Bud ‘n Bloom club has autumn gathering at lake
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On a cool, clear morning in October, members of the Bud 'n Bloom Garden Club enjoyed the autumn-colored trip to the lakeside home of Sharon and Ed Przybyciel.
The newly built home is nestled between the seasonal beauty of Lake Erie State Park, the gray, still waters of Lake Erie and a neighboring property set off by a recently built, short stone wall and a partially covered creek bed.
Following the curved driveway, the club members sighted huge pumpkins that decorated the walkway along with purple-green ajuga caressing the sidewalk, spikey bull weed and a large dark burgundy weeping Japanese maple. This split-leaf maple is also known as a Tamukeyama maple.
Corn stalks, huge stacked flat pumpkins, made into topiary towers of assorted colors and hand-cut wooden fall decor welcomed the visitors as they approached the home.
Inside, the home was festive with Halloween and autumn signs tucked around the kitchen, dining room and living room areas.
Worktables had been set up with crafting stations for each member containing canvas frames and easels, paint brushes, tacky glue and cups of water to clean the brushes.
In another area nearby, bags and trays held collections of beach glass, seashells, twigs, beach stones, assorted paints and markers for members’ selections. Lovely samples of finished samples were displayed.
As the crafters collected materials and started composing their creations, they enjoyed sharing ideas, the refreshments and the surrounding outdoor beauty.
Large picture windows afforded an interesting view outdoors. A five-section bird feeding station had a lot of fluttering activity. Bright red cardinals and golden finches were noted. A camera records the activity and sends photos to the homeowners' phones.
Another window framed the silent gray waters of Lake Erie. An Adirondack chair was perched on a neighboring bluff keeping watch over the area and handmade steps allowed easy access to the beach below.
More pumpkins and huge tri-colored mums adorned the patio outside the sliding glass doors.
Co-hostess Nancy Kohler supplied a yeasty, delectable cinnamon raisin sweet roll with a glaze topping.
Sharon's sister and member Cindy Maggio brought a snack tray of cheese, crackers and other treats.
Coffee, tea, orange juice and water were also served.
Upon completion of their canvas designs, photos were taken and their treasures were carefully wrapped for their trip home.
The November meeting will be finalized and announced later.
The club will celebrate the holidays with a Christmas party at noon at the Shorewood Country Club on Wednesday, Dec. 9.