Well, it was back to work today after a three day weekend. The Casa du Borghese is also back to normal since the Mother blew in town for Mother's Day weekend. I have to make a conscience effort to not streak naked, and wear more then a tee shirt and underwear. Upon her departure, as usual, two houseboys have gone missing, as well as a bottle of gin. But I digress. But we had a very memorable and fun visit. Not only is she a great mom, but also a friend. We can talk of anything, and if you have ever seen Queer as Folk, and remember Debbie Novotony then you get the jist. We had a blast. Upon her arrival, I took her to a lavender farm up the road, and let her pick up what she wanted from their homemade product assortment. She loves Longwood Gardens as do I...and for the weekend the gardens were having a lovely luminary nights. If your familiar with the gardens, or remember past post, it's an area jewel for sure. Longwood has a very long history beginning with the Lenape Indian tribe before being owned by a Quaker family, then finally being persevered and own by Pierre Du Pont in the early 1900's. He did wonders with the place...and has made it possible for all to enjoy to this day.
I love me some columbine.
Some of their special guests, the blue-poppies, are causing quite a sensation in their Exhibition Hall! Blue-poppies require very specific conditions that make them challenging to grow; however, every year in April their talented horticulturists force them to flower.
The first time for me to see a bonsai tree blooming.
The DuPont farmhouse of the grounds amongst the wisteria.
And the outdoor gardens and paths....stunning for spring
The Mother strolling....
We were lucky too, the rain held out till late Saturday night. Sunday was spent with me making a huge French toast brunch and a Doris Day, day of movies...so how weird it was to hear of her passing on Monday morning. But none the less, we had a lovely time. Now excuse me while I get more relaxed.
For other Longwood post click on the tag in the links.
Oh my goodness! What a spectacular place! I must go! The bonsai: I must have it! The Blue Poppies, I must have them! But where is this magical place? And why are you not in the photos? Argh!
ReplyDeleteWalter, Longwood Gardens is located outside Philadelphia by about 40 minutes. If you like gardens this is the place for you!!! A whole day is needed. And there bonsai collections is quite impressive....most dating back to the mid 1900's!!!! This one featured has been living since 1920. Now that is impressive.
Deleteif you make it to philly, call Maddie, he is an excellent host.
DeleteThank you, thank you for the loverly pictures.
ReplyDeleteYour mom is very lucky for such a nice weekend.
I have never seen a bonsai bloom until your pix. and just WHAT is your mother going to do with 2 houseboyz AND a bottle of gin!
ReplyDeleteAs Dothory Zbornak said to Rose... "If you have to ask, if doesn't matter anymore!"
DeleteFANTASTICK!!! I learn so much from your botanical excursions. Blue poppies and blooming bonsais, who knew?! Now, I don't know what those pinky, purply ball thingies hanging from the ceiling are called, but they look like they should be dragging behind a gigantic alien spider or two. I'm getting a faux allergy attack from imaginary sniffing of the plants. *Cough, cough, wheeze, wheeze*
ReplyDeleteNo wonder we get along...we both like big balls!!!! Those are hydrangea tootes.
DeleteThanks, Mads. I've seen them on the ground (can never remember the name) but I've never seen them in hanging ball form. Very pretty. I've gone into a cloud induced depression and these pictures help to alleviate the gloom and doom mood. Well, I have to admit that (to paraphrase) I like big balls and I cannot lie. I also know what to do with a couple of houseboyz and a bottle of gin! At least I think I remember.
DeleteI'm glad to read the pictures made you feel better. Hang in there honey.
DeleteOnly two houseboys?
ReplyDeleteYour mother sure is a lucky woman. What a lovely weekend.
ReplyDeleteThe DuPont house and the conservatory are two of my favorites things there. Now your talking with wisteria, and columbine, two of my favorites!!! I would be hard pressed to select the best season at Longwood...there all spectacular. I hope you will feature the farm too.
Now that is a weekend and how creative. if you mother is like Debbie Novotny, you must have your hands full.
ReplyDeleteLove the blue poppies
SPECTACULAR!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI cackled with the two houseboys and the gin missing.
