Thoughtful musings on various topics by interesting people at Blithewold

Italian Tiles & The Brokaw Clock

Italian Tiles  A box of left-over tiles from the Breakfast Porch was recently discovered in the basement. They revealed that these much-admired pink poppy tiles were made in Italy sometime around the turn of the twentieth century and … Read more.

Fall idyll

Back when I first started here at Blithewold I remember Gail saying that fall was her favorite season. As a perennial lover of spring I thought that was a little strange and it made me … Read more.

The Stickley Room

Newer members may think we have a new room at Blithewold – the small room across from Augustine’s on the second floor. Older members may reminisce and recognize that it is now exactly as it … Read more.

Slow flowers at Robin Hollow Farm

I often tell people that we’re too busy in the gardens to get out much. That might sound like a complaint but it’s not. For one thing, I hate to miss anything here, and when … Read more.

What to do with asparagus foliage

I haven’t spent a lot of time in the vegetable garden this summer — Dan has been right on top of the planting, the weeds, and the harvests — but this week I found myself … Read more.

Constructive criticism

Our to-do list in September is blissfully short. The gardens are as lush as can be and just need to be coaxed along until frost or until we’re ready to start moving plants around (musical … Read more.

A Dog’s Life at Blithewold

This amusing article was written by our dear friend and colleague, Mary Philbrick, eleven years ago.  It is as charming today as it was then! Blithewold’s Great Lawn is a perfect place for dogs to … Read more.

In transition

Change is in the air. Gail is always the first to point out how the light has shifted — it is well into its golden slide to the south now. So pretty. And although this … Read more.

So glad about summer bulbs

If this had been a “normal” summer (is there any such thing?) by now we would probably be feeling beat by the heat. The gardens might have started to look sun scorched, faded, and dusty … Read more.

August blooms

I’m so glad it’s Garden Bloggers Bloom Day today because I can’t think of a better way to celebrate my return to the gardens after a week’s vacation. And looking back in my archives here … Read more.