Spring at Stone Hill 2014

I kind of missed the photo shoot spring party this year (2015) but wanted to post last years spring to compare. Our figs are still not producing leaves for the second year in a row. Just sad little sprouts.

Pears are flourishing and E cut them all back this season.

Good neighbors' dogwood.

The dianthus from church came back twice the size this year. See instafeed.

Sweet baby snake was living under our stone. I love little snakes. LOVE THEM. None spotted yet this year. But I do find their skins all over our stacked stone walls.

The ornamental plum cam back with a vengeance. But I do want to cut back our azalea on the left. 

Weigelia. Originally from Eastern Asia.

E's seeded this section of the yard so thankfully more grass here.

When I was little I loved Lillie's of the Valley so much that I ate them. And then was rushed to the hospital because they are poisonous. I survived.

Last year looks a little more lush than this year.

Guy and Pam's cool Iris.

E just cut this tree down on the fence.

Ants!

We had 11 peonies blooming in 2015.

And we have baby robins in our cedar tree this year.

Thankful for our green space in the heart of this great city. So much has happened in the last month. We feel lucky to have a place to exhale and we hurt for all that are suffering in Baltimore. This town is so incredible. People don't see that from the news. Even the people living in the heart of the suffering are trying to help people change their lives around. I post pretty photos of garden and horses. But my heart is heavy. I feel like I've been holding my breath for the last month. April 27th was terrible. Watching the news couldn't even give us a perspective of what was happening blocks from our back yard. We could hear all of the helicopters in our neighborhood. I shop at the Mondamin Mall. This is our community.  If you want to help here are a few organizations that are doing it right:

Penn North Clinic 

Y of Central Maryland Send a Kid to Camp Campaign

The Radnor Hunt Races

Uncle Charlie had to work this past weekend, so I took the no-wedding-weekend opportunity to visit Katiecakes and Tony in PA for the Radnor Hunt Races. Katonycakes and six couples hosted the most incredible tail gate at The Tack Room combining two tents for a glorious spread on a hot spring afternoon. 

As I said on Instagram our hats lasted for about 2.5 seconds. And yes, mine needed its own zip code. Katie refashioned hers with fresh peonies from the Philly Farmer's Market. I found mine at a thrift shop in Hampden for pennies. My dress was in my first Stitch Fix box. $66.00 dollars...I couldn't believe it. Have you found this incredible shopping/style website yet? If not click here, sign up, and if you buy something I'll get the credit. Thank you very much. I'm addicted. You will be too, and you'll share your love with your friends (just like I'm doing here) and you too will get credit to shop. How fun is that? I've gone a little crazy on my "Closet" board on Pinterest, because my stylist looks at it to get inspiration for my Stitch Fix boxes. Other bloggers are posting every photo of every item. I wish I had the time, but know it is very accurate with sizing and the pricing is incredible for those not with a lot of time or patience to shop. You don't see what you get until you open the box and that is part of the fun. But they will give you a style diagnostic if you will. Again. Too. Much. Fun. 

But I digress. Back to all things horsey.

Preview of this tailgate was featured in the Wanye Magazine. Click to page 20. I knew it would be great from the write up. What a fun way to invite people to your party.

We sipped on Lynchburg Lemonade, bloody Mary's and bourbon all afternoon. It was hot. Must stay hydrated.

All of the hosts pitched in for different parts of the party. I fell in love with so many of Katie and Tony's friends. We traveled with a few of the friends for the Kentucky adventures last month so of course Gretchen, Robert and Mark were a sight for sore eyes. New fast friends were: vegetable platter Becky and her preppy-pants-husband Bix. Magazine editor Laurie and I felt like long lost sister soul mates. Veuve bearers Karen and Robert were dear hearts. Can you believe Karen has been a fan of this very blog, in which you are reading, since the beginning? I can't tell you how much fun it was to finally meet you Karen. Katie introduced us to almost all of our friends in Baltimore. Now the web is that much bigger in Pennsylvania. 

 

Bix, Gretchen and Becky, of the vegetable platter fame.

Jo, perfectly poised for stylish horse viewing on the rail.

Laurie, Robert, Katiecakes, Gretchen, Whip, Karen and Robert.

Last year's julep cup and this year's Pimm's and Ho'ses branding. Too much fun, you preppy, tongue-in-cheek bunch you. 

"I like bright butts and I cannot lie." Winner of the caption contest. Nice work Kelli.

There were nine races that afternoon. It was also Preakness Day so the program had the odds for the Preakness Stakes too. I made sure we were in the car with radio on in order to hear Uncle Larry call the race.

My friend's Uncle Larry is Larry Collmus. I got to meet him last week! Click here for some Derby recap fun. I can't imagine how stressful that job must be. He makes it sound so easy.

Loved this photo so much I had to use it twice.

What a great place to view the action. 

Nothing like Veuve Cliquot in solo cups. After the last race we toasted the day.

Thank you Tack Roomers. What a glorious afternoon of fun, food and new friendship. And now to count down to the nuptials of these cuties.