Springtime (Finally!)

Today is the day! One of my favorite places has opened for business for the year. Perfect Pots Container Gardens is my 'go to' place for the perennials that I plant around the Inn. Yes, I could easily go to HD or the 'L' place or another big-box store. But those places aren't likely to have the quality and service that I've come to enjoy at Perfect Pots. There's even a place where you can bring your own pots, baskets or containers and fill them right there! What a cool idea! The owner, Laura Lapp provides an area with tools, soil, gloves and additives (fertilizer and insect control if you need it). Bring your empty containers, buy just the right amount of plants and take home beautiful, healthy works of art! 

My Happy Place

Mud Sales - They're not just for Spring any More!

I've told you about Mud Sales before. However, as the years have gone by, Mud Sales have gotten more and more popular and therefore are not just in the springtime any more. There are so many here in Lancaster County, that they've spread far and wide into the summer and fall, in which case, I suppose they could then technically be called 'Dust Sales', but that doesn't have nearly the appeal, now does it?

Here's a good list. Probably more to be added. List courtesy of Discover Lancaster. 

February 28 - Strasburg Spring Consignment & Mud Sale
Strasburg Fire Co., 46 W. Main Street, Strasburg, PA 17572, 717-687-7232

March 6 - Bart Township Auction & Mud Sale
Bart Township Fire Co., 11 Furnace Rd, Quarryville, PA 17566, 717-786-3348

March 13 – 14 - Gordonville Spring Mud Sale & Auction
Gordonville Fire Co., Old Leacock Road, Gordonville, PA 17566, 717-768-3869

March 14 - Penryn Volunteer Fire Co. Sale
Penryn Volunteer Fire Company, 1441 North Penryn Road, Manheim, PA 17545

March 21 - Bart Township Building Materials and Craft Sale
Bart Township Fire Company, 11 Furnace Rd, Quarryville, PA

March 21 - Airville Fire Co. Spring Consignment & Quilt Auction
Airville Volunteer Fire Co., 3576 Delta Road (Rt. 74), Airville, PA 17302 (York County), 717-862-3806

March 27 – 28 - Gap Fire Company Sale
Gap Fire Company, 802 Pequea Avenue, Gap, PA 17527, 717-442-9549

March 28 - West Earl Fire Company Annual Quilt & Consignment Auction
West Earl Fire Company, 14 School Lane Ave, Brownstown, PA 17508, 717-989-5986

April 4 - Robert Fulton Sale
Robert Fulton Volunteer Fire Co., 2271 Robert Fulton Hwy. (Routes 272 & 222), Peach Bottom, PA 17563, 717-548-8995

April 11 – Rawlinsville Sale
Rawlinsville Volunteer Fire Co., 33 Martic Heights Drive, Holtwood, PA 17532, 717-284-3023

May 16 - Weaverland Valley Sale
Weaverland Valley Volunteer Fire Co., Terre Hill Community Park, 210 Lancaster Avenue, Terre Hill, PA 17528, 717-445-5072

May 9 - Honey Brook Fire Company Quilt Sale & Consignment Auction
Honey Brook Fire Company, Romano 4H Center, 1841 Horseshoe Pike, Honey Brook, PA 19344, 610-273-2688

June 26 - Lancaster County Carriage and Antique Auction
Bird-in-Hand Volunteer Fire Company – Location: Across from the Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant on Route 340, Bird-in-Hand, PA 17505, 717-392-0112

June 27 - Refton Fire Company Sale
Refton Volunteer Fire Co., 99 Church Street, Refton, PA 17568, 717-786-9462

August 7 – 8 - Gap Relief Auction
Benefits Mennonite Central Committee, Solanco Fairgrounds, 172 S. Lime Street, Quarryville, PA 17566

August 29 – Kinzer Fire Co. Mud Sale
Kinzer Volunteer Fire Co., 3521 Lincoln Hwy. East (Rt. 30), Kinzers, PA 17535, 717-442-4121

August 29 – Bareville Fire Company Consignment Auction
Bareville Volunteer Fire Company, 211 East Main Street, Leola, PA 17540, 717-656-7554

October 24 – Cochranville Fire Company Mud Sale
Cochranville Volunteer Fire Company, 3135 Limestone Road, Cochranville, PA 19330

Springtime in Lancaster County

Well spring is officially here, at least that's what my calendar says. Although the nights have been quite chilly lately, the days have been warm and sunny. The leaves on the trees are bursting with all-encompassing color and my porch is green!

Actually, my front porch is painted red, but all the pollen in the air makes it look a sickly shade of green even if I hose it off each day. But that's alright, the pollen is a sign that summer is on the way! I love the change in seasons and I'm one of those people fortunate enough NOT to have to deal with seasonal allergies.

We lived in South Florida for 4 years. At first, I was quite excited to be in a place where it's summer all the time. But it got old really fast. I missed the change in seasons - the leaves changing color in the fall, spring crocuses and daffodils. After about 2 years, I even missed snow and I didn't think that was even possible! I grew up in Northwestern Pennsylvania where winters can be long and harsh thanks to that lake-effect snow.

The thing I missed most was my ritual of spring planting! When I was a kid, my grandmother had two greenhouses. She grew and sold all kinds of plants, especially geraniums. I still think of her when I smell those plants. Now, as an innkeeper, I take great pride and joy making the grounds look fabulous! And, since Grandma's green thumb seems to have found its way to my hand, things around The Australian Walkabout Inn look pretty good, even if I do say so myself.

I'm now fortunate enough to live in one of the most fertile places in the country...well, in regards to the soil, that is. And, we have the most wonderful greenhouses around with good prices, spectacular selection and friendly, helpful people.

When you're looking for bountiful plants, trees and shrubs, you'll find them here in Lancaster County. Ask me about my favorite places. See you soon.