Easter at The Experiment

Spring is here and we celebrated Easter with the annual Experiment Egg Hunt! Kids of all ages enjoyed the day and got an early spring look at how The Experiment is coming along.

 Of course the Tree had to be apart of the festivities. We tried something a little different this year with the dye for our eggs and the colors turned out pretty good.

After the egg hunt we had a relaxing day, being outside and enjoying the great spring weather. It was a perfect Easter Sunday. 

 Spring is a busy time at The Experiment because when the weather warms up, the tree starts to grow. We've got some big decisions to make this spring about size and shape of the tree. The candles should start shooting out pretty soon, and so it won't be long before it's trimming time again!

 

REMINDER: Don't miss out on any of the special events planned this year at The Experiment. I will keep the schedule posted on the blog, so be sure to check back. If you would like to book The Experiment for a spring or summer event (wedding, reunion, birthday) let us know.

New Year's Resolutions

We are almost two months into the New Year but it's never too late to make some resolutions! There is alot going on here at The Experiment, and with spring looming and the pace of life quickening, we want to get this done before we get too busy. It's also been more than a year and a half since The Experiment began!

 

So here are New Year's Resolutions for The Experiment.

 

1.  More updates for the Blog. Unfortunatley, watching a tree grow is only slightly more exciting that watching paint dry. Which of course leads to the question, "how boring would it be to watch a painted tree?" I'm going to try and explore more of the science of trees this year and get a better understanding about the relationship between Mother Nature, science, and  good old fashion luck.

2.  Continue our refusal to use any Performance Enhancing Drugs or Growth Hormones at The Experiment. Our tree is 100% natural! In addition, Lance Armstrong, Alex Rodriguez, and Barry Bonds have been banned from ever visiting The Experiment. In fact, anyone with a head bigger than a size 8 1/2 will have to pass a drug test before then can enter.

3.  Make some serious decisions about shapping the tree. The toughest part of doing this is having to make the decisions about what branches stay, and what branches go. So this year I'm going to make a couple of choices in order to better shape the tree. This might not happen until mid-summer because I want to wait and see how things shape up after I clip the candles in a couple of months.  It's just tough to make those cuts, because you can't put branches back.

4   Have a GREAT summer in the backyard! The Experiment is only a small part of my backyard world. Right now, with all the grey and gloom of winter it doesn't seem possible, but I really look forward to spending time ourdoors reading and relaxing and working in the yard. Firing up the barbque and entertaining friends! Andas boring as it might be, watching my tree grow! Four months until Summer Vacation! Bring it on!! 

 

Since this is my Blog, I get to add my family photos. We had a great weekend early in February with all the kids in town. Naturally, everyone wanted to see how The Experiment was doing and get their picture taken with the tree.  

 

Family Photo - Me, Caitlin, Kris, Elizabeth, and David. I think this is the first time that my wife Kris has made  appearance on the blog. It's too bad we didn't have the tree when the kids were little and we could have taken photos every year of how tall they were compared to the tree.  

 

My son David and daughter-in-law Elizabeth were visiting from Las Vegas where they keep track of The Experiment through the blog. They were impressed by the way the tree is shaping up.

 

Daughter Caitlin and her boyfriend Les were also in town. It was Caitlin who helped me get The Experiment started two summers ago with a birthday gift certificate for the tree. Les has been a faithful follower of the blog and was anxious to get a first hand look at The Experiment. Both were impressed with how green and fragrant the tree is. 



Winter can be dreary in the northwest and a lonely time when you are stuck inside on a cold wet day. Just remember, everyday is one day closer to summer! It won't be long before the weather starts to warm, the flowers begin to bloom, and the candles start to shoot out and our tree is ready for another trim.

 

Visting Hours: Because of my duties coaching baseball, winter hours at The Experiment will be cut back to weekends from noon to 4 until further notice. Please call ahead to make sure we are open for visitors. And it is never to soon to plan your summer event or trip to The Experiment. Please call guest serivces to book your wedding, reunion, or birthday celebration.

Merry Christmas!

Winter can get pretty damp and dreary around the Northwest, but our little tree is holding up well. We hope that you are too.  All of us at The Experiment want to wish everyone a great holiday season and a Happy New Year!

