Gail's Garden Blog at GardenStew.com

Reflections on a Wedding

gfreiherr — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 22:40:07 -0400

Author: gfreiherr
Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 2:40 am (GMT 0)

It's hard to believe that it has been a month since our daughter was married. We were blessed with a gorgeous day. The wedding & reception were all that we hoped it would be...a magical day! It was over much too quickly but we have wonderful memories and an excellent photographer who captured the emotion and excitement of the day.

We do not have all the photographer photos but she put together a preview slideshow. It takes about 15 minutes to view and it begins with the rehersal dinner. If you would like to view it here is the link. The wedding photos begin about 1/4 of the way through so you can click on the bar at the bottom to advance it.

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.andreataylorstudio.com%2FSlideshows%2FKindraJamesWedding%2F&h=2504a

These are two of my favorite photos that the photographer took before the wedding.

Our daughter Kindra ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

Our daughter, Kindra ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

It's almost here!

gfreiherr — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 06:33:16 -0400

Author: gfreiherr
Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 10:33 am (GMT 0)

We are leaving this morning for our daughters wedding in Atlanta. The weather forecast is perfect,
75 and sunny. Will post photos when I get back.

I'm ready and waiting

gfreiherr — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 08:37:46 -0400

Author: gfreiherr
Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2010 12:37 pm (GMT 0)

Our daughter Kindra's wedding is 5 days away! I can't believe how fast this year has gone. The ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner & dancing for 140 guests are "planned" to be ouside at the Cator Woolford Gardens in Atlanta. I have 3 weather sites & the Farmer's Almanac that I have checked daily for the last month! Five days out the weather looks wonderful 75 & sunny. (Extra prayers will be appreciated.) FYI...we do have a back up plan for inclement weather.

Atlanta is a 3 hour drive for us and we will leave on Thursday for all the pre & post wedding activities.

There has been great anticipation and anxiety this past year. The last time I planned a wedding was 40 years ago when my husband Steve & I got married.
We look forward to sharing this memorable day with our family & friends. And YES I will be posting a follow with photos for my friends here on the Stew.

The Wedding Planners

gfreiherr — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 19:49:03 -0400

Author: gfreiherr
Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 11:49 pm (GMT 0)

We were in Atlanta for our last big planning session at the Cator Woolford Gardens.(website:
http://www.thefrazercenter.org/cator-woolford-gardens
The wedding is almost here Oct. 2nd.
We met with reps from the Garden, the Caterer, the Florist and our wonderful Wedding Planner. My daughter Kindra & her fiance have done a wonderful job choosing the vendors.

The wedding planners ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

Kindra & James with Daria "the wedding planner" ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

Cator Woolford Gardens, ceremony site ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

Spring fling in New Jersey

gfreiherr — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 22:37:48 -0400

Author: gfreiherr
Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 2:37 am (GMT 0)

I'm off to visit my family on the Jersey shore. The weather is going to be sunny and near 70 most of the week. I will be checking in periodically as time permits. Have a great week, hope you all have good weather and can get out and garden.

A song in my garden

gfreiherr — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:59:38 -0400

Author: gfreiherr
Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 1:59 am (GMT 0)

I made a smilebox of my winter birds. You can view them at a faster speed if you click the arrows, once it loads. Hope you enjoy them.

http://smilebox.com/playBlog/4d5455324d4445354e44453d0d0a&blogview=true

Gardens Under Construction

gfreiherr — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:14:02 -0400

Author: gfreiherr
Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 2:14 am (GMT 0)

Garden under construction ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

On Thursday we had 3 stumps removed from the gardens.
The trees were taken down before we moved in and I have been working around them for 5 years. Two of them had bird baths over them and the third had a large planter. The ground was wet when he removed them and we have had 3 days of rain.

backyard bed ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

side yard garden ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

front yard bed ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

He could only take part of the stump in the front because of utility line.

I am still trying to decide what to plant. Even though the stumps are gone, there are still a lot of large roots. Because it has been raining I have not had a chance to really see what I am dealing with and it will be another week at least before it drys out. I also have plants I had to dig up that need to be replanted. Its been really frustrating! Will post an update after I have a chance to work the soil and get that some of the ground up stump out of the garden.

