Roy Kelley mentioned about the Dahlia Exhibition at Longwood Gardens this past weekend. Well, it was a beautiful day on Sunday, so we took the short drive and spent some time enjoying the gardens whilst we were discovering the location of the Dahlia exhibition. I always enjoy the Italian Water Garden, and the fountain show in front of the conservatory with different music, they had some classics with Frank Sinatra and Billie Holliday and timing the fountains to their songs was clever.I have been very happy with the Dahlias I planted at home, but when we discovered the exhibit in the Longwood Conservatory and Ballroom area my jaw dropped. Admittedly many of these were from members of the Dahlia Society, so I think they might know a thing or two about growing them, but there were many ama... 09/09/2024

So our dinner at Talula's Table was wonderful. The table was beautifully set, there are only two tables in the restaurant/shop. We got there a little early, to make sure everything was ready for when our guests started arriving. Menus were on the table.Spring 2024 Salmon MosaicAvocado, Aguachile, Radish & Citrus-Tortilla Española The Elusive Farm Egg and Potato Torte, Romeso Crema-Truffle HunterCrisp & Tender Braised Pork Croquettes, Truffle, Maitake & Mustard Greens-Parisian GnocchiSpinach Fondue, Parmesan & Bright Artichoke-Dorade RoyaleMediterranean Sea Bream, Bagna Cauda & Vegetable Tournée-Roasted Ribeye of BeefOnions Galore, Buttery Bone Marrow Bordelaise & Chimichurri-Our Cheesemonger’s Pick, Wine-Soaked Cherries, Olive Oil and Focaccia Crisp-Key Lime GetawaySalted Graham & Cocon... 04/12/2024

This is like a coming soon post about a dinner we are attending/hosting this evening.We are very lucky to have a wide group of friends and to live where we do. Firstly, friends - most people know a small group of people, well Annie is one of those people I discovered when we got married who stays in touch with everyone she knows, I would say 70% of our guests were from her side. Many of those friends are wine collectors, her previous partner who died loved wine and introduced Annie to many of his friends, and they have remained friends. We attend a monthly dinner with some of these and the wines tasted are wonderful, as well as some great food. In fact Saturday we have one of those dinners, which are mostly in New Jersey as most of the people live in New Jersey.But today, we have ten fr... 04/11/2024

We were very lucky Friday evening to get admission to Longwood Garden to see the fountain show. Since that evening Longwood has been closed due to an escaped murder from the Chester County Jail nearby. There is a major search been going on over the weekend with roads shut down and law enforcement on the ground and in the air searching for this escaped prisoner.That being said, we felt very lucky to have been able to enjoy the display Friday evening. The fountains have recently been renovated and improved with many more lights, techniques for creating different water displays, such as leaping water that looks and reminds you of fireworks being fired all in combination to the music being played. Friday the theme was classic rock, and the music and the water displays were fabulous.What was... 09/05/2023

2022 Real Estate ResultsWillowdale CrossingLocated in East Marlborough Twp and the Unionville-Chaddsford School District Three town homes were listed and sold in 2022, compared to two in 2021.One detached home was listed in 2022 and is still active compared to eight detached homes listed in 2021 and soldThe average days on market for detached homes in 2021 was 25, with an average sales price of $684,437For town homes that have closed the average days on market are 18, an increase of 5 days over 2021 but that is still low.The average town home price was $480,000 compared to $389,500 in 2021 a 23% increase over 2021 pricesThe 2022 median price was $495,000 The lowest price home sold for $435,000 and the highest price home sold for $510,000. Thinking of selling your home contact me for a c... 02/16/2023

Amidst the craziness of our lives this year we did think to get some tickets two months ago for the Longwood Gardens Christmas/Winter Lights Display. That was a good idea as it is sold out.One of the gifts we were given for our wedding was membership to Longwood Gardens, which is about 15-20 minutes from our new home. What a great idea! We have been amazed how inventive people were in their gift giving and it showed they know us well. We have already decided that we will meet every week for a walk after work as Annie drives right past Longwood Gardens on her way home. It will also allow us an exercise time, whilst enjoying the beauty of Longwood through the Seasons. So I am warning you now, be prepared for lots of Longwood Garden photos in posts in 2023.Our new membership was actually g... 12/21/2022

