Longwood Winter..

Beauty does exist in winter.

I just have to look for it. 

J and I walked around outside at Longwood Gardens

before we went into the conservatory. I really was surprised at how much there was to see. 

The Gardener's Tree

This tree was at the entrance to the main building. It consisted of grape vine baskets and "nests" of red balls. So pretty.

The evergreen arrangements were so pretty.

Cypress "knees" - I have never seen these before (but then again it isn't like I have been around a lot of cypress trees in my lifetime!) These are part of the roots, and there are many theories as to their purpose. I was fascinated by them, and nearly crossed the rope fence to get closer. 

The reminded me of people huddled together. Children, adults, couples, families. 

Odd faceless humans. Creepy, yet fascinating at the same time.

J decided, inside or out, this was his favorite tree. 

It is a "bird" tree, everything on it edible for our aviary friends. 

The golden color was vibrant against the green. 

I told him he has a whole year to plan ours in the back yard! 

A view of the lake through one of the panes in a window in one of the treehouses. 

This is a fountain in the spring. Can.not.wait.to.come.see.it 

The "tree" consists of large wire balls. 

Another "tree house" 

And another natural tree. 

Tiny gourd ornaments, and twigs. 

There were a few of these Dr Suess-esque metal art wrapped around the trees. 

And then there is this gorgeous specimen. 

And then, on to the inside........

Beauty in the Blah

"I love summertime more than anything else in the world. That is the only thing that gets me through the winter, knowing that summer is going to be there."~~Jack McBrayer

Anyone that knows me, knows, winter is not my favorite season by any stretch of the imagination. 

The lack of color.

The lack of warm.

The short days.

The grey skies. 

I feel myself physically react.

I want to hibernate.

So, one thing I have decided to try to do, is find the beauty in it somewhere.

Enter longwoodgardens.org

I was here 20 years ago, and being too young to truly appreciate it, barely remember. 

Christmas at Longwood Gardens! 

Boy, can I appreciate it now. 

Jim and I took the time to walk through the outside gardens, before we went into the conservatory for the Christmas decor, and before we walked through at night for the lights.

I call these shots "Beauty in the Blah". 

Proving to myself that even lacking their normal color....

texture can be beautiful too. 

I believe these are a type hydrangea. 

Wisteria - twisted beauty even bare.

As interesting as it is now, I can not WAIT to see this in the spring.

COLOR! 

Soon my pretty, soon. The mountain laurel buds start to form in the fall, and hang on through the winter in order to open in the spring. I figure if they can do it, so can I.  While not one of my favorites, green IS a color. 

Another hydrangea....the individual flowers are interesting when dry......

Don't you notice the texture of the stone a little more than you would if the flowers were in bloom? Notice the moss?

And of course, the arrangements of the greens they place throughout the gardens were beautiful in their own way. 

There ARE different shades of Blah! 

What is left when the petals are gone. Pretty little stars, twinkle in their own way.

Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Therefore, I will do my best to appreciate what beauty there is in the cold, dark grey skies of the coldest months of the Northeast winter. 

But that does not mean I can't dream of warmer days, seed packets and  vibrant color in my gardens. As well as, plot my next trip to Longwood gardens to see that meadow in full bloom!