We arrived on a gorgeous early evening for our European Basket workshop. The first thing we saw were cows!
The cows were new and so were some of their babies, laying peacefully in the pastoral beauty of the back field.
Even the bull had chilled out and was enjoying one of the few warm and sunny days we've had here in mid-Michigan.
From there, a walk through the gardens, stopping first at our favorite spot, the Greenhouse.
This tiny room was packed with more lovely things -- and oh! It smelled so good -- like pansies and fresh dirt with a hint of herbs.
Then we headed toward the gazebo. Wouldn't this be the best spot for an intimate wedding?
One of my favorite spring blooms is the bleeding heart. They were on display in full force today.
And not just the pink ones. The white ones are gorgeous too.
Some of these plants came as high as my waist!
Of course, the bird baths are always a favorite!
The tulips were in bloom, too. I love these shaggy tulips.
Here's another view.
The backlighting on some of these made them feel almost magical.
And of course, there were pansies!
Southern Exposure always does a beautiful job with fountains. I liked this one with the roses...
...and this one, too.
There are so many little spots where you just want to sit and "be."
We're beginning to see lilacs, too. These weren't quite full, but oh, what a beautiful bush it will be in a week or so. Maybe even by now!
We knew we'd have a bit of time to walk some more after the workshop, so we headed to the Milking Parlor for dinner. As always, the tables were beautifully set.
And, as always, the dinner, a gently curried chicken, salad, zucchini mix and mashed potatoes mixed with butter-sauteed leeks, was fabulous.
And isn't the dessert pretty? Strawberry Rhubarb pie.
On the way to our workshop, Scott took a photo of the three of us. Jan, the birthday girl, is in the middle. Isn't it a great way to spend your birthday -- in a garden, good food and then making something?
Our workshop was to make a hanging basket filled with herbs. We had six different varieties -- basil, rosemary, dianthus, kale, spring onions and beet.
Here we are with the finished product!
I just adore Daylight Saving Time -- I wish it was that way all year! And during this season it provided some beautiful mood lighting for another short garden walk after the workshop. I always love this bunny.
It made for a good photo op for all of us! And we all see it just slightly differently!
I just expect Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail to run out, too!
More bleeding hearts. My grandma would have loved these!
I leave you with a last look at my Happy Place.
Definitely twilight in the garden.
51 comments:
I didn't know Bleeding Hearts came in white! Beautiful! Wouldn't you love to work at Southern Exposure? I would have loved that back in my prime and I had the training to do it. I'm with you on Daylight Savings Time. I don't get why people don't like it.
It's been in the 90's for the last 2 weeks and then I see tulips on your post and feel cooler already. Lovely.
So much to see there, and so many beautiful flowers! You have enjoyed so many wonderful workshops there, it looks like so much fun! The tables are always set so beautifully, and the food looks really divine! What fun to make a hanging herb basket, that will come in handy! Great birthday outing!
Jenna
So so so jealous! What a fun day.
You obviously had a very enjoyable time, Jeanie, as did your friends. There is no question that a visit to a garden centre is always a tonic, but after the kind of dismal spring we have had it is especially appealing this year. At least the perennials are starting to put on a show now.
What a lovely place! Just love the green house and the gazebo. Love also the Bleeding hearts. My grandmother always had them, so they remind me of her. You seemed to have a swell day!
Omigoodness. That FOUNTAIN. Always love seeing Southern Exposure. They are my favorite posts. You must never stop going there so I can hold onto this vicarious pleasure. LOVE.
Spring, Summer, that´s life for me.
And sweet cows (and their wee ones).
Ahhh, those colors! Here it´s grey again, and cold.
What a wonderful place to stroll, dine and create!
This is such a perfect place to spend time with your friends. The flowers are all so beautiful! I love the idea of a hanging herb basket. I hope your herbs do well. Daylight Savings Time is the best. I was pleasantly surprised to learn after moving south that we get approximately an hour more sunlight at the end of the day in winter (of course it rises an hour later too but that is ok with me).
What a wonderful place! And those hanging herb pots are da' bomb!! You'll have to post a pic when it has filled in a bit ~
How delightful... I'm glad you were able to get there another time. Herbs are a really good idea; we need to plant some soon.
best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Beautiful gardens, great food, lovely friends and fun creativity - what could be better? Hugs, Valerie
What a beautiful place, and such a grand time. - Life is Good :-)
Karen
Oh pure heaven! Like your basket too.
