Monday, May 16, 2016

Southern Exposure: European Edible Basket

Back to Southern Exposure for the final workshop of the spring. It was a cold, wet, gloomy day. The bits of blue sky we saw on the way down disappeared sometime between breakfast and the end of the workshop and we were all wishing we'd worn fleece!


During wedding season, the first thing you see when you come through the gates is this wonderful vintage car!


It takes you back to a gentler, easier time, to be sure!



We went to Southern Exposure for a workshop that the brochure called a European Hanging Basket. I call it the European Edible Basket because the project was filled with herbs and edible flowers! But more on that later.


It may have been gloomy but we were welcomed with bird song in the air and rose petals on the walkway!


We arrived in time for a quick walk about, and then it was time for a fabulous, herb-packed breakfast. Chef Elsie did well by us with scrambled eggs with basil, hash browns with thyme, rosemary herbed butter for our croissant, a fabulous grilled pork with the salty tastiness of a bacon or ham, and a honey yogurt with granola. The hot tea (or coffee) was welcome and so were the cheery mimosa, the closest thing to sun we would see all day!


The workshop itself was fun. We received nine plants to include in our hanging basket -- basil, thyme, parsley, rosemary, kale, Swiss chard, viola, dianthus and dwarf snapdragon. The flowers are edible. Then it was a matter of putting it together. A little moss covered the finished product.

 

Of course, Scott and Angie brought us all mimosa while we worked!


I was happy! Can you tell?


And yes, the chickens made an appearance. They deserved applause, having offered up their fresh eggs for our breakfast!


Then it was time to continue our walk.The trillium were in perfect bloom.


And I couldn't resist taking lots of photos of the bleeding hearts.


Bleeding hearts are one of my favorites, bringing back powerful memories of times spent on my grandparents' farm as a child.



It had rained the night before (and yes, that morning!) so the droplets on the flowers took my breath away.


I love shooting on an overcast day because the intensity of the colors is more powerful and far less washed out. Today was perfect for that.



I'm always fond of the gates and fences at Southern Exposure. It was fun playing with my new camera setting to see how differently things could look!



The Straw Guy was holding court too, this time with a giant pot of pansies.


One of my favorite stops is in the small greenhouse.

                  

I particularly like the light in here, too! And the lovely things tucked inside.


You might pass by this statue in the garden, somewhat hidden by foliage. Yet she was lovely.


We also stopped by the chicken house to thank the birds for sharing their eggs for our breakfast.



And wandering by the other buildings is always a treat.



And as always, we ended up back at the gift shop.

 

Thanks for joining us on our Southern Exposure excursion. Unless we head back simply to walk the gardens in the summer, this is our last visit until workshops begin again in the fall.


I have a feeling we might have withdrawal!


This post will be linked to Talk of the Town on Wednesday, Thoughts of Home on Thursday and Pink Saturday on -- yes, Saturday! On Monday I'll be at the Second Garden Party hosted by Share Your Cup and Thoughts of Home -- check out some amazing gardens there!


Come back later in the week to check on the links to visit lots of beautiful blogs!

40 comments:

jo(e) said...

What a beautiful place -- even without sunshine!

~*~Patty S said...

What a delight from beginning to end.
It will be fun to see your edible basket grow with so many lovely treats in store for you Jeanie.
I too am smitten by Bleeding Hearts which also have family ties for me.
My Opa grew them in grand style.
I read once in an herb book that they are nicknamed "ladies in the bath". If you turn a blossom upside down you can see (with a little imagination) the lovely pale lady in her fancy bath ;-)
So true about shooting without brilliant sun glare.
oxo
p.s. it is fun to see you've connected with Elizabeth and friends ♥ couldn't help but notice you around in new places :-)

Barb said...

I would be in big trouble if this place was near my home. Your shots are wonderful - I agree, I love a cloudy or overcast day for photography. You and the new camera are sympatico! I see many note-cards in the making!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Jeanie, I love your basket. What a fun workshop! Your photos are really beautiful.

Sandra Cox said...

What a lovely place. Breakfast looks scrumptious and those baskets...wondrous.

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

On what a beautiful place - the flowers are stunning.
Your breakfast sounds wonderful. I love a good breakfast and it seemed like yours was.

Thanks so much for taking us along on this tour. Your basket is very pretty.

Enjoy your week.

Hugs,
Mary

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I always love it when you take a workshop at Southern Exposure. That breakfast sounds adorable. For my meal today, I had egg salad I made using my very own dill. I can't wait to see your lovely edible basket as it grows through the summer months.

What wonderful photos of the bleeding hearts, pansies, and tulips. Like you, I much prefer an overcast day when shooting photos outside. There is something to be said for the purity of the colors and depths you can create in those situations.

It was wonderful of you to take us with you to Southern Exposure. I may have withdrawals, and I have never been there!

Bella Rum said...

Southern Exposure is the most beautiful place, even if it was more like Northern Exposure this time. Incredible photos. You're right about taking photos on overcast days. The colors are truer. Your edible basket turned out beautifully.

The French Hutch said...

Oh I would love this place Jeanie. So filled with loveliness from the flowers to the chickens! The breakfast sounds delicious and yes you look so happy and enjoying your workshop. My kind of day……….

Victoria Zigler said...

Other than the pork part, that breakfast sounds amazing!

Actually, I'm glad it's nearly dinner time, because this entire post made me hungry. What a fun and tasty workshop!

Daniela said...

Oh my world, sweetest one, what a dreamy walk, I wholeheartedly thank you for you truly brought me back in time, and you know how I do love it, blessed be !!!

