April 25, 2010

childhood gardens



it's been over 20 years since i visited the jasmine hill.  it's a private place, owned by private family for many years but is now a non-profit organization.  it's only open march through may and then on certain weekends (i never knew when they were and the website is not updated often)  i wanted to make it a point to visit this year before it closed for the summer. 

i missed most of the azaleas and what was left were pretty beat up by the storms yesterday.  but today bloomed bright and beautiful.  almost everyone there were armed with cameras - though it was not a lot of people - so, at certain times, it was like being alone with the gardens. 

i learned this about ancient greece during my visit today:  they didn't wear many clothes, they liked to wrestle with other dudes, that maybe it was quite cold back then as a shrinkage factor seemed to be going on, and they were rather fond of lions. 

i have over 180 shots to go through, these are my favorites so far.

31 comments:

  1. They aren't open to the public for very long are they?...Glad you got there to take pictures this year...and what beautiful pictures...I especially like that lichen covered jug...and your sense of humour:)

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  2. looks beautiful. I especially love the last shot

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  3. Glad you got there Char, I too like your sense of humor. Can't wait to see more of the photos. Sounds like you had an enjoyable weekend. have a great week. Hugs

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  4. is it possible that this is your most amazing series yet ... or do I continue to say that which each visit? you have taken me away to a magical place

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  5. they are all so good, Char - each one. you have such a great eye...

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  6. What a beautiful place, and how wonderful that it is again open to the public, sharing its essence. It looks so very peaceful there.

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  7. what a lovely day trip and resulting shots! see where that "going nekkid" got 'em...

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  8. The flowers are gorgeous! But that shot of the urn takes the prize today! Beautiful!

    Shrinkage! LOL And I bet they were all uncircumcised, too!

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  9. Beautiful - they are all absolutely beautiful. What a great way to spend a day ..... & learn some interesting trivia.

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  10. i'm glad you had a lovely time! this post made me chuckle...you're so blunt and i love it!

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  11. Wow! Gorgeous photos! Looks like a lovely place to spend the day and so romantic too!

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  12. You're funny. I guess we know what brought down the Greek empire...water liles are one of my favorites by the way.

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  13. I always love the symbolism behind Lotus flower~
    Beautiful day~

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  14. LOL...shrinkage...

    Gorgeous photos that blue one (an iris???) is beyond beautiful. I think you captured it's soul.

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  15. beautiful shots! and interesting facts.
    thank you for sharing. :-)

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  16. Oh it's time for the lily pads, I forgot! Must hunt some down.

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  17. #6 is WAY COOL!!! Do you know what it is?

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  18. oh this is lovely. how inviting.
    gonna email you~ now. : )
    xoxo

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  19. #6 are poppy seed pods after the petals have gone away. These were really beautiful red ruffled poppies.

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  20. Wow, what a gorgeous series of photos!

    Oh, and shrinkage? ROFL

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  21. girrrrrrrrrrrrrl, it is like i am right there with ya. i love these shots. going to fancy, quiet, and gorgeous gardens is really such a treat. and your shots are captivating. i just love them and wish i was there!

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  22. these are beautiful shots.....and i just got up off the floor from laughing at the shrinkage comment.....

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  23. That waterlily took me back immediately to one of my favorite childhood books...love that you went to this beautiful garden--what a lovely present to yourself! Hope you're off to a good week Char!

    xo Mary Jo

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  24. What a beautiful gift you gave yourself this weekend, dear. It sounds like a very soothing and introspective thing to do. Thanks for sharing here with us.

    xoox,
    -maria

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  25. This looks like a perfect place for lingering--so pretty!

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  26. oh that looks like a 'must visit' kinda place for me. hey do you have plans to go to B'ham anytime soon?

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  27. your got so many beautiful photos . i've seen here on flickr and FB. you really are a master at flower photography.

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  28. I don't have plans for Bham soon but definitely Atlanta soon. A friend of mine just bought a house and I want to go see it. What do you have in mind for Bham? Maybe I can add it to the plans?

    and thank you. *blush*

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  29. beautiful shots of that garden... lovely as usual. ;)

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