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Longwood Garden Roll Call

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

We're just about a week away from our meetup in the gardens on Saturday, December 10th! I can't wait to see old friends and meet new ones! The weather for the day is partly cloudy with a high of 44 degrees. That's perfect--not too cold and not too warm.

This was the tentative (at best) old attendee list from the poll. Please confirm if you can make it and for those who may now be able to join us, please add your name to the list.

Jojoco

Funky- maybe at best, but probably not. :(

3Katz

Kitchenwitch

Dedtired

Salonva

Hhireno

Maire_cate

AraphoRd - maybe?

Logistics: Parking: I suggest we plan on meeting at Longwood Gardens at 12:30. Depending on traffic, you may be directed to park in the nearby satellite parking lot vs the main lot. Don't worry. The satellite lot is very close and buses will take you right to the entry point (the "Visitors' Center).We'll meet in the Visitor's Center (that's the only building where you can enter.) Once you enter look over to the left side for the benches and a cell phone charging station. It's a small area. I'll be there with my silver Longwood name tag ("Joanne"). We'll wait until everyone has arrived and then go through the gates into the garden. Everyone's admission will be covered by me.

We'll start with a short outdoor tour and visit to the Peirce du Pont house and then head to lunch in the cafe (It will be too crowded at 12:30--best to wait til after 1.) After lunch we'll head to the conservatory for a tour. We'll finish the day back at the Visitor's Center gift shop. I anticipate being done by 4:30 or so (full disclosure--dh and I have a Christmas party in Philly to attend later that night so I have to leave by 5.) The christmas lights start coming on at noon and by four thirty or so, the lights should be visible. If anyone wants to leave and come back later to fully experience the magic of the lights, I will give you an extra ticket since Longwood has a no re-entry policy.

The weather looks great--dress in layers as the conservatory is usually pretty warm. One warning--it will be very crowded as that day is basically sold out. The only place that will feel crowded is the Conservatory. I usually mask up in there, but totally up to each of you.

Finally, please send me a pm so that I can send you my cell phone number in case you need to get in touch with me.

I am so looking forward to this!

Jo

Featured Answer

dedtired

2 years ago

see if you can match the foot to the face!

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Comments (105)

Annie Deighnaugh
2 years ago
I see some familiar faces there, if not the shoes! I'm so glad you had a wonderful time, and I agree Jojo is the best! Hope to be able to join you next time.
Kitchenwitch111
2 years ago
It was so fun! It was everything everyone else said. I enjoyed meeting my forum friends and glad to have Maeri to ride with me. I would have loved to have stayed for the lights but I’m an old lady who can’t drive well in the dark. Thanks to Jojo and everyone who was able to come. I want to go back in the spring!
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To NAF: I just highlighted Klondkike_Kate's response, right clicked on it, chose "copy", right clicked on the "Post a follow-up" box and chose "paste". Now I will replace her responses with mine. To Klondike_Kate: I have a couple of friends who are planning to move up to Whitehorse this fall. One of them just got a job as a biologist, although I don't remember for who. I might have to send them your way, because it's nice to have a friendly neighbor when you're new. GW Name - Hykue What does your GW name stand for? It started as a typo. When you type my name with your right hand shifted to the left one key, you get Hykue. I kind of like the play on haiku, and it's always available on any forum. Real Name - Julie Age - 30 Companion - Common-law husband of 10 years (or so) Children? not yet, but planned for soonish Pets? 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Right around one year now. I did help a little bit in my parents' garden as a kid, but that mostly consisted of shaking poppy seed-heads and transplanting petunias. Oh yeah, and picking berries. Where is your garden located and what is its size? We live on 40 acres, mostly in pasture. The house and yard are on a hilltop (yes, in SK . . . it's glacial till, which is fun, because it means that the soil can be clay in one spot and sand 10 feet away). The veggie garden is about 50'x100'. When we moved in it was 75% quackgrass, 15% raspberries, with the rest being rhubarb and horseradish. In fact, I have to show it From 27may2009 That's after we round-upped one part. In frustration with that project, I bought some flowers, dug out some sod, and planted a flower bed in mostly native soil. That's how I discovered my flower addiction, and now I have a lasagna bed underway for more flowers next year. Courses in Horticulture? No. What are your specialities in gardening? 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Oh, one more thing, a greenhouse. And a new deck, before someone falls through and breaks a leg. Ack! If you had an unlimited budget, what would you do with your gardens? Firstly, see above list of projects. Secondly, hire a weeder, who would leave me only the occasional easy-to-pull annual weed. Thirdly, terrace our hillside and make it into a potager-type garden. Most importantly, spend more time with my hubby outside in the garden (and elsewhere), since he won't have to work anymore. If you could invent a plant, what would it look like? Oh, it would be a climbing vine with flowers like a large brown iris with cobalt-blue circular spots running in a line down each petal (I dreamed this iris once), and a scent like a wild rose. It would, of course, bloom all season. And be very hardy. And LOVE drought. Describe an experience with a garden pest that had you ready to throw in the trowel? 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Bunny
2 years ago
You guys are so cute! Any chance we can get some names to go with the faces?
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3katz4me
2 years ago
Wow - three miles? And then I did that or more again after dark. At times I had no idea where I was but I just followed the crowd. I did treat myself to a spiked hot chocolate - yummy!
Allison0704
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
How fun! Thanks for posting photos. Nice looking group! Love the shoe photo.
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dedtired
2 years ago
Wow, 3katz, you must be ready to fall down. Hope you are nice and comfy now. Annie and I did the lights the last time. First Jo’s tour, then all over to see the lights and then an hourlong drive home in the dark. I sure have aged since then. I was glad to pull in the driveway before it was too dark. tonight
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jojoco
Original Author
2 years ago
Bunny, Sure!