Oh my so much to love. I love bunnies so that cement one made my heart beat. Then that red and white parrot tulip OOOOH...then the color combination of the pansies. So many yummy flowers and dinner looked yummy as well. Looks like fun was had by all. Janice
I'm sure you love Southern Exposure in the Fall, but I bet it's a treat for you in the Spring, as you have all that snow melt and flowers blossom. Those soft pink roses in the bird bath are so lovely. What a charming place to eat, Jeanie. Love all the green and the green apple wreath. Your dinner looks delicious, and I haven't had rhubarb pie in so long. Although I had a piece of cherry pie on my birthday. Your Southern Exposure pictures are always a treat to see, as there's just something about nature that draws me in. : )
~Sheri
Ah, spring at Southern Exposure does not disappoint. The bleeding hearts are truly stunning, and your dinner certainly looks delicious. The herb basket is such a fun craft and they look so pretty and springy!
Your happy place is my happy place - thank you for sharing the season opener at Southern Exposure! (Michigan trails about 6-7 weeks behind our region, so it was like starting spring all over again!).
I love it when you take us to Southern Exposure. This time with a birthday girl must have been so much fun for her. The flowers are all so lovely there, and I love how they used the burlap on the table in the greenhouse.
That was a nice basket of herbs, too. I know you will enjoy these as they fill out and develop, as well as when you can pick a few herbs to use in your meals.
I loved it when you make another visit to Southern Exposure LOL. I do enjoy the time spent there vicariously. It's a good thing I'm way too old to start a new business venture, because New Haven DEFINITELY needs something like this! My favorite spots this visit were the greenhouse, which looked absolutely enchanting, and that marvelous fountain laden with lush lilies and roses - such a romantic image. I am always charmed by somebody who appreciates a bleeding hearts bush. LOL We had an enormous one at the condo on Wooster Square (before we moved here about ten years ago) and everybody oohed and aahed over it. Bleeding hearts and hollyhocks are my favorite old fashion garden flowers!
I do hope you have more friends with birthdays to celebrate this summer! LOL
P.S. great hanging basket!
The white bleeding hearts are so elegant. I didn't realize they came in white, except as an occasional genetic aberration. Here's an odd fact for you: they're in the same plant family as the scrambled eggs I showed.
I'm glad that the season's begun again at Southern Exposure, and that you were able to visit and share the photos with us. Every time I see their gardens and place settings, I have the impulse to tidy things up, but that's just me. I should put those tidying-up impulses to work at home and with my photo files!
Wow, what a beautiful way to spend time with friends and the b'day girl. Spring looks amazing in your state Jeanie. The bleeding hearts are my favorite. The greenhouse is to swoon over for me, a far fetched dream to have one of my own. I enjoyed each and every pic, several times of scrolls. Thanks for sharing your spring. Ours is long gone with summer temps in the 90's already!
I hope you keep right on visiting Southern Exposure,
for me to enjoy the trip and your pictures too.
Gorgeous Bleeding Heart.
Dinner looked, sounded, wonderful.
The hanging herb basket will be a welcomed, fragrant treat!
I agree, a pleasant experience for a birthday treat!
Did you notice many changes with the new ownership?
Happy girls:)
And I think this could the happy Place for so mnay..love the pic of the inside of the greenhouse!
All the flower arrangements are fabulous. The bleeding hearts so pretty. A wonderful place for a celebration.
What a beautiful place to spend a birthday! The grounds look gorgeous and I am glad the weather cooperated. It's been such a wet, damp spring here. I need more days like the one you had with sun and blue skies!!
Bleeding heart is amazing plant! My parents in law have it in their garden.
My favorite is lily on the valley.
Your hangings are really nice :)
This year I'm going to plant mostly herbs on my loggia. I wish I could make a hanging there. But it's too close to the window, so I'm afraid the pot can bek it during the storm :(
Oh wow...I love it. Everything looks amazing esp the chandliers....such a cool place.
The tulips in particular are beautiful!
I never tire of seeing this gorgeous and interesting place! You got some great close-up shots of the flowers and I love that little greenhouse!! The supper looks great but my favorite part ALWAYS is how you get to create something fun and new to take home with you! I always love to see what you make each time.
