#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Food and Life

Visit: Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Summit, NJ {Summer Bucket List}

August 18, 2014 · Narrative

A tranquil beautiful setting tucked into Summit, the Reeves-Reed Arboretum is a great spot for a visit.

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“Visit an arboretum” was on our Summer Bucket List because, although we have several arboretums in the area, we haven’t really visited one (although our annual visit to the gingerbread exhibit is at an arboretum, there is nothing floral to see in the dead of winter for sure). The bright skies and warm temps this afternoon made it a great time to visit (and a Groupon for frozen yogurt down the street turned it into a perfect afternoon).

The arboretum is very easy to find in a residential section of Summit. When I first saw the entrance gate, I thought it was closed, but as you approach slowly, it opens automatically, so don’t let that deter you (and the exit/gate is the same way). The property has several small houses/offices, and the starting point wasn’t entirely clear, but we found someone in the parking lot to ask and she pointed us to one of the smaller houses near the parking lot and greenhouse. In there we found a really friendly employee (and thankfully restrooms), who gave us a map and explained the different trails we could take through the property. She cautioned against going on one of the trails because of some recent overgrowth of poison ivy, and then she handed us a bag of fish food and asked us to feed the fish in the pond on the way through. She also told us where to find the (one) resident frog, who was exactly where she said he would be. She was awesomely helpful!

You have to look really closely, but he’s in this picture. I was actually surprised when we found him.

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We took the path through wildflowers behind the building that housed her office and continued down to a path that led us to the Elephant Tree that she mentioned (which could not be more appropriately named), with a really cute picnic area, which reminded me of something out of The Flintstones.

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Throughout our time there today, we discovered many little trails, walkways, paths, and surprises tucked around nearly every corner. And with the blooms all over, it smelled seriously amazing.

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There are a number of areas that would make awesome picnic spots, and some visitors were definitely taking advantage of the gorgeous weather we are having. There were a few people visiting when we were there, but the arboretum seems like a well-kept secret otherwise. There is no admission cost, but there was a box near the greenhouse for optional donations.

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We also have “visit a new waterfall” on our Summer Bucket List, and we may just use the above the cross that one off too.

Originally created in 1889, the estate and landscaping has been added to with each of its owners. The owners in 1916 added significantly to the daffodil plantings, which make the property a huge draw in the Spring season, and the beautiful rose gardens were added in 1925. In the late 1960s, the property had the last of its private owners. In 1974, the citizens of Summit, along with the Reed family, raised money to maintain the property as an arboretum, and the City of Summit became its eventual owner, along with an adjacent property. The arboretum and its property does not receive any funding from the town as it all comes from visitor donations and fundraising. They have a number of different events throughout the year, including a Fall celebration, a camp out, and even cookies and cocoa with Santa.

If you some time, no matter the season, it’s a wonderful place to stop in … and exhale.

165 Hobart Avenue
Summit, New Jersey 07901
(908) 273-8787

Hungry for more places to visit in New Jersey?
The Grounds for Sculpture property is a great place to spend a few hours, and the likes of which you won’t find anywhere else.
The lambing tour at Long Valley Creamery made for a fun afternoon, particularly because it included a cheese tasting. #cheeseismyhappyplace
The Sterling Hill Mining Museum is the perfect place to escape to on a hot summer day.
The Mega Train exhibit is back at the Morris Museum and worth a stop.
And for more day trips and fun places to visit, check out this Pinterest board.

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: arboretum, Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Summer bucket list, Summit, things to do in NJ

Comments

  1. Joanne says

    August 19, 2014 at 6:49 am

    So beautiful!
    Joanne recently posted..Mediterranean Tabbouleh Hummus Dip

    Reply
  2. Mary Lou says

    August 19, 2014 at 1:28 pm

    My Niece had her Wedding Shower there. So beautiful and tranquil…

    Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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