(from left to right)

Maire_Cate, Salonva, Hhireno, 3Katz4me, Jojoco, Dedtired, Kitchenwitch

And great job, 3katz on you trek in the dark. Did you go back to the conservatory? I came home and bowed out of the Christmas party. Spent the evening wrapping gifts instead.
Sueb20
2 years ago
So I’m envisioning all of you calling each other by your screen names… ”hey Ded, hi 3Katz…” Great pic!
eld6161
2 years ago
Wonderful picture. Thanks for keeping us updated.
Bunny
2 years ago
Im so glad you had such a wonderful time. And I’m grateful to get a glimpse into the real you’s.
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SEA SEA
2 years ago
What a wonderful report of a wonderful day! I'm so happy for all of you!! What a nice thing to have happened.
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OutsidePlaying
2 years ago
You all are just the cutest! I’ve been so jealous as I thought of you all day having fun as we slogged thru another rainy day here. Hope to catch the next round.
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nekotish
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
That looks like a perfect way to get oneself in the spirit. How I wish I could have joined you. (Me to DH: Want to go on a roadtrip next weekend? Him: Sure, where are you thinking? Me: Longwood Gardens, it's only about 4700 km from here (2900 miles) Him: Good night, I think you need some rest.) I tried.
Annie Deighnaugh
2 years ago
Sueb, so funny! Mtnrd and I first met in person 9 years ago and she still calls me Annie, which is fine by me ... I've been Annie in my mind on this forum for many many years.
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Arapaho-Rd
2 years ago
This report back is just fantastic! You all look fabulous and happy to be with Jo to enjoy Longwood. Thank you for sharing your photos - I only hope I get to meet all of you in person someday soon!
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maire_cate
2 years ago
Honestly there is so much to see that it's difficult to take it all in as you pass by. This tree was in the entrance to the Conservatory and is created from succulents.
maire_cate
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Walking through the Music Room my eye was caught by this colorful floral pillow. It was only as we walked away that Salonva mentioned that the entire chair was upholstered in moss. In the enlarged photo it looks so obvious - but in the room with all the other decorations it was less so.
maire_cate
2 years ago
This dress was posted in an earlier thread but it was absolutely stunning.

And this is the companion floral outfit.
hhireno
2 years ago
@jojoco @3katz4me @dedtired @maire_cate @salonva @Kitchenwitch111 co-signed what they already wrote about our lovely day. I look forward to seeing the gardens and the friends in the spring.
maire_cate
2 years ago
This is the current display:

This is from our previous visit in 2019:
dedtired
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
great pictures, Maire. There was so much to see I hardly knew which way to look. I especially loved the moss chair and the red dress.

Thinking of 3Katz who is continuing her visit to the Brandywine today. Wish I could join her but I am one tired but happy girl after yesterday.

Jo, i am glad you stayed home last night. You had a long day .
maire_cate
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Thanks ded - after getting home I realized that I didn't take many pictures and really missed Annie and her great photos.

Hope 3 Katz is enjoying herself and that Kitchenwitch didn't hit any detours on her way home.

My son had been to Longwood a few years ago and stayed to see the evening lights. Last night he called and was disappointed that I missed them. I told him that neither Kitchenwitch nor I were keen on driving 295 late at night and that she had at least another 30 - 40 minutes to go after dropping me off. He asked who I went with and was astonished that I got in a car with a 'perfect stranger' ..... I had to explain to him that over the years most of us here feel we know each other to some degree.

