Colorful Fall Flowers

Sasanqua Camellia, native to Japan and the Ryukyu Islands, is one of my favorite foundation plantings. Its dark green waxy foliage alone is enough to have a place in the garden landscape. The sasanqua, however has an added fall surprise with its indescribable show of of pink and red blossoms. There are clusters of buds and profuse blossoms equal to colorful spring flowers. And when fall colors are predominant, this splash of pink and red really stands out.


Petals fall to the ground around the base of the shrub making a carpet of color, adding to the beauty


The sasanqua is not as large as the well known Japonica Camellia and better suited for small spaces. It is a densely branched evergreen with pyramidal to oval-rounded shape. It grows about 6-10’ high with lustrous dark green leaves and 2-3” flowers and can be pruned to a tree like shape.


I prefer the Sasanqua over the Japonica. On the crystal coast the Japonica blooms in December and January and sometimes our coastal winds and sudden cold spells burn the buds and blooms. At Thanksgiving the weather is still warm and the sasanqua is a show stopper.

One of the common cultivars found at most nurseries is “Yuletide” It has a re d flower with yellow stamens, single form, upright habit and dark green foliage. Another great sasanqua is “pink Butterfly”, bright pink, single, very large, October - November, and vigorous grower

Sources:

Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, Michael A. Dirr, page 173, Stipes Publishing, Campaign, Illinois, 5th revision - 1998.

All About Azaleas, Camellias, & Rhododendrons, Ortho Books, page 18 & 89

Crystal Coast Vacations

Thanks to Jason at Crystal Coast Rentals. for the following write-up about the John & Lucille Country Retreat. We appreciate his kind words.

Stella Country Retreat!

This vacation rental is simply amazing. When you look at all of the amenities it will provide you and your family, it’s easy to see the value here. The Stella Country Retreat is a place out in the country, not far at all from the beach.

The retreat is a large farmhouse that will take you back to simpler times for a very relaxing vacation experience. Staying off the island has several advantages with regards to noise and traffic.

Stella, NC is a quiet, and laid back kind of place. If you want to head to the beach for the day, you can be on the sand in about 15 minutes, if that. Pick fresh grapes from the vine while relaxing on the property. There are several other fruits to choose from too. Plum, apple, and fig tress also grow here.

The retreat is a great place for visitors planning to do some hunting or fishing. There’s a boat ramp very close to the retreat.

Visiting someone stationed at an area military installation? You’d be hard pressed to find better accommodations while staying in the area.

There’s plenty of activities to do in our area, and the Stella Country Retreat puts you right in the middle of a lot of them. The beaches, aquarium, and shopping are all very close by.

I hope you enjoy your visit to the Crystal Coast.

Happy New Year - 2009

The Retreat is still dressed in its holiday finest but the season is almost over with the New Year quickly approaching. It is time to start thinking about your next visit to this peaceful vacation home on North Carolina's Crystal Coast.


Resolve to vacation at the John & Lucille Country Retreat in the coming year. The retreat is waiting for you year-round with a wide variety of local activities each season.with 2008 rates. Spring and Summer months book quickly so call early to make your vacation plans at the John & Lucille Country Retreat, only one stop light from beaches of Emerald Isle and lots of shopping in the nearby historic Swansboro and the village of Cape Carteret.

2009 Rates Our 2009 rates are the same as 2008.
Rental Rates-2009

Guest Comments

Our guest leave comments about how wonderful the Retreat is for families. Spending time here for the holidays will be special. Click here Our guest say it best. Spacious and Roomy The retreat easily seats 12-14 people in the dining area and there is plenty space needed to prepare the meals. The kitchen is fully equipped with lovely china to set a beautiful table for those family meals. Also if your house is small, sometimes guests are sent to nearby motels. The cost of renting the Farmhouse is less than booking multiple hotel rooms.

For Reservations and Information call Deloria.

800-892-6775

"The retreat is as close to home
as you can get."

To show appreciation for the sacrifice of our troops and their families, I offer a 10% Military Discount to those on active duty and their families. Just tell me when you call to book your reservation.
See Military Discount

We enjoyed staying at this wonderful, peaceful, comfortable home as we welcomed "home" our son/brother from his (USMC) deployment to Iraq . We will likely be back again, and will spread the word about this special place. Thank you for all the care you take, Deloria, to make it so nice. Ludwig Family, Melbourne , Fl

For reservations and information
800-892-6775
Homeaway.com property 171885
VRB0.com property 197997

Catch The Holiday Spirit!

John & Lucille's Country Retreat

We're wearing our holiday finest this season and looking forward to your visit to this peaceful vacation home in the

crysal coast of North Carolina.

The Retreat is ready for your next visit

in 2009 with 2009 rates!

We're open year-round with a variety of local activities each season.

Make your vacation plan early to reserve your time at the

John & Lucille Country Retreat.

For reservations and information: 800-892-6775

Homeaway.com Property # 171885

VRBO.com Property # 197997

Spend The Holidays At The Retreat

The holidays bring families together to share great meals and to express love and affection for each other.

However, holiday time can also have stress and frustration. Spending the holidays at the John & Lucille Country Retreat can help alleviate the holiday hassle while saving money too.

Decorating- Let us decorate for you. The farmhouse is decorated beautiful for the holidays. You will save time by not having to put up the tree or take it down afterwards. Decorating for the holidays is a big job and takes a lot of planning and time.

