Christmas Traditions - Jim Smith on Piano in Drawing Room

Time is counting down and there is only one more day of the Christmas Traditions theme at Kingwood Center.    Last night was a lot of fun volunteering in the house.  Kathy M and Mary Lou M (my neighbor cross the street) were both there with me.  Same crew as day after Christmas.  Unfortunately is was slow from 5:30 to 6:00, but that gave the three of us time for a fun visit.  Once visitors come, we place ourselves one upstairs (me), one in the assembly room (Mary Lou) and Kathy was the greeter - money/ticket taker.   Sometimes the hostesses switch shifts on the hour, but this system worked for us last time, so we stuck with it.  

Well, while I had abandoned my post upstairs, it turns out the Grinch came and took just one light from the Christmas tree in the Drawing Room.  Of course that made the whole strand go out.  John Makley put Doug McCraken to work on it as the guest entertainer  Jim Smith was fixin to play the piano for our musical enjoyment right there in the drawing room.  This room gave me my second scare of the season, just like at the Christmas party.  As I was talking to Jim, I saw movement at behind the tree and almost screamed as at first I overlooked Doug  as a manikin.  First Jim and I played the game what is wrong with this tree.  Jim got it first, I had to be told.  Then I blinded Doug M with my picture flash.  After that, Doug M went back to work.  Tree issue was resolved,  visitors started to arrive, and Jim started to play. 


The music was lovely and Jim took requests from the visitors.  Everyone commented on how much they enjoyed his playing.  I was lucky to have been scheduled to volunteer during his performance as it was rescheduled from December 12, cancelled due to ice.  Here is a link to his web site.  I looked it up this morning and copied this part as I found it interesting.


  Jim Smith

Jim recently released an album, under the pen name of Brandon St. James (www.brandonstjames.com) which features 12 of his original compositions. The recording, “Only Dreamers Understand” covers such a wide variety of musical styles (pop, folk, ballads, jazz) that it’s hard to narrow down into a description of just one musical style. A multi-instrumentalist and experienced session musician, Jim plays all of the instruments on the recording (except for drums on 4 of the selections), and covers all of the vocal parts – including the backing harmonies.

Winter Wonderland Tour - Interest in the Winter Garden

A tour of the grounds, showcasing areas and plants with a winter interest.  Resceduled from earlier in the month due to too much snow along with ice.  Just Kathy M and I showed up for the walk.  Considering both of us are already familiar with roaming the gardens, John Makley was a good sport to take us out tromping through the snow anyway.  Bonnie H would have probably been on the tour as well, but she was hostessing in the house at that time, scheduled to do that before the tour was rescheduled.  The walk took us through the woodland garden, perennial garden and up through the terrace garden.  The terrace garden, close to the fountain, is where I took this paperbark picture.

Kathy M was interested in the winter color of dogwood. 

I found an appreciation for winter willow.  I may not have an opinion on willow in summer, but the reddishness of the branches make it stunning in winter.  Kingwood has nice clusters of willow.  Is it called a cluster?  Maybe grouping?  Anyway this is an eye catching patch of willow.  It is cut down to the ground every year and regrows to this height

Among other things, we noticed oak trees keep some of their leaves, although brown and dead on their branches.  Blue Spruce can easily be overlooked in summer, but stands out in a winter scape. Grasses can be left standing to give visual interest.  Also learned why the rhododendron curls its leaves in winter.  It is to conserve water by reducing the leave surface exposed for evaporation.  Huh.

At the end of the tour, John let me view a book by Rosemary Verey titled The Garden in Winter for some additional reading.  It also has gorgeous pictures. 

Duck Angel

Christmas Eve Day is a magical time.  Here I caught a picture of a duck angel hovering over the duck pond.

Christmas Traditions - Home for the Holidays in Drawing Room

Decorated by Late Bloomers Garden Club.  During the open house, we had the pleasure of hearing Charles Applegate play.  Though I couldn't get a picture then, he played twice more and so, I was able to get a snapshot.  The piano isn't an original, but what a nice addition for times like this.  The decoration of this room must have been a collaborative effort because of the businesses thanked for lending many of the posed family members from places about town.

So this is how I think this must play out, here is a little girl looking out at the deer looking in.  It must have been a reindeer checking things out because when I went back Rudolph was looking in the window.

As I hostessed in the house, I saw how much the little ones really loved this room.  It depicted a traditional family Christmas, which showcased some of their favorite things about the season.  They squealed when they would see the deer looking in and one little boy came up to me so very excited that he saw Santa's legs in the fireplace.  He wanted to make sure that I knew Santa was there.  And I guess Santa was checking to see and deemed me nice this year since my membership card came to me laminated.

