It is not raining and the sun is out, so it was time to look around the garden and pull a few weeds today.  Then I caught sight of a garden worker shaking the pollen out of a hellebore--a big fat bee!  I had never thought about hellebores and bees before, but sure enough, he was hard at work!And the grape hyacinths had popped into sight after staying low earlier in the week, and they were a welcome burst of color.  The tulips were just starting to open, and the daffodils were in various states, depending on the variety. Some still perky, and some wilting.Farther down the hill, I had forgotten about the flowering quince. It has been about 5 years since I planted it, and a few more flowers appear every year. Nothing like the ones at Winterthur gardens. I wonder how old those plants are. T... 04/09/2022

The historic Penny House on the old King's Highway in Wilmington, Delaware is now in the hands of a new owner.This 1749 stone home was owned by the Penny brothers, who were cabinetmakers. It later became the home of Robert Shaw, a famous local artist. Then James Warner Bellah lived there (he wrote "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" which became a John Wayne movie). During the Revolutionary War, troops passed this way going to and from Philadelphia. George Washington is said to have stopped at the spring for a cool drink of water. The present-day appraiser of the property called the springhouse "a shed with water problems."  City Boy! 04/07/2022

Talk about an agreeable plant for all locations (at least anywhere in my yard), look for Sprirea or Bridal Wreath Spirea (Spiraea prunifolia) It's an old fashioned plant I longed for when establishing my garden, and it has not disappointed me. All it needs is a little trimming after its jolly white blooms fade and the plant recedes into the background with its little green leaves not asking for attention.  And if you ever hear of a nearby bride looking for a floral crown in early spring, send them my way! It's the least I can do, right? 03/29/2022

Tomorrow is the special election for the 4th Rep district.Remember to vote for 4th Representative District rep on March 5 with the polls open from 7am to 8pm. Thank you for letting your vote be heard!David HenkeLong & Foster Real Estate Inc – Wilmington, DE/Devon, PAOffice: 610-225-7400/Direct: 610-618-0808http://www.DelawarePAHomes.com  03/04/2022

Education has become a key issue in states across the country. Ted Kittila supports School Choice and a Parent's Bill of Rights. Here is a quick summary of Ted's position on Education in his own words:Remember to vote early through March 3 or in person on March 5.David HenkeLong & Foster Real Estate Inc – Wilmington, DE/Devon, PAOffice: 610-225-7400/Direct: 610-618-0808http://www.DelawarePAHomes.com 03/02/2022

Early voting is now open for the Delaware 4th Representative District Special Election.Do you have any spare time this week? Do you live in the Delaware 4th Representative District? Do you work downtown? You can still vote early!From now through Thursday March 3rd, early voting is available at the Carvel State Office Building. The Carvel State Office Building is located at 820 North French Street in Wilmington, DE 19801. The voting area is located on the Mezzanine (Floor 2) and is open each day from 7am until 7pm.This is your chance to make your voice heard. There are many important issues still to be decided in Dover this year. It is important to restore balance to state government and be more responsive to the people of Delaware. To be heard, one party rule is not good for Delaware.Re... 02/28/2022

As in 2021, home sales in New Castle County Delaware are off to a fast start.For the second year, home sales in New Castle County Delaware continue to be high but appear limited by the lack of active inventory.  Active inventory is basically flat with 2021 but down 56% from 2020 and 77% from 2017. Year-to-date sales dropped 13% from 2021, but are 10% higher than in 2017. Pending sales continue to drift lower, down 6% from 2021 and 20% from 2017.Overall the home sale market in New Castle County continues to be very tight with very low inventory. Sales activity is down from 2021 but that may be a result of the limited inventory. Multiple offers, limited inspections, and cash offers continue to be common issues for buyers on many properties.If you need any additional detailed information o... 02/28/2022

