April 25, 2009

petals from the past

sounds like a great story title doesn't it? titles like that at times make me pick up books, like "cherries in the snow". i forget the author now, but i bought the book simply based on the name. but, in this case it's not the name of a book (or a blog) but instead the name of a wonderful plant nursery in jemison, alabama. the place is located out in the country and is a lush, wonderful escape from the city. they grow antique and heritage plants (especially roses) that you can't just find anywhere plus a lot of plants native to alabama.

the store is a converted country house and is surrounding by examples of their plants and trees. it looked like a wedding was taking place later in the day in the rose arbor. after wandering through the grounds (of course i took my camera) i sat with my sister and listened to the droning of the bumblebees as they flitted and fought. i got to see the wonder of a mated pair of bluebirds for the first time. bluebirds are special (just like chickadees) to me because each time my mom saw something with bluebirds she would say "bluebirds of happiness" and we would smile. funny the simple things...

fresh strawberries locally grown were bountiful and luscious. the blueberry trees were laden with berries that will ripen in a couple of weeks. there were rows and rows of strawberries blooming and will ripen and the fig trees were blooming. this is exactly the life i would want if funds were unlimited and available. all that was missing is woven hammock hung under a full shade tree and a glass of lemonade. they did, however, have coke in the tiny bottles i remember from childhood - - - and it tastes just as i remember from a glass bottle.

after ambling around...we had lunch at a barbecue place down the road (a piece as we say around here). bountiful and wonderful, but the very best part? freshly fried pies - peach was my choice. yum.















24 comments:

  1. Sounds like a wonderful day! And, oh those glass coke bottles! That takes me back! My brother and I used to go to work with my grandmother at the library in her small town when we'd visit. The library was connected to the fire station, so every day at lunch we'd go in by the fire truck and get a glass bottle coke, I can't see one now without smiling and remembering my grandmother! Thanks for the memory!

    ReplyDelete
  2. your images made me smile BUT your words had me shaking my yes in understanding of such a wondrous spot.

    ReplyDelete
  3. thanks for taking us along with you for the day...the photos were beautiful and then when you added....coke in the little bottles....that was the icing on the cake in my book !!

    ReplyDelete
  4. ah, a nice day... love that last flower pot shot! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love the photos especially that one with birds...also the silhouetted tree and building.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sounds amazing. And it makes me miss the farms in Oregon...

    ReplyDelete
  7. so glad you found another place to travel to and be lost in it when you get there. so great to share it with a sister. also agree, there is nothing like a glass bottle.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I lvoe all those different coloured pots. And you are so lucky getting to see the bluebrids - I've never seen one.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Smiling at your beautiful post. And I say down the road a piece, too. I don't know why, but it's just how it is.
    This place sounds wonderful. Have a great Sunday, Char.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Garden nurseries are such havens, each one a gem, with its own personality and comfort. What a simply wonderful day you had.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your mother would have loved to visit my yard then. I have a family of bluebirds and one of chickadees. The little couples are just precious!
    Brenda

    ReplyDelete
  12. i wish i could go to this place RIGHT NOW!!! how fabulous! it sounds a little bit like a wonderful place in santa cruz, ca called wisteria.

    and to top a fab day off with a piece of pie? that sounds just about perfect!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. It sounds like a beautiful place. I have never seen a bluebird, we get bluejays but not bluebirds. I especially loved the pic of the roses. Have a great Sunday

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks for taking us along on the visit - sounds like my kind of place. I saw my first bluebirds of the year yesterday and the phrase"bluebirds of happiness" ran through my head. I wonder what that is from?

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh, that sounds like such a wonderful place! I'm so glad you found a new place to take pictures, and some fresh inspiration. :) Love the flower pot photo...

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a lovely day out...I love visiting the old Farmers Stores...they even smell earthier than a great supermarket.
    Thanks so much for the "Good Luck" wishes... The Show went well...I'm exhausted, I'll tell more tomorrow.
    Have a great evening.
    Char.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Gorgeous shots. I love the clay pots shot. I would love to come with you one day. We will have to plan a trip someday.

    ReplyDelete
  18. these images conjure up the same feelings that the words you wrote did. they both paint a lovely picture.

    sounds like a nice time—something you deserve, dear.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Petals from the Past sounds like such a wonderful place. i think next time i visit my brother i will make time for a trip down there. Thanks for sharing your weekend with us.
    i thought about driving down there yesterday but we decided to stick to our plan of going to the botanical gardens. we observed so many birds - mothers and babies and a big hawk catching a squirrel.

    ReplyDelete
  20. oh no!! poor squirrel. I was sitting here this morning watching a baby squirrel have breakfast.

    ReplyDelete
  21. What a wonderful trip you have taken me on...the whole day sounds charming..and to top it off with barbecue and peach pie! Bluebirds of happiness indeed!

    ReplyDelete
  22. OH, you make me want to come home to the South. NOW!

    ReplyDelete

i feel as if each comment was between us as we sat and sipped something warm....i love to hear what you're thinking.