Dreaming of Gardens, and a Living History

It's the time of year when winter is getting a little long. The snow is looking a little dirty white, rather than fresh white, and the cold weather and winter clothes are less than exciting. I just need to gaze at some green and look forward to warmer days, birds singing, and the fresh smell of dirt, flowers, and grass. I saved my photos of our east coast trip, for such a time as this! Maybe you are thinking about summer vacations...this may give you an idea!

Of course, I loved all the history that we encountered out east, but I fell in love with the gardens and all the architecture that went with them. Washington D.C. was in full bloom when we were there in August, but the gardens at President Washington's Mount Vernon had me green with envy. We were told that Washington would often give his out-of-town guests a tour of his gardens. He was first and foremost a farmer.

I can enjoy a wildflower garden, but I love English inspired, potager-style gardens that incorporate brick pathways, fragrant herbs all in a line and espaliered fruit trees! Makes you just want to spread out a blanket and have some tea! When vegetables are grown in a beautiful tapestry, and there's a backdrop of picket fencing, I just swoon!

After we enjoyed the beautiful acreage of Mount Vernon, we continued the feast of history, architecture and gardens at Williamsburg, in Virginia. I had previously been here in high school and college, and knew it was one of my favorite places. I was excited to share it with my family.

The tunnel-like entrance to this living history museum, got us excited for the day. Virginia is thick with trees and underbrush, which helped transport us back in time.

Our day began with the colonists storming the Governor's palace, and a drum and fife corps, and continued on with the costumed actors portraying their roles in U.S. history. We heard from slaves, Thomas Jefferson, and even Jefferson's wife. We enjoyed the exterior architecture of the real-life town, and experienced taverns, mercantiles, blacksmith shops, and dress and hat shops. I wished we had more than one day to experience it all!

Back in that time, it was very fashionable to create English-type gardens, hedges and picket fences around your home or business. I think I once heard that Williamsburg boasts the most original picket fences and gates, anywhere. Boy, could I get some ideas for Mr. Fix-it, here!

Are you getting enough green to chase away the winter blues, yet? I know it's helping me!

The kids were history-ed out by suppertime, so Mr. Fix-it brought them back to the hotel and the pool. He left me there in Nirvana, to wander the cobblestone streets as the sun was going down and the streetlights were coming on...

My feet were sooo tired by the end of the night, but I felt fully full of beauty! Oh, what a wonderful day! If you make plans to be out east, definitely visit Williamsburg, and add Jamestown settlement to the list also. The Narnia-type ships that the first settlers came over in were a hit with the kids, and so was the museum, the settlement, and the Indian Village. Hope you got filled up on gardens! I'll leave you with some last pictures of President Jefferson's home, Monticello. Jefferson brought over many varieties of plants and trees from Europe, and liked experimenting with cross-pollination. His gardens overlooked the beauty of the surrounding foothills.