Longwood Gardens, France & something new

Last Friday we drove out to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, near Brandywine. It is one of the most beautiful places to visit! Craig and I went on our first anniversary, over 15 years ago! It was even more beautiful this year...

They were having a special show of treehouses, so we thought it was a good time to introduce the kids to it. They whined a little about going to see a "garden"! But after they got there, they said "This is really cool!"...

This is the courtyard of the du Pont home on the grounds...

I saw this drawing of Pierre du Pont on the wall in his library and had to get a closer look. I was astonished to find out that John Singer Sargent did this charcoal sketch!! He's one of my favorite artists!

 

In the Conservatory, there are many rooms of different themes and in one, is several walls of gorgeous orchids...

There is also a children's garden which my kids really enjoyed. Between the two ends of the conservatory, there are large lillypad ponds. There was a man cleaning them and the water came up to his waist! They don't look that deep!

We had absolutely wonderful weather... it was hot, though,... reaching into the 90's! The kids took advantage of a fountain where they could wade barefoot...

 

I thought the treehouses would be their favorite, but they loved the giant topiary garden! I remembered loving it too the first time I came...
I had to show you these little felted pouches we saw in the gift shop! They were so cute... I don't know why I didn't just buy one! Caroline said she wanted to make one herself, so I took this for inspiration...

 

Yesterday, we got a package that came all the way from France!! And look what was inside...

A pretty French doll in traditional dress, some postcards of the Eiffel Tower, buttons and a little mushroom that I love made perfectly by jojo-caramel!

 

Olivia and her daughter had fun gathering these goodies for us! Our kids have been conversing through us lately. We have been gathering little things from Lancaster to send to them now!

Lastly, I have been busy getting creative again! I am working on something for myself... and you can see the logo I designed for it below!  And I'm about to illustrate a book cover for a friend of my sister who has battled breast cancer. My plate is full and the kids keep me running... like right now... we're off to the pool! I hope to check in later with all of you, but this computer has not been turned on as much lately. See you soon!