Thursday, July 18, 2013 by lifeonthecutoff
The garden walk last Sunday was simply divine. We had a spectacular day with plenty of sunshine to bring out more than 500 garden guests. Would you like to take a little walk with me to see some of the gardening pleasures we enjoyed?
Come on. It won’t take long. Just watch your step as there are fairies in the gardens, all manner of gazing balls and statues, ambiance and, of course, everything horticultural to please, to entice, to inspire. I’ll stop talking so you can enjoy at your own pace.
writing about the environmental issues nobody is writing about.
Words of Wonder, Worry and Whimsy
Barnstorming: Seeking Sanctuary in the Seasons of a Rural Life
Creative information about Real Estate and Life in the Western Suburbs of Chicago
Chicago's Weekly Wildflower Report, News, Best Nature Hikes & Outdoor Getaways
An Episcopal Priest's Sermons, Prayers, and Reflections on Life, Becoming Human, and Discovering Our Divinity
Laura Ingalls Wilder's Pioneer Girl
A trip through life with fingers crossed and eternal optimism.
Thoughts about writing and life
Where observation and imagination meet nature in poetry.
music lover, truth teller, homey philosophy
"Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart." William Wordsworth
Circles of Life: My professional background in Foods and Nutrition (MS, Registered and Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist, RDN, LDN) provides the background for my personal interests in nutrition, foods and cooking; health and wellness; environment and sustainability.
Be a Leader in Your Own Life
by Melissa
Katahdin Sheep, Chickens, Ducks, Dogs and Novelist Adrienne Morris live here (with humans).
FOR DISCERNING READERS
An old fashioned heart
Acclaimed Speaker ~ New York Times Bestselling Author
Begun in 2010, this blog offers analysis and reflection by Susan Bailey on the life, works and legacy of Louisa May Alcott and her family. Susan is an active member and supporter of the Louisa May Alcott Society, the Fruitlands Museum and Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House.
Reducing stress one exhale at a time
A thousand thousand stories
musings from and about our cottage in the West of Ireland
Lifeonthecutoff's Blog 
I love the napkins on the table, Penny. And the masks. It’s all so lovely. It looks like it’s holding up to the humid heat you’re having.
LikeLike
It’s always inspiring when the homeowner’s set the table. Aren’t the masks interesting. The gardens did hold up. Last week was beautiful, lots of sun and decent temperatures. By Sunday, it was getting warmer. This week – heat advisories. We hit 98 today.
LikeLike
Have enlarged all these and have to say that my favorite is the water feature with the lily pads and waterfall at the top. The colors are so bright and vibrant and scream sweet summer! I applaud those of you who worked so diligently on this event. Seems like it gets better every year. Also love the fairy as they always live in gardens.
LikeLike
Oh, that garden is one of my all time favorites, Marilyn. Rose has been on this walk before. She is a wonderful, wonderful gardener, starts from seed, and has some interesting plants. We do work hard, thank you, but, it is the homeowners who really put in the time, sweat, and money and make it possible. I wish you could be here to see it. A few of the gardens had fairies. I love to see where they turn up.
Glad you enlarged them, Marilyn. There is so much more to see that way.
Stay cool. Hotter than Hades here today.
LikeLike
This is so lovely, Penny. Great job and what hard workers your gardeners must be. I enjoy all of the pictures so much that I am afraid to comment on any because they are all my favorites. Pat yourself and your club members on the back and proclaim “Well done!”
LikeLike
The gardeners are what make this happen, Janet. They put in a lot of hours, sweat, and money to make their gardens look so grand, and it really is a team effort on the part of the club. Thank you, Janet.
LikeLike
This is a delightful garden, Penny. I love the subtle colours of the water feature, and enjoyed my walk. What a huge piece of organising, but so worthwhile.
LikeLike
Actually, these are six of the seven gardens featured on the walk, Juliet. I wish you could have been on the actual walk, for you surely would have enjoyed it. I love this water feature. The homeowner/gardener, Rose, is a dear, dear woman whose love of gardening flows as sweetly as her pond and whose name exemplifies her beauty.
It is a lot of organizing, which most of our members participating in one form or another. The gardens expose visitors to the many, many ways of gardening, horticulture, environment, which is part of our mission to educate. Then, of course, it is a fundraiser with moneys going mostly to scholarship.
LikeLike
I loved my walk, and as always with events like this, took loads of ideas and am now thinking how they can translate to the French garden, and even the little patch of earth I call the Yorkshire garden. Lovely photos Penny, and a truly inspirational walk. Thanks. Jx
LikeLike
That pleases me so much to hear, Janice.
Though you can’t tell it from these pictures, one of the gardens had a very distinct French theme. There was even French music playing. The walk was on the 14th – Bastille Day. It was fun. Two of the homes actually had cactus growing on the west sides of their homes, against the house, which formed a bit of a mini-climate. They were in full bloom in June. One of the simplest ideas, which I garnished years ago on a similar walk, was the use of gazing balls in the garden. Only one can expand the garden and provide new interest, which reminds me that I need to move mine as the ferns are now covering it.
I enjoy seeing your French garden.
LikeLike
I am so glad the garden walk was a success, Penny. It sounds like you had a wonderful turnout! You are probably a bit relieved it’s behind you, however, since I’m sure it was a lot of work. I love all the whimsical pieces of art placed throughout. There appears to be so much detail to enjoy. I can gather inspiration even at a distance! 🙂
LikeLike
We are all relieved, Debra, and I’m enjoying this weekend. The weather has cooled some. Yea! I wish you could have seen these gardens. Two had cactus, though they were just about through blooming. I think they were a prickly pear that is native to Illinois (who knew?). I thought of you when I saw them a few weeks ago in bloom.
Isn’t the detail exciting? I really should have taken more pictures of plant material, but, was so taken by so much art in the garden this year that my camera just wouldn’t stop. tee hee
LikeLike
Oh Penny, it was obviously a perfect day with perfectly beautiful gardens! Thanks so much for sharing them with us.
LikeLike
It was, indeed, Sallie. I only wish you could have been there in person (so I could meet you and you could enjoy firsthand).
You are welcome.
LikeLike