ReplyDeleteThat place is amazing. Love, love, love the flowers!
And the Botanic Gardens here in Chi did an evening with luminaries just like those! Fab!
XoXo
WOW! Just wow!
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your Longwood Gardens post. What a great idea for mother Day weekend. I should go see it again sometime if I ever get my lazy ass moving out of the city.
ReplyDeleteI love the luminaries. This also make me miss landscaping.
ReplyDeleteOk, now that your mom is gone do we get some undies pictures now?
I have been around so to speak...and Longwood Gardens is one of three best gardens in the whole country!!!!! Do NOT miss!!! From providing mobility scooters for you if you need them to just being friendly and helpful, this is a dedicated and knowledgeable staff of a wonderful garden. The fountains are spectacular, as are the wine bars. Beautiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteMesmerizing magic all around!
ReplyDeleteThis garden is lovely place to visit any time of the year, but at this time of the year, my special delight are fragrant Wisteria vines trained into trees dripping with blue and white blooms.
ReplyDeleteThe glass conservatory is bursting in flowering plans. You can even catch some organ music played couple of time during the day. I have a quartet set coming up there.
What a gorgeous place. I always wanted to try to grow those blue poppies, but they were very hard to find, even online. They were originally from Tibet so I guess that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteBlue-poppies...once considered a myth, are alive and thriving at Longwood Gardens. They were spectacular Peenee...and yes, the flowers—which are native to the high elevations of the Himalayan Mountains—reside in their conservatory. Sad part, they will be done blooming by this coming weekend already.
DeleteYou are so wonderful to your mom!!!! I bet it was lovely. My friend and I absolutely love Longwood Gardens and sincerely believe that it is one of the best in the world. We enjoy visiting gardens all over and Longwood is by far one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteGreat color and scenery. Noe commence back into your underwear....
ReplyDeleteYou don't need to tell me twice.
DeleteThe Longwood Gardens are magnificent - a spectacular display of flowers and luminaries. Your photos are great! I'd like to have that stone tower (first photo) on my property. I could shoot prowlers from those windows...
ReplyDeleteApparently, I read the DuPont replicated a clock tower he saw somewhere in the English countryside. That is another of my favorite parts of the gardens Jon. The chimes songs are glorious.
DeleteYour photos are always so good. What beautiful places and how lucky to have a mother like yours!
ReplyDeleteShe cracked the mold I believe.
DeleteWhat a beautiful place, and a great place to spend some quiet time with your mother, enjoying the surroundings and each other. Thanks for sharing your visit with us.
ReplyDeleteYou have those lovely places, but we have Wayne Newton's mansion and Liberace's mansion and a bunch of buildings you can get lost in without ever knowing whether it is day or night. Now, aren't you jealous? ;-)
ReplyDeleteI'll let all the show and excitement for you to behold dear.
DeleteAbsolutely fantastic!
ReplyDeleteAll my dreams come true.such beautiful flowers.
I'm visiting lake cards at the moment. It's so stunningly beautiful. You must visit!
Omg!!!!!! Lake Gardi is stunning!!!! How nice for you. I'll see if I can catch a redeye and a few donkeys. Will you show me around?
DeleteIt would be my pleasure. Although I couldn't find my way out of a cul de sac! Navigation is not my strong point........x
DeleteSorry. Should have said Lake Garda. Silly auto correct.
ReplyDeleteYes, I've been to Longwood... oh, you're talking about the gardens... well, yes, they're spectacular too!
ReplyDeleteI thought you might be a big boy!
DeleteWhat beautiful gardens. I rather like those blousey, flouncy hanging basket pom-pom things. And the blooming bonsai is fascinating. It looks like it might be an azalea - a tiny version of Ms Scarlet's Big Pink Bush!
ReplyDeleteI think the pom-pom things are hydrangeas? I love the scent of Wisteria. AND, my big pink bush is about to bloom!
ReplyDeleteWeirdly, I was singing Que Sera Sera to myself the day before Ms Day's death was announced - I'm sure it's not something I do regularly, or maybe I do?!
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