Who is that tapping on my door?

gfreiherr — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:21:01 -0500

Author: gfreiherr
Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 1:21 am (GMT 0)

I have a song sparrow that nests in the bushes near my front door. This is the 3rd year in a row that I have heard the tapping at my front door. I have a shiny brass kickplate at the bottom of my door and about 10 times a day he fights with his reflection. I have a piece of cardboard that I have to tape over the kickplate. I thought I could take it down after a couple of weeks, wrong...I have to leave it up for 6 weeks.

song sparrow ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

This is a short video clip of him in action.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEfX2z1gMMo

A beautiful Red-tailed hawk

gfreiherr — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:20:22 -0500

Author: gfreiherr
Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 11:20 pm (GMT 0)

A very big first today...a Red-tailed hawk! I have never seen a hawk up close before today. I saw him swoop past the feeders and perch in a tree in the backyard. He had come through yesterday about the same time but I did not see him land. I grabbed the camera and ran outside with only socks on my feet and no jacket (it was 35f). There was still frost on the ground but I stayed out there until he left. I was on a mission. I kept inching closer, holding my breath so I would not scare him off.

Red-tailed hawk ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

He had his back to me and then he turned and stared right at me...now I know why the birds are so afraid of them. I just froze in place with my camera clicking. I was able to get a step or two closer before he took off. He looked even bigger when he spread his wings. I am just thankful he flew away rather than towards me! I am also glad my camera was in auto mode so I could get off some quick shots. I was suprised I could get as close as I did.

Red-tailed hawk ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

Red-tailed hawk March 2010 ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

The Red-tailed hawk is 19-25 inches from head to tail with a wingspan of up to 54 inches.

Taking off ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

Later in the afternoon I saw him soaring overhead. Just gliding around a enjoying a sunny day.

New visitors in the garden

gfreiherr — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:41:05 -0500

Author: gfreiherr
Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 5:41 pm (GMT 0)

The sunshine and warm temperatures have disappeared but not the birds. It provides a source of color and pleasure on these gloomy, gray days. This is my first winter of documenting the birds. I have always enjoyed watching them but didn't worry about identifying them.

This morning I was out on the deck trying to get a close up of a robin. There were a whole flock of them (about 30) on the edge of my yard, looking for worms in the rain. I did manage to get this one.

robin 2/23/10 ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

Out of the corner of my eye I caught this yellow bellied sap sucker.

yellow bellied sapsucker ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

I had noticed all these small holes in that tree in the spring and did not know what caused it. There are hundreds of small holes up and down the tree. Now I know who is to blame.

holes made by sapsucker ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

Here a few more firsts for me this year.

red winged black bird Feb 2010 ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

Eastern Towhee...Feb 2010 ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

yellow rumped warbler ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

yellow rumped warbler 2/10 ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

Day Dreaming...a return to the Amalfi Coast

gfreiherr — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:08:10 -0500

Author: gfreiherr
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 9:08 pm (GMT 0)

This afternoon when I was reorganizing and backing up digital photographs I came across our photos from a cruise we took to the Mediterranean in 2007.
It was one of our favorite cruises. It certainly brightened my day (it's cold, gray & flurring again). For those of you who are color deprived I will share some of my favorites from our day on the Amalfi Coast.

We took a 9 hour bus tour from Naples and toured a good portion of the Amalfi Coast, spectacular scenery. We stopped in Sorrento, Positano, & Amalfi.
It is a very winding narrow road. Several times our driver had to get out and direct traffic so we could continue.

( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

The arm you see in the bottom right corner is the guy sitting in front of me...if the windows of the bus were open we could shake hands with the people on the bus that is passing us.

( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

Most of these photos were taken from the bus window.

Church in Sorrento ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

ceiling of church ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

Garden in Amalfi ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

Enjoying the view ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

more of the garden ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

Amalfi Coast ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

City of Amalfi ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

Amalfi ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

The end of a beautiful day ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

Back on the ship in the Port of Naples. Hope you all enjoyed the tour. Today was a great day to go through the photographs...lots of color.

We also visited Sicily, Santorini, Mykonos,Athens, Rhodes, Rome & Ephesus on this cruise. Those photos must be on my other computer.

