A Tour of the Secret Garden!

Before I give you the garden tour, just let me say.......I felt so good yesterday that I did too many things and today I had to take it easy. I find that very hard to do. The cortisone shot I got on Wednesday has helped my back and leg pain but it has not dissappeared by any means. I think it's going to take a bit longer to get back to what is "my normal" than I would have thought.


Soooooooooo, since I needed to relax, I thought I would look at the garden photos that I took last weekend. I titled this post "the Secret Garden" but it's not really a secret. The gardens are the art and work of my high school friend, Lonnie. He and his wife, Sandy, (good name, huh?) live in a house nestled into a hillside and I always wondered about what it looked like. Well, I got the chance to see it last Sunday when I stopped by his house and what a lovely surprise! He gave me a little tour and I asked if I could take pictures, so now you get to take the tour, too.


Lonnie and I both enjoyed art in school but as we walked, we talked about how he never imagined he'd enjoy gardening this much and I never pictured me quilting so much. He said he was inspired by his Aunt Margie who had lovely gardens and flowers. I've been inspired by the women in my family and the many ladies of Lehigh where we both grew up. We both need a creative outlet. You've seen many of my quilting and stitchery projects so now, take a peek at Lonnie's gardens.........................

I loved this little vignette but Lonnie thought it might have looked better with an old-fashioned watering can. At some point, I'm going to sketch it so I can stitch this scene. :-)

It was when I looked down this hillside that I asked if I could take pictures and I quickly got my camera from the car.

There were two or three little kittens darting around the garden. I love kittens. They are just plain cute.

Lonnie gathered all the rocks and said he just starts placing them and the gardens "evolve". Like me, he said watching HGTV gave him lots of ideas.

I only wish I had flowers this pretty. As you can see from the photos I share of my quilts on the line........my only plant so far is my rhubarb plant and in this years dry weather, it's not doing so well. Maybe next year we'll get to growing something other than a lawn.

I have to believe that the birds just love this garden.

There's even a pond.............

and a hollow log for real or not-so-real turtles!

The weather last Sunday was a "picture-perfect summer day". Can't you just picture yourself sitting down for a chat with a good friend on that bench......or reading a good book........or enjoying some quiet time to stitch and just listen to nature? Lonnie was inspired by his Aunt Margie but I came away inspired by Lonnie's gardens and I'm so glad he gave me a tour. I've already told my husband we have to try to create something similar in our backyard. Who knows what pictures I might be able to share next summer?!!

Have a lovely Sunday!

Sandi