Visiting Military- Staying at the retreat is as close to home as you can get for the holidays. We also give a 10% military discount for those visiting with marines at Camp Lejuene and Cherry Point.

We enjoyed staying at this wonderful, peaceful, comfortable home as we welcomed "home" our son/brother from his (USMC) deployment to Iraq. We will likely be back again, and will spread the word about this special place. Thank you for all the care you take, Deloria, to make it so nice. Ludwig Family, Melbourne, Fl

Hosting Holiday Festivities- Families often alternate hosting the holiday get-togethers. Spending the holidays at a centrally located home enable groups to split the holiday duties and expenses equally.

Roomy: The John & Lucille Country retreat easily seats 12-14 people in the dining area and there is plenty space needed to prepare the meals. The kitchen is fully equipped including a turkey roaster and lovely china to set a beautiful table for those holiday meals. Also if your house is small, sometimes guests are sent to nearby motels. The cost of renting the Farmhouse is less than booking multiple hotel rooms.

No Housework: With people in town for the holiday season, it is harder than usual to keep the house neat. We eliminate all the cleaning before guest arrive. You will begin your celebration as soon as you arrive.

Affordable: During the holiday season travelers can benefit from the reduced rates during the traditionally slower season.
Your wallet will thank you. Rental Rates - 2008

Our guest leave comments about how wonderful the Retreat is for families. Spending time here for the holidays will be special. Our guest say it best.

Visit John & Lucille's Country Retreat website

Grapes Ripe In September

On the north side of the farmhouse my parents planted Muscadine grapes over 25 years ago. The grape arbor now stretches 25 -30 feet long and is a beautiful site from the windows in the kitchen and dining area. Near the end of August the grapes begin to ripen and continue into October.

Muscadine grapes are native to the south and many people called them scuppernong. However, Scuppernong is the first cultivar named of the muscadine grapes. Here at the farmhouse there is also the Thomas (black) grape which is very good for cooking. To me, the scuppernong grape is the best eaten fresh from the vine. Grapes will keep in the refrigerator up to a week.

Guest vacationing at the farmhouse are encouraged to enjoy these delicious grapes. Part of the fun is the fellowship with friends and family while standing around the grape vine. I even have a bench for those who wish to rest for a few moments while picking and eating grapes. It an experience to be among the lush green leaves on the vines that cascade toward the ground, to smell the aroma of the ripe fruit and to taste this sweet fruit. This is a special season for me because is makes me so aware of the joy friends, family, and guest have here at this special home place of my parents.

During grape season I love to cook a grape pie. If you like fruit pies, I am sure you will love a grape pie too. I have cooked this pie and it is one of my favorites.

Grape Pie

Pastry for a double-crust 9-inch pie
5 cups fresh black or muscadine grapes
¾ cups sugar
2 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca
1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice

Line a 9-inch pie-plate with half of pastry; set aside
Wash grapes thoroughly, and remove seeds.
Place grapes in a large saucepan.
Bring to a boil; cover, and reduce heat
Cook 15 minutes or until grapes are soft.
Remove from heat; stir in sugar, tapioca, lemon rind, and lemon juice.
Spoon mixture into pastry-lined pie plate.
Cover with top pastry.
Trim edges of pastry; seal and flute edges.
Cut slits in top of pastry to allow steam to escape.
Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes;
Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake an additional 30 minutes

Dee’s Tip: Especially if I am using muscadine grapes, I add a couple drops of red food coloring to the grape mixture. It kicks the color up a notch!!


Source: Southern Living Annual 1985 Recipes page 212.

For information and reservation call 800-892-6775. Also visit the website: http://www.stellacountryretreat.com/

Eating Fresh Figs -A Highlight for Guests at the John & Lucille Country Retreat

One of the amenities while staying at the John & Lucille Country Retreat is picking the fresh fruit grown around the house. Guest can pick fresh plums, apples, figs, Muscatine grapes, and pecans when in season. For many guest this is a highlight of the week here at the Retreat. There is something special about eating home grown fruit while strolling the beautiful yard surrounding the Retreat. In late July and August figs begin to ripen.

Here at the John & Lucille Retreat the variety grown is call Celeste, a small to medium size fig that has a sugary flavor. It has a light violet to a violet-brown color with flesh of reddish amber. Figs must be allowed to ripen fully on the trees before they are picked. They will not ripen if picked before they mature. A ripe fruit is slightly soft and beginning to bend at the neck. Fresh figs only keep in the refrigerator 2-3 days so our guests are encourage to enjoy picking and eating plenty of figs while they are vacationing.

While many people think of figs as the main ingredient in Fig Newtons® or maybe preserves few have enjoyed the juicy sweet taste of fresh figs. The good news is not only are fresh figs a delicious fruit but they have great health benefits too. Figs are a good source of potassium which helps to control blood pressure. They are also a good source of dietary fiber and calcium promoting positive weight management and bone density. Finally they contain the trace mineral manganese.

Figs grow on the Ficus tree, which is a member of the Mulberry family. The ficus tree has large bright green leaves up to one foot in length. The branches spread wider than they are tall. The fig tree can be traced back to writings in historical documents as well as the Bible. The first notation of fig leaves in the Bible is Genesis 3:7 where after eating the forbidden fruit Adam and Eve sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves
Plums ripen in June

Figs ripen late July - Early August

Muscadine grapes - Late August - October

Pecans fall - October - November