Christmas Workshops

As I mentioned a few times already, I had attended the Kingwood workshop to make a Christmas wreath.  Kay Hostettler led the class and I had  good fortune to be able to sit next to and collaborate with Nancy P.  A picture of my partially assembled wreath.  We got to choose either a sugar or plain apple and gold or silver theme.

Another time, I was hostessing in the house and also was able to take some pictures of the Snowman Mug Workshop. This was a child/parent workshop.  Carol A started the workshop off with a great Russian Christmas story and some active songs.  She sure knows how to get the attention of a crowd of kids and parents alike.  Since my son has been grown a while, it reminded me of what seems now like long ago story times.  

Bill Collins directed the kids on how to get started.  I was in awe with some of their arrangements as a child's creativity puts mine to shame.  For some reason, nearly every kid there was able to create a better bow than I had in my workshop.  Oh well. 

Christmas Traditions - An Old Fashioned Christmas Diner in Dining Room

Designed by the Art of Gardening of Ashland.

The garden club used images of Father Christmas to transport visitors back in time.  Of course, they also had the perfect room to accomplish the feat.   The Dining Room, now used as a board room remains similar to how it was in the 30's and 40's.  The wall paper is hand printed and was imported from France especially for this room.  Chandeliers and sconces are Waterford crystal and the chairs are 19th century.  Of course Mr. King's china, crystal and flatware are settings for the table.

Snow

I love that sticky wet snow that clings to the trees (and in the right temperatures makes a good snowman).  It has its drawbacks though.  As in if you have to shovel it or drive in it.  Unfortunately a sticky snow fall occurred on the day scheduled for the Interest in the Winter Garden Tour and it had to be rescheduled to the 26th. I did get out to the gardens soon afterward to get a winter photo in the perennial garden.

I am aware of the damages freezing ice can have on tree branches, but I guess I didn't realized that the snow can be damaging as well, until I noticed the guys were diligently removing the heavy snow from the hedges.  My arms were aching just watching them push the snow with brooms.  As I fed the ducks, it seemed they made quick work of it and moved on to another project. 

Christmas Traditions - Williamsburg Style in Hallway

Designed by Pleasant Vally Garden Club.  Designs used American Holly, Winterberry Holly, Fruit and Boxwood.  Additionally, the red lights were round and looked like glowing berries. Included also are hedge apples. (green bumpy fruit shown on left side of stand and pictured below).  So many people asked me if those were edible that I did a little research.  Also called Osage Oranges they are neither apples or oranges but a family of the mulberry. 

Not eaten due to their irritating latex-like sap and bitter taste.   A folk remedy is to use them to repel spiders.

Christmas Traditions - Natures Bounty in Reading Room

Designed by Buckeye Garden Club.  As in my previous blog about decorating the reading room, it is as awesome as the garden club that created it. I did help some as I did a few small dried flower clusters, which were used in the tree.  Marylin C stored many of the dried items until decorating.  Popcorn strands, dried oranges and so many things to bring out the home spun design.  I think the gold balls in the milkweed pods are so very clever.  They add just the right amount of glam.

The fluffy seeded insides of the milkweed pods were put in clear glass vases and covered in saran wrap.  The effect is wonderful and was used throughout the room. 

I have to showcase the birch bark and wreath that Elin D created.  This time however I get to share a picture of my good friend Kathy M as seen in the mirrored reflection.  We toured the house together as soon as it was open.

Christmas Traditions - The Christmas Tree in Flower Room

Decorated by Country Meadow Garden Club. 

This green and white themed room is a visitor favorite. For the colors, magnolia leaves on the wreath, tree topper of peacock feathers and when looking into the mirror, the tree image bounces to create the illusion of a tree row.  In past years, the tree has been placed farther back in the window and so didn't give this illusion. A new discovery this year.  I tried a few times but couldn't get a good picture of the effect.  I think the tree illusion is great, but my favorite part of the room is still the peacock tree topper. 

Christmas Traditions - Invitational Design in Assembly Room (Table Settings)

It is awesome that Kingwood invites creative people to show off beautiful table settings.  Not that it's much homage, but puts me in mind of when I used to get out the red and white checked table cloth for spaghetti night.  Maybe someday I can work my way up to this type of seasonal elegance.  Seeing these designs gives me inspiration to give it some thought and strive for a little more.

