MAGICIAL GARDENS

I was going to post this sooner today, but got caught it in a fabulous performance of the Philadelphia Orchestra's Sounds of Christmas concert with guest conductor Bramwell Tovey. It was a great listen and a hat tip to Cello Josh for alerting me to listen in! Bravo!

I had the opportunity about a week ago to go visit the  exquisite Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square on a day off. Longwood Gardens has a rich and varied history. For thousands of years, the native Lenni Lenape tribe fished its streams, hunted its forests, and planted its fields. In 1700, Quaker farmer, George Peirce, purchased 400-acres of the English-claimed land and began developing the property. His decedents eventually created an arboretum of some of the finest trees in the nation. Unfortunately, as years passed, heirs lost interest and the land suffered decades of neglect until 1906, when it was obtained by Pierre du Pont - entrepreneur, businessman, philanthropist and member of the prominent du Pont family. Pierre and his wife's passion and vision created the groundwork for what is now Longwood Gardens - home to many spectacular botanical collections spread across 1,083-acres. One of the volunteers who was pottering in the gardens, told me it is all wonderfully maintained by a staff of 1,300 employees, students and volunteers. We have Pierre du Pont and his love of arbor and being a naturist to treasure this gem today.  At Christmas it is truly magical.

The conservatory or Orangery is the most iconic of spaces at Longwood. The stately greenhouse garden features an ever-changing display of flowers and foliage that exude color and fragrance.Built between 1919 and 1921, the Orangery was originally filled with citrus fruit trees. The citrus was eventually phased out and flowering plants surrounding manicured lawns became the focal point, a design approach used to this day. The DuPont's also had their ballroom located here.

This beautiful tree is made of green stained glass pieces all hand hung individually to create this tree look. Truly amazing.

Grapefruits in bloom

This is from the bonsai room. This art form always amazes me. This one was started in 1905.

The ballroom tree.

My first visit to the reading room, which isn't always open. Truly stunning.

A wreath made entirely of book pages

This tree was creative. made and shaped of stacked books!

I have no idea how they did this? But how cool is that?

The beautiful floating trees over the pond.

A orchid tree in the orchid room.

Caught the train on the way over to the DuPont house. Not literality though.

Built in 1730 by Joshua Peirce, the Peirce-du Pont House is the oldest structure at Longwood. The core of the original brick house is an outstanding example of Federal-style architecture. It was the homestead of the Peirce family until 1905 and borders Peirce’s Park, the arboretum founded in 1798 by Joshua and Samuel Peirce.Pierre S. du Pont purchased the house in 1906 and personally directed its renovation. He eventually doubled its size in 1914, adding the conservatory that became Longwood’s first ‘winter garden.’ A must see while there. At Christmas, I love the huge tree and all the bottle brushes.

But at night...…

If you plan to go if your local, or for out of towners, I recommend planning a whole day there, and also go online and get tickets ahead of time, you will be able to get right in. They also have great eateries with excellent food, and even offer wine and beers. It was by far my favorite things I did for myself this season. In closing here's a recording from the victrola in the DuPont house. I loved it's sound.

MEANWHILE,THE HOUSEBOYS....

…...all seem to either be tuckered out from the decorating, or are finding ways to wind down for the year. I mean, it's not like they gave the holiday tour yesterday.

Gives new meaning to trimming the tree doesn't it? My neighborhood ladies would love this as my Christmas card next year.

I plan to lay one in the corner pocket.

This one even reads.

I told this one to stoke the yule log

Poor thing got confused, but do we care really?

RED LIGHT DISTRICT OPENS

I just love how my home looks this time of year - adorned with festive lights and beautiful ornaments. I could just easily start hibernating now. But , as usual, it raises an eyebrow when neighbors see the red light glowing out the windows again. Yes, the Mistress has used the color red again for the 200th time. Hence why friend calls it the red light district. Every year, I fill my home with lots of cheerful holiday decorations I like to include a mix of old favorites as well a few new, but mostly use real pine and poinsettias, tons of candles and load of balls. This post will bring about lots of balls, Big balls, small balls, red balls and shiny balls, and yes even blue balls!!!! Do I just say blue balls? Let's walk.

In the living room.  One of my favorite spots....my huge sofa! My main color is red. The tree is all red lights, with all different shades of red balls, and then my collection of bird ornaments. Shocked right?

A end table with poinsettias from the nursery and another of my holiday favorites...bubble lights! Do you remember those?

A Christmas gift from Daddy Warbucks....a Tom of Finland coffee table book. I LOVE IT!

My console bookcase with my collection of colored glass vases and tons of peacock feathers. The compote contains more balls!

All these shiny brites were a gift from my good friend the Dame. There all vintage. They are probably as old as my tongue, but older then my teeth.

These two bird ornaments, I just received the other day from the thoughtful Agnes. She remembered last year I mentioned I had tons of birds on the tree. I was surprised to open it and find a golden finch and a mourning dove. They will be truly cherished Agnes. Thanks for the thoughtful gift!!!

Meanwhile in the kitchen, does anyone need a stiffener for the tour?

Buster must approve of every market purchase as you can see.

In the kitchen, I have a small tree, with some apothecary jars filled with more balls and in one, I did a snow scene with some of my grandmothers old bottle brush trees.

In the bar we find a silver bottle brush, another jar of balls, and a little deer figurine that was also my grandmothers.

NUT CRACKERS! Who's first boys?

There's always time for a cock-a-tail!

My latest addition this year...these cute bottle brushes from Longwood Gardens.

More balls!!!!! And a quail under glass.

Breakfast this morning....hot coffee and stollen!

Some visitors this morning.....a Downey Woodpecker and one on the doves.

Now in the boudoir, it may surprise you to find blue balls in there. In the Mistress's boudoir?!?!?! Not only blue balls, but very old balls in general. But tis true! They go so well with the crème and dark navy walls. Oh... you didn't think I had blue balls did you sillies?

Antique silver tinsel branches.

More very old vintage balls. See BLUE!

I love this bubble light candelabra and often fall asleep to it at night during the holidays.

I couldn't resist this adorable Charlie Brown tree I saw at the nursey. The guy selling them made then from cut off pieces of larger trees. So I added it to the bedroom, and love it almost more then my big tree. I added a few blue balls and a topper to it. After Christmas I will keep watering it and add pinecones to it, and enjoy all winter.

More bottle brushes on the one nightstand.

Even Vixen is decked out!

Well, that's the tour of the joint this year. I have been enjoying the season more calmly then normal this year, and I miss it all when it comes down, except for the pine and berries which are more a winter treatment.Share your favorite decorations with me in the comments section below. And now as a special treat, my rendition and performances piece of Dance of the Sugarplums Fairies.