Celebrating Oshogatsu at Morikami

I went to Morikami to celebrate the New Year.



Heard a delightful concert by the Friends of Koto



We watched rice pounding and making mochi rice cakes

We got to try mochi.  I liked it - especially the red bean paste stuffing.

I loved the taiko drumming.

The kids had a great time too.

Happy Holidays from Florida



Ornaments hanging from Palm Trees wrapped in rope light




Max's birthday cake - chocolate pudding cake made in the crock pot, with the coolest candle







Christmas dinner at my neighbor's house.  Christine is the best cook!




Mom and me in our New Year's hats




Christine's Christmas Dinner




Check out these deserts!




Who says its warm in Florida?




Mom and Dad join us for dinner on New Year's Day




Max made an apple pie. Mmmm...




I helped Phil and Christine decorate their tree




Love these huge Christmas decorations - they almost make up for the lack of snow.




Em loves all the partying.



Wellington, Florida Environmental Preserve

We visited the newly opened Wellington Environmental Preserve, located at 3499 Flying Cow Road.  Its a great place to take a walk, watch the birds, and get back to nature.

 We hiked out to the lookout tower (about a mile each way). It was easy to climb and the views were great.

The observation tower

View from the top



Judy & Sarah pause for a photo op




Native Sabal Palms and Dahoon Holly planted in the 365 acre preserve which also serves as a storage area for storm water runoff.



Chanukah Cookies



Sugar cookies, rugalah, and poppy seed cookies.



One of my favorite holiday traditions is to get together with my sister, Judy, for a bake-athon.  This year we combined cookie weekend with my parents 60th wedding anniversary, and baked Chanukah cookies.  The recipe for the poppy seed cookies came from my grandmother.

Sarah helped decorate the sugar cookies.   We pack up tins of cookies and give them away as gifts.  So glad we could have a cookie-weekend this year.

Floral Designs for an Art Show

I was invited to create a floral design for the desert table at an art show in our community.  I used the traditional Fall plant material - cattails, mums, safflower in a contemporary design.

My friend, Christine, made this floral design for the wine and cheese table.

The evening was so much fun - sipping a glass of wine, looking at the art, and meeting neighbors.

Serenity Garden Tea House and Cafe, W. Palm Beach, FL

What a great place for lunch or afternoon tea - The Serenity Garden Tea House in West Palm Beach.

Its located at 316 Vallette Way, near Flamingo Park.

There is a beautiful garden as you enter the restaurant

I always loved these flower bicycles.

We started with a tomato basil soup, enjoyed tea sandwiches, scones, and delicious deserts.

Each table is set differently - all are so inviting.  You can bring a crowd (we had 34) or go alone.  Can't wait to go back.

Visit to Tropical Garden in Flamingo Park, W. Palm Beach, FL

Buddah in the garden

African Land Tortoises

Tropical Plants have so much texture

A Seat by the Pool

The Front Garden




Coconut Towers

 


Crinum Lily Flower