Maryland Orchid Society at the Maryland Home & Garden Show The Maryland Home & Garden Show was held on the first two weekends in March. The show had three major sections in three large buildings at the Timonium Fairgrounds. The three shows in one included the very large home show, the garden show and the craft show. The garden show was the Maryland Orchid Society Show and Sale in Horticulture Hall. If you missed the Maryland Orchid Society Show, you still have time to visit Orchid Extravaganza at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. www.longwoodgardens.org If you have pictures to share, please include them with your comments for this post.   Maryland Orchid Society Show, Timonium Fairgrounds, March 11, 2011. Canon PowerShot G11 camera. Photograph by Roy Kelley. Please cont... 03/22/2011

 Yellow orchids for you I hope you are not getting tired of looking at my flower photographs. As we enjoy the spring weather in Maryland, our thoughts are turning to outside activities including the spring clean up of our yards and gardens. It is a good time to select the flowers we will enjoy during the spring and summer seasons. Dolores and I attended the Maryland Home and Garden Show. It was actually three shows in one complex at the Timonium Fairgrounds. The Maryland Orchid Society Show and Sale was in the first building. The second building was the home show and the third build housed the craft show. We really enjoyed taking flower photographs at the Orchid Show. All of them will be posted on my Facebook page as they are edited. If you have photographs photographs to share, please ... 03/22/2011

Additional pictures from the Maryland Orchid Society Show The Maryland Orchid Society Show and Sale was a very special part of the Maryland Home and Garden Show at the Timonium Fairgrounds. It was a great place to spend a couple of hours on a cold day in March. There are many orchid shows and sale this month. It is not too late to go to Orchid Extravaganza in the Conservatory at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Longwood Gardens is a must visit location for those that enjoy flowers and plants and having an opportunity to photograph them in beautiful settings. www.longwoodgardens.org Please tell me if you identify a favorite among this group. If you have some photographs to share, post them in the comments. Maryland Orchid Society Show, Timonium Fairgrounds, March 11, 201... 03/21/2011

 A blue orchid for the first day of spring March is a time for many local and regional orchid shows. It is always interesting to see the variety of plants and the color combinations provided by nature. Blue orchids are sometimes featured in special exhibits. They are not usually found in at home displays. You certainly will not have the Monday blues when you enjoy the beauty of a blue orchid. This bloom was photographed at the Maryland Orchid Society Show which was part of the Maryland Home and Garden Show at the Timonium Fairgrounds. Please share photographs from your favorite places in the comments for this post. Maryland Orchid Society Show, Timonium Fairgrounds, March 11, 2011. Canon PowerShot G11 camera. Photograph by Roy Kelley. Please contact us for information on homes for sale ... 03/21/2011

The season for orchid shows Everybody seems to be having orchid shows and sales this month. These photographs were taken at the Maryland Orchid Society Show and Sale at the Maryland Home and Garden show at the Timonium Fairgrounds. You do not need to be an orchid grower or expert to enjoy the shows and capture the unusual shapes and colors. The big Orchid Extravaganza is the current show at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. It is well worth the trip if you can make it to the area. If you have photographs from favorite places or shows, please share them in the comments for this post. Maryland Orchid Society Show, Timonium Fairgrounds, March 11, 2011. Canon PowerShot G11 camera. Photograph by Roy Kelley. Please contact us for information on homes for sale in Montgomery Cou... 03/20/2011

 An unusual orchid for you It is fun to photograph orchids at local and regional orchid shows that are popular at this time of the year. Those that are not orchid professionals are sometime surprised by the wide variety of orchid shapes and colors. Some are not very pretty and many are unusual because we not not frequently see them in household settings. Please share your shots of orchids in the comments for this post. If you don't have an orchid photograph, show us what you enjoy. Maryland Orchid Society Show, Timonium Fairgrounds, March 11, 2011. Canon PowerShot G11 camera. Photograph by Roy Kelley. Please contact us for information on homes for sale in Montgomery County, Maryland. 03/20/2011

