Hello Again!

So it's been some time since the Philadelphia Flower Show, I apologize.


Warmer temperatures are finally here in the Northeast and I'm back ready to chat about garden and patio ideas. I often start projects that I've never done before, but I always enjoy a challenge. I'm a smart person and I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty! I grew up in a very small town, happy wearing denim and T-shirts but I love the high fashion of Fifth Avenue and a day at the spa. I like to compare myself and my husband to Green Acres, only he's the city boy and I'm the country girl. I love both worlds and I'm fortunate to have both in my life.


Needless to say, I don't always know which flowers should be planted where but I'm not afraid to try! So let's get some conversation going to help each other with those projects we attempt to do on our own.


I'll go first - I planted some Dahlias on my back deck. They haven't been blooming since I planted them which is about two months. They get sun but not a full day's sun; also, they're planted in a pot with Petunias. Can anyone tell me why they're not blooming? I wanted to have a mix of deep purple and bright yellow but I only have flower pots full of Petunias. Beautiful as they are, but not exactly what I wanted.



I've attached a few pictures from the show, they're beautiful no matter how old they are. It was a fantastic show!

2011 Philadelphia Flower Show

I've been waiting for the Philadelphia International Flower Show this year; so many of my friends have gone in the past and I've heard it's spectacular but, I just never had the chance to go. Now that I'm living in the city I can walk to the show and I can go as often as I like.

I never realized just how big an event this is. This year's theme is Springtime in Paris, I'm sure it will be breathtaking.
There are 150 free gardening presentations held throughout the week, as well as dozens of educational displays that explore the newest gardening trends. Over 180 vendors selling garden furniture, one-of-a-kind plant containers, hand-crafted jewelry, specialty foods, cut flowers, unique plants and garden tools, and tons more. On Thursday, March 10th there will be a Live Broadcast at the Show, QVC hosts Jonathan Redford and Antonella Nester will be on site hosting a live show from 1 pm - 2 pm and 8 pm - 9 pm.

I plan to take my time browsing and taking lots of pictures. I'd like to buy a nice floor plant for our new place here in the city and maybe some ideas for our terrace. I'd like to sit in on a few of the educational presentations and learn a few things about flower arranging or maybe I'll find out what vertical gardening is? There are so many different lectures I'll have to decide which ones are for me.

I'll post again after I've been to the show and I'll tell you all about it.

Island Chimes to City Lights

I love the Caribbean Islands and have been fortunate enough to convince my husband into vacationing there the past several years. The first island we visited was St. John, USVI; since then we've been to several different islands in the Caribbean, this last holiday we went to the small island of Virgin Gorda, BVI. We spent nine peaceful nights on this remote island where our villa was so deep in the mountains we had no television and hardly any cell phone service. At first I was a little worried what we would do without the conveniences we were so used to having but, the days went by so easy it turned out being one of our favorite vacations.

As we drove up to our villa, I was surprised to see the beautiful way the owners incorporated a nine foot Contrabass wind chime into the landscape. You can see from my picture how beautiful it looks hanging under the deck that leads to the upstairs bedroom. I found it interesting to see how even a large wind chime, such as this one, can be used in the right application. Initially, I was afraid it would be loud and might keep us awake at nights but this wasn't the case at all. As the tropical breeze blew, it gently moved the tubes, making soothing low tones that blended softly with the wind. When the winds would pick up and the rains fell, the soft sounds of the chime danced with each drop. It was really great.

Since my last post, we moved into a condo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It's been exciting looking for the perfect place in the perfect neighborhood. Do we buy or should we rent? Now that we found our perfect place, I'm busy trying furnish it with the perfect furniture! It's been fun but I must admit, a little overwhelming. I never knew how difficult it is to pick fabrics, colors and designs - I have a new respect for Interior Decorators. Thankfully, I'm lucky enough to have a close friend who is an Interior Decorator. She volunteered her skills, so I spent a day with her in Manhattan shopping fabrics. Who would have thought there were so many different shades of the same color? I was exhausted.

My new place has a nice small terrace, it's different than our home in the Poconos but I'm happy to have outdoor space no matter what the size. Not only is there a big difference in size but we also have to remember the fact that we have neighbors right next door. I can still have the gentle sound of a wind chime by keeping the tones light. I might try the exotic Sovereign Emperor Chime or the Night Glow Capiz Shell Chime both are softer and quieter. I'll have to browse the wind chimes at WindChimesGarden.com to find the perfect one.

The temperatures outside in Philly are still a little cool to sit outside but it's not too soon to start thinking about what I'm going to put on my terrace. The Philadelphia International Flower Show is March 6 - 13 and I can't wait to go, Spring will be here before you know it - it's time to prepare!