The sun came out today!

gfreiherr — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 18:01:47 -0500

Author: gfreiherr
Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 11:01 pm (GMT 0)

We did have an hour of sunshine today and I could actually see my shadow. (FYI...I am not that tall or wide!) I took my camera out to see if there was anything blooming and there was not. But it was nice to be outside. Molly & I went for a nice long walk. The forecast for tomorrow & Monday is snow/rain and we will be driving to Atlanta (3 hours away) to take care of some wedding plans and pick up the Dress. Hope it will not be too messy on the roads.

( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

Yesterday I went to Home Depot and treated myself to some plants and told my husband he did not have to buy me any flowers for Valentines Day.

calla lily ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

helleborus ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

Happy Valentine's Day to you all.

An Icy Wonderland

gfreiherr — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:25:40 -0500

Author: gfreiherr
Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 12:25 am (GMT 0)

This weekend we had 3 inches of snow, followed by freezing rain. Fortunately we had plenty of warning because we don't usually have much snow. The temperature stayed below freezing so it created an icy wonderland. We were fortunate that we did not have to get out on the icy streets. But it didn't stop me from getting out with my camera. I just walked in the crunchy snow.

We had a wolf moon and despite the cloudy skies due to the storm. The moon seemed very bright.
"Native Americans call the first Full moon of the year as wolf moon. It is generally unusually brighter and bigger. According to the astronomers, the wolf moon is almost 30% brighter as well as 14% wider than regular full moons. This happens because the moon revolves round the Earth in an elliptical orbit and at the time of the wolf moon it comes closer to Earth than usual. According to the Native American folklore, hungry wolves howl in chilly wintry nights glaring at the full moon. "

I did not get any photos on the evening of the 30th but I was out early in the morning to catch the moon before it disappeared from sight.

Wolf Moon...Jan.30, 2010 ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

Wolf moon...Jan 30, 2010 ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

Here are the photos from my walk around the neighborhood:

( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

view from the deck ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

The sun came out on Sunday afternoon and the ice crusted tree & shrubs sparkled like diamonds. Unfortunately, I could not get that sparkle to show up in the photos...it was just magical.

( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

sunset Jan 31, 2010 ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

It was a busy day at the feeders

gfreiherr — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:20:09 -0500

Author: gfreiherr
Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 3:20 am (GMT 0)

The birds and squirrels must have sensed a storm was coming. There was a lot of activity at the feeders and on the ledge. I filled the feeders this morning because they were predicting 3-6" of snow. That is a "major" snow storm for East TN. We have lived here 9 years and have never had more than an inch or two. I restocked the seed on the ledge 4 times.
They were flying in and out like rush hour at the airport. When the flurries started around 2 p.m. it got even busier.

finch feast ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

Waiting in the wings ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

4 pair of cardinals perched in my dogwood ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

pine warbler ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

female cardinal ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

red bellied woodpecker ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

lunch bunch ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

I had to keep shooing the squirrels away.

( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

They would just run up the tree

( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

or sit on the fence post and wait until I was gone.

waiting to get back on the feeders ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

It is still snowing but now they are saying it may turn to freezing rain. I am glad I don't have to go anywhere tomorrow.

Molly had a rough day

gfreiherr — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:47:55 -0500

Author: gfreiherr
Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 1:47 am (GMT 0)

Our golden retriever, Molly, had a rough day. She had surgery to remove a cyst growing inside her eyelid. While she was under anesthesia they also cleaned her teeth, aspirated another cyst and took x-rays of her hips to check her dysplasia. While she was recovering from the anesthesia she awoke & bit down and snapped the tube in her throat so they had to use forceps to remove the tube. She came home with 6 medications and one of those "lampshade" collars. She is sleeping it off right now. She is suppose to wear that collar for two weeks until she gets her stitches out. She can have it off if we are watching her. I think we will be spending a lot of time watching her.

Molly recovering from surgery ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

Fun weekend in Atlanta making wedding plans

gfreiherr — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 09:18:49 -0500

Author: gfreiherr
Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 2:18 pm (GMT 0)

The weekend began with a miserable 3 hour drive to Atlanta in heavy rain and gusting winds. It was quickly forgotten when we entered the wedding show at the elegant Four Seasons Hotel.

