Views from the house

A view towards the porch.

A living room view

Out the front door

Many years ago, a couple of our longstanding volunteers suggested to me that views from your windows were important. It was a revelation.

She and her husband had transformed a normal suburban plot into something extraordinary, so I was listening. I don't think I 'd thought about that before.

The house where I grew up had a lovely view into the treetops from the living and dining rooms, thanks to protection of the woods surrounding the house. My parents weren't gardeners at all, but clearly chose the lot (because it was steep and wooded with natural Central Texas vegetation) to build the house based on the surroundings.

But I was thinking about the views from the windows this afternoon, as lovely fall light illuminated the landscape.

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europe home design top architecture

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canada home design top search gallery

Monarchs coming through

There was a group of Monarch butterflies visiting our large butterfly bush today at lunchtime. I saw at least five, along with a couple of Variegated Fritillaries.

They probably came in with the cool front that pushed out the rain over the weekend. They're heading south to their wintering grounds in Michoacan.

In the late afternoon, I saw one nectaring on one of the large New England Asters that I have in containers.

I haven't yet seen any on the massed Buddleias and Lantanas adjacent to my work parking area, though.

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Signs of fall

It's always nice to come back home, even if things look a big ragged around the edges. We're not fussy gardeners at all (messy edges are good for birds and other wildlife, of course).

But a bit of editing would make a difference in the overall ambience. The crickets are still singing, but the air is drier, and the colors of fall are becoming evident.

the best Office home interior design gallery

the best Office home interior design gallery

Native plants and natural gardening

I visited two great gardens this morning, one public and one private. This post is about the public one.

I first visited North Carolina Botanical Garden about 25 years ago. It was fabulous then (and I've been a member ever since). Their mission, promoting native plants of the Southeast, and being a conservation garden, is essential to preserving and restoring our native plant communities.

They provide a garden vision that I (and my gardening companion) have embraced: trying to create a sense of place in our garden that reflects our native plants and their habitats.

It was wonderful to return and see the Coastal Plain Habitat Garden in its fall glory. Based on a plant rescue, this habitat garden has been burned periodically, and is a wonderful reflection of what our coastal plain habitats are like, when relatively undisturbed by human activity.

The pitcher plant bog habitats, in new raised stone beds were spectacular.

The borders were lovely, too.

Interesting plants

I'd not been to Plant Delights Nursery before. I've heard about it for a long time; it's been a mecca for plant nuts (professional and amateur) for quite awhile.

It totally exceeded my expectations.
Not only are the nursery offerings fabulous, but the gardens that Tony and Michelle Avent have developed around their house and business are totally impressive.

I was limited to what I could carry back to the bus, probably a good thing.

Public recycling, Part II

OK, I have great photos to post from the Garden Writers Association Plant Delights Nursery visit this morning (totally wonderful), and our visit to the JC Raulston Arboretum this afternoon, but I'm inspired by Russ's comments on yesterday's post to make my reply a post for today.

Russ,
I'm glad to hear about your efforts, and I'm going home to try to encourage our community businesses to add recycling to their mix (my small city has curbside recycling, but the commercial waste disposal folks who service the food businesses apparently don't.)

Over 20 years ago, I remember talking to a college class about how aluminum can recycling was energy-efficient, yada, yada. We're kind of slow to get with the program.

And I'll look into the ClearStream Cleartainer, too. Sounds excellent.

Another concern to me is all the paper stuff that we generate at these meetings.

I've got a whole bagful of paper that I didn't ask for, as well as paperboard from various small packaging things that I've consumed (containing the coffee extras in the room, for example). I'd recycle this stuff at home, so why not while traveling? At least at this meeting, I drove, so I'm able to take things home to recycle.

I've brought along my stainless steel coffee cup, too, although I've been glad to see that the convention center is using ceramic cups, etc. And Panera Bread, the caterer for our breakfast this morning, minimized waste with paper packaging of breakfast 'sandwiches' although I think there were plastic plates for the pastries.

But, this evening, the barbeque dinner was on divided plastic plates with plastic water and drink cups. Yuck. The dinner was fine, but why can't we complete the cycle somehow?

Breckenridge - new skiing holidays in Northwoods ski chalet

Chalets USA have added a stunning new ski chalet in Breckenridge to their portfolio. Northwoods ski chalet can be booked on a catered or self-catered basis and is our only 5 bedroom ski chalet in Breckenridge, giving groups of 10-12 an opportunity to have sole occupancy of their own chalet.

Located near the Peak 8 lift, Northwoods chalet is built to the highest standards with decor and amenities which are sure to please those with the most discerning tastes. Space and comfort are in abundance in this chalet with its lounge / dining room with rock fireplace, plus separate media room, office area, gym & reading nook. Guests can relax after a hard day's work on the slopes in the outdoor hot tub.

Every detail is taken care of from the bathrobes, toiletries, hairdryers to the gourmet food & a courtesy van to shuttle you to & from the slopes (with catered option).

More details on Northwoods Chalet, Breckenridge

Enquire about Northwoods Chalet, Breckenridge

50 Beautiful fish aquarium designs

Here is some very beautiful fish aquarium designs for inspiration. Hope all fish lovers will like it @ home.