Be sure to vote for your new Delaware 4th Representative District Rep on Saturday March 5 from 7am to 8pm.On March 5, Delaware will be holding a special election for the 4th Representative District in New Castle County. Representative Brady resigned from the seat earlier this year. The election is for the last 8 months of this term.On Feb 11, Ted Kittila announced his candidacy. Ted is a Delaware native, graduated from the University of Delaware, was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship, and earned a Law Degree from the University of Minnesota Law School. Today, he is a managing partner of his Delaware Law Firm.With new ideas and a fresh approach, he supports restoration and expansion of the Senior Property Tax Credit, additional funding for school safety and protection, and additional fundi... 02/24/2022

The weather forecasters have been touting a weekend storm for a month now. Sooner or later it has to actually happen, right?The snow started last night and we woke up today with several inches of snow. The good news is that I don't have to go outside today. More good news is that last year, my arbor blew over during a Christmas Eve storm. This year, my new arbor is standing strong after it's first snowstorm. More good news is that my neighbor is shoveling my driveway. I told him he was free to park one of his 4 cars there in return for this favor. If the snow plow comes (depends if the snow is deemed deep enough), that's one less car for them to plow around.Good neighbors are priceless! 01/29/2022

Last night, a friend and I went on a twilight tour of the 1803  Eleutherian Mills, the duPont mansion on the Brandywine River above the old powder works.  It was decorated for the holidays as it might have been when Louise duPont Crowninshield and her husband, Frank lived in the 1920's and 30's. Having grown up in what is now Winterthur Museum, this gal knew her stuff when it came to architecture and antiques. The house tour included the morning room, set up for cookies and tea, surrounded by train related items beloved by the master of the house, including a steam engine shaped tea caddy.  The dining room was ready for a fancy dinner with the best china (including a plate on the floor for the family dog) and scenic wallpaper of American scenes painted by an artist who had never been he... 12/30/2021

Although I never did find a written program for today's Delaware Art Museum celebration of Dia de los Muertos, the sights and sounds were vivid enough to keep me interested.  Recorded music was playing in the park behind the museum and the parking lot was full (got the last parking place back in the woods), and people were visiting the tents of the exhibitors with their colorful wares of jewelry and textiles.  Soon a  mariachi band was playing lively music--I love it when the trumpet joins in. They started a groovy beat that brought out line-dancing bystanders and costumed people, all grooving in a Mexican conga line, except with heel tapping beats. Then a woman introduced what sounded like a Mexican Ballet group. Wow. Ages probably from preschool to mid-50's. The costumes were beautifu... 10/30/2021

Round about this time of year, some of us are gathering around the old fire pit, roasting marshmallows and telling a few tall tales.  Lucy might well be one subject spoken about in these parts.Back in 1993, the local Crossroads paper published a story about a certain little girl and an historic home, the Penny House, at 235 Philadelphia Pike in Wilmington, Delaware. Well, the family who lived in the house for 20 years has put the home on the market, and this could be an appropriate time to mention this tale. The original Penny Farm stretched for many acres and reached Brandywine Blvd. in Bellefonte. Mr. Penny farmed most of the land until his death in 1797, when he left it to his sons, both cabinetmakers who could make you a coffin for $8. The brothers died in 1832 and 1843. For years l... 10/28/2021

2407 IVANHOE LANE, WILMINGTON, DE Photos Maps & Local Schools Print Click Here to Get Directions $3250004bed - 2bath - 0.22 sqft lotA well maintained and updated 4 Bedroom, 2 Bath Cape Cod in Limestone Acres that is much larger than most homes in the neighborhood. Originally built with a sizable addition joining kitchen, family room and breakfast room creating a large open floor plan, as well as adding a main level laundry with sink. Another addition at the opposite end of the home added a 2nd Master bedroom and allowed space for an expanded main level bath. The 2nd floor Master Bedroom Suite has an additional 10' x 5' Dressing Area and a deep soaking tub. There are nice oak hardwood floors in the Living Room, Dining Room and main floor bedrooms as well as Bay windows in the Living and ... 09/15/2021

