Thoughtful musings on various topics by interesting people at Blithewold

Memory book portraits

The to-do list might be difficult to prioritize right now that everything needs doing, but when the faces all around us look lovely and the light is just right, the best (if not the number … Read more.

Picking up the pace

This spring is feeling exactly like one of those Jack-in-the-box wind-up toys. The crank handle has been winding … winding … winding … winding until just when I gave up really expecting it anymore, it … Read more.

Full swing into spring

Blithewold is chock-a-block full of spring and it just keeps getting better – and by better, I mean springier by the minute. And because the weather is forecast to stay on the cool side, the … Read more.

Being narcissistic

There’s no doubt now that this is the week for narcissists at Blithewold. Even if daffodils aren’t your thing (perish the thought!) you’d have to admit that so many open all at once is a … Read more.

The Real Rameses the Great

Speaking of Rameses the Great, no ancient figure had a greater impact on during Marjorie’s trip than the pharaoh Rameses II, perhaps the greatest king ever to rule Egypt. Towards the end of her trip … Read more.

Subthig’s bloomig

Besides the visible beauties in bloom like the daffodils (about halfway towards peak!), forsythia, Cornelian cherry, maples and spicebush, my nose knows there are other less visible blooms too. Evergreens like Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa), … Read more.

Wherefore art thou?

The daffodils are definitely on their way towards peak and if I had to guess I’d still predict that peak will be perfectly timed during next week’s school vacation. (see below for the latest “daff … Read more.

Early days

We open officially for the season starting tomorrow (!) and the daffodils are just beginning to open up. You know what they say about early birds … and, says me, there’s definitely something to be … Read more.

Ready… set…

Even though the gardens and grounds are open year-round, we try to look our very-extra-best for the official opening of the mansion and the true start to our summer (please let us have spring first!) … Read more.