Thursday, November 6, 2014

Bring Your Garden Indoors

Fall is slowly turning into Winter this month and now is the time to snip off the last of your outside garden plants to enjoy indoors as long as possible. A couple of weekends ago I did a little fall pruning. Some of these cuttings will only last about a week, but others, such as the coleus can last all year until you re-plant it in the spring.

 

Start with a base of the larger pieces. Then fill in with the smaller items. I wanted to use this small galvanized container, but it was not water tight, so I filled it with a glass cup. 
This arrangement was made in a vintage turquoise vase that I picked up a few weeks ago at a PHS / flea market event at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. This is my new favorite vase, it is the best color!


This arrangement has been in our bedroom and makes me smile every morning.


 

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Valley Forge National Park

Last weekend we went to the Valley Forge National Park, which I have never been to before. What an incredible place! It is in King of Prussia, so the next time you want to go to that way-too-gigantic mall, skip it and go here instead. 


According to their websiteValley Forge was the site of the 1777-78 winter encampment of the Continental Army. The park commemorates the sacrifices and perseverance of the Revolutionary War generation and honors the ability of citizens to pull together and overcome adversity during extraordinary times.

I wish we would have toured it with someone who knew the history of the area, but I just did a little internet research and found out some interesting facts. 


 There were 2,000 of these houses built by the army. 





This monument was stunning. I noticed that a lot of families and photographers were taking photos around the park. 
It was built in 1910 and it is modeled after the Arch of Titus in Rome. 
Click for more photos.