I've been awarded the "Green-thinker" Award!

I been awarded the green thinker award by Michelle from http://ramblingwoods.com/. I had posted a comment on another bloggers blog about what our company does (building "green" LEED buildings) and Michelle posted on my blog about this award!

Thank you Michelle! Everyone think green!

I've started the "holiday" book reading!

Last night I started reading Holiday Grind by Cleo Coyle. This book is from the Coffee House Mystery series. It is good so far and I hear that it will not disappoint! I have read all but one book from this series, which is on my to read mountain. The other holiday reads I've got on the pile and I will read this holiday season is Angel Lane, A Crossword in a Pear Tree and I think I have one more on the pile too but I can't remember the title. I'm sure I'll be adding more to that pile too. When I'm done with Holiday Grind, I'm going to have a giveaway for it. Everyone happy reading!

Pictures of the Botanical Garden Visit

Sunday John and I took my parents to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Gaston County, North Carolina. This garden is only about 25 mins. from our home. I had taken my Mom there in June. There weren't many flowers blooming but there were beautiful seed pods, ornaments grasses, fountains and berries there. I want to go back between 11/27-the end of December. They were putting all the lights up in the gardens and hanging them from trees and pergolas for the holidays. It should look beautiful at night! Here are some pictures I took while we were there.


When you walk into the entrance of the building you are standing under this beautiful stained glass dome!


The is the center of that dome. It is absolutely gorgeous.


This is a picture of my Dad and I. My Dad never likes his picture taken so this was something that he agreed to this! Look how tall the ornamental grasses are! I am 5'9 1/2" and it is towering way over my head!!


Here is a view of the gardens.


Outside the conservatory where they house all the orchids they have 2 of these beautiful coach lamps on lightpoles. They are really beautiful.


There is a wall filled with orchids! They are all so beautiful. Next are a few of the specimens that were growing on the wall.












Next to the wall of orchids was this beautiful waterfall. The water cascades over the stones and drops about 15' to a beautiful pool. All the orchids on the wall reflect in the water and look so gorgeous!


In the conservatory this fern was growing there. I love fern fronds when they are unfurling and that is just what this one was getting ready to do.


I had never seen a varigated banana tree before. Even the banana fruit was striped! Very interesting.


Here is one of the 13 fountains at the gardens.




This is the top of a fountain that crosses over the walking path. There is a sign before you enter "Cross if you dare and don't mind getting wet". Kids usually love to run through this fountain. I just loved the way the sun hit the water!


Here is another fountain along the path.


Camellias are blooming down here now and here are some white ones. Don't they look great against the beautiful deep blue sky!


There is a part of the garden that has topiaries. This little bear was so cute, I just had to snap a picture of it!

I hope you enjoyed the tour! It was in the low 80's, bright sunny day and just enjoyable! It was a good time had by all!

The parents have left the nest!

My Mom and Dad arrived again on Saturday around 5:30. I had told them on Friday night when they called that if they didn't argue they could come back on their way through from Florida. I feel like the parent now! They agreed they were horrible and that they would behave. Well they kept their promise! John and I took them to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden yesterday and we had a really nice time. There weren't many flowers blooming but the seed pods, grasses, foliage and berries were really pretty. I'll post some pictures tonight when I get home from work. I had taken my Mom there in June when she was down with my sister and nephew. The orchids in the conservatory were absolutely beautiful also. I got some really nice shots of those too. My parents got up super early and left-they crack me up! They are retired and have no animals at home, nothing to worry about but they are constantly in a hurry! They actually made John go upstairs and tell me while I was in the shower to hurry up so they could say good bye and be on their way! What in the world was the big rush. John and I gave a sigh of relief when their car pulled away! I love them but sometimes they are just too much for me to take!

Everyone have a lovely day! I hope it is as sunny as it is here in Charlotte!

My Morning Tea Ritual

I don't know if many of you know but I'm allergic to coffee. I am a full fledged tea drinker. Everyone morning when I get up I've got to have my Celestial Seasonings Madacasgar Vanilla Red tea. I hope they never stop making it-I would be totally lost! The tea mug in the picture is my very favorite! I have 2 of these mugs that were made by a potter in Sea Grove, NC. I went to one of my favorite pottery shops there called Dirtworks. Actually John picked these out because he loved the "thumb" hold handle. Guess what he never uses them and they have been dubbed "Sherris/Moms mugs" by my entire family. This morning as I was on the computer chatting with all my "cyber" friends I glanced over and saw my fav mug basking in the sunlight and just had to snap this picture! I hope everyone has a lovely weekend! Enjoy the day!!

TGIF!!!!

Everyone enjoy your Friday and weekend!!

It is so windy today!

It is very windy and rainy today! Charlotte has been deluged with rain for the last 2 days. There has been reports of between 6-7" of rainfall and power outages. There are more leaves on the ground than on the trees now! I hope everything blows away by the weekend!