Flowers at the Public Garden

In Boston there are 2 gardens --the Public Garden & "the Boston Garden". The Public Garden was started in 1837, the country's first botanical garden. Palms in the garden......

Allium--aren't they beautiful--Makes me want to plant some in my yard!

And the Swan boats...For over 130 years, the Swan Boats have been a part of the Boston experience. As a welcome sign of Spring, they grace the waters of the Boston Public Garden . Famed in the stories Make Way for Ducklings and The Trumpet of the Swan, the Swan Boats are the only boats of their kind in the world. These are run by pedal power--the operator pedals the boat around a lagoon in the Garden. They were created and are still run by the Paget family.

Now the other Boston Garden....it was built in 1928 and demolished in 1997. It was the home of the Boston Bruins & Celtics and showplace of the circus & the Ice Capades. I have many fond memories of going to different games & shows there.

Flashback--One year ago

Last year at this time we were in Alaska on what was probably a once in a lifetime trip. We really enjoyed it & have said we'd love to go back, but in reality know there are so many other places we haven't been that we'd like to visit so the chances of going back there are slim. if we won the lottery.......someone in CT won $25 million last night in powerball....... Glaciers in College Fjord area--taken about 5 am on the 1st full day of the cruise.

One of the amazing sunsets--at about 10:30 pm!

Another view of some of the glaciers.....

Seen around the city.....

Never seen gold teeth advertised in a jewelry store window--I think this is one that been around for years, guess it's what they have a demand for....

Spotted this place a block away from the State House--it's ....a steakhouse!

Historic Boston

A few shots from our walk around Boston. The weather was beautiful so we covered alot of ground--from Quincy market & the North End to the Common & the Public Garden & everywhere in between! Massachusetts State House is the oldest building on Beacon Hill. The building and its grounds cover two city blocks. The Bulfinch Front faces south, its red brick walls, white pillars and trim, and golden dome catching the sun in every season.

Old South Meeting House--- From the meeting of more than 5,000 colonists on December 16, 1773, which started the Boston Tea Party, to the present, the Old South Meeting House has been an important gathering place for nearly three centuries.

Custom House Tower--Boston's first skyscraper. The building was initially completed in 1847, with the twenty-six floor tower added in 1913. The original design was that of a Greek temple, with Doric columns on all four sides, and a large domed roof. Before land reclamation was done in the mid-1800s, Boston's waterfront had extended right to this building.

New England Aquarium

I shot a few short videos of the large tank at the aquarium--was easier than trying to catch the fish as they went around!

New England Aquarium Jellies

Just a little teaser--I took quite a few photos all over Boston yesterday--some at the Aquarium, some historic spots others. Taking photos in the aqariums wasn't easy--I tried to bone up online looking for how to tips--didn't help much _- i had figured it out by the

time we were ready to leave there! I did take some videos & will try to put some up on YOuTube later.

Off to Boston...

Going to Boston for the day today with a friend. One of the libraries in our area is running a bus trip up. Don't think the weather is going to be that great, but we are planning to go to the New England Aquarium for a few hours & then probably shopping. I grew up about 10 miles outside of Boston, so I spent alot of time there until I went away to college. Even worked in the city a few summers. used to love to go on the swan boats in the Public Garden.......
Hope to get some good photos to share!

Jammin'

It was raining again yesterday morning & I decided I didn't feel like going out anywhere. So I thought I'd get started on some jam making...A friend had given me some rhubarb last week & I had readied a portion of it for making strawberry-rhubarb jam. The prep work really takes longer than the actual jam making. First got the lids and rings ready. Then I got the strawberries and the rhubarb set. I had frozen the rhubarb last week; just had to crush & measure the strawberries today. Measure out the sugar, wash the jars, get out the pectin, get out the steam canner.

Here's a photo of the jam before it went into the jars--one batch is about 8 -8oz. jars--takes about 1 1/2 hrs. from start to finish.

And the finished product....Then I decided I was on a roll so I'd make 4 dozen oatmeal chocolate chip cookies! That was it for the day. Have enough strawberries to make a few more batches of jam--strawberry, strawberry-pineapple, strawberry-banana....

Ladder Ball anyone?

Had a few friends over last weekend & one brought the game "Ladder Ball" for everyone to try. We had a tournament of sorts going most of the afternoon!

I had never heard of the game, but it was easy to pick up ..... most worked up quite a thirst in this fun competition!

In the few sunny hours we had the other day I spotted this butterfly outside on the rhododendron--hurried to get my camera, hoping it wouldn't fly away before I got outside! Obviously it was liking the plant--it stayed around for awhile!

Then I spotted this bug on the steps--it would fly around a little so I waited for it to stop for a second.....I couln't get much closer; tried, but it flew away! Hopefully we will have some warmer sunny days soon--that's when the butterflies & interesting bugs are out!

A few new blooms...

My poppies finally bloomed this weekend--all the other ones around here are already passed. We are in a hollow so my stuff is always later. And my clematis--this flower is huge--saucer sized!

Through the macro lens...

Love to try out the macro lens & saw this bug on a white rose--the contrast is great!

Some of the locals.....

Over the weekend I was driving down a road I don't frequent & came upon a small herd of cows. Of course, I pulled over to take some photos! The grass was pretty high; this lovely lady was partially hidden! This one took a break from chewing to stare at me! I walked a little too fast at one point & they all got a bit spooked & went a little further down the field. The family that owned the farm was out across the street--they had just hayed the pasture over there.

Some unusual varieties of roses

I don't think I've ever seen roses of this type before. This one is called "Fourth of July" and was tri-colored, climbing type rose

The next one is called Scentimental Floribunda rose --I'd never seen a striped one like this. I may have to try a& find some of these to purchase--roses seem to do well in my yard-- have 3 or 4 growing now.

Just an overview of another part of the Garden

And more roses...

It was early enough in the morning (9:30 am) that there was still dew or rain left on many of the petals. I find the contrast of the opened rose & the still closed bud interesting, especially when they are different colors.

A shot of one of the many benches & climbing roses.

One of my favorites--I think it was called "Mardi Gras"

It was a volunteer day in the garden--people were cleaning out the beds in anticipation of Rose weekend which is June-19th-21st.

Roses, Roses & more Roses!

I had a fun time yesterday at Eliabeth Park! It wasn't too crowded 1st thing in the morning, but there was a group that seemed to be a camera club of some sort. All had lots of fancy equipment & little rolling baskets with the stuff in it! Most were spending 15 minutes+ lining up their shots while I was going from bush to bush & snapping off shots left & right!

I'm sure they took some fabulous shots--I know some that I took had too much sunlight so they didn't come out as I had hoped!

I love to try & capture the bees on the flowers, too. I only used the macro lens on my camera instead of switching off , so I did miss out on a few opportunities--the macro will take a regular shot, but tends to focus on one part of a scene.