September's Special Visitor

It's been awhile since I updated the blog, and I don't want to forget to report on a special visitor to The Experiment in September.

Captain David Fox of the United States Air Force was in town to make a formal inspection. Captain Fox is with the Air Force Legal Office, and while the reasons for his visit were top secret, speculation centered on several topics. Many at The Experiment think the Air Force might be thinking about  developing their own Poodle Trees to be used for military purposes, and they want to use The Experiment as a basis for their start-up.Those of us at The Experiment want it to be known we do not want our research into Poodle Tree science to be used for anythiing other than goodness and kindness and making the World a better place.There was also speculation that the Air Force was concerned The Experiment might disrupt air space. That rumor was quickly forgotten when Captain Fox saw the tree was only six feet tall.

Captain David Fox was impressed by the needles on the tree. While he could not comment on the nature or reasons for his visit, Captain Fox did say it was the finest Poodle Tree he had ever seen, and that the Air Force was interested in learning more about the project. We all hope Captain Fox comes back for another visit soon.

 

 

Don't forget the Holidays are coming up, and The Poodle Tree Experiment has plenty of gifts that would be just perfect for that special someone on your list. We also have gift certificates if you just can't make a decision for those hard to please friends. You can also purchase Holiday Cards to share the season, and The Experiment with your friends and family! It's also not to soon to book your holiday parties at The Experiment. Call Guest Services for more information and prices!

 

Labor Day at The Experiment

Labor Day marks the end of summer for many, and that is especially true for teachers. It also marked the first annual Labor Day celebraton at The Experiment. Guest speaker Frank Plescia of the Traveling Poodlers was forced to cancel his talk, but that didn't stop the fun!

Elizabeth Jaspers Fox came all the way from Las Vegas to take part in the celebration! Here she gets her picture taken with the tree and Ripken the Wonder Dog! To mark the end of summer, I moved the tree from its traditional spot near the house to a more open location where it will get more of the late afternoon sun. I will probably moved it back during the winter to guard against the cold.

 

Halloween at The Experiment: It's never to early to make plans for the annual Halloween Celebration at The Experiment. The night will include trick or treating, hayrides, and a pumpkin carving contest. There is no charge but you do need to call ahead and reserve your spot. Space is limited so don't wait!



Sunrise at the Experiment

Every Thursday in August we have been holding a special event at The Experiment, getting up early to watch the sunrise through the branches of our little tree.

The backyard is pretty shaded and so we don't get alot of sun at anytime of the day, but when it does break through, it is pretty spectacular! There is nothing like an early summer morning, breakfast on the deck, and the sun peeking through to shine on the tree. There are only two Thursdays left in August for you to enjoy the beauty of it, so make your reservations now! Coffee and treats provided.

One Year Anniversary

The one year anniversary of The Experiment is in July and so it's time to take stock in just where we are in the process. I was told this would be a three to five year project, and I think things look like they are coming along just fine!

Here's what the tree looks like today. The ends of the branches are starting to form balls and it's really taking shape. I think I might still need to trim a couple more of the branches as they get larger so they won't bump into each other, but that is for another day.

As a frame of reference, this is what the tree looked like on the day I put it into the pot, back in July of 2011. Quite a difference.

I really like the way the top of the tree is starting to look. I'm not sure if it will form one big ball or each branch will have its own. We'll just let nature decide. I am a little concerned about some brown needles on the middle of the branches. I don't know if that is a problem or just summer-time pine tree blues. Something to keep an eye on.

Finally, I had to include a picture of my daughter Caitlin, who helped me get The Experiment started. She is off studying in France this summer and this picture was taken just before she left. There should be some good Karma there, with a poodle tree and a summer in France!

SUMMER HOURS: For a special summer treat, come watch the sun come up at The Experiment! Every Thursday in August we will open early for a special sunrise viewing. Enjoy coffee and treats, and watch the summer sunrise thru the branches of the tree! Be sure to call ahead an make reservations because space is filling up fast.

LABOR DAY AT THE EXPERIMENT: Make your reservations now to hear from one of the leading experts on Poodle Trees, Frank Plescia of the Traveling Poodlers. Plescia will give a talk titled "Why I'm a Poodler and How You Can Be Too!" It's part of our Labor Day weekend celebration at The Experiement.