Submitted Photo Bud ‘n Bloom Garden Club members mixed cement, peat moss and water in a large wheel barrow to make a thick batter (like cake batter) to fill round, ball-like glass globes.

On a recent perfect, sunny, autumn afternoon, the Bud ‘n Bloom Garden Club traveled to the country home of Wade and Janet Arnold for their monthly meeting. Upon arrival at the address, members inched along a long, curving, pea gravel driveway taking in the beauty of the picturesque sight of the six- year-old, ranch-style home in the distance, nestled in front of acres of path-filled, golden, bronze and green woodlands.

Swaying grasses filled the driveway garden, accented by a tall American flag flying in the breeze. A picket-fenced garden surrounded by purple and pink Hydrangea sat off to the left alongside a matching potting shed complete with a weather vane and a wreath. A storage barn was tucked behind  a grove of trees to the right.

Following along a pressed concrete sidewalk, the group took a brief tour of the landscaping. The front of the house was adorned with coral geraniums; blue, purple and pink hydrangea, coral bells, butterfly bushes and a trio of orange pumpkins. A life-sized deer statue stared at the group, showing off an 8-point rack of antlers. A 20-yard wall of huge boulders bordered the bi-level lawn.

A large patio, screened-in porch, water feature and flower beds covered the back of the home. Slanting away from the rear sidewalk was a newly-planted lawn accented with hostas of various sizes and color, reaching the woods. Bird feeders were in evidence, as was a condo-sized bird house. A bed of orange and lemon nasturtiums  filled the farthest flower bed. Lavender butterfly bushes, fushia coneflowers, pink mandevilla, yellow-orange sun-flowers and a bright, tall purple delphinium (unusual this late in the season) made a rainbow of color in the other flower beds.

The ladies mixed cement, peat moss and water in a large wheel barrow to make a thick batter (like cake batter) to fill round, ball-like glass globes. After filling and packing the globes with the mixture, they circled them with newspapers and towels and carried them to their vehicles in cardboard boxes to cure for two to three days.  When the mixture is solid, they will break off the glass in a plastic bag to reveal stone garden spheres. Janet Arnold demonstrated the procedure with a small mallet.

Arnold then served the ladies a butternut squash lasagna with and without sausage and a spinach almond salad for dinner.  Fresh cider, wine and iced tea were offered. For dessert, Arnold served homemade apple crisp topped with ice cream and pecans.

A golden, fall leaf and grape-designed tablecloth was chosen for the dinner table.

Low arrangements of hydrangeas graced the tables set up in front of the home’s room-sized windows looking out at nature’s beauty. Squirrels and birds entertained the group as they dined.

A brief meeting was called to order by Vice President Janet Centner. Volunteers  agreed to clean the Barker Library flower beds in preparation for winter. A Nov. 3 JCC luncheon with speakers was discussed. A carload of gardeners agreed to carpool for the event. A possible, future crafting booth at The Shorewood Christmas  Bazaar was discussed.

Thank you notes from Rev. Thomas J. Wopperer and Jim and Andy Hurtgen were shared with the group.

Centner shared fall gardening tips with the group. Perennials should be checked to see if they have spread too much. Care should be taken in planting, noting the spreading characteristics of each variety. Autumn bulbs need to be planted now, allowing from 4 to 8 inches of depth, depending on the size of the bulbs. Directions for forcing bulbs in the winter was shared. They need to be in a very cold area and planted three weeks before blooms are needed.

On Nov. 9, Marty Wiser, Angie Leone and Gen Dloniak acted as hostesses for a holiday workshop by Barb Joy.

On Dec. 14, Centner will host a Christmas celebration at her Victorian home in Fredonia for an old-fashioned evening. Guests will gather at 5:30 p.m. for cocktails and appetizers and dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Judy Wilcox will co-host the event. Members are reminded that they need to reserve this date now.