Over the River and Through the Woods

We 3 took a road trip today, over the river and through the woods,

Past the roadside lupines of many colors,

From varied pinks,

to purples and whites,

each one as beautiful as the next.

Soon, we were welcomed

by the Cable Garden Fest Greeter

where there were a number of workshops,

and plant sales for everyone.

We were entertained with Mountain Music,

taught to play the Mt. Dulcimer

(but I couldn't get those gorgeous lupines growing wild and free along the roadside, off my mind)

while learning about new and rare succulents such as this Ruffled Beauty. I do not recall her real name.

Ladies and gents were learning the art of making stepping stones with broken pottery and china.

There were also vendors scattered about the grounds selling their wares,

while we walked the paths that had beauty around every corner.

There were beds of Purple Iris,

Pacific Knight? with it's lush blooms

My sister Mel and her daughter, Staci, are about to step down my future steps tucked between with Weihenstephaner sedum, an excellent ground cover seen everywhere on these grounds.

and Mel's future waterfall. I'd like one too, but would first, have to build a hill, well within sight.

The Big Brook Greenhouse ships all over the world. These are just a few of their mail-order beauties.

It had just rained and the Lady's Mantle were showing off.

The Hypertufa planters were bursting with ' pretties,'

two young ladies were welcoming us to the plant sales,

I'd love one of these hosta's, either a Big Daddy or a Sum and Substance.

The shrubbery was as lush as ever with new growth,

every turn down every path showed promises

of what a hard working, dedicated gardener could do.

The greenhouse of annuals screamed color,

more Hypertufa planters shared companion plantings,

water features were outstanding,

as well as the flowering baskets.

There was even a low sedum with daisy-like flowers called the Delasperma Nubegina. I forgot to get one, but Staci didn't.

Even the rooftop of the faux outhouse had a full headdress of sedums.

I wonder if Bill will let me do this on the cabin roof?

There were busts waiting for a head of hair, maybe a Voodoo plant of red tendrils would be perfect.

Mel and Staci look pretty cute under the arbor. Do you think they are eyeing up the structure to have their hubbies build them one? I know better than to dream quite that big.

Another sedum I forget the name of, but once again, Staci has one.

The white flowers on the silver foliage of this Snow of Summer smelled like vanilla beans. I already had this one, but never in flower. Maybe this year. It's scent carried across the yard.

The trip to the greenhouse an hour away, was so worth the ride. Good company and great fun. But wait, there's more.

On the way home, we turned around to go back to another greenhouse, of which I regret not taking a few pictures. We pulled into the yard of a torn down place with a couple of homemade greenhouses and wondered if we might get lucky with better prices. It was a bit better, but not by much. I loaded up with more plants anyway. Above and below are the purchases of the day from both greenhouses~~~ and I thought I was done potting plants.

I swore I was not buying Coleus of any kind this year, and lookie here. Don't ask me what they are. It's raining out and that answer will have to wait. They are irresistible tho.

We lunched on the way over the river and through the woods, compliments a bag lunch of homemade subs and sweet teas from Staci. On our way home we needed sustenance once again and stopped for ice cream, a single scoop which was really two nice sized scoops in a large waffle cone. What flavor, you ask? None other than,

' The Honeymoon's Over.'

Vanilla ice cream full of big Chocolate Chips, nuts, Brownies and swirls of Chocolate sauce. What a way to hit the road.

I hope you enjoyed my day as much as I did. I just knew the wood-splitting could wait.

Have a wonderful Sunday.

Remember where all the beauty comes from, thank God, and

BlessYourHearts