Southport Garden Tour

Hello dear friends.  I hope that you enjoyed your weekend.  The Mister and I met Sista, her Mista, Nef #1 and Nef #2 in Boston for a celebration of Sista's Mista's 60th Birthday.  Try saying that three times after two glasses of vino!

That afternoon, Sista and I got in our cardio via two hours of power shopping.  Let me give you a hint... we weren't shopping for the birthday boy. 

We enjoyed a fabulous dinner at Grill 23.  

I highly recommend it if you live or visit Beantown.

*****

Days after I began my Summer Sabbatical, I attended the Southport Garden Tour.  

Southport, Connecticut is a little slice of heaven located along the Long Island Sound and borders on Fairfield and Westport.  Notable celebrities who have lived there are Jeffery and Ina Garten, Jack Welch, and Jason Robards.  If you are under the age of thirty, feel free to google the last two names.

We lucked out with a picture-perfect day.  I parked in front of this gorgeous home.  Don't you love the blue door?

Note to self:  buy the Mister some paint this week.

Pequot Library hosted the tour.  I happen to have a history with this beautiful library. At the tender age of thirteen, I attended ballroom dancing classes here.  And guess who was in my class!  No, not Jason Robards.  None other than my BIL, the birthday boy!  

Sista and I met at registration.  The rose between the thorns is our dear friend, Caroline Crawford who is the head of PR for the library and in charge of the event.  She managed to pull the whole thing together in a matter of six weeks.

I am not just saying this, but this garden tour was the best tour I have ever attended.  It was so well organized, most of the homes were on the water, and the entire route was done on foot.  My favorite combo: cardio with a side of eye candy.

And the fabulous homes and luscious gardens... well, stick with me and you can see for yourself.

Photo Credit:  Sista

Sista and I already used up our oooh and aah quota for the day, and we were still at the first house!

On to the next charming home and garden.

I told Sista that she wasn't the only black sheep around town!

Doesn't this house look like it should be featured in a TV show?

Open Sesame says Sista.

I love the pop of orange!

I took lots of pics of the charming homes along the way.

How 'bout this pool?

I showed this pic to the Mister and told him I wanted him to build me a Blog Cottage just like this adorable pool house.

I'm still waiting for an answer.

Can you imagine sipping your first cup of coffee taking in this view every morning?

I can't imagine what my two hooligans would do to this impeccably-kept garden!

Thanks for joining me on the tour.  

I appreciate your sense of decorum.

I wish that I could say the same about my Sista!

Until next time...

Mom promised to take us next year!


Linking up with:
Mix It Up Monday
Hello Monday!
MMM Block Party
Over the Moon
Inspire Me Monday
Love Your Creativity
Metamorphosis Monday
April J. Harris
Home Away From Home
Inspire Me Tuesday
Tuesdays With A Twist
Wonderful Wednesday
Home And Garden Thursday
Creative Inspirations

Beacon Hill Garden Tour - Take 4

Hello, dear friends.  I hope you had a good week.  I am less than 24 hours out on the royal wedding watch, and I feel like I know more about Meghan and her family than Harry does!

On Wednesday, I met my cousin, Louise and my friend Doris for lunch.  I asked Linda along because Louise shares her last name.  They figured out that they probably weren't related but it was still a delightful time.

Yesterday I spent the day with some buddies touring the gardens in Beacon Hill which is a historic neighborhood in Boston.  I look forward to this event every year.  If you would like to look back on past tours you can find them here, here, and here.

We lucked out with the weather.  

It was cool and overcast.

Last year the temps hit the mid 90's.

We made way for the ducklings.

Here are the two best-dressed ladies at the tour. 

Annie and Mary are big fans of Sara Campbell.

We all had on our comfy shoes.

The streets are not easy to maneuver, but I'm glad to say there were no broken ankles in this bunch.

The ladies from the garden club are always warm and welcoming.

There was no way that Miss Daisy was going to miss this event!

The window boxes along the way never fail to disappoint.

The lines were long for some of the houses.  They moved quickly, and I always meet the nicest people.

My tour guides.

Holy wisteria, Batman!

These white birches were stunning.

Annie taking a breather. 
I wanted to fight her for the chair.

I never met a hydrangea that I didn't like!

Miss Daisy taking a breather.

I love this color combo.

A living wall was the focal point of one of the gardens.

Three lovely friends.
Twelve magnificent gardens.
8,893 steps.
One delightful day.

Until next time...

Zuzu, a friend we met along the way.