Life is better when there are orchids to photograph We have a beautiful sunny Saturday morning in Montgomery County, Maryland. Orchid lovers are attending the weekend orchid sale at Brookside Gardens at the Wheaton Regional Park. http://www.montgomeryparks.org/brookside/ From the website: "Brookside Gardens is Montgomery County's incomparable, award-winning 50-acre public display garden situated within Wheaton Regional Park. Included in the gardens are several distinct areas: Aquatic Garden, Azalea Garden, Butterfly Garden, Children's Garden, Rose Garden, Japanese Style Garden, Trial Garden, Rain Garden and the Woodland Walk. The Formal Gardens areas include a Perennial Garden, Yew Garden, the Maple Terrace, and Fragrance Garden. Brookside Gardens also feature two conservatories for yea... 03/19/2011

Maryland Orchids Horticulture Hall at the Timonium Fairgrounds was the location of the Maryland Orchid Society Show and Sale. The event was part of the large Maryland home and Garden Show.  Dolores and I were there on a cold day and it was very nice to be surrounded by orchids of every type and color. Yesterday was an unusually warm day in Maryland and many of us got in a little yard and garden work as we prepare for the spring season. The warm weather also created activity among many prospective home buyers. They will be looking at open houses this weekend as they take advantage of the very attractive home prices and the extremely low interest rates. Those that plan to use FHA financing have the additional incentive to have their case numbers assigned before the April 18th increase in ... 03/19/2011

The Federal Reserve Board announced the final rules to protect mortgage borrowers from unfair, abusive, or deceptive lending practices that can arise from loan originator compensation practices. This new rules apply to mortgage brokers and the companies that employ them, as well as mortgage loan officers employed by depository institutions and other lenders.  The new and final rules will take effect on April 1, 2011. It is a common practice now a day that lenders pay loan originators more compensation if the borrower accepts an interest rate higher than the rate required by the lender which is commonly referred to as yield spread premium.  But because of the final rules, a loan originator may not receive compensation that is based on the interest rate or other loan terms. The final rule... 03/18/2011

Sharing our visit to the Maryland Orchid Society Show On Friday, Dolores and I attended the Maryland Home and Garden Show. It was actually three shows in one complex at the Timonium Fairgrounds. The Maryland Orchid Society Show and Sale was in the first building. The second building was the home show and the third build housed the craft show. We really enjoyed taking flower photographs at the Orchid Show. All of them will be posted on my Facebook page as they are edited. If we are not Friends with you on Facebook, use this email address on Facebook to become Friends today: roykelley@mris.com If you have photographs from some of your favorite places, please share them in the comments for this post. Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Maryland Orchid Society Show, Timonium Fairgrounds, March 11, 20... 03/17/2011

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An orchid for you! Time is running out if you wish to see Orchid Extravaganza in the Conservatory at Longwood Gardens. "On March 25-27, 2011 enter a world of dazzling orchids showcased by the best collectors and growers from Hawaii to South America during the annual International Orchid Show & Sale !" "Stunning exhibits fill the Conservatory and a wide array of orchids are for sale. Enjoy the American Orchid Society-judged show, guided tours, informative talks and a sales pavilion like no other." Roy and Dolores Kelley visited Longwood Gardens on Saturday, February 12, 2011 to see the Orchid Extravaganza in the Conservatory. A wonderful world class exhibit. Canon PowerShot G11 camera. Photograph by Roy Kelley. 03/16/2011

Flowers to photograph at Longwood Gardens Dolores and I enjoy taking photographs of flowers. One of our favorite destinations is Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. It is about 127 miles from our home so we can make a day trip or make this a weekend destination. Visitors are surrounded by thousands of beautiful flowers. The current exhibit in the Conservatory is Orchid Extravaganza. "Colorful orchids drape from walls, flow from pedestals and are even fashioned into curtains. Experience 20 rooms of pure sunshine where spring has never left. And your family won't want to, either. You will be amazed by the variety of orchids on display, featuring a plethora of colors, sizes, shapes and varieties, including Cattleya, Dendrobium, Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilum and Oncidium, among ... 03/15/2011

Welcome Spring - The Carroll County Farmers Market  Two Tomato Recipes - compliments of the Master Gardeners As you can see, I am dreaming of fresh tomatoes out of my garden. I am sowing tomato seeds and transplanting them  in my greenhouse now so I have tomato fever.  I even like the smell of the tomato plants. They smell like summer!  These recipes are samples of what you can taste at the Master Gardeners Heirloom Tomato Festival held here at the market in the summer  .They bring loads of fresh tomato dishes to sample and many heirloom varieties to compare and  taste.   You can use Aunt Ruby's German Green Heirloom Tomato variety for this awesome pie or just pick some of any variety when they are green.   I have never made Mary Ann's pie but I always make sure I get a bite of it when ... 03/14/2011

