20 Oct
Autumn in Virginia, one of the most beautiful places to visit during foliage season. It has arrived in full abundance in the Promise Gardens and in our local and favorite gardens to visit. We visited Meadowlark Botantic Gardens several weeks ago for a photoshoot and could not take our eyes (and cameras) off the beauty before us. Here is a glimpse:
And for real treat, a video set to lovely music:
25 Sep
The colors of autum are amazing…what a beautiful palette of warm colors that create a mood for candlight dinners before a sparkling fireplace, romatic walks through forests and gardens with falling leaves crunching under your feet. The air is filled with spices of fall…enjoy the season of color!
23 Sep
The falling leaves
Drift by my window
The falling leaves
Of red and gold…
3 Sep
ROSES, their sharp spines being gone,
Not royal in their smells alone,
But in their hue;
Maiden pinks, of odour faint,
Daisies smell-less, yet most quaint,
And sweet thyme true;
Primrose, firstborn child of Ver;
Merry springtime’s harbinger,
With her bells dim;
Oxlips in their cradles growing,
Marigolds on death-beds blowing,
Larks’-heels trim;
All dear Nature’s children sweet
Lie ‘fore bride and bridegroom’s feet,
Blessing their sense!
Not an angel of the air,
Bird melodious or bird fair,
Be absent hence!
The crow, the slanderous cuckoo, nor
The boding raven, nor chough hoar, 20
Nor chattering pye,
May on our bride-house perch or sing,
Or with them any discord bring,
But from it fly!
William Shakespeare. 1564–1616
10 Aug
“A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways
Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits. Such the sun, the moon,
Trees old and young, sprouting a shady boon
For simple sheep; and such are daffodils
With the green world they live in; and clear rills
That for themselves a cooling covert make
‘Gainst the hot season; the mid forest brake,
Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms:
And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we have heard or read:
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink.”
John Keats, Endymion, Book I
6 Aug
The beautiful gardens of the Viette’s we had the privilege of photographing. The Viette’s books and great radio program is instrumental for any modern gardener. We loved the festival and beauty of his gardens. If you are in the area of Fishersville, Virginia, be sure to go for a visit. His website is Viette.com.
6 Aug
The Historic Promise Gardens of Winchester in bloom. We are working on our new gallery for the 2009 Rose & Flower Show which is forthcoming. Until then, enjoy the beauty of our full garden video!
29 Jun
What’s new in the Promise Gardens? We have been super busy working in the gardens, garden shows, photoshoots and preparing for the Children’s Photoshoot in July! We did find a bit of time to plant our usual favorites for summer — veggies! There is just something really special about fresh “I grew them myself” in the garden veggies and herbs! Try it!
1 Jun
JoyPals Design Studio
A red rose and poem for your June 1! It is a time for roses, weddings, strawberries and all things joyful! Photographing my Promise Gardens is a delight of sight, color and sound. Magnificent is God’s creation. I have dressed this rose already in glorious array in royal radiance!
ROSES, their sharp spines being gone,
Not royal in their smells alone,
But in their hue;
Maiden pinks, of odour faint,
Daisies smell-less, yet most quaint,
And sweet thyme true…
_William Shakespeare
