Arthur in the Garden.

Last week we traveled to Minneapolis to check off a few things on Andy’s bucket list – namely to the Mary Tyler Moore house and the headwaters of the Missisppi river.

I am always fascinated with architecture and design. The Raleigh- Durham International Airport has recently been remodeled and I like the curved pressed beams for the roof supports.

I am always amazed that planes can fly!! Just seems amazing they stay in the air!

We flew through Chicago -O’Hare. View of the Chicago skyline from the airport.

Of course, we first visted the Como Zoo on our way to the hotel.

And the Minneapolis skyline on the drive-

And Minnehaha Falls Park.

On day two we drove to Itaska State Park and the headwaters of the Mississippi River- it’s flat farm land once you leave the city.

We also went to Bemidji! So many lakes in the area and our hotel was on Lake Bemidji.

First place to visit in Minneapolis when came back to the city is Mary’s House!!!

And the Minneapolis visitor center

And the sculpture park at the Walker Art Center

And the churches.

The Catholic Basilica of Saint Mary

The United Methodist Church

The Lutheran Church

And historic industrial buildings and bridges

And the warehouse district is revitalized with urban renewal like most cities.

Many conifers…

Temple Israel

My favorite area was the Lowry Hill district because of the local college and small shops

And IKEA for lunch, to preview what may be in our future  IKEA store and people watch…

And Lyndale Park and Rose Garden

And after five days…. the flight back

And now, to sleep in my own bed!

When your hydrangeas are larger than your car!

Well, I do drive a Fiat 500!

This is Hydrangea Incrediball! Some are as large as a soccer ball! (Hydrangea arborescens ‘Abetwo’ INCREDIBALL)

This is Endless Summer Blushing Bride: no longer on the market but produces pale shades of bluish or pinkish flowers. (Hydrangea macrophylla Blushing Bride®)

And both together in the border along the front of the house.

Most hydrangeas are influenced by the soil Ph as to the color of the flower: acid, or low Ph, soil will produce blue flowers and alkaline, or high Ph soils , will produce pink flowers. If the Ph is neutral the flower may be purple or a blend of pink and blue! The exception is a white hydrangeas will always be white! 

A native species is Hydrangea quercifolia, commonly known as oakleaf hydrangea or oak-leaved hydrangea, produce spike-like flowers which open white in the spring and fade to pink than brown by Summer. The plants are very large (6 feet) and wide (8 feet) but there are dwarfs and newer reddish flowered varieties.

A beautiful native plant.

The Southern Magnolias are blooming with large, fragrant flowers. A Southern classic on large trees with bronze foliage.

It’s Summer!!