For Pet Lovers Only!

It's the whole gang.....

On the back of the sofa;  Jazmine,  Fifi,  Ebony

On the sofa; Cooper,  Daisy,  Samantha and  Poppy

"This was our 2008 Christmas Card Photo"

Everywhere I look I see cuteness!

This will be our first Holiday Season without our little Fifi.

We will miss her!

An Afternoon Stroll Around

Butchart Gardens

Butchart Gardens is a National Historic site of Canada.

The Butchart family established their home on Vancouver Island in 1904.

It is located near Victoria, British Columbia.

My first visit to Butchart Gardens was in 1972 when I was just 8 years old.

I have fond memories of strolling the grounds with my Parents and Grandparents.

Even as a child, I knew it was a special place!
I viewed it as "Disneyland for Gardeners".
Thirty five years later, I view it as a "Botanical Masterpiece."

My husband and I have visited the gardens twice, together.
We were so inspired by the architecture and grounds that we have incorporated some of the design elements in or own home and landscape.

These flowered arches are one of my favorite features.

Yet another spectacular hedge defining an outdoor room.

Afternoon English Tea at Butchart Gardens is a Must...
and yes, Devon Shire Cream was served!
For me, it was a visual treat to be surrounded by such stately woodwork and details.

There are many different styles of water features scattered throughout the entire property.

Early Spring in the garden....

In 1921 the enterprising, Jennie Butchart completed the famous

"Sunken Garden".
Can you believe this was once a limestone quarry?

I just loved this quaint little garden cottage.
It is nested perfectly on top of the hill for viewing the"Sunken Garden"below.

The home was known as a comfortable and luxurious showplace.
It housed an indoor salt water swimming pool,
bowling alley, paneled billiard room and a self playing pipe organ.

The Butchart's named their home
"Benvenuto" meaning, (welcome) in Italian.

By the 1920's more than 50 thousand people visited the gardens per year!

In 1929 they replaced their kitchen vegetable patch with a large Rose Garden.

This is the Victorian style "wishing well" in the Rose Garden.

The gardens are presently managed and directed by the
Butchart's great granddaughter, Robin Lee Clarke.

What a lovely and memorable way to spend an afternoon,
just strolling through Butchart Gardens.


Visit the Gardens !

Lakewold Garden

A Ten Acre Historic Estate

Thomas Church, was a landscape architect that came to Lakewold in 1958. Church made suggestions to add refinement to the design of the garden and stressed the importance of drawing people into the garden.

"I enjoyed the scale and details of this beautiful gazebo"

Over the years the last owner,

Mrs. Wagner became an accomplished plant collector.

She enjoyed working in the garden,

propagating plants and supervising their progress.

Mrs. Wagner donated the entire estate to the non-profit Friends of Lakewold,in 1978.

With the stipulation that an endowment fund be raised to assure the continuing care of the gardens.

"This is now the gift and garden shop.

Check out the grass covering the roof!"

Lakewold Gardens was opened officially on May 7, 1989.

Mrs. Wagner stated her motivation clearly,

"As we become more and more city creatures, living in man made surroundings, perhaps gardens will become even more precious to us, letting us remember that we began in the garden."

Mrs. Wagner died in 1991, but her dream remains for all to enjoy at

Lakewold Gardens.

" Of course a favorite of mine was this vintage pool!"

"I was greatly inspired by my visit to the lovely Lakewold Gardens.....

and maybe someday, if I keep working and dreaming...

I will be able to donate my home and garden,

~The House of Yates~

so that others may enjoy it too!"

http://www.lakewoldgardens.org/

Check it out!

Our Suprise Visit To The Historical Schmidt Mansion

Today I just wanted to drive across town to snap some photos of the little out buildings at the Schmidt Mansion. My husband Eric and I are collecting ideas for a little building that we will soon be building at "The House of Yates".

When we arrived we were greeted by a nice man letting us know that the mansion was open to the public today and that he would be happy to show us around. He told us his name was Bob

Crim and that he has been working at the Schmidt Mansion and for the family since 1951.

Pictured above: Bob Crim in front of the Schmidt Mansion.

Here is a peek inside the house...

Checkout this 3 way mirror and storage area in the Master bedroom.

Masterbathroom
Pink, Black and Green tile. I have always wanted a tub with one curved corner!



Here is a look at the staircase leading up to the 3rd floor. Most visitors are not allowed up here. "I think Bob knew we were serious Historical House Fans and that we really wanted to see the 3rd floor" It was our favorite part of the house!


Yet, another cute vintage bathroom .
This one
is up on the 3rd story.
Yellow and Black tile.... love that tile pattern on the floor!



The woodwork detail was even on the inside of these great old cabinets!
Yes, of course we looked inside!


Bob said that sadly this was the last little bit of the plaster detail,
most was lost due to water damage.

Here's a little half bath tucked under the staircase. Sorry, Eric "No tall guys allowed!"

You can definetly see the Bungalow influences in these two exterior photos.



The bracket in the photo below is one of the main reasons
I wanted to take photos of the exterior.




Eric and I can't believe how lucky we were to have a personal tour guide share his story and history of this home! Thank you Bob you made our day!!!



The famous Schmidt horseshoe.
It is built from brick into the wall.

It's me in front of the the Old Brewery, it's almost gone.....



Here's a little History from the website.......
http://www.ci.tumwater.wa.us/historicalschmidthouse.htm
The Schmidt house was built in 1904 by Albert McIntosh for Leopold and Johanna Schmidt and family.
The house is a two-and-one-half story structure combining Colonial Revival elements with bungalow influences in a west wing added in the 1920s.
In addition to the garage, another small outbuilding was constructed in the 1950s on the property east of the house. Originally a stable and coach house, as well as a greenhouse stood on the grounds. Also on the grounds is a memorial garden where the remains of Leopold and Peter Schmidt and their wives are interred. The property is now owned and maintained by The Olympia-Tumwater Foundation which rents it for private and public events.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Tumwater Historic District.
330 Schmidt Place SW; Built 1904
Schmidt House Collection photograph
City of Tumwater Historical InformationUpdated: June 23, 2005

Starting Over in Hawaii - MORE Magazine

Starting Over in Hawaii

View >>

" A Mermaid "

So Beautiful and Haunting.......

Painted 1901 by John William Waterhouse

Pre -Raphaelite Artist

Truly a Neo -Classic Painter

Mermaid Guestroom

My husband Eric and I threw this guest bedroom together in three days. Yes, I said three days! He built a wall, a closet, added moulding and doors. Then I painted, shopped and decorated.

Done!

I found these mermaid prints on the island of Kauai last summer at one of my favorite shops named "Sand People" I had them shipped home and have been waiting not so patiently to hang them in the perfect spot!

The furniture and accessories are pieces I have been saving for years. I am so happy to finally use them. The only new things I bought for this room were sheets and window panels that flow in the breeze when I open the windows!

The best thing is...

you can hear the trickling fountain
through the open window.