Jeanie, what a beautiful and magical place! I wouldn't want to leave!!! Love everything about it and you did good with your basket! xo
Oh Jeannie, what a beautiful post this is.
I enjoyed every photograph … oh, to visit in person must be pure joy.
All the best Jan
Gorgeous!!! I want to go!!! The potting shed is beautiful and so is the milking parlor you had lunch in ~ what a fun day! <3 Pinned a bunch of photos to various boards because you have so much good stuff here, Jeanie!
Happy spring, we are almost to 90 degrees today,
Barb :)
It definitely is a happy place. How very, very fun! Love the addition of the cows too.
What a fun place to visit. I enjoyed the greenhouse and the gazebo. The pictures of the flowers were great too and the potted planter you created! My bleeding hearts haven’t bloomed yet but they’re coming on fast.
A perfect place to celebrate her birthday, for sure! It always sounds so wonderful there. It's no wonder you're always so eager to return.
Jeanie, such a lovely post and so happy you are seeing spring. What a wonderful place Southern Exposure must be. Those bleeding hearts are gorgeous. Your lunch looked scrumptious and such a lovely way to spend the day with the 'birthday girl.'
Jeanie, what a beautiful place to spend time in. The gardens, dining table and food look amazing and to think you get to come home with something you make. All too special. Thanks for your visit. It remains to be seen how long the insert will last, but I'm liking it so far. We did try and put a thin board under the cushions at one time, but this is definitely better..Happy Weekend..xxoJudy
Jeanie, I love it when you share your visits to Southern Exposure. I hope I can visit there myself one day, but if not, your posts have given me the next best thing. This is the first I've seen, or heard, of white bleeding hearts. They are gorgeous!
A very colorful post, Jeanie, the flowers, the food and the baskets looked great. And, what a great way to spend a birthday and with friends.
It seems like you had a wonderful time. Love your photos, those flowers are gorgeous.
Soooo GOOD to be back at SE again! ;) What HUGE inspiration is the place! GORGEOUS tulips! We have two bleeding heart bushes... and bushes they are. When we planted them a few years ago, we had no idea they would/could grow so big! They are trying to nudge out things in the flower bed they're in--even the lavender, so might have to think about moving them, thought they don't like being moved. Oh, but your lunch looked really delicious... and that pie! Looking forward to an update on your lovely hanging baskets as things grow! :) As always, thanks for taking us along for the fun, Jeanie ((HUGS))
Oh how you walk in beauty and friendship!!
How fantastic! I want to go there too.
Years ago I lived in South Bend Indiana and worked in Cassopolis Michigan. Indiana was not on DST, Michigan was. I had a 30 minute drive, so half of the year I arrived before I left!
So glad you had another trip to your Happy Place. How lovely it all looks. And how green fingered they must be to have all those flowers looking so good. I learned something new from your post - that bleeding hearts also have a white version. they go very well together.
I loved the feathery looking tulips, too. Here they call them "parrot tulips". (I guess they do look a bit "parroty" ???) I planted some last autumn but not enough of them, and I also got the bulbs from the local homeware store which was a mistake. The resulting flowers did not make a good showing in the spring. Next year I resolve to use a really good bulb company, and have fun choosing some really unusual varieties in the catalogue.
That greenhouse and gazebo!! Oh how lovely! I would love to hang out there for a while. You made beautiful herb hanging baskets, they will fill out quickly. I love Bleeding heart, they are such a pretty old-fashioned flower. Unfortunately they don't do too well in California, too hot.
What a delightful way to celebrate your friend's birthday. The gardens are indeed beautiful in the spring.
I'm so glad you stopped over for Share Your Style last week, Jeanie! I found your post and thank you, I'll be featuring it this week at SYS #210.
Happy spring (finally!) up your way,
Hugs,
Barb :)
Happy Pink Saturday. Thank you for joining us to make Pink Saturdays special. This is such a beautiful place, and it looks like you had a wonderful time. But, I must confess that I am not a fan of daylight savings time. But, even more, I don't like the time changing.
This post is being featured on my Pink Saturday post this week as "the one with the most clicks".♥
Oh my gosh this is incredible beauty!
I would be in heaven:)
I imagine your herb basket is full and flowing by now;
what a beautiful way to spend some amazing hours.
I. would. love.
Thanks for sharing the sweet inspire,
Jennifer
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