Thursday, July 21, 2011

And Then We Went To Heaven

There are places I have visited that resonate in my heart. In a Goldilocks fashion,each one has felt " just right" to me. Fire Island,NY where I have summered with my friend Larry for over 20 years in an assortment of houses, one more charming than the next. The house on Lake Ariel where Anne and John were married, and our friends Geoff and Chuck's farm in Maryland with it's 5 acres acres of gardens  filled with  shrieking peacocks and  guinea hens running in circles.

Chaticleer garden in Wayne , Pennsylvania is another source of magic for me.  Set on the former estate of the Rosengarten family, it offers 35 acres of romantically planted gardens to roam.

On Sunday, wearing sunscreen and hats, carrying bottles of water and of course a camera we roamed.   We met the ex,Tony and his partner Meredith, in the shade of Annie's house.  For two hours we chatted and strolled and perspired and sat in chairs under vine covered trellises. We saw living arches, and "pool tables" and potting sheds and a "ruin" garden and lotus in bloom.  That alone was worth the slight sunburn and Meredith's  touch of heatstroke ( at least I hope so). 









It is rumored that today our temperature will hit 110 degrees.  My garden will be off limits for me. So I'm going to cruise back here today and remember what it felt like walking and talking with friends in a little slice of heaven on earth.
Posted by flwrjane at Thursday, July 21, 2011
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22 comments:

  1. JulesJuly 21, 2011 at 7:51 AM

    Definitely worth the sunburn,,,not sure about the heatstroke though! How beautiful xx

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  2. A Whole Lotta MagicJuly 21, 2011 at 7:54 AM

    We're expecting similar temps. I hope my garden doesn't fry :(

    S
    xo

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  3. An Urban CottageJuly 21, 2011 at 8:51 AM

    You're a good writer. Love the view framed by stonework.

    Stay cool!

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  4. UnknownJuly 21, 2011 at 8:59 AM

    it is about 59 degrees and lashing with rain here! That sunny garden tour has warmed my bones and put a smile on my face, thanks!xx

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  5. JenJuly 21, 2011 at 9:07 AM

    I love the idea of a ruin garden. I know exactly what you mean about places that feel "just right". We went to Fire Island for several summers and for me it is the perfect beach community--no cars, 1/2 mile from bay to ocean, take a ferry to get there, old houses...well, you know.

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  6. AnonymousJuly 21, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    It does look like pure heaven to me. Can you imagine how beautiful your life would be to be the caretaker of it all. The photos are gorgeous...show us more if you have them. How did you pry yourself away to come home!

    It's hot here too...I'm staying inside in front of the fan, praying my garden survives!

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  7. Connie in HartwoodJuly 21, 2011 at 9:48 AM

    I missed the chance to visit Chanticleer with my garden club last year ... still disappointed that I missed it.

    Since I am just south of you, our temps will mirror yours. I have already been outside working this morning, to take advantage of relatively cooler temps and some shade, and I intend to hide inside for the remainder of the day. Perhaps I can find something useful to occupy my time. I would love to have the opportunity to thank the person responsible for the invention of air conditioning.

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  8. BonnieJuly 21, 2011 at 10:01 AM

    Absolutely beautiful! I can only imagine the hours I could spend quietly roaming the grounds. I love the coleus boxes; the lotus blossom photo is frameable. My gardens are short of being crispy fried, and the weeds are having a party out there. Stay cool and hydrated!

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  9. MadeliefJuly 21, 2011 at 10:17 AM

    Still hot in your part of the US. So sorry! Wish I could send some rain and lower temperatures your way. We would love to have some of your sun.

    Wow, what a beautiful garden. I can imagine you enjoyed it. How are the flowers called on your last two photo's. Because of their huge leaves I cannot place them.

    Lieve groet, Madelief x

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  10. ShelleyJuly 21, 2011 at 11:33 AM

    Park me under the stonework 'arch/lintel. a great photo!

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  11. the gardener's cottageJuly 21, 2011 at 11:38 AM

    gorgeous photos jane. stay cool - but you already are.

    xo

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  12. SuzJuly 21, 2011 at 1:02 PM

    Beautiful images!

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  13. Sweetgum ThursdayJuly 21, 2011 at 1:21 PM

    Chanticleer equals absolute paradise. I will never forget walking those incredible grounds as if in a dream. What an incredibly talented staff of gardeners and artists they have there. Enjoy and stay cool.

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  14. DanJuly 21, 2011 at 2:59 PM

    Looks gorgeous and very peaceful. Reading this post from North Wales, and hoping for a heatstroke kind of day very soon (instead of lots of rain).
    I loved this post not just for the gardens, but for the fab times spent with friends.
    Dan
    -x-

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  15. Share my GardenJuly 21, 2011 at 4:54 PM

    Oh, those lotus blooms! I'm wearing a warm jumper and hiding from the rain - can we do a swap? !

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  16. Sharon ParkerJuly 21, 2011 at 5:02 PM

    Gorgeous photos. Thanks for the stroll through such idyllic gardens. So sorry you're experiencing the heat wave we just had (I'm in Minnesota). I hope, since you're not in the corn belt, that it won't be as humid for you (dang sweaty corn!).

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  17. webbJuly 21, 2011 at 6:20 PM

    The lotus are gorgeous. do wish my pond were large enough, but alas the fish want me to keep part of it available for them. Darn greedy fish! Thanks for the picture. I am in love. xoxo

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  18. Semi ExpatJuly 22, 2011 at 12:03 AM

    Stunning photographs and I love your phrase "goldilocks fashion" - think I will use that for something being just right! Sorry have not been around for a while. Catching up and loved the photos (and the flowers of course) of your redhead friend's wedding! Beautiful and sounded like a wonderful day... Try and keep cool - what HOT temps... (and thanks for lovely comment too!) S XX

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  19. robynJuly 22, 2011 at 1:57 AM

    Love those window boxes.. wonderful gardens!

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  20. the fishermans cottageJuly 22, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    I love visiting gardens and this one is so lovely Jane, love all the different vistas. There are some plants I have never seen before, like the last photo is that some sort of water lily?

    p.s. Yep :), my daughter, Chloe is 18 and my son, Sonny is 16 I was lucky one of each! x

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  21. Travel With LuluJuly 22, 2011 at 10:58 AM

    Just beautiful photos. Everyone needs a 'happy place' :)

    Stay cool XOL

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  22. AnonymousJuly 22, 2011 at 2:40 PM

    Wait, wait, wait...you mean it's summertime on the other side to the country? Huh.

    Gorgeous gardens! Do they do weddings there?

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