What a wonderful coincidence and joy to find out that a gorgeous garden was open for visitors the very same weekend that we were on Thetis Island.
A couple of women who live on the island year round joined me on the tour and we spent a lovely hour walking about the acreage sniffing roses and taking pictures.
It is no small feat keeping manicured lawns and perennial borders on an island rife with deer and the annual summer water shortage. The owners went to great expense erecting deer proof fencing and installing a watering system and you can see that it has paid off.
The waterfront estate looks out onto Clam Bay and has an expansive view from the patio of the architecturally designed residence.
The couple who have built the home and garden have sold and are moving off island due to health concerns.
One of the drawbacks of living on these smaller islands is that there are very few services so one needs to leave to see a doctor, buy supplies, groceries or do any banking.
This picture looks over the herb garden which is conveniently located adjacent to the kitchen door.
Love the riot of poppies.
The weather was sunny and warm, perfect for a stroll in the garden.
I liked this wee vignette of sea shells and coral on the granite counter top by the BBQ that sits centrally located in the outdoor kitchen space which I think must be great for entertaining.
I'd wished that the poppy seed pods were ready for picking as I'd love to sprinkle some of them in our garden.
There were lots of flowers but it seems that I focused primarily on the poppies and of course the roses!
All the roses were fragrant and I stopped to sniff each one.
Lilies looked lovely and stood tall under the canopy of trees as if to greet the sun.
Lily pads and flowers floating on the pond...
such a tranquil place to sit and ponder life.
It reminded me of Monet's painting.
Leaving a place of such beauty and a home with so many memories would be difficult.
I understand the couple have purchased a waterfront lot not far from Thetis on Vancouver Island and will be building a new home and designing and planting a new garden on a much smaller scale.
Their estate necessitated a full time gardener who coincidentally lived in the gardener's cottage on the property.
Our Graham Thomas rose is blooming in the back garden of our small but cozy Humble Bungalow.
I cannot imagine living in a mansion, can you?
Perhaps you live in one now or possibly you did when you were younger.
Just the thought of cleaning all those rooms and keeping everything tickety boo is daunting.
I polished the candle stick on the left and left the right one so you can see the difference...
please ignore that chunk of cat food in the strainer my "assistant" had the day off!
Just keeping my modest silver collection polished is an ongoing chore.
I wonder how I would handle being the lady of such a house.
I'm reading a fascinating book about the life of Huguette Clark.
"The Phantom of Fifth Avenue" by Meryl Gordon
Huguette was born in 1906 and grew up in a 121 room Beaux Arts mansion in Manhattan.
Her father William Andrews Clark was a copper magnate, the second richest man in America.
When Huguette died in 2011 at 104 the heiress left behind three sprawling apartments on New York's Fifth Avenue, a 23 acre oceanfront compound in Santa Barbara, and a battle ensued between her caregivers and long lost relatives over her 300 million dollar estate.
Curiously she lived as a recluse for the last 20 years of her life in a hospital even though she was in good health.
Money doesn't buy you happiness, nor health, nor friends.
Our hydrangea plant out front is so full of blooms that I am expecting to see the branches snap anytime soon.
This plant was a gift in 2007 when either my father or Mr. HB's father passed away.
When it was finished blooming indoors I popped it in the ground with my fingers crossed that it would take and it has flourished...
a lovely gift that keeps on giving.
Walking along the seafront has been wonderful in all this glorious sunshine.
I wear my hat to keep the sun off my face and pack along a bottle of Perrier as I am surprised how thirsty I get.
I'm so glad that I discovered this amazing almond milk.
I slather it on my arms, legs and feet before I put my socks on for my walks...
it has a subtle fragrance and delivers lots of soothing moisture.
I love all the L'Occitane almond line.
It's a little bit of luxury that is worth cultivating.
A rose posy always cheers me up.
To keep cool I have been wearing dresses.
This cotton one is in it's second season and evaded the clothing cull.
A little bit large and loose is cool when the temperature soars.
I don't know about you but I am really enjoying the fresh seasonal fruit that is available locally.
Topped with a dab of yogurt and it makes a delicious breakfast or dessert.
Well I must close for now as I need to get outside and water the garden and the planters.
I planted a new jasmine whose fragrance is sweet and exotic and I will hope to train it up our back deck so that we can savour it's scent when we are sitting outside.
Embrace beauty everyday...
Hostess