More flower photographs from Longwood Gardens We enjoyed a beautiful weekend in Maryland and the official beginning of spring is only a few days away. Beds of daffodils are blooming along the Potomac River with the Washington Monument in the background. All the neighbors are out shopping for garden supplies and flowers to plant. The beautiful flowers in the Conservatory at Longwood Gardens have provided a retreat from the winter cold and a preview of the blooms we will soon see in our neighborhoods. The current exhibit at Longwood Gardens is Orchid Extravaganza. It is well worth the trip to Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Orchid lovers should definitely visit this show. www.longwoodgardens.org Longwood gardens is about 127 miles from Kentlands and is one our favorite travel destinations. ... 03/13/2011

Selecting flowers to photograph at Longwood Gardens Last night, we had severe storm warnings, tornado warnings and flash flood alerts. Very unusual March weather in Montgomery County, Maryland. When we have bad weather, we think about a favorite retreat, Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. This is one of our favorite day trip or weekend travel destinations. Longwood gardens is about 127 miles from Kentlands, our home community in Gaithersburg. The current exhibit in the Conservatory at Longwood Gardens is Orchid Extravaganza. This is an outstanding show and well worth the trip. If you can be in the area, check the schedule of events on their website:  www.longwoodgardens.org If you have photos from a favorite place, please share them in the comments. If you see a favorite ... 03/10/2011

The Department of Veterans Affairs has no specific amount imposed as a maximum loan for VA mortgages.  But, the VA guaranty amount varies with the size of the loan and the location of the property.  The borrowers do not need to make a down payment because lenders are able to obtain guaranty from VA.  The Veterans Association will guarantee 25 percent of the principal loan amount, up to the maximum guaranty and the maximum guaranty varies depending on the location of the property.  VA loans offer advantages over non-VA loans.  It can help you save your money and you have the greater chance to be approved because of its easy-to-comply requirements.  It is suitable for first time home buyers.  The following are the advantages of VA loans. •1.     No down payment.  The loans have no up-fron... 03/09/2011

Find your LUXURY Maryland Rental Now (click on above  banner now) Featured Luxury Rental In (((((Gaithersburg  Maryland))))) ( Please check Photo Gallery and see how much $3300 per month means to your housing needs.  . )  6430 STREAM VALLEY WAY GAITHERSBURG, MARYLAND 20882 Price: $3,300 4 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms 1 Partial BathsListing # MC7526643 View Photo Gallery (19)Available from 03/01/2011.Renovated in 2010.Excellent location.Elegant and very spacious SF home in Brookefield sub div.Offers 4 BR/3.5 BA, Large wooded lot, Gourmet eat-in kitchen with an island, granite counters, newer appliances, 2 car garage, 2 story foyer, 2 story Family room, Large office/library on main level,Separate Dining room, spacious Liv. room,a bright sun room & gleamingwood floors. Basic Features: Acres: 2.0... 03/09/2011

Another great service from www.HERBOSO.com Foreclosure Of The Day  Foreclosure Of The Day Gaithersburg Maryland Walk to the pool! 3 1/2 Bathrooms! 20204 RAVENSDALE CT GAITHERSBURG, MARYLAND 20886 Price: $163,900 2 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms 1 Partial BathsListing # MC7524950 Click to Enlarge2 bedroom 3.5 bath room townhouse close to the community pool and rec center. Basic Features: Acres: 0.024105Area: City Name: GAITHERSBURGCounty Name: MONTGOMERYNeighborhood: Schools: State: MARYLANDSub Area:  Subdivision: SUFFOLK PLACEType: TownhouseZip: 20886Bathrooms: 3Bedrooms: 2Partial Baths: 1Square Ft:  Additional Features: Architectural Style: ColonialAttic: NoAuction: NoBasement Entrance: Connect StairBasement Type: Partially FinishedBasement: YesCooling Fuel: ElectricCooling System: Central A/C... 03/09/2011

Colors of spring Spring is near and I look forward to walks through Kentlands to photograph the blooming flowers. These shapshots were taken last May. Life is better when there are flowers to photograph! Photographs by Roy Kelley Please contact us for information on homes for sale in Montgomery County, Maryland. 03/08/2011