“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” Albert Camus
A true June arrived in October this year with serene early summer temperatures that belied the falling of the leaves. Topsy-turvy in this instance was a delightful surprise in the not-quite autumn with ocean swims until Halloween and gardens blooming well into November. Visiting gardens, especially, brought appreciation for dedicated gardeners and volunteers and Nature’s gifts.
A favorite fall story is not mine to tell – the Halloween wedding of friends from school with warm-hearted images that play like home movies in my mind, but trick or treating, trunk or treating, and other fun neighborhood rituals have returned. After all, ABBA is back, sparkling both in sound and rhinestone. Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny, and Anni-Frid are the only people who could turn environmental stewardship into a catchy tune in “Bumblee,” my segue to Duke Farms in this autumn bouquet.
Duke Farms is one such Garden State oasis with more than 1,000 acres of the 2,740 preserved land open to the public. The nonprofit also features sculptures on the grounds, a renowned Orchid Range, built by Kendall Taylor & Stevens, 1900, and an excellent cafe, which will re-open in the spring.
The historic Orchid Range is now LEED Platinum, highly rated for energy use and environmental impact Beautiful tree allee of American sycamores with new trees being planted Lee graciously posed for a moment in the record-breaking heat #thankagardener 🌿
Kim & her niece from Jams by Kim, also at the Montclair Farmers Market #shoplocal Cheers from Love the Soup 🥣 #shopsmallbusiness
Heading up to North Jersey way:
Hubricht’s bluestar at Van Vleck Gardens, Montclair An elegant Halloween scarecrow, part of a contest Autumn serenity “Rainbowlicious a Sparkle Unicorn goes Back to School” by Troop 22887 of the many charming Girl Scout contest entries “Mister Micro-Plastic Monster Man” supporting savecoastalwildlife.orgEastern redbuds, Presby Memorial Iris Gardens near Van Vleck Garden The New Jersey Botanic Garden (NJBG), Skylands, Ringwood State Park, where “An Artists Holiday ” is December 2nd-5th at Skylands Manor. Canna lilies and flossflowers, NJBG Lovely rose at Ringwood Manor, currently under restoration, which will resume its incredible annual Victorian Christmas event in 2022 #thankavolunteer Welcoming sphinxes, Ringwood Manor garden Red maple, Shepherd Lake, part of Ringwood State Park Monarch butterfly, Freylinghuysen Arboretum, Morristown China astersFriends of The Freylinghuysen Arboretum #thankavolunteerAsters“Skilled Tradesmen,” Building and Construction Staff #thankyouessentialworkers“Swimming Season” by Recreation Department, Sunrise Lake Beach Staff #thankyoulifeguards #thankyoufirstresponders #thankyouhealthcareheroes “Dancing though Fall” by The Brown Family #thankanartist 🩰🎼🎭🎨“Hard Working” by Monmouth County Parks Commission, Buildings and Construction #thankyouessentialworkers #thankyoufrontlineworkers
Boomerang back to Central New Jersey:
Beautiful murals around town by the Arts Council of Princeton, here at Princeton Shopping Center #smallbusinesssaturday The stately Prospect Gardens, Princeton UniversityMarigolds, Prospect Gardens “Journey” by Marlon Davila, who grew up here, sponsored by the Arts Council of Princeton and generous donors (located at John Street and Leigh Avenue) Another view of “Journey” at Lupita Groceries. Also enjoy artists’ work at the annual Chalet at Hinds Square along Nassau Street starting Nov. 26th.
Between the art and the flowers, a visit to Grounds for Sculpture was so delightful, had to return to enjoy it all again. The extensive grounds of this haven founded by sculptor Seward Johnson can offer a full day’s excursion with accessibility and dining onsite with a wonderful cafe and the popular Rat’s Restaurant.
Side view of entrance at Grounds for Sculpture with “A Turn of the Century” after Renoir’s “Dance at Bougival”Swamp sunflowers “Captured” by Seward Johnson Beautiful roses at Grounds for Sculpture, sculpted by Nature and dedicated gardeners 🌿 “Family Secret” by Seward Johnson, inspired by Renoir’s “Two Sisters”Oxeye daisies 🍃Partial view of “My Sixteen-Year-Old Jazz Dream” by Seward Johnson (2020 visit in the visitor center, now open) “If It Were Time” by Seward Johnson inspired by “Garden at Sainte-Adresse” by Claude Monet
Downtheshore:
Margate, city of flowers, neighboring Atlantic City 🌸🍃
Enjoy Santa’s ride through downtown this Saturday, Nov. 27th at noon with help from Margate City firefighters. For details, visit Margate Has More with thanks for following. 🌟
From the annual Margate Fall FunFest by the Bay, decorations by Margate City Beach Patrol #thankyoulifeguards
Lucy the Elephant, “America’s oldest roadside attraction,” which is usually open year-round, is now undergoing a makeover and welcomes support with one visit described in “Margate Marvel, Lucy the Elephant“.
(2020)A rainbow pedi for the fall (2021)
One of Margate’s enchanting mermaid fountains that welcomes visitors along Ventnor Avenue:
Rose of Sharon at Winterthur, Museum, Garden and Library, where “Yuletide at Winterthur” has started and continues through January 2ndGordonias, Longwood Gardens, Kenneth Square, PA where the annual “A Longwood Christmas” has begun and continues through January 9thPHS Meadowbrook Farm, Jenkintown, PA. The PHS Flower Show will enjoy its second year outdoors in FDR Park, June 11th-19th 2022. Nigella Lawson’s Linzer Cookies
As a holiday thank you to followers and all, thought a cookie recipe was in order. This somehow became the three bears of baking: cookies from the first recipe were strangely mushy, the second, pure granite, and the third, Nigella Lawson’s Linzer Cookies were just right, apropos from the bella donna of cookie equilibrium. Wishing you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving!
Avon-by-the-SeaRed Maple, Wall Township Autumn garden, Livingston hometown Second summer in Asbury Park 🌼🍃The Great Auditorium, 1894, Ocean Grove #thankyoumastergardener 🕊🌿Red maple, Livingston
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