Designed by Carol T                 Designed by Silver S



Christmas Traditions - Winter Sports in Librarian's Office

Decorated by the Friends and Flowers garden club. 

The librarian's office used to be Mr. King's office.

Visitors talk about getting skates out of the basement for next years decorating.  The creative evergreen tucked in ice skates design will be copied in many homes.  

I really liked the copper colors used in the theme. There were many examples, but I absolutely love these shinny acorns with glittery tops.

Christmas Traditions - Invitational Designs in Assembly Room (Buckeye Garden Club)

Both these eye catching invitational designs came from members of the Buckeye Garden Club.  I am getting to know both these ladies as I joined the club end of this year.  Seeing these arrangements, would it be a surprise to say one of the club activities each year is flower arranging.  A little intimidating with my limited experience.  The infamous "they" say learn from the best and I think the woman in this club have a lot of talent and creativity as shown in these designs. 

Elin D's design on the left is in shiny gold.  I saw her place three times this year with flower arranging in the Harvest Fall Festival.  She also created the wreath hanging over the fire place in the reading room this season.

Helen M's design on the right is shimmery silver and looks like the snowflakes would come to life with a gentle wind. 

Christmas Traditions - 50's Christmas in Herb Library

Designed by Flower Garden Club of Ashland, the Herb Library used to be a powder room for visiting ladies.  This room has all the bling.  A silver Christmas tree, that many a visitor remembers either having or some one else having, along with a hostess dressed to party.  I am curious who was the dress coordinator.

The punch bowl looks inviting and I  just like the picture on the right showing the tree in mirror.  I may have to find out more about who decorated this room.

Update on dress and manikin.  As I hostessed in house last night (12/30), I visited with a person from the Ashland Heritage Society.  Turns out the manikin and dress are on loan from there.  How clever it was for the Flower Garden Club of Ashland to look to the Heritage Society.

Christmas Traditions - Invitational design in Assembly Room (Tree of Angles)

Tree decorated by Shelby Garden Club.  The beautiful angle floating on top of the tree catches your eye as you first walk into the Assembly Room.  The cleverness of the cloud-like tree skit, draws you closer.  Yards of tulle are piled under the tree through which tiny white lights twinkle.  Many angles sit among the tree branches.

Christmas Traditions - Gingerbread House in Libary

by Mansfield Garden Club 

Michael L., an architect from Columbus, created a scale model of Kingwood Hall.  Gingerbread was baked with his wife's help and the Mansfield Garden Club decorated and assembled the house.  It is amazing to see, but becomes magical at night as a warm glow luminates from the windows.  If a gingerbread Kingwood Hall isn't enough for awe, the gingerbread men standing on hedge apples and a tree decorated entirely from handmade ornaments should be enough. 

The hair on the gingerbread men was formed by using a garlic press and the candy cane hearts are adorable.  My guy really liked how the packages under the tree were wrapped in brown paper with ribbon.   

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kingwood-Center/111714172198185

Check out the two minute video of how to make a Kingwood Hall gingerbread house on Kingwood's Official facebook page.

Christmas Traditions - Night Before Christmas on Balustrade

Decorated by Kay Hostetler's group of Kingwood Volunteers.  Co-chairs Mary Jo H. and Nancy D. lead the group (which included Nancy P, Mirium B and Margie R among others) to create the climbing story of the Night Before Christmas.  The story begins and ends with these lovely paper banners created by Nancy D.

The Balustrade looks to be marble, but is actually a faux marbling.  Wood painted using feathers to create the marble effect.  Volunteers carefully protected the balustrade before placing the garland and story cards, which ascend around the tree and to the third floor completing the tale.

Christmas Traditions - Sleigh Ride at Doors of Kingwood Hall

Display designed by Heritage Garden Club.  This is a festive first, as electricity was put in this year to allow the night time glow of lit reindeer.  A regal gentleman guides a sleigh to the front doors of Kingwood Hall.  One evening as my guy and I were admiring the display, a youngster was pointing out to his family that the gentleman looked quite a bit like Lincoln. 

Christmas Traditions - Invitational design in Assembly Room (Snowman Tree)

Decorated by the Kingwood Herb Society.  Every type of snowman graces the tree.  Most of the snowman are taken from Bonnie H's collection.  Carol S, Pat H, Anne W, Arlene B and Bonnie H created a tree of snowman magic.  What amazing ideas can be found on this tree.

My two favorite ornaments are the pine cone snowman and the snowman made from ceramic.