A friend called me on Friday and said they were coming down to visit the Clover Market happening this weekend in Kennett Square, did I want to meet up? Well as I am all about discovering new things I thought it would be a good idea, so yesterday Sunday, we met up.My friend David Mackey, the owner of the Philadelphia Print Shop now located in Wayne, PA was coming down to look at Fresh Vintage run by Chris and Colleen Allison. They were exhibiting at the Clover Market in Kennett Square. They also have space in Works also located in Kennett Square. I found the market, held close to the Consolidated District High School so parking was easy. The market had music, a winery and brewery supplying drinks and four or five food trucks for those in need of sustenance, and of course a coffee provide... 10/24/2022

A visit to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square  PA found big construction changes going on with the buildings, which will be interesting to follow on their website.But it also featured the restored orchid room, with it's ever popular flowers, and a light installation by Bruce Munro. We only had time to see the installations inside the Conservatory. One was made of plastic bottles with fiber optic cables inside to change the lights, and the other was a sea of metal discs with fleeting shadows on the surface.                         As for the famous lighted fountain show with musical background, I can't say much for the choice of music that night. It was so loud and annoying that we left mid-program.  Better luck next time, because they have had some really nice programs in the past.  08/13/2022

With a vista of the fountain garden quietly surrounded by snow, our hike around Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania was very peaceful, with few other visitors present. But the carillon still sounded every quarter hour, the trees reached their leafless branches into the sunny sky, and the water in the grotto still mysteriously poured through a sunlit opening.  There is no specific orchid display in the conservatories as in the past, but Longwood has brought out some of their exotic orchids from their vast greenhouses and growing rooms. We were particularly fascinated by one whose flowers spill from witchy looking horns called Fredclarkeara After Dark.  The Mediterranean area is always beautiful, but had a particularly striking display which complimented the Gothic arches of ... 02/05/2021

 It was taking a chance, but I really wanted to see the annual Chrysanthemum Festival at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. My friend Brenda, who works there in the Visitor Center, invited me to visit late in the day in the middle of the week, when there were not likely to be many other visitors.    Sure enough, we may have seen less than 20 people there. But it gave me a chance to see some nice fall color before going in out of the rain in the conservatory. I'm glad to see their walkways are covered with leaves, just as mine are.  And it's not the 1000 bloom artificially trained mums I came to see, although there seems to be training and hidden wires behind a lot of the plants, but not as obvious.  On such a gloomy day,  the orchid room looked more colorful than ever. An... 11/12/2020

On view now to March 22, the annual Orchid Extravaganza at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA  is now doing its annual thing, brightening up the space vacated by the recent Christmas display. (Full disclosure, after many years of doing the holiday thing, I stayed away this last December).  As you enter the East Conservatory, you are blown away by the forest of tiny yellow orchids and the hanging planters of purple orchids.   Escaping the gloom outside yesterday, my friend Brenda, who works at Longwood, guided me inside and I spotted strange lights.  You would think as many times as she has been through the conservatories, she would have noticed almost everything. Botany--maybe--but mysterious glowing lights in the East Conservatory are another thing. I asked her if they have always ... 02/02/2020

Yesterday was the 242nd anniversary of the day the British and their Hessian mercenaries marched through Kennett Square, Pennsylvania on their way to meet General Washington's army ending up the next day on a farmer's field in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. Last night, September 10, residents of the area around Kennett Square (which was little more than a wide spot in the road in 1777 and home to the Unicorn Tavern, now the oldest building in town) donned British uniforms with Quaker ladies peacefully looking on.  They told stories of how the tavern was looted and the tavern keeper (far right in top photo)  fretted the Philadelphia landlord would have his guts for garters for letting the looters in. General Knyphausen (dark blue uniform)  proudly strutted around bragging about how his Germa... 09/11/2019

Happy Memorial Day!   Remember... David HenkeLong & Foster Real Estate Inc – Devon, PA/Wilmington, DEOffice: 610-225-7400/Direct: 610-618-0808www.DelawarePAHomes.com  05/27/2019