Hope you're enjoying your week just begun I wish you much love for your days to come, dearest Jeanie, sending my dearest hugs to you

Dany

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

Your basket turned out great and how fun that it's all edible things! I need to get some herbs going soon as I loved having access to fresh herbs last summer!

As always, your photos are so beautiful! I feel like I haven't really seen many spring flowers since May has been a busy month for me between the move, work travel, and surgery, so I am glad I get to see flowers through your eyes!

Laura Beth said...

Those water droplets on the flowers really are exquisite!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Gosh, don't you just love spring? If only these colors, these moments, these lives lasted forever here on earth...but that which is invisible is even brighter, fresher, more lasting than we can know. I am sure of it.

WOWSERS, FRESH EGGS!!!!!!!!!! And I can feel the coolness of early spring as I see the dew on the roses. Jeanie, this is such a great retreat!

Roses, Lace and Brocante said...

Gorgeous Jeanie!
I love the herb basket, I've got several pots on my window sill and with enough sunshine they could carry on through winter.
Wonderful to see the Bleeding Hearts on many blogs, they are beautiful plants.
Shane

Jennifer Richardson said...

I love your day:) It would be so fun to have and host
days like that for others.....you inspire a new idea in my heart!
Oh to have a bit of land to farm like that.
You and your bright mimosa smile:) Such beauty:)
Thanks for sharing,
Jennifer

shoreacres said...

Those two red chairs in front of the little garden shed are just like the ones that sat on my grandparents' front porch. there were four of them: green and yellow, as I recall. no red. Red would have called attention to itself. I don't think Grandma would have approved!

Tammie Lee said...

It sounds like you had a wonderful time!
Everything is so beautiful and yummy sounding and you look so happy. yea.

Preppy Empty Nester said...

Jeanie... you are a woman of many talents! Your photography is positively awe inspiring! I have a feeling that you are a lot of fun to take a workshop with. Enjoy your week, dear Jeanie!

Sandra Cox said...

I love to see free ranging chickens. Looks like they have a nice home.
Happy Wednesday, Jeanie.

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

Such a fun time and such a beautiful day even without the sun. Thanks for sharing your creation and photos at Talk of the Town.

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

I do believe I just stepped through a magical door into a wonderland of beauty and art.
I love this place and you share it is so well with us.
Thank you for the glorious inspiration and your basket turned our charming.
Did a little pinning too, Jeanie:)
Thanks for joining us at TOHOT, we love having you here.
Jemma

thepaintedapron.com said...

What a fun work shop and the food, wow, how cool to eat the herbs in the breakfast dishes!
Jenna

Stacey said...

Jeanie, no wonder you love to hang out there! The surroundings are just beautiful and would definitely stimulate creativity. Your plant is pretty and I love the smile on your face.

Thank you for sharing at Thoughts of Home. Keep going there and showing us how fun it is!

Sandra Cox said...

The robin's picture is absolutely perfect, so bright and cheerful.

Maggie said...

I always enjoy reading about your Southern Exposure workshops, they are so interesting full of gorgeous photographs but this post is the best. I think I'll get withdrawal symptoms too if you don't go back before the autumn.

Tracy said...

What FUN and YUM and BEAUTIFUL!! That place is a mini-paradise! Just love this... *sigh*... :) ((HUGS))

Red Rose Alley said...

Oh Jeanie, I loved this post, and your pictures are wonderful. What I've noticed about you taking pictures is that they aren't just beautiful ones, some are interesting and out of the ordinary, which are often the best ones. You had a fantastic day at the workshop, and the breakfast sounds delicious. Eggs and potatoes are my favorite breakfast. Oh, look at that sweet chicken, what a great picture. I love the girl statue in the garden, she's so lovely. And that straw guy was something else. Your straw basket looks wonderful.

Have a pleasant weekend, Jeanie.

~Sheri

BeachGypsy said...

New reader here...what a pretty pretty blog! Enjoying looking at all your pictures and interesting posts! I blog from beautiful Charleston...come by sometime!

LV said...

My kind of place. I can see why you were so happy.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

I love this post beyond words...and I LOVE the picture of that beautiful robin :)

Decor To Adore said...

What a gorgeous garden. I love your hanging basket. We so appreciate you joining the Thoughts of Home on Thursday gathering. May you have a delightfully lovely weekend.

Sandra Cox said...

Hope you and Lizzie are having a wonderful Sunday:)

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Oh my gosh Jeanie, this is amazing! You certainly did get some gorgeous photos!! What a fun workshop and I love the photo of you showing off your sweet basket. :) How fun to use it in cooking. I love Bleeding Hearts as well. Would love to walk the grounds of this fabulous place! Thanks so much for sharing with the garden party!
hugs,
Jann

Art and Sand said...

I am in awe of your gorgeous photos.

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

I love the workshop and the garden. Great photos.

My name is Erika. said...

How did I miss this post? Gorgeous photos and it looks like you had a great day out. Hugs-Erika

Beverly said...

Oh my goodness, Jeanie. What a gorgeous place. I know I would have loved it, too. Thank you for sharing it with us. And, that picture of you is fantastic!!!♥♥♥

Happy Pink Saturday. This post is being featured on my Pink Saturday post this week as "the one that caught my eye".

Please come celebrate our 8th Birthday for Pink Saturday.

Little Wandering Wren said...

Hello - it's me, last again! But you know what I've been up to, I've been cheering for America, so hopefully I'm forgiven for my tardy entrance! I'm not surprised you were Beverley's pick for Pink Saturday - what a brilliant post, I would have loved this workshop too!
Wren x

Jenny Woolf said...

This is a spectacular place - you have blogged about it before. Such a good idea. Is it a labour of love, or just a very beautiful business? I am never quite sure.
And - nothing nicer than fresh laid eggs....

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