Enjoy!
French Festival at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens
It might come as a surprise, but I do have other interests beyond cherry blossom trees: all things French and gardens anywhere. This year, I was lucky enough to be accepted for the Garden Docent Training Program at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens. I was thrilled when my tour passed the test and I joined the ranks of Hillwood’s Garden Docents in May.
Hillwood’s moniker is “Where Fabulous Lives,” a fitting tribute to its benefactor, Marjorie Merriweather Post and an apt descriptor of the collections inside the mansion and of the gardens that surround it. If you choose to visit, I hope I’ll be lucky enough to be your Garden Docent!
The visitors’ French hats were made by them as a special French Festival activity enjoyed by all ages on July 11, 2015.
Working on a new book . . .
But it’s still under wraps so stay tuned. In the meantime, I found this note from Peterborough, NH where I was delighted to give a talk this past April: ” . . .she is the best speaker we ever had here. Full sentences, no notes.” Wow!
In Washington, DC, it is hot and humid today, so here’s a photo of one of my favorite places– the US National Arboretum– on a snowy day. Makes me feel cooler just to think about it. Hope it will do the same for you!
A Yoshino Cherry Tree at the US National Arboretum in the snow.
June already? Where did May go?
Well, all I can tell you is that May for me disappeared into a whirlwind of travel, including a fabulous trip to Turkey where I saw Kwanzan cherry trees blooming in Istanbul, Konya and Ankara! I was incredulous, as you might be as you read this, but the photo is proof. It was taken on May 1 of this year in Istanbul. It was thrilling to find cherry blossoms there, on top of all the other wonderful experiences that await any visitor to Turkey. I highly recommend Turkey as a travel destination.
I also was in New York City briefly for BookExpo — stay tuned for further developments regarding my various publishing projects, currently still under wraps.
Next week there will be a planning meeting for the 2016 National Cherry Blossom Festival. Very excited about that since 2016 will also be the centennial celebration of the National Park Service! Watch this space for more information as it’s available.
Happy summer!
Scenes from the Tidal Basin at Peak Bloom 2015
This couple bought my first book in 2005. Now they consider it a family heirloom and will be passing it along to their daughter and her children!
The crowds were amazing! You can hardly see the Jefferson Memorial’s steps.
The skies were eye-popping blue on April 11.
Wish I’d brought a picnic too!
First sale of the day on April 12th — this great book is still selling well, 10 years after it was new!
The wind died down enough for people to use the paddle boats on April 12th. Very fun!
A scene repeated anywhere you looked around the Tidal Basin any day of the Peak Bloom weekend.
Peak Bloom Images on April 10, 2015!
This wonderful family came from Dallas to DC for the day just to see the blossoms at their peak. Note their fab headgear!
Peak Bloom at the Tidal Basin will be this weekend!
I’m looking forward to three book signings this weekend at the National Park Store Tent, not too far from the paddle boats dock. I’ll be there Friday the 10th, Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th from 1 to 3 each day. Of course, what I love most is to sign books, but I’ll be happy to chat and share what I know about Washington’s amazing cherry blossom trees. Please stop by!
Peak Bloom Predicted!
The National Cherry Blossom Festival’s press conference was this morning. The National Park Service prediction for peak bloom was the big news — it’s expected to be from April 11 to 14! Looking forward to lots of springtime fun, which I’ll share with you on this blog. Think pink!
The Cherry Blossoms’ Peak Bloom will be all over DC news channels today!