week or so. Vacations at home can vary from setting up a portable pool in
the backyard for yourself and the kids pretending you're at the beach to
taking day trips enjoying local sites.
Some years, Steve and I didn't take the kids away for an extended vacation,
so we improvised. Truth be told, sometimes being focused on working and
everything here at the nursery, we actually forgot to get away and that
isn't good. Recently, it has come up in conversation at our house about this
concept of vacation this year, but for sure nothing has been decided. (Sh!
Sh! My secret thought is that if I keep putting it off, it'll go away.)
Again, that's not good, so I thought it would be a fun change of pace to
talk about things we can do in our own areas that can create that same fun,
exciting feeling we get when on vacation.
My group has never been much into water sports or hanging out on a beach, so
when we have or do go on vacation, there has to be interesting things to
visit. We really enjoy historic homes and gardens, nature gardens/walks, and
museums. Our children grew up visiting many of the historic homes and
gardens east of the Mississippi and actually enjoyed it and afterwards, we
always discussed the way of life at that time.
Over late spring and summer is the best time to take advantage of garden
settings as they are in full bloom. My philosophy in visiting gardens open
to the public is that most have landscape architects or professionals who
design these gorgeous landscapes. Not only am I able to enjoy their efforts,
but I can take the design concepts home with me to apply to my next
landscape project or offer as a suggestion. Landscape ideas free to me! (Or
relatively free).
Below, I have included links that will help you find historic gardens (and
homes), botanical gardens, arboretums, nature walks, as well as links to
some of the Jones' favorite haunts that we visit time and time again when we
are in those areas such as: Biltmore Estate, Winterthur Gardens, Longwood
Gardens, Bellingrath Gardens, Monticello, Mt. Vernon, Williamsburg, Newport
Mansions and Mohonk Mountain House. I know Mohonk Mtn. House is a resort,
but they do offer day passes for the public to enjoy the grounds. Pack a
picnic lunch and have a great day from hiking to enjoying their mediation
points.
For those who don't have children at home (or if you do, hire a babysitter),
take a tour at a vineyard in the area and don't forget the tasting
afterwards! A bottle of wine, some cheeses, fresh fruit and sweet nibbles
have the makings of a perfect picnic.
In planning your home vacation, do the same things you would plan before any
other get away such as clean the house, do the laundry, mow the lawn, etc.
The computer and cell phones should have a break, too. Let the answering
machine or voice mail catch those people who don't know you're on vacation.
It's a getaway time, no work! Why not make it a themed vacation and visit
the party store to pick up inexpensive regional decorations such as netting,
shells, leis, little umbrellas for drinks, etc for a beach look.
Don't forget vacation smells for the house such as our dryer sheets in beach
days and lavender. Also, keep an open bottle of inexpensive sunscreen.
Nothing says vacation like the smell of sunscreen. Treat yourself to a
beautiful market basket and carry it with you everywhere with a large beach
size towel, which also works in pinch for picnics, straw hat, small bottle
of sunscreen, and snacks.
Here are other fun things perfect for a home vacation:
. Schedule a massage or facial
. Eat out or order delivery
. Hire a sitter for the kids and have a date night
. One day have a DVD marathon (especially good if it is a rainy day)
. Create a theme by renting DVD's set in specific areas
. Extended family cookout
. Read a book
. Keep coffee, juice, water and snacks on hand
. Visit a nearby museum or zoo
. Go for a drive and eat out
. Visit stores/shops that you don't usually visit
. Check out your area to see if there are any community activities
going on-such as free concerts, openings, and don't forget to check out the
library for story time
. Check to see if your area offers outdoor dramas or ghost tours-the
last link below is to find outdoor dramas
. Take a cooking class and show off your new skills at home by
preparing those dishes
Below are links to help you find local gardens and nature walks in your
area:
http://www.gardenvisit.com/gardens/in/usa
http://www.gardenguides.com/resources/walks/states.asp?c=US
http://www.visitnewengland.com/current_category.77/current_advcategory.567/c
ompanies_list.html
http://www.newportmansions.org/
http://www.history.org/history/CWLand/
http://www.winterthur.org/visiting/visiting.asp
http://www.longwoodgardens.org/
http://www.mohonk.com/gardens/gardens.cfm
http://www.publicgardens.org/Custom/GardenSearch.aspx
http://gosoutheast.about.com/od/historicsitesculture/a/outdoordramas.htm
Just as you are preparing the inside of the house for vacation, don't forget
the outside. The week before vacation, mow and weed the landscape. Sweep the
walk, patio and/or deck. Put a little fresh mulch or aged compost mix around
some of the plants at the front door and at the back entrances. Plant some
new perennials at the entrances as well and along the walk. This makes it
look clean and new and will give you a different frame of mind when coming
and going about your home vacation.
Outside checklist for week before vacation: Green Tek ECO, Perennials,
Herbs, Hostas, Liriope, Ornamental grasses. These are things that can be
applied or planted that will make big impact with little effort.
Remember, no working on vacation!
Mother's Day is this Sunday. Don't forget our Mother's Day Special!!! When
you purchase plants to be shipped to your mom for her special day, Greenwood
will include a $10.00 Gift Certificate that she can redeem on her next
purchase this season. So, at no additional charge, mom will also receive a
$10.00 Gift Certificate in her card which will be included with your gift
for her. What a special way to say "I love you, Mom"!!!!! This special will
continue with gift orders through Monday morning (May 11th).
Be sure to check out our Monthly Member's Value Page, Member's Only Spring
Bonus Plants, and Landscaping Ideas Slideshow.
Check out our Facebook page for even more landscaping and gardening tips.
Have a great time and see you when you get back!!!!!!!
Until next time....Cheryl
