Philadelphia Flower Show and Tell

Well, the weather forecast for Tuesday was spot on...rain, freezing rain, snow and ice developing in the afternoon and evening making traveling hazardous. Several phone calls to the cooperative extension confirmed that the bus trip to Philadelphia was still on... I left the house about 5:20 AM, determined to arrive at the Cracker Barrel parking lot early, so I wouldn't be one of the stragglers onto the bus, but got embedded in a snowbank as I backed down the drive in the dark. Luckily, Dan heard my spinning tires and helped extricate my car using snow shovel, wood ash and gentle nudging from his car. I found a seat near the back of the second bus, and roads were clear and dry as we zipped south. About 4 hours later we arrived at the convention center shortly after the doors opened at 10 AM. When we reboarded the bus at 6PM, Philadelphia and surrounding regions were coated with a glaze of thick ice. The bus lumbered along very slowly through the "rush" hour traffic that was almost frozen in slow motion. Icy, slushy, snowy conditions prevailed until about Scranton. Luckily for me, my son picked me up around 11 PM in the parking lot so I didn't have to drive home on iffy roads over Belden Hill, and I spent the night at his place before returning home midday yesterday when roads were much clearer! Anyway, after the Winter that doesn't seem to end, the flower show was a welcome promise of spring. This year's theme was Celebrate the Movies.

The tantalizing smell of fresh, buttered popcorn permeated the entire show. I stood in line, but balked at paying $5.50 for a small bag, and quickly stepped out of line when I finally reached the front. (Posted prices would've been appreciated!)

This staircase paid tribute to the movie Frozen.

These are photos of original art that grace the Hudson Valley Seed Library packets. I bought a packet of PHS Red Carpet seeds containing a mix of red wildflowers for about $4. ( You can see, I'd rather invest in plants than munchies). Here is a small sampling of some flowers from the show:

And roses galore:

The Butterfly Room (additional $3 fee) captivated me and many others. Upon entering through two ante rooms, we were each given a cotton swab soaked in sugar water, for the butterflies to sip.

A few selfies...Oops! Clark Gable photo bombed one of them!

Burke landscaping had converted an old vintage car into a chicken coop...

A few more show photos...

I meander through the exhibits, checking out my favorites- porch box displays, table settings and Botanical illustrations... I leave a convoluted trail like one of the kids in the Sunday comic, Family Circus. I enjoy seeing all the people flocking to the exhibits, taking care to capture souvenir photos.I hear whining babies and see lots of patient husbands. Many people dress for the show, on display as much as the flowers. One should wear warm clothing since the temperature is generally kept cool to preserve the blooms. Dozens of women wore floral headpieces, probably fashioned in one of the additional make-and-take venues. After awhile, I leave the show to get lunch at the Reading Terminal Market that's just across the street. It's another feast for the senses, displaying every imaginable food...meats, fish, produce, baked goods, spices, sauces, cheeses, kitchenwares, etc. I ordered a spicy jambalaya stew from an authentic looking Cajun place. One of the counter persons did a great job of hawking her menu selections to passersby. Alligator po boy, anyone? I also purchased a half pound of chicken, cranberry, walnut salad from an Amish booth to eat later for supper. Back at the flower show, later in the afternoon, I sit for awhile to rest my feet ( achy from wearing snow boots all day) and listen to one of the many live demonstrations at the Garden to Table venue. I watched a Philadelphia chef prepare a beet salad and lamb meatballs, measuring with handfuls and pinches of various spices.

Next year's theme is National Parks ...should be great!