BACK TO THE GARDEN CENTER ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11TH, 2025...

and what a lovely time was had. I wanted to purchase seed packets to pop into the Christmas cards for gardening friends. The usual spot I always found them had other things on display. A lady came over to see if she could help and when I told her what I was looking for, she showed Gregg a place on the other side of the center. He disappeared for a couple of minutes, and I pottered around while waiting for him to come back. That’s him on the left just before he follows the nice lady. I really can’t say enough about the staff here. In all the years we have been coming, all have been super friendly and helpful.

I asked Bear if he would like to come home with me, but as often happens, he said no. He was far too busy greeting people and offering them refreshments. The deer below gave me the same answer. Ah well, there were other things to occupy my line of sight.

The raccoon was as interested as I was as he poked his head through a hole in the wall.

Hmmm.....he said. I know....I said.

Trinkets...I said.

How I love trinkets, like a moth to the flame...but I have more control than the moth as I left the flame and went on to look at other things.

Still rabbiting on here…hmmm....shiny objects. What am I, a jackdaw? Not really but how I love browsing around shiny, glittery things.

I went through one of the double doors into the greenhouse and had a browse around there too.

You can see what drew my attention this time. I also like rusty animals…

and while getting in touch with my inner child even further, decided to look at fairy things.

Not buying anything but seed packets, just browsing today!

I wonder if Santa is visiting later?

So, with seed packets in hand thanks to my dear other half, it was time to leave. We had passed turtle on our way in. 

We made our way to our drive-thru and ordered a coffee. They were offering their snowman cookies and one actually did make its way home with me. I ate it while drinking my coffee and writing Christmas Cards. I'm late sending them as always. Maybe next year I will be earlier! But then again, snowmen may fly!

Thanks for stopping by.

Have a great day!

SHOPPING MALL CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS FROM 2009

From my archives, photos taken December 2009. I loved going to this shopping mall just to see the decorations (I am no longer a mall shopper, not that I ever was). Unfortunately, the mall changed hands many, many years ago and that was the last I saw of them. I am thankful I have these photos to remember them and being reminded of the great pleasure of showing them to my own son when he was very young, and later to visiting family and friends.

Anyone who knows me will need no guesses as to why I enjoy these Christmas decorations. They have been put out on display for many years, I feel like they are old friends. We got on the elevator and went down to the ground floor.

I don't go to the mall very often, as I'm not one of the keenest shoppers, only when it's absolutely necessary. I always carry a camera in my purse and was prepared knowing that they would be once again on display. 

Smile! 

Don't worry, this tiger might look fierce, but the bunny is safe. I have it on good authority that he is a vegetarian. They are in fact very good friends and share cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off.

I enjoyed these quotes from "The Jungle Book" by Rudyard Kipling...

...which may also not be a surprise that it is my all-time favorite children's story.

"A brave heart and a courteous tongue. They shall carry thee far through the jungle."

"Oppress not the cubs of the stranger but hail them as sister and brother...

...for though they are little and fussy, it may be the Bear is their mother." Rudyard was a pretty smart man.

Last one of a window display.

I hope you have enjoyed your tour around the jungle.

Thanks for dropping by 

and have a great day!

GREEN SPRING GARDENS AND CHATEAU DE CHANTILLY CAFE BAKERY AND COFFEE

I only have a few photos taken at the garden (these photos are from the beginning of November). Lining one side of the parking lot are flower beds, and beyond is the garden. The garden mums (maybe Harmony mums) were looking very healthy. The sun was shining which felt so good and I didn’t need a coat. At first I thought there were dozens of bees buzzing from one flower to another, and was again surprised as they should all be safely tucked away for the winter. I looked closer and knew they weren't bees, for all the similarities. They were Drone flies. 

The Drone fly has brown and orange markings, and it looks very similar to a male Honeybee but is harmless. This mimicry helps protect it from predators while it gathers nectar. 

The key differences between this fly and the male Honeybee include its lack of a stinger and ‘waist’, and only one pair of wings. You can usually find them in gardens and urban areas. The Drone fly not only mimics the Honeybee in looks, but also in the way that it moves about, following the same flight patterns. Many of our often-overlooked insects are important pollinators for all kinds of plants, including those which we rely on like fruit trees. As I nibble on my apple, I will think of them very kindly. Splendid little things for what they give us, and we must do our utmost to protect them, along with all the other hardworking pollinators.

The Painted Daisies weren't as abundant but still beautiful and healthy looking. The Drone flies were enjoying them too. 

A very enjoyable trip to the garden and a nice surprise. This was one of those flying visits.

Another flying visit was to our favorite bakery of the moment, the Chateau de Chantilly Cafe, for a pastry and a cup of coffee. Santa was at the door greeting us.

Thank you for visiting.

Have a great day.

NEIGHBORHOOD DECORATIONS 12-18-24

 When we were driving home last Wednesday, I asked if we could go the long way round to see the neighborhood lights. There were a lot of blurry ones, but I weeded out these to share with you.

I usually crop them so as not to show the whole house, but thought the sky was really pretty in this one. We were approaching the twilight hour. Below is the same photo but a closer view of the decorations.

The reindeer and sleigh were on the other side of their driveway.

Another photo and that sky. There were more pretty lights than actual figures, but I thought it was a lovely display.

And another house with pretty lights and sky.

and the same house a little closer this time.

Next here comes the snowman and toy soldier.

Another snowman with Mickey Mouse, penguins and BabyYoda, the character on one of the Star Wars shows on TV. 

A fuzzy picture of a few dinosaurs and another snowman.

Another dinosaur and a snowman.

and finally a Christmas Tree with reindeer.

People went to a lot of work to get their displays up, and I took photos of one couple in the process, not realizing they were there in the darkness until I took a good like on my laptop. I haven't shared that one. They didn't seem to notice us, and I didn't see them in the dark. There were many other decorations, but people were coming home and we didn't want to block traffic. I took these photos as we drove by. Hopefully, I will be able to get out again soon.