The buffet at Saffron Patch was delicious, it was unfair that I was only able to eat two plates before being full. Marc and I both found that the vegetarian dishes were our favorites. I need these recipes. Somehow I don't think I'll be finding as much fabulous ethnic food in ND.
It was chilly and overcast when we got to Holden, perfect hiking weather. The first plant collection we saw was the "Arthur S. Holden Hedge Collection". For some reason this really cracked us up. I guess it just seems a bit boring to have a collection of hedgerows named after you. Too bad I didn't have a wide enough lens to get a good shot of the wide variety of hedgerows. It looked like a landscaping catalog brought to life.
This was my favorite tree- a weeping beech. It formed a natural shelter. Best hideaway ever.
Lilacs are Marc's favorite. They smelled heavenly. He wouldn't mind this collection being named after him.
I was fascinated by huge lengths of cut bamboo laid out on one of the lawns. I'm not sure what they were doing with it, but I'd never seen such thick and tall stands of bamboo. Just beautiful.
I am already mourning the loss of the intensely green springs we have here in Ohio. I know it won't quite be the same when we move. I'll have to come back for visits in the spring just to drink in the vibrant colors.
We loved watching this redwinged blackbird. I never got a good shot where you could see the beautiful coloration on his wings, but I liked this silhouette against the overcast sky.
The crabapples were glorious.
I'm also going to miss Ohio's state bird: the cardinal.
We followed this cute goose and gander who apparently liked the hiking trails and were leaving lots of little surprises that we had to carefully step over. They seemed like an affectionate old couple. The gander had a bit of a limp and a rumpled tail feather. We enjoyed watching them waddle around.
A flowering Buckeye tree. I don't think I'd ever noticed how pretty they are in the spring.
So happy with my Mother's Day gift.
It was too cold for the butterflies to be out and about in the butterfly garden but I loved seeing the charming ironwork on the garden gate.
I'll be posting more pics of our bucket list activities. Have I mentioned how much we have loved Cleveland? If you've never been, it should be on your bucket list.
You're so clever with your writing. However, I don't believe that it has convinced me to apply! Sounds like "you have your hands full" (how often do you hear that?? Like 500 times on every outing, even when you DON'T have all of your children with you...I do!). I'm sure that your children will soon realize the gem of a mother that they got!
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