Jo - I hope your voice has recovered and you enjoyed your evening at home. thanks again.

Maire
Sueb20
2 years ago
Maire, Mtn and I met when we both happened to be in Seattle with our families…I am not sure how many years ago. My kids, who were pretty young at the time, were horrified that DH and I were meeting up with ”someone mom met online” LOL. After all the lectures we give our kids!
maire_cate
2 years ago
Too funny Sue - that is exactly what my son said - and he's 42........
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gsciencechick
2 years ago
Beautiful photos! I hope to make the next gathering.
rubyclaire
2 years ago
So beautiful and it sounds like you all had a wonderful time. Good looking group, too!
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jojoco
Original Author
2 years ago
I’m working right now. It was definitely more fun when you all were here
dedtired
2 years ago
I feel,sorry for anyone out in this awful,weather. what a shame. I Keep thinking about 3Katz.
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nicole___
2 years ago
Love all the Longwood photos! The group photo is awesome! A wish I was there moment...
3katz4me
2 years ago
@dedtired - hey weather today was no problem. I did indoor stuff - went to Nemours estate, cruised around there a bit, had brunch on the way home, lounged around my hotel for awhile and out for dinner now. Remember I’m from MN so for me, this weather isn’t bad at all.
dedtired
2 years ago
Oh hurray, glad to hear from you. i’ve been thinking about you all day.

I really enjoyed my visit to Nemours mansion. I remember our guide called DuPont the Bill Gates of his day. safe travels home tomorrow.
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salonva
2 years ago
Yes! Nemours was a beauty! Glad you enjoyed.

If I recall correctly you travel home today- so wishing you safe travels. Let us know when you get home!

Til next time-
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maire_cate
2 years ago
For those of you who had the mushroom soup and enjoyed it - Longwood Gardens offers the recipe online - along with some others that look very tempting.

https://longwoodgardens.org/dine/recipes
teeda
2 years ago
Longwood seems like a truly amazing place. And all you ladies look wonderful!
Annie Deighnaugh
2 years ago
Thanks for the links to the recipes...they look delish!
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dedtired
2 years ago
I had the mushroom soup. It was good and quite filling. i put the sandwich i bought into my bag and had it for dinner. Also very good.
mtnrdredux_gw
2 years ago
Looks like a wonderful time. So sorry I had to miss it! Esp as I have never met hhireno!

Next time!
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roarah
2 years ago
Off topic but i cannot see any pists when i log on to houzz. I can only get to posts i previously commented on. My topic pages look like this.

Any one else?
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bbstx
2 years ago
Same here
salonva
2 years ago
yes. me as well.

I guess we'll see that only people who've already commented or liked this thread will be commenting. I get the same no posts found.
roarah
2 years ago
Ok i got a normal page just now. Must have been maintenance.
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salonva
2 years ago
Well I'm getting normal listtings of threads..

And @dedtired-- I didn't quite understand the 3 D glasses. Just lit the menorah and put on a pair and oh my goodness! Thank you Rainbows coming out of the flames!!! . Can't wait to give it to my grands when we see them Tuesday and light the candles! So excited. thank you
mtnrdredux_gw
2 years ago
I've been having this problem all day, too.

Salon and Ded -- where'd ya' get the rainbow glasses?
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Kswl
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Just catching up with this thread and so excited to see the picture of all the Lovely Ladies at Longwood! What a stellar group!

(3katz I have to say your haircut is just outstanding!)
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dedtired
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Mtn, Amazon. There are several kinds, reindeer, snowflakes, Santa, etc etc.

Holiday specs

3D Christmas Glasses - 10 Pack Holiday Specs - Hologram Holiday Images https://a.co/d/3snW6PJ
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hhireno
2 years ago
Dedtired very kindly brought a pair of 3-D glasses for all of us. Mine make the lights into reindeer shapes. I’m bringing them with me this evening, i will check out xmas lights as my husband drives us to meet friends for dinner.
dedtired
2 years ago
Yes, we all admired 3 katz hair, both the cut and gorgeous natural color.

Salonva, it was my pleasure. Just a little fun. Happy Hanukkah.
dedtired
2 years ago
Hhireno, thats the most fun. I have been lookimg at the neighborhood lights through mine. Any small point of light works. Have fun with them.
3katz4me
2 years ago
You all are too kind about my hair. After all the years of coloring I had NO idea the natural color would be so good. As far as the haircut - I found a wonderful stylist after two years of suffering with no talent hackers.
maire_cate
2 years ago
3 katz - it's the truth - the color and cut are perfection.

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