Southern Maryland

Today was just too pretty not to take advantage of the cooler temperatures so my friend and I headed to Southern Maryland on a day trip.  We always enjoy seeing the Amish farms in St. Mary's and Charles counties.  Of course, I had to stop at a few thrift shops along the way and this buggy was parked outside one of them.  Two lovely Amish ladies were "thrifting" too!  I couldn't help but notice that their aprons were held together in the back with straight pins.   I've read that they do not use buttons because they are too decorative.

I loved this antique/gift shop.  It was packed with beautiful things!  In the side yard was a small pond full of waterlilies.  I've never seen these gorgeous flowers up close.  Aren't they breathtaking?

We bought fresh corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, and beets from an Amish vegetable stand for dinner when we got home.

$$$ Money Plant $$$

I have a large bed of "money plant" growing in my backyard.  Last spring it  was gorgeous with dark purple flowers which have now turned to seed pods.  When the seed pods are peeled off, it has silver dollar size ovals that dry beautifully.

Today I was in a consignment shop and found this metal pitcher for $3.   I knew immediately that it would be perfect for the dried stems from the money plant.

This is what the pods look like before you peel the seed pockets off them.

Below is information I copied from the Internet.

I have an  abundance of seeds this year and would be happy to share them.  Please send me your address by email if you'd like to plant a few in your yard!

Lunaria annua, called honesty or annual honesty in English, is a tall (height about 1 m), hairy-stemmed biennial plant native to the Balkans and south west Asia, and naturalized throughout Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. It has large, pointed oval leaves with marked serrations. The common name "honesty" arose in the 16th century, and it may be due to the translucent seed-pods which are like flattened pea-pods and borne on the plant through winter. In south-east Asia, it is called the "money plant" and in the United States it is commonly known as "silver dollars," "Chinese money," or "Chinese coins," because its seed pods have the appearance of silvery coins. In Denmark it is known as judaspenge and in The Netherlands as judaspenning (coins of Judas), an allusion to the story of Judas Iscariot and the thirty pieces of silver he was paid.

A New House for My Fairy!

A few weeks ago on Saturday morning I went to the flea market looking specifically for a new house for my fairy in my fairy garden.  The one I was using was a clumsy looking bird house and not at all appropriate for a beautiful fairy girl and her handsome little corgi. I was about ready to leave the market and I spotted this little house which was actually a Yankee Candle tea light holder.  It was the perfect size and the perfect price, $2.  Some miniature sized mulch in the bottom covered up the holder for the candle.

I've had so much fun with this little garden this summer.  Children love it!

Population 540 and One Cute Corgi!

Today I went with my daughter, two granddaughters and several friends to Tangier Island, VA.   The island is located in the Chesapeake Bay and although it is closer to the state of Maryland, it is part of Virginia.  It took about an hour and half to get there on a cruise boat that left Reedville, VA.

The island has one combined school for all 12 grades.  The graduating class for 2012 was three students (all girls).  Last year there were 5 grads (three boys and two girls).

This is the oldest house on the island.  It is currently a bed and breakfast.

Most of the residents are water men and make a living by crabbing, fishing or harvesting oysters.  

There are no cars, only mopeds and golf carts.  The island does have a small airport.

Can you imagine only having one grocery store?  We were told that many people travel to the mainland by boat, shop at Wal-Mart, Food Lion, etc. and bring groceries back to the island. 

We saw several very old gravesites. 

And last but not least, there's at least one adorable corgi on the island and his name is "Toto."

My beautiful granddaughters!

Great memories were made today with family and friends!



Hot Air Balloons

One of my former co-workers took this fabulous picture yesterday of  a hot air balloon rising from the grounds of a school about a mile from my house.  The wind conditions and temperatures must have been perfect this week for flying. 

Today I was pulling up morning glories in my daylily garden and I heard the swishing noise a ballon makes when it rises.  I looked over the tree tops and there were two beautiful balloons floating by.  I wanted to yell to them "you forgot me!" They were only visible for a few minutes  and then I had to get back to work.   I must say, I seem to be winning the war against the morning glories this year and my lillies have been more beautiful than they've been in years.  I think having consistent rainfall this spring has had a lot to do with it.  I'll post some pictures in a few days.

In 2001, I took this picture of a shadow of a balloon I was riding in in Sedona, Arizona.   I probably won't get to go up again because the cost has more than doubled since then, but I sure loved it!



Projects, etc.

This week has been so busy for me.  One of my daughters broke her foot a couple of weeks ago and the other one moved into a new house recently so I've been trying to help both of them.  We've had fun working on projects together.

My personal project has been working on this metal chandelier that I got at an estate sale a few Saturdays ago.  It had been used on a covered porch in the city so it was covered with dirt and grim.  Cleaning it took hours and hours and lots of Q-tips to get the inside area.  Since I didn't take a "before" picture, I can only tell you about it.  It was the same ivory but the flowers were red and blue.  I painted it to match the colors in my dining room.

I love hot air balloons and have been up twice.  This light brings back memories of those wonderful experiences!

Hydrangeas

The hydrangeas seem to be blooming early this year because of the mild winter.   I wanted to share with you the different colors in my yard.

This picture is my daughter's "Lacecap" hydrangea.  It is so beautiful!  My mother had those when I was growing up.  Did you know that you can bend a branch of the hydrangea bush (still attached) to the ground, put a brick on it and in six or eight months it will root and you can transplant it? The pink bush in the picture above was rooted from my sister's bush.

This lichen is growing in my yard also.  Isn't it pretty?  It looks like a big flower.