Monday, May 13, 2013

a day for mothers and gardens...

What better to do on Mothers Day than pay a visit to Minter Gardens?



We waited till the skies cleared up a little in the afternoon...

 

...and then headed out to the gardens for our first visit of the year. 



It seemed appropriate to visit the gardens on Mothers Day.



 It was where my mother spent the last Sunday she was with us.
We were all there together as a family...
with no idea that in a few days she would be gone.
She loved flowers and gardens...
and so it was a favorite place of hers.

My mother-in-law could also be found at Minter Gardens on many a Sunday afternoon.
She would go with friends...
and they would walk a ways...



...and then sit a spell.
And have an ice-cream cone on occasion.
We often bought her a season's pass for Mother's Day.


And so the garden paths seemed the perfect place to stroll yesterday...
and to reminisce.
 

There were families on an outing...
and kids having fun.




And rhodo gardens second to none!
 
It was a pleasant place to be.
It always is!



And just in case I can't find my photo of the garden chapel from my last visit...
or any of the previous visits...
I took one more.
I can never resist!


I was reminded again how thankful I am for my mom...
and my mom-in-law...
and for my three kids who made me a mom...
and for the moms of my grands.

And to all of you who are moms...
belated Mother's Day wishes to you.


21 comments:

  1. How lovely! I am so taken with garden tours....yet I get so busy with my own I never have time to go on them! I think the cloudy day was perfect, as it truly made the greens more vibrant....and that little chapel is the sweetest!

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  2. This looks like a beautiful place to visit any day, Judy. My sister often sends me the Minter Gardens Calendar and I just added it to my list of places to visit in July. Your photos are so beautiful. A lovely way to spend Mother's Day!

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    1. Pam...if it works out in July, maybe we can visit the gardens together when you are out here!

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  3. A lovely was to spend Mother's Day, indeed. I think that gardens are prettiest just after a rain - and I love the smell of the earth after rain.
    See you soon!

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  4. Lots of sweet memories wrapped up in those visits. It is certainly a beautiful spot on earth made even more so by those very remembrances.

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  5. Love, love, love the Minter Gardens! What a beautiful spot! It was great catching up on your posts - congrats on the new book - what a blessing.

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  6. Lovely thoughts Judy and a lovely stroll. I'm so happy that I have strolled through those gardens and I have a photo of that chapel somewhere, too. Blessings...

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  7. I remember spending time taking both of our Mom's back to the very same spot in wheelchairs, strolling through the park with grands on their laps...
    I can just imagine the memories that flooded through your mind as you took the stroll.

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  8. Oh how absolutely lovely those gardens are! What wonderful memories it holds of your mom and mom-in-law....
    The third picture from the top reminds me of the colours of a certain beautiful "Celebrations" cookbook! Hope your Mother's Day was perfect!

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  9. Beautiful gardens!!! I can see you spend time in that beauty in reflection of those you love and full of gratitude...excellent Mother's Day!!

    Hugs !!

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  10. What a beautiful place to spend a portion of Mother's Day. Everything is so fresh and green after the rain. Belated Mother's Day greetings to you.

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  11. I have a pass to the gardens that I am now feeling called to use. Looks like you found a nice place to stroll on Mother's day afternoon with sweet memories in your thoughts.

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  12. I enjoyed this post so much! My parents speak of these gardens with much fondness. I hope to visit there someday --- they look like an amazing place! My mother grew up nearby --- I still have her CHS ring. Enjoy a happy day and Happy Mother's Day to you, Judy.

    LaDonna
    Gracious Hospitality

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  13. You have stirred happy memories for me too. Minter is a garden to be treasured and enjoyed often...

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  14. What a lovely way to spend Mother's Day. The flowers are so beautiful there. I am not sure why I am surprised since my own spring flowers are so lush and colorful.

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  15. Beautiful place...beautiful pictures...beautiful post! Glad you had such a lovely day!

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  16. I like how you included memories of such special ladies in your life. The gardens are so peaceful and relaxing. I could spend hours there. Fortunately, you captured it so beautifully for us. Thank you!

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  17. Thank you for sharing your beautiful day with us!!

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  18. Incredible, amazing photos..am looking fwd to exploring your blog regularly..
    am following.

    Jonell
    Like Gramma's House blog

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  19. Beautiful post, Judy! I had a very Happy Mother's Day with my children and grandchildren. It was one of the best!

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'The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it.'
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson