...a Happy Thanksgiving.

Here's wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving. Hope you are fortunate enough to be spending time with the ones you love.
I am, and for that I am very thankful.

...a magical topiary garden.

I have been fascinated with topiary's since I was a little girl. I think what got me started was the "It's a Small World" ride at Disneyland. Sitting in the little boat waiting to enter that world, I was transformed by the green plants coaxed to grow into all sorts of animal shapes. Giraffes, elephants balancing on their heads, dolphins, and even a moose. I just couldn't understand why we couldn't get our plants to grow like that at home. Apparently Mom just wasn't gardening correctly!
Here is a great collection from my trip to Longwood Gardens. Much more grown up shapes than the animals of Disney, but no less magical.

...Chrysanthemums at Longwood Gardens.

Just outside Kennett Square sits Longwood Gardens, 1050 acres of incredible beauty. The Chrysanthemum Festival was in full bloom while I was there and all I can say is that I have a much greater appreciation of this fall favorite than ever before. It's amazing what nature can produce for artists to capture. For this I am very thankful.

...a simpler place.

I'm back, and have dusted the pastoral cobwebs off my vacation brain. What a breathtaking place! So peaceful and filled with the simple beauty of the land. A far cry from the hectic pace of city life. I hope you can fine the essence of that beauty in these photos.
Enjoy, I know I did.
DOUBLE CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE

...Kennett Square

I am on my way to Kennett Square Pennsylvania for a week of "all that is the season". My friend who I am visiting says that the leaves peaked last Sunday so there should still be tons of color to satisfy my love affair with Fall. I'm sure I will come back with tons of photos to share, and stories from the state that helped to make history last night. I am, for once, at a loss as to how to express my feelings about the magnitude of last nights results and this mornings affirmation of hope for all that is possible. A friend of mine expressed it best in her posting today, "I Give You Sunflowers." Have a great week and I will share when I get back.

...VOTE.

Even though I live in an area where you can vote early, I have chosen to stand in line and cast my vote tomorrow morning. I want to be there on the very day with record numbers of people who feel the way I do, excited to be involved in a history making day, regardless of the outcome. Just the very fact that this is expected to be perhaps the largest turnout in voter history makes me proud to be a part of it. I feel like a kid the night before Christmas! The collective energy is absolutely overwhelming! For the first time in a long while, apathy is out and involvement is in. Please, whatever your choice, and if you haven't already, get out tomorrow and let your voice be heard. VOTE.