Daniel's surprise party

Daniel was very surprised!! and when he opened the box--after box--after box to finally find the plastic wrapped camera, he was flabbergasted!! All his friends were in on and had contributed to the surprise occasion. Jason even made 2 photo collages for him--memories on film, the old fashioned way, printed--which he backed with cardboard to make 2 folding/standup/collage photos. Great work from a good friend.

This posting is completely out of sequence--happened on the 14th of May, actually.

Surprise party for Daniel--with a mystery present--his first digital camera! Ready for a summer in Argentina--go Daniel!! 

This one is for Jane---a larger 'shrimp' plant than hers(at present), found inside the Gardeners greenhouse at Biltmore. 

Gardens still blooming--had to tear myself away---so much beauty! 

Collage of 'pots' for container gardens--with some closeups of a few individual blossoms--Iris,Honeysuckle,'Rhubrum'lilies(white&pink)--a collage for the senses!! 

Roses collage--climbing,shrub,espallied & framed with a lattice window, all in the Walled garden at Biltmore. 

Biltmore House gardens

On my way ---took a detour to see how many changes/new bloomings---had happened at the gardens, in the last 6 weeks. Found lots of changes--lots of new blossoms---ENJOY

second shot, same family---- 

3rd shot--this family didn't fare as well--had 3 young and only 2 have survived. Nature can be cruel! 

Look at that family now!--1st shot-- 

close up of that same geese family--and I was only 15 feet away! 

one of the Geese families a month ago, in front of our lake--4 young goslings and 2 proud parents. 

and left front--showing my wreath that birds(doves) built a nest in and have raised young in for several years. Close up of those 'young' later. 

right front entrance of condo--again contrasting foliage plants-- 

My friends--Koala,mother and child and White Squirrels(2)below. Created by a local artist friend. The wreath was also created locally and the 3 items welcome guests quite well--want to visit?? 

Front entrance-condo-Deerlake 

Street/parking entrance to my condo. I'm an end unit of a 4 unit building--there are 3 buildings in our association. 

Home in Brevard--well, for a few more hours anyway

---yes, only a few more hours and I'm on the road again. Got in dinner time Saturday, May 21, just in time for a dinner with my 'Breaking Bread group' from my church--great time, good food(Hungarian)and lots of sharing of 'last month's events' with these friends.

Sunday special choir event for the weekend had culminated with our chancel choir giving a concert that afternoon at 4PM, so, after a guest professor gave a very 'new' sermon approach with the reading of the first chapter of the bible, Genesis, I invited my 86 year old friend, Betty Combs, to go with me. She, of course, enthusiastically agreed. I picked her up and, after a truly beautiful concert, we went up to the Blue Ridge Parkway(30 min away)to the Pisgah Inn(at the base of MtPisgah)for an early dinner---which was wonderful, as expected--I even did some Christmas shopping(secrets)!!

Monday, I gardened--caught up with my landscape chair responsibilities--and enjoyed being back in Brevard. Then Tuesday, I sprayed our holly hedge(eaten up with scale--hope to have beaten the beasties)ran errands and got ready to leave again today, Wednesday.

Wanted to post some photos first tho--sooo here they are---my condo gardens(not as colorful as Jane's, since I use more foliage color rather than blooming blossoms for vivid contrast) and pics of our resident Canadian Geese families. ENJOY

bacgrand's condo @Deerlake--lake side 

Deerlake today but leaving tomorrow

Watching the Geese families--one pair with 4 goslings, one with only 2 of the 3 that have survived. Posted the 2 families from a month ago and today--fun to see them grow.

Also took some pics of MY front yard--not as colorful as Jane's, but still mine-own. More contrast with foliage than blooms, as my season is still Spring and no azaleas!--even if most yards have them here, mine doesn't seem to be the place they like to grow--so I do more colorful foliage plantings. The Shenandoah grass is a perennial, new growth is green but changes to burgandy and puts forth a lacey burgandy plume by mid-summer--very striking!

Will post more from my next stop--Burlington, NC, tomorrow--Enjoy

family of 4--just entering the lake 

other Geese family with only 2 of the original 3 goslings still with parents--yes we have predators that prey on the young goslings! 

month later and goslings have really grown but are still here on Deer Lake 

same Geese family with Deer Lake in background--4 little goslings 

Deerlake geese family-April 

closeup of grasses--Shenandoah(tall) will turn burgandy as summer progresses-and lirope(varigated variety)will have tall blue flower stalks in late summer, lasting 'til Fall 

--entry(with solar lamps) 

--front garden-left of walkway-- 

Barbara's front yard-garden @ Deerlake