Remember all those who have served. Delaware Vietnam War Memorial  David HenkeLong & Foster Real Estate Inc – Devon, PA/Wilmington, DEOffice: 610-225-7400/Direct: 610-618-0808www.DelawarePAHomes.com 05/31/2021

My refrigerator died about a month ago. I had heard a clicking noise coming from the kitchen occasionally, like the sound a coffee maker emits, only I don’t have a coffee maker. Then I remembered when I had heard that sound. I heard it the last time my refrigerator quit working. One quick peek at the contents of the freezer confirmed it. Everything had defrosted. I tossed all of it. Goodbye shrimp and salmon, veggies and scallops. (Deep sigh) Knowing I’d lose the contents of the refrigerator, too, I called the appliance repair company who had breathed life back into it last time, except none of the repair guys would be available for a few weeks due to illness. A few phone calls later and I had ordered a new refrigerator. The only problem now was, it couldn’t be delivered for about a wee... 05/22/2021

“On the other side of the house, to a little distance, was a garden of old-fashioned roses and sweet shrubs that filled the air with fragrance when they  were abloom. And there were beds of tulips and daffodillies, and there were graveled walks edged with box, and a greenhouse of shining glass at the lower end of the garden. And there was a wooden summer house at the end of one of the gravel walks, and together it was such a garden as you will hardly find outside of a story book. It seems to me that when I think of that garden, I cannot remember anything but bloom and beauty, air filled with the odor of growing things, and birds singing in the shady trees in such a fashion as they do not sing nowadays.” – Howard Pyle (1853-1911) describing his childhood at Goodstay    A walk through th... 05/18/2021

Delaware's  Mt. Cuba Center is a botanic garden that highlights the beauty of native plants. Once the estate of Pamela and Lammot du Pont Copeland, the  garden opened to the public in 2013 and now spans more than 1,000 acres. It features garden pathways in formal and woodland settings, picturesque meadows and ponds with stunning vistas, and more than two miles of scenic trails throughout its natural lands. Near the former mansion is the formal reflecting pool now featuring colorful tulips.   Mt. Cuba is recognized as a leader in native plant research and open space preservation, having protected more than 13,000 acres in the mid-Atlantic region. In 2020, it was voted best botanical garden in North America by USA Today readers. My visit today started with a threat of rain, but turned out... 04/29/2021

Spring is definitely the time of year when my garden comes alive and shows all its bright colors. Daffodils, hyacinths, tulips, all vying for attention.  Therefore, I yield the floor to the stars!                      04/05/2021

You can be pretty sure I am going to look for historic places when going on a hike. And this was historic for me, because this almost 3 hour hike came the day after I got my second Covid vaccine shot. Yes, I was tired afterwards, as was my friend Brenda, who is always up for a nice hike. We started out by the Delaware Art Museum on Kentmere Parkway and found our way off of Mill. Rd. and on a steep path leading down to the River.  After crossing on the old "swinging bridge", we made our way along the path and ended up crossing back over at Van Buren St. by the zoo. Brandywine Park winds alongside the Brandywine River in the heart of the city. Established in 1886, it is the largest urban park in Delaware, and much like Central Park, owes its origin to the late 19th century “Natural Landsc... 02/26/2021

A nearly cloudless sky led me down to the Christina River in Wilmington this morning. Past the tents set up for network TV to broadcast with the Wilmington skyline in the background, past the restaurants with outdoor seating areas, and continuting south along the Riverfront trail, my goal was the DuPont Environmental Education Center.   Once an industrial "brownfield," the environmental area opened in 2009 with a marshland creating a natural area to replace an industrial wasteland. There is an education building with a permanent exhibit  highlighting artwork featuring wildfowl paintings.    A stairway leads down to a loop boardwalk around the marsh. At this time of year, the birds have pretty much eaten all the wild rice and seed grasses, so the only visible fauna was some ducks swimmin... 01/16/2021