The Gante Garden: December 2006

This Amarillis has already lost these beautiful blooms and decided to grace us with a second set of it's massive flowers. Sometimes one just has to feel lucky to get some of natures "extra" treats

What a flower!!

I planted these guys outside all over the property, they are called Narcissus lilies. They are spring bulbs that come up in clusters from one bulb. They are very fragrant and people grow them inside as well. I put these in the dirt about a month and a half ago and because of the unseasonably warm weather almost all of the broke the surface and began to bloom. The sad part is that about two days after the blooming began we got back our winter weather. Now I have all these clusters of white flowers, bent over frozen solid. It's a cruel world!

We made a day trip to the upper Hudson Valley area. This is Bannerman Castle , located on a small island right below Poughkeepsie NY. It is an actually an abandond amunitions facility. we plan on returning in the spring for a day trip there.

There is actually a small train station there, and when I say small, well you literally have to take a dirt path to get to it. Yup, that's small!

So last weekend we decided to bring the kids down to Manhattan to see the Tree @ Rockafeeler Center and all the decorations on 5th ave. We were also treated to this great little light show in Grand Central Station. We'll little in New York terms, guess I'm a little jaded. But it was cool, the MTA took railroad and New York themes (i.e. railroad tracks, taxis, Chrysler building, etc..), made them into colidescope collages and shone them on the wall of the great room. Set to Xmas music it was very well done. The city as always this time of year was a mad house with many people conjesting the areas around all the attractions. but throughout it all the kids just had that look of wonder on thier faces that made it all worth it.

Rosie chillin on the train on the comute in.

Ella jean proudly displaying her train ticket!

EJ stealing a free ride around Time Square, in the NYC!

The world famous Xmas tree in Rockafeller Center! This is from a block away and the thing still looked enormous!
Mommy pointing out some stuff in Times Square.

I want these ornaments!

Another shot of that little sappling!

I thought this was great, they use instuments to make the tree in this display. Maybe it's just the fact that I'm a musician, but this one was very cool.

This one was in a whole series of window displays with a icey dolly theme. The girls went crazy! Thankfully it kept them distracted from the build-a-bear store across the street! whew!