There were two open gardens at the Garden Conservancy Open Days this past Sunday. One was Mettawa Manor, the other was in Highland Park.
The Highland Park home does not have the celebrity of Mettawa Manor, but, it is rich in architecture and lush in texture. The wooden bench, above, is just one of many features in this garden that were both beautiful and inspiring.
This bench also provided these two characters, who were flitting about, a quiet spot to rest their feet after oohing and ahhh-ing as they strolled about and had a delightful time talking with the homeowner.
Since I was one of those characters, the one who talks too much, I’ll be silent now and show you a few highlights from the Highland Park garden,
“I think I hear someone calling your name, Penny” said Tom.
“Look who it is”
How nice it was to run into Jan and Mike.
Meanwhile, back at the Manor . . .
Speaking of manor houses, look what’s coming to Chicago’s Driehouse Museum.
Downton Abbey (PBS) Season 1, 2010
Shown from left: Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern
image from here.
Lifeonthecutoff's Blog 
Lovely, Penny. Looks like a beautiful garden walk. So nice to see flourish flowers. The ones near me are drying up in the heat. 😦 Hope you and Tom enjoyed your visit.
How cool that exhibit is coming to the Driehouse Museum.
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It was, L. Marie. All the gardens have been gorgeous this year, including my own, but, boy, between the wind and the heat they are really sagging and drying up. We enjoyed the visit tremendously.
It is exciting ! I am hoping to see it. I enjoy costume and clothing exhibits and this one should prove to be a good one.
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That’s the right bench for the two of you.
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Thanks, Gerlinde. We have a spot or two where it would love good. 🙂
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That bench is out of this world and you and Tom are a perfect fit!
I can’t wait for the DA exhibit!
Are you watching Poldark and did you catch The Crimson Fields? Poldark ends this week and Crimson Field wasn’t renewed. Phooey.
Hope your weekend is another one of “gleaning” as you are out and about!
take care and stay cool.
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We managed a nice, snug fit in it, Marilyn. Thank you. Wish I had one for our yard.
I can’t either. I’m hoping to go with some friends. Is it coming near you?
I did catch part of Poldark and think I need some time to just watch it uninterrupted. It seems I never got to see an episode in its entirely, so lost some of the content, but, enjoyed what I saw. I did see The Crimson Fields, and, well, it’s summer,
MN family is in and we are enjoying having family together this week. Yes. another weekend of gleaning, this time love and laughter. Enjoy your day, Marilyn.
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Lovely day in a beautiful setting. Flowers, friends, sweetheart, sunshine. And a little whimsy to season the mix!thanks for sharing it.
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Whimsy; the secret ingredient – you have said it all, Sallie. Thank you. Hope you are having a good weekend.
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Such a fun outing, Penny! What fun to see Jan there, too! You always find the best places to explore!
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Thank you, Dawn. You do pretty well at exploring yourself. Enjoy your day. 🙂
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After that brutal winter, isn’t it inspiring and just awesome to see greenery! And flowers and color? Gotta soak it all up.
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It most certainly is. 🙂 We have had one of the greenest summers I can remember and the gardens have been glorious this year. As I write, a thunderstorm is passing through. Hope your weather has been good. 🙂
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Beautiful photos and the best one of them all is you and Tom sitting on that lovely little bench! Finally, we got some rain last night! It is amazing how quickly everything can dry up even after such a wet summer!
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Thank you, Janet. It would be fun to have such a bench here, but, then again, the deer would probably attack it. 🙂
Boy-oh-boy, that’s the truth. Up until last week, I’d only watered once all summer (except for some of the potted plants). Everything was lush and green, then, last week’s heat, brown and forlorn. Last night’s storm was quite dramatic and it looks like a few inches here. We needed it.
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You and Tom look like young lovers!
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Awwww . . . thank you, Juliet.
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Penny, I have had a few days with Internet disruption and it seems I have missed quite a bit! I LOVE that bench. Oh my but that’s a showstopper! And I think the loving couple sitting on it look youthful and full of fun as well. 🙂 Lovely day, I’m sure and I love all the color. Speaking of color, I’m green with envy at the exhibit coming to the Dreihouse! You will, of course, be our reporter on the ground. I’m counting on you…
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We couldn’t resist a bit of a rest on the bench. I would LOVE to have one, but, grateful to have my companionable bench-sitter even more. It was such a lovely day, Debra, with two private gardens I am certain you would enjoy.
I am intending to go to the exhibit, Debra, and have put the “bug” in the ear of a few like-minded and lovely Downton loving ladies. The Driehouse AND the Downton costumes – oh my. You can be assured that should I make it in the doors I will come out with photos. 🙂
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