On the Road Friday ~ UW Arboretum

 It is On the Road Friday, today we will take a trip to the UW Arboretum located near Madison, Wisconsin.

If you are planning garden tours this summer, be sure to add the UW Arboretum to your list.

We visited in October of 2017 and I am looking forward to visiting again this summer.

The 1,200-acre Arboretum is located on the near-west side of Madison, bordering the southern shore of Lake Wingra.

UW Arboretum 

The following is from the UW Arboretum website.  The website is fantastic, answering questions, providing maps and sharing tips.

Ways to enjoy the Arboretum

Hike and observe nature: Bird watch, soak in changing seasons through blooming wildflowers and fall colors, tune in to the subtleties of winter ecology. There is always something to discover at the Arboretum. Use the trail map to locate particular ecological communities and gardens.

Free guided walks are a great introduction to the Arboretum, plant and animal identification, and ecological concepts. Tour guides post regular field observations in the Naturalists’ Notes. You can also schedule a private group tour.

Exercise: Runners and cyclists can use 4 miles of paved road through woodlands, wetlands, and prairie. Walkers and runners on paved roads should travel single file, facing traffic, on the road edge. Running is also permitted on the unpaved fire lanes and footpaths within the Arboretum. Biking on unpaved areas is prohibited.

 Evidence that you are not alone while out for your stroll in the garden.

 Gobble, Gobble, turkeys.

And more turkeys.

Look who we saw watching us.

 The setting is so relaxing and peaceful.

The trees are huge and you feel like you are in your own special land. It is hard to believe the city of Madison is next door.

 The trunk of this tree caught our eye. 

There was beauty and something unique around every corner.

Have a great weekend and thank you for coming along with me to the UW Arboretum.

 ♥

Carla

 

 

Tips for Keeping Lilac Bouquets

Spring has sprung in some parts of the U.S.A.

With that I am going to share a post I did last spring. 

Lilac bouquets are a favorite of mine, but they do not last very long.

Last spring I did a little experimenting, I found a few techniques to help prolong the life of the bouquet. 

 

Tips for Lilac Bouquets 

Do you love the smell of lilacs? You want that wonderful romantic smell next to  you on your nightstand. You go out and pick your bouquet of lilacs and soon after they are droopy and the flowers wilt. I will share with you a few tips to keep lilac bouquets.

Lilacs need hydration. When you go outside to pick your lilac, take a bucket of cold water with you. As you pick your lilac, put the flower heads into the cold water. I know it may seem strange at first, but go ahead and dunk those lilac.

 When you get inside, again, put your lilac in a sink of cold water.

 Next up, is step two, stems.

Boil some water and fill a mug with boiling water.

Dunk the woody stem into the water.

Then take a hammer and pound the stem.

What you are doing is helping the woody stem be able to drink the water in the vase.

 Here you can see the woody stem opened to drink water while in the vase.

Your lilacs are now ready for you to create your bouquet.

Lilacs can be put into a vase with other flowers and greens.

Watch you water level in your vase. Lilacs can drink up quickly and you will need to add fresh water with in the day.

Enjoy!

 

Think Spring! Think Spring! Think Spring! And it is the Hodgepodge!

Think Spring!

I can not wait to go out with the canoe.

 But first this all needs to melt.

Yes, even me, the snow lover is starting to get major SPRING fever!

Time to hop on into the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun!  

 

1. Three things on your spring bucket list? If you don't have an actual list that's fine, pretend you do.
  1. We have a hike we want to do in Bayfield County. It is best to do in the Spring because it is to an abandoned mining camp. You can see the outline of the old buildings before the grass grows.

  up.

2. Get out in the canoe. I enjoy Spring canoe trips because you can see many nesting birds.

3. Yard Clean Up!!

 
2. Where do you find rest? What restores your soul? When was the last time you did whatever it was you answered here?

 Spending time outdoors, taking a walk, gardening or just sitting watching the sun restores me.

I do one of the following everyday. 

 3. April is National Celery Month. Who knew? Do you like celery? What's your favorite dish made with celery? On a veggie and dip platter which would you reach for first-carrot sticks, celery sticks, cucumbers or cherry tomatoes? 

Yes, I like celery. I enjoy Chicken Salad with celery. I will reach for the cucumbers.

 4. I read here eight things to do before 8 am to make your day less hectic-Start one load of laundry, drink water, empty the dishwasher, read your Bible, know what you're having for dinner, get dressed, brain dump (two lists-one what you're thankful for and one what's weighing on your mind), and after the brain dump make your to-list for the day

How many of these are you currently doing? Which one do you think would help the most if you added it to your early morning routine?

I drink a glass of water. I am dressed. I know what I am having for dinner. We plan our menu on Sunday's for the week. It is very helpful when wanting to keep a healthy diet with a busy family. Make my list for the day or review the list from yesterday.

  

The brain dump might help .. or not listening to the morning news. 

 5. Describe the view from your window.

After the last snowfall, April 13-15 .. 18 inches .. I fed the very hungry birds. The goldfinches have turned their beautiful yellow for summer. I have a dozen goldfinches eating at the feeder with a backdrop of all white around them.

 6. Insert your own random thought here.

I forgot to share my Easter cake with you last week. Here is 2018's Easter cake.

Each Easter I come up with a fun cake to create for my boys.

They were pleased with this one. One of my fellas LOVES eating Peeps.

 

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