Four Seasons Hotel...Atlanta ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

We were greeted by waiters passing trays of champage cocktails garnished with lovely orchids. As we walked around admiring the amazing displays created by the wedding vendors we were treated to an amazing array of appetizers, pastries and wedding cake.

Unfortunately, I did not have my camera :( . Each corner of the grand ballroom featured a wedding display in each of the four seasons. The flowers, tablesetting and accessories were just stunning. It was like being in a fantasy. I wish I had photos to share. I am running out of adjectives trying to convey the beauty of the event.

My daughter, Kindra's, wedding will be October 2nd at the Cator Woolford Gardens. The wedding, cocktail hour and dinner will be in the gardens...weather permitting. (I will be asking for your prayers as the day arrives.) The dancing and cake cutting will be inside in their atrium room.

The Cator Woolford gardens are on the grounds of an old estate which has become the Frazier Center...a center for handicapped childen and adults. The funds they raise by renting out the gardens goes into the budget to run the center. It is not a residential program...the activities run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Part of their therapy includes planting in the gardens but they have a staff that maintains the overall landscaping and maintenance. We love the gardens and the concept that supports the Center.

Cator Woolford Gardens...Atlanta ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

Yesterday we met with the florist, loved her ideas and personality. My favorite was that when we moved into the atrium for dancing she and her staff would break down the flower arrangements and make small bouquets to pass out to the guests as they leave.

To be continued.

Think Spring - 2009 garden revisited

gfreiherr — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 09:20:44 -0500

Author: gfreiherr
Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2010 2:20 pm (GMT 0)

I saw a robin at the bird bath yesterday. They are suppose to be a harbinger of spring, I won't get my hopes up just yet but a girl can dream. Droopy you asked for flowers...here they are. I like to use smilebox by Hallmark because its easy to load your photos & I like having the music option. It's a fun way to share photos. Just click on the link below and sit back and enjoy.

http://smilebox.com/playBlog/4d54517a4f5467794e6a453d0d0a&blogview=true

Birds of a feather forage together

gfreiherr — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:39:26 -0500

Author: gfreiherr
Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 3:39 am (GMT 0)

I was reading an article on how birds survive the cold, harsh winters and was interested to learn that some of the birds at my feeders are food-caching birds. The White breasted Nuthatch, Blue Jay, Tufted Titmice & chickadees are scatter-horders, a behavior which helps to guarantee their survival.

Blue Jays harvest several thousand acorns each fall and bury them in the ground. Blue Jays have a gular pouch under their tongue so they can store seeds & nuts. They can store up to 5 acorns at a time.

Blue Jay ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

All this time I thought the squirrels were responsible for all the holes in the grass!

Who Me? ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

The chickadees, titmice, & nuthatches store and harvest hundreds of seeds throughtout their territory. Hiding it behind bark, in cracks and crevices of trees or knotholes. They have the ability to keep track of the the seeds & nuts that they hide.

Black-Capped Chickadee ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

Tufted Titmouse ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

White breasted Nuthatch ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

Tufted Titmouse ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

The peanuts are always the first to go. Now I know why these birds are so busy going back and forth from the feeders to the trees.

Squirrels just wanna have fun, part 2

gfreiherr — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:04:47 -0500

Author: gfreiherr
Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2010 10:04 pm (GMT 0)

It was only a question of time before the squirrels found the food on the window ledge. On my third attempt I was able to capture these photos.

A guy's gotta eat ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

Is someone there? ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

This squirrel was stalking the feeder while his buddy was working the ledge.

turning around ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

getting a drink ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

Lots of action on the ground the chipmunk came out to eat & drink.

chipmunk licking the ice ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

chipmunk licking the ice ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

African Violets

gfreiherr — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:09:31 -0500

Author: gfreiherr
Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 1:09 am (GMT 0)

My grandmother introduced me to african violets, saintpaulia. She always had her bay windows filled with violets in white milk glass planters.

I have had good success with violets, even though I tend to neglect them for most of the year. I have about 25 plants and most of them bloom at least 4 or 5 times a year. When they are not blooming I move them to the upstairs bathroom & a spare bedroom that have the right lighting.

Below are the plants that are blooming now.

african violet ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

african violet ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

african violet ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

african violets ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

african violet ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

african violet ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

african violet ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )