandpa, too . . .

“Can I borrow your hat, Grandpa?”

It sure was a busy day for little Joshua . . . and a lovely day for all of us!

“Is it bedtime yet, Mommy?”

To continue strolling, please click on over to the Quiet Country House.

Strolling into Spring!/Sunday Stroll March 7, 2010 March 7, 2010

I must admit I’ve been a bit AWOL from blogging AGAIN due to schoolwork, coursework for my Doctorate, preparations and excitement over the impending arrival of our new grandbaby, and life in general!  I’m also finding Facebook to be much quicker and am making almost daily updates there.

Therefore, with that apology made, I’m forging ahead to make-up this lapse, by posting a combo “”30 Days of Winter Beauty Photos”/”Sunday Stroll.”

                                           

With the incredible spring-like weather we experienced yesterday, with abundance sun and temps in the 50’s, I just couldn’t resist!

My very-pregnant daughter, Abbie (due any day!) and I strolled to a nearby garden center where they were celebrating an early arrival of spring.

The hyacinths and tulips were magnificent!

While we were there, we picked up a few early birthday presents for Abbie, to help welcome in the colors of spring . . .

Some pretty pansies

Some assorted herbs for the windowsill, until they can be planted outside

Pussywillows: a sure sign of spring!

Here’s Abbie with a bit of her “loot.”  She refused to sit down several times throughout our jaunt, but I told her she had to sit for just a bit while I adjusted our goodies in sacks to carry home!

We finished the day with an early birthday celebration (with both families) for Abbie, just in case the little one decides to make his appearance on her actual birthday in a few days!

We enjoyed key lime pie, one of Abbie’s very favorites, whici is a specialty of Ed’s Mom.

Happy Early Birthday, Abbie . . . may all your wishes come true!

What are your wishes from spring?  Are you experiencing any early signs of spring yet in your part of the world?

If you’d like to continue “Sunday Strolling,” just click on over the the “Quiet Country House,” and enjoy your day!

Winter Wonderland: Sunday Stroll December 20, 2009 December 20, 2009

Although it took forever to arrive, the Blizzard of 2009 finally arrived last night and transformed our area into a Winter Wonderland . . .

Nature’s tree ornaments . . .

The Mermaid by the pool is a bit chilly . . .

With the temps predicted to stay as cold as they are, we’re guaranteed to have a White Christmas!

Hope you’re having fun wherever you are and perhaps you’re playing in the snow, too!

To see who else is strolling this Sunday, stroll on over to the Quiet Country House.

Sunday Stroll~Join me on a trip to the North Pole! December 6, 2009

Snow began to fall softly as the North Pole Express pulled into the station, as if right on cue.

Children, bundled up in pajamas and hoods, clamored around the station, waiting to board Santa’s train.

Destination:  North Pole!

ALL ABOARD!!!

As we traveled, our conductor told us Christmas stories and shared the story of the “Polar Express.”

The Baker served up the biggest and most delicious gingerbread cookies I’ve ever seen and tasted, along with creamy, rich hot chocolate. . .

A hobo even managed to sneak onto the train . . .

In the spirit of Christmas, we invited him to join us . . .

And, then, the main attraction. . . we reached the North Pole and Santa boarded the train!

Mrs. Claus even joined him . . .

. . . and some of the elves came along, too!

Santa offered the first gifts of Christmas to passengers on the train, as he held up a shiny silver bell from his sleigh . . .

The bell that Santa handed me makes the most glorious jingling sound . . .

As we headed toward home, Santa’s Christmas wish continued to ring in my ears, Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!

To see who else is strolling on this December Sunday, head on over to The Quiet Country House.

Sunday Stroll September 27: Fall Has Arrived! September 28, 2009

Fall has arrived in all its glory on our farm.  We’ve officially made the transition to this wonderful harvest season and a recent stroll around the farm vividly displays all the colors of fall . . .

Giant field pumpkins for jack-o-lanterns

Sugar pumpkins for pies

The opening of the corn maze . . .

. . . a place for family fun.

More pumpkins and the hay maze

More pumpkins . . .

Gourds galore

Indian Corn

Fall has arrived on the farm in all its glory.  What do the colors of fall look like in your neck of the woods?

To continue strolling, click on over to the Quiet Country House  for more Sunday Strolls.

Sunday Stroll: “Fruits of Our Labor” July 26, 2009

Finally, we’re enjoying the fruits of our labor in the garden, especially native sweet corn and tomatoes!

 

I can remember when, growing up,  my Mom would say she could live off fresh-picked corn and native tomatoes during the summer, and now I know what she means!  A simple summer supper doesn’t get much better than corn-on-the-cob and tomatoes!

Everyday couple of days, we’ve been having rainstorms that bring another couple inches of rain, but the sun has managed to shine in between.  Still, many of our native vegetables have been running late, but are a welcome sight when they arrive!

The pickling cukes are ripe, as well as broccoli. . .

The peaches are soaking up the rain and some early varieties should be ripe by the end of the month . . .

The pears are taking on nice size . . .

The hydrangeas are blooming, in all their glory . . .

At first, the Rose of Sharon buds were just promises on the bushes . . .

. . . and then the very first bloom appeared . . .

. . . and, today, just a few days after that very first blossom, we are graced with numerous purple/pink flowers, which adorn our poolside gardens . . .

What’s growing in your garden?  How has the weather affected you?

To see who else is strolling today, click on:   The Quiet Country House.

SUNDAY STROLLING June 21, 2009

I took a Sunday Stroll of our fruit orchards on this very wet Sunday and I’ve posted it over at our farm site, Rose Orchards, at http://roseorchards.wordpress.com/.

Please click on over to check it out.  To see who else is strolling this Sunday and to see the weather and what’s blooming in their neck of the woods, click on over to the Quiet Country House.

Sunday Stroll: Too Much Rain!!! June 14, 2009

It’s been raining pretty much straight for a week now.  Although we have lush, green surroundings, I’m wondering if it’s ever going to stop!

My “Rose of Sharon” bushes have grown by leaps and bounds with all of the rain.

My New Guinea Impatiens are enjoying the shade provided by the Rose of Sharons.

My Begonias have been absolutely crushed by the torrents of rain . . .

Green tomatoes are set and I’m hoping they won’t rot due to all the wetness.

Geraniums (never my favorite due to their “fragrance”) do provide a pretty pink contrast to all the green foliage around . . .

All in all, it’s great weather for ducks, but I could use some sun soon!

To see who else is strolling this Sunday, visit the Quiet Country House.

Sunday Stroll May 31: At the Beach! May 31, 2009

I had the pleasure of strolling the beach on Saturday to help my daughter plan for an upcoming field trip for her Environmental Science and Botany classes.  We scouted the floral and fauna along the shoreline, and as  always, I learned so much for her!

The Beach Roses (Rosa rugosa) were magnificent!

Beach Rose was introduced to North America from Eurasia in 1872.  It has since escaped from gardens to the wild and has colonized beach habitat throughout New England.  The large fruits of this plant, called Rose Hips, mature late in the season and resemble cherry tomatoes.   They’re edible and high in vitamins A and C.  My late father used to swear by the benefits of Rose Hips!

Beach Plum (Prunus maritima) was also in bloom (above).  Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata), below,  another invasive species, which resembles honeysuckle, added to the flora along the walkway.

Asiatic Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens), an invasive plant we see almost everywhere, is choking off an Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana), below.

Poison Ivy (Rhus radicans) was introduced by park personnel in the late 1960s as a deterrent to keep people from walking through the dunes, which causes extensive erosion.

Abbie identifies plant life as we walk along the trail by the beach.  I was delighted to breathe in the salt air, soak in the sunshine, and enjoy the view!

To see who else is strolling this weekend, skip on over to the Quiet Country Home.

Sunday Stroll: Apple Blossom Time! May 3, 2009

I was delighted after experiencing the beautiful blooms in Washington, D.C., last week, to come home to find that our own blossoms weren’t far behind.

The first blossoms to burst in our family’s orchard are always the early varities of peach.  In my humble opinion, there isn’t anything much prettier than pink peach blossoms against a blue sky.

Next, come the pear blossoms . . .

And, finally, the earliest varities of apples blossom next . . .

As the trees are in full bloom, we also opened up our family’s Farm Market this weekend.  To get a glimpse of all the goings-on there (including an update on our Shire, Annabelle) skip on over to our Rose Orchards Farm Market blog.

And. . . to see who else is strolling this Sunday, stop on over at the Quiet Country House.  Happy Strolling!