Snow Bunnies



Lucifer



Lucy

Ok, the snow bunny in the middle was visiting my back yard last night.  He reminded me how Lucifer and Lucy turn into snow bunnies this time of the year in the Kingwood Herb Garden.  I saw them today as I was working on my peony project, and yes they had turned into seasonal snow bunnies.  Lucifer has been a long time resident of Kingwood.  He previously lived in the old herb garden when it was up closer to Kingwood Hall.  In 2009, when the herb garden moved down close to the rose garden, he followed and invited a friend.



Kingwood Center Christmas on YouTube

What an amazing job Jen D and John Makley did on this Christmas Video of Kingwood.  I was especially envious but am excited to see the picture of the Christmas tree mirror illusion.  Putting it to the music of Charles Applegate warms my heart.  This video is wonderful.  To see it click on the link below.

Christmas at Kingwood Center

Dreaming of Spring

ZZZZzzzzz  ZZZZzzzzz



Dreaming of Spring Glory

The peonies are asleep under a warm blanket of snow.  Kathy M and I are working on a project to make sure that each peony will have its own label come spring.  We were out in the garden this week scoping out the tags and marking on our map while listening closely to hear if they were snoring.  Although we may not have heard them in their slumbers, I am sure they are dreaming of a colorful spring.  And so am I.

Kingwood Gatherings - Kingwood's Volunteer Newsletter

My fifteen (or maybe just five) minutes of fame will present itself in the February/March issue of Kingwood Gatherings.  That's the Kingwood Volunteer Newsletter.  Last week I met up with Lynn H for my interview.  I was recluctant, but Lynn's articles are always great, so I hoped for the best.  Last issue she did was on Kathy M.  I consider Kathy a good friend and yet the article brought out things I hadn't yet discovered about her.

 Lynn does so many wonderful articles showcasing Kingwood Volunteers and she was such a blessing to me during my tour guide training that I couldn't have said no even if I wanted to.  I still get nervous thinking about that first tour I led.  Lynn graciously agreed to accompany me with the tour even after my training so I could be more at ease and really helped me out with giving facts about the house.  She also volunteers in the Kingwood Library, where I still have an overdue book that I need to return. (note to self)  It was great to be able to sit down and visit with her since we are rarely volunteering together. 

Well the article has been completed and it's on the way to Kay Hostetler.  I think Lynn did a good job expressing what Kingwood Center means to me and now I sit back and wait for my new found fame. 

Kingwood Center Flowers on YouTube

Discoverd this YouTube video posted recently.  It's more upbeat and faster  paced that the links I previouly posted.  It only lasts a minute and the flowers are beautiful.  So check it out by clicking on the link below.

Target Guy - Kingwood Flowers set to Music

Kingwood Center on YouTube

I have discovered two YouTube videos of Kingwood Center.  Links below:

kirstenlguthrie - August 25, 2009

gingerdots - June 8th, 2009

Not only are they beautifully done, but I especially enjoy them because 2009 was my first volunteer year at Kingwood.  Most of the annuals shown in Kirsten's video, I had a hand in planting.  Also, I lent a hand in weeding the display gardens on a weekly basis.  The display gardens change from year to year and I didn't take enough pictures at the time, but here in these lovely videos I find memories that bring back my first volunteer year in the gardens. It is wonderful that these two talented people composed their experience of Kingwood Center and shared it on YouTube.

Christmas Wrap-Up

The tree is down.  A progressive three day task.  Starting Tuesday (as I helped the Buckeye Garden Club take down decorations in the Reading Room) Bonnie H had herself perched on top of the ladder removing icicles.  She spent Wednesday morning up there as well as she was step one in an assembly line, in which ornaments came down to me (at the bottom of the ladder) and were handed off to Carol S, who sorted into boxes, which were taken into the workshop where Kay Hostetler and Judy counted and wrapped.  Bill Collins said by Carol S sorting the decorations as we took them off the tree it made the process much smoother this year.  Then came the lights.  Glenna Sheaffer sure knows how to put on 7,000 lights making the tree beautiful and a challenge to undo.  Lights were wrapped around every branch and wound through the tree.  We made it through the bottom half of the tree that day.  Little unknown fact is that there were actually 6,900 lights on the tree, but is sure seemed all of 7,000 as we took them off. 

On the third day, Bonnie worked on rewrapping lights, connecting the ends and boxing them up as Judy and Kay continued to work with ornaments.  I helped Lee and Shawn McClain with the remaining top half of the tree.  We were discussing how many lights were used for the season.  Shawn was calculating linear footage to come up with a number that I cannot remember.  He took into account the trees in every room, outside decorations and the crab apples.  Discussion was to put more lights on the crab apples next year. 

Kay left me a message on Thursday at 5:00 that Bill and herself just packed up the last box and with everyones diligent work from the last few days, we wouldn't need to come in on Friday.  So for our part, by January 6th, Kingwood Center Christmas 2010 was officially over.  

Kingwood Center is Closed for the Season

For 2010, we were able to take part in Kingwood Christmas Festivities, which was more that last year as Kingwood Hall was dark for the Christmas Season.  But again this year the gates will be closed for January and February  I fear this will be a new tradition.  I volunteered to help pack up the decorations, which keeps me around there for one more week. Will be working with the Buckeye Garden Club on Tuesday straightening up the Reading Room. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday it will just be whatever needs to get done.  I signed up the extra day on Friday just to work with Kathy M.  We have so much fun.

Onward to 2011 and let us see what that brings. 

Christmas Traditions - 2010 Year End

Volunteered in the House for New Years Eve.  When I arrived, Charles Applegate was on the piano, which was a nice surprise since it wasn't scheduled.  He finished his set with the song Auld Lang Syne.  I remember Christmas at Kingwood a couple years ago. (as the Kingwood Hall was closed for the season last year)  It was great, but this year was amazing because I was able to participate and wasn't just a spectator.  The garden clubs outdid themselves this year with a Traditional Christmas and I cannot wait to hear the theme for next year.  Picture left is of Mr. Charles Kelley King.