Back Home Again

  

My "live-in gardener" and I returned home Wednesday afternoon.

What an adventure and dream come true adventure.

The #1 best thing about this 2 weeks away were the people. We had some wonderful chats along the way with strangers, including an elderly gentlemen, Dick, out in a park in Charleston, SC. 

What makes any travel so special is meeting people. 

We were given a DC tour and then had dinner with a dear friend, Daren, and his wife. We have known Daren since he was quite young, as he is the son of my "live-in gardeners" first professional boss and a dear friend in Kansas many years ago. We also walked in the National Botanical Gardens with Daren, thus began our garden visits.

 

We had lunch with a dear blogger friend, Mary and her husband in Raleigh, N.C. It is so special to see each other in person and walk in their garden. I had seen sights from Mary's porch over the years and to sit there with Mary in person was a huge treat. Thank you so much, Mary and Bob! I have followed Mary's beautiful blog for years. You can find Mary at https://abreathoffreshair-mary.blogspot.com/

Then it was off to Greensboro, N.C. where we visited with dear friends, the Daniels family. We were so busy visiting we forgot to take a picture. The time spent with them was precious.

 

Teatime with Denise was so special at Bay Street Meeting House.

 

In Charleston, S.C. tea time with a tea friend, Denise. Now you know I couldn't pass up teatime with a dear tea friend! Five years ago we had tea with Denise in London; so this was extra special to have a repeat visit in another part of the world. Each time we get together it is like renewing our connection with a long time friend.

Then our last visit was a first in person visit and again it didn't disappoint and so special with Angela. We kept saying tea friends never disappoint and are the best. We have followed each others blogs for many years; so our time over a good cup of tea and chicken salad sandwich was wonderful. Did I say I think chicken salad sandwiches are a thing in the south. It seemed to be on many lunch time menus and I loved them all. We met at Just add Honey in Atlanta, GA. In my cup was Georgia Peach tea. Of course I had to have that one when visiting Georgia. You can find Angela at http://teawithfriends.blogspot.com/

Well those were the people of the adventure and everyone just made the trip a delight.

#2 I had no idea we would be visiting so many gardens and we loved them all. I will share one or two glimpses today and more to come. I was constantly trying to capture butterflies in the gardens. The top picture in this post was my first capture in the garden at Mount Vernon.

Always on the lookout for fall flowers and pumpkins this display was found along a country road.

The Magnolia Plantation near Charleston, SC was full of camellias and I loved every one.

Fall colors were found!

My first time in DC I had to walk the monument mall.

#3 Finally it was the sights we had gone to see and a couple dream come true visits for me. I think my "live-in gardener" didn't know they could be dream come trues, but I believe he enjoyed them too. More on those to come.

For now I send greetings!

Happy Weekend, dear friends!