This isn’t the first time I’ve sung the praises of Longwood Gardens. It truly is one of our favorite places to go, of course it’s helpful that it’s right around the corner.

Here, in no particular order are our top five reason for loving Longwood Gardens.

1) It gets us out in the fresh air. The kids love to run around outside but often get bored if they’re in the backyard. Longwood offers them a place to play that is much cooler than our backyard. If you’ve seen our backyard you’ll know that’s saying a lot.

2) There is plenty for the kids to see and do so they NEVER get bored. Between the Children’s garden, the tree houses and all the other interesting things going on we can see something a little different every time we visit. Whenever I ask the boys if they want to go to Longwood they ALWAYS say yes!

3) It’s three minutes from the house. Something close to home AND fun, talk about a win win for someone with active little boys. There is very little planning that needs to go into a trip to the gardens for us.

4) Everyone is so friendly! You know when you go places and there are people working that must hate life because they’re so miserable? I have NEVER found anyone at Longwood Gardens like that. Every single employee is friendly and more than willing to talk to you about whatever it is you happen to be looking at. They’re also extremely knowledgeable and full of fun facts. The best part…They’re great with kids.

Even the cat is friendly at Longwood Gardens!

5) No matter what time of year it is there is always something to see. I overheard an employee telling another employee that they have two seasons at Longwood Gardens, fireworks and Christmas lights. I thought that was a great way to put it. All summer long there are fireworks and fountain shows. This summer we were lucky enough to have a magnificent light display by British artist Bruce Munro. Nothing short of amazing. The wintertime is great to visit the awesome train display and of course the lights.

We love Longwood Gardens and have been members there for a past few years. If you’re local, buy a membership and go often, you won’t be sorry you did.

Not local? Do you have any fun places like Longwood Gardens near you?

Attack of the killer pumpkins.

About six weeks ago I gave you a little peek at our pumpkins. They were taking over the entire bed and choking out everything in their path.

Well, not much has changed and they continue to amaze me with just how big they are getting. Last week Bill even cut them back since they had taken over part of the lawn.

The top part of the photo below was the pumpkin six weeks ago and the bottom part is now. It’s grown quite a bit hasn’t it?

The white roses I was so worried about are gone. I’m wondering if they’ll make a come back next year when we DON’T plant a gigantic man eating pumpkin plant there? There was actually a vine that grew through one of my pink rose bushes. Who knew pumpkins were so ruthless?!?

We’ve had to trim back some of the vines that were growing near the steps since they were starting to make using the steps dangerous. Just about the entire wall has been covered in pumpkiny vines. I swear, I wouldn’t be surprised if I woke up one morning and found my house completely incased in pumpkin vines.

The Wall

Look at those vines just dangling, another week and they’ll reach the driveway.

It’s hard to see where it all began.

I guess I really can’t complain since there are already twelve pumpkins and more little buds to come. By the time fall gets here I’m going to be like Bubba from Forrest Gump…Pumpkin pie, pumpkin soufflé, pumpkin soup, pumpkin bread, baked pumpkin, spiced pumpkin…

We are going to save a ton on the trip to the pumpkin patch. Just the hayride for us thanks!

Have you ever grown your own pumpkins? Did it work out well for you?