 We picked the coldest day of the year to see the orchid display at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.  But it was a treat for my birthday from a friend who works in the visitors' center at the Gardens, so we ventured forth. Because it was so cold, they offered a shuttle from the center to the Conservatory (a rare event, in my experience).  The Conservatory was almost empty, and greeting us was a field of (very carefully arranged) orchids.  And then there were vertical panels of Phalaenopsis orchids, the ones most commonly found as potted plants. Next, we saw what I call "lollipop" arrangements of orchids. These were balls hanging from the ceiling or popping out of flowerpots with orchids at the end of spikes. I was told that the inside story is that the center of each ba... 02/01/2019

 If you were thinking of visiting Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania to see the Chrysanthemum Festival before the Christmas display begins, you have until November 18, 2018.  I visited a couple of days ago just to check it out, and sure enough, those thousand bloom mums were featured, along with spider mums (photo), football mums (yes, they really are called that by someone other than me), and bonsai mums (below).  If you wondered how they get 1000 blooms on one plant, you might want to check out this  mum video from Longwood.                      And I do love some of the other plants on display, such as the Abutilon (flowering maple) and camellias (pictured).  I am always amazed by the number of parents who bring their offspring ranging from teeny tiny (in strollers) to ... 11/12/2018

While visiting historic Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania the other day, I got to wondering what influenced Pierre S. duPont when he built his fountain display. It turns out, one of the events practically in his back yard was a big influence.While he always preferred to live amid the quiet, familiar beauty of the   Brandywine Valley, Pierre was greatly influenced by his frequent travels around the globe. He attended several world’s fairs and expositions, where he was astounded by grand architecture and the latest technology, including the huge display of water pumps at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia (photo) and illuminated fountains at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.Last year, Longwood proudly introduced the latest update and expansion of... 09/24/2018

Sometimes I just get determined to do something that does not seem like a really good idea.  This happened the other evening when a friend and I decided that that forecast of rain was really just a chance of rain and headed out to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square.We had tickets for the 9:15 fountains and music show, so what could go wrong, right?Then I learned a few things.1. My waterproof jacket was just a giant sponge.2. Hiding under a tree in a rainstorm still means getting wet.3. You can't see much in the garden at night.4. Chili in the cafeteria is a good choice on a rainy night.5. The conservatory takes on a spooky aura at night and they really don't turn on a lot of  lights inside. 6. There are a few plants that literally shine at night and make it almost worth the trip, i.e. t... 09/02/2018

So you are always looking for gifts and souvenirs that are unique remembrances of that cool little town you came upon in Pennsylvania. Well, if that little Borough is Kennett Square, have we got a deal for you!  It's called The Mushroom Cap.They have fresh White, Crimini, Shitake, Oyster, Maitake, Portabella, Royal Trumpet, Pom Poms, Beech Morels and Chanterelles (when in season).  They have marinated, pickled, dried, Snack  Shrooms, chips, powder, pasta and chop sauces, mustard, dips, chowder mix, and soup mix. If you would rather wear your mushrooms, there are socks, t-shirts, baby clothes, plus  dish towels, kitchen implements, books, post cards, and ornaments featuring the shiny mushroom which drops at midnight on New Year's Eve.  Many of these items are also available on their web ... 07/07/2018

Last week, my son was visiting from Tokyo, and we made a day of it at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. He had not been back home in five years, so there had been a lot of changes in that time.It was sunny, but was threatening to rain in the afternoon, so we started out walking the grounds in the morning.  The meadow area had a new path which gave a great vista of the open fields, and Doug enjoyed taking photos there. After lunch in the cafe, which appeared to be undergoing a large construction project that set tables under a heated tent, we entered the Conservatory just as it started to drizzle. The Orchid Exhibit, which runs to May 6, was in full bloom, giving us both a good chance to take photos to our hearts' content.  03/27/2018

Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania is a wonderland at Christmas.I gingerly approached late yesterday afternoon, trying to follow a traffic stream that would lead me to the regular parking lot instead of the remote shuttle lot across the street. I thought my parking spot was off in the bushes, but it actually was not far from the visitor center and there were generator fed lights there after dark. (almost dark at Longwood)The first thing I like to do is visit the conservatory before it gets dark out, so that my outdoor walking will cover all the lighted attractions. But hey, the conservatory has plenty of lighted Christmas trees and other spectacular plant displays. There has been some local controversy over the use of hundreds of floating apples and cranberries (see pictur... 12/21/2017