We Went To A Garden Party - Year Two

In 2006, we were approached by the Hospice Board of Directors with the request that we consider being a host for the next year's fund raiser. The date was already set: September 8, 2007.

There were so many things that kept us busy this summer; I was positive that our yard wouldn't be ready for the event.

However, last week we battened down the hatches and spent every day after work cleaning, weeding, pruning, and generally getting dirty.

The hubby's sister joined in the chore. Then Amanda drove from Portland on Thursday. She worked her fingers to the bone on Friday helping her dad shovel fresh bark on the flower beds.

Saturday morning our yard was ready!!

Eight other families joined us in opening their homes for this years Pond & Garden Tour fund raiser. It was a great success.

The hubby counted over 400 people visiting our house. It was much more fun than I anticipated. Total exhaustion at the end of the day was something else that we were not expecting.

Sunday the host families opened their homes once more on an hourly schedule to share and enjoy each others efforts. The following are random photographs taken by Amanda, me, and the hubby. In the end, we realized that none of us took pictures of the two largest ponds and waterfall.

Yes - some of these are taken in our backyard. You might recognize them as I have posted our pond and various lawn features in the past year. If you look closely you might find Amanda, Curlymop, and me!











I hope you enjoyed the tour!!

Comments

Kila said…
How very beautiful! Looks like a wonderful place to relax (once the work is done!)!
Anonymous said…
There are garden tours here in Edmonton, Alberta every year and I've sworn for years I was going to go to one. I haven't. Yet. I love things like this and a tour of your beautiful yard is a perfect way to end my evening. Thanks so much for sharing!
my4kids said…
Wow those look like some great gardens!
Amanda said…
It was so wonderful!! I enjoyed myself the entire weekend.
Anonymous said…
:) I spied! :)

I recognized s o m e of your yard, but a few others, I wasn't sure. Some I knew weren't yours. And I'm pretty doggone sure, you don't own any jets!

This was a TREMENDOUS amount of effort--OF COURSE you were exhausted!! But when all was said and done, and I know you had to have been thrilled with the result.

NOW, you can rest a while!! :)
Anonymous said…
:) I spied! :)

I recognized s o m e of your yard, but a few others, I wasn't sure. Some I knew weren't yours. And I'm pretty doggone sure, you don't own any jets!

This was a TREMENDOUS amount of effort--OF COURSE you were exhausted!! But when all was said and done, and I know you had to have been thrilled with the result.

NOW, you can rest a while!! :)
Anonymous said…
Absolutely gorgeous.
Jodi said…
Beautiful gardens!!

What kind of tree is the one that looks like it's growing upside down??
I did! Now, do you mind if we swap homes for a bit? I could use a little fresh air, and your place looks lovely.
Peter said…
Those gardens look beautiful Pamela, nearly worth all the work!!!!
Heather said…
I don't even know what battening down hatches means.
Pictures are awesome! Look like havens.
How on earth do you get a tree to grow upside-down like that? I want one.
Anonymous said…
Wow, I am almost speechless. Your yard is beautiful. I'm really impressed!
Anonymous said…
That house is HUGE - where was that at?

I recognize which yard is yours, of course - the deck turned out very nice. (I didn't recognize the vase until I saw the last picture)
Unknown said…
Such beautiful gardens! They all look like such lovely places to relax.
Anonymous said…
Gorgeous! WOW!
ChrisB said…
Beautiful gardens, well worth all the efforts and I hope you all made a lot of money for the hospice.
Anonymous said…
ohh my you have such a beatiful place absolutly beatiful!!!!
Wendster said…
Thanks for the nod in Amy's direction. Wow. Perspective. And congratulations on your fabulous pond! What beautiful photos! Good on you for taking that on. So much work for a hostess to have her home perfect for guests. Your pond was CERTAINLY visitor ready and praiseworthy. I owuld love to see it if I am ever in your neighborhood, which is still being decided. Finances will be the final deciding factor. We might not stay for long when we visit Washington. Court battle with ex is draining and costly and time consuming.
Glad I have cool blogs like yours, Pamela, to visit. And your random acts of kindness go so much farther than the little lady who, comically, was looking for old gray mare lane (as she was old and gray herself) ... I have often felt like the beneficiary of your kindness. You often post kind words on my blog, and I have always noticed that you take the time to connect with me and "be there" for me. I appreciate you Pamela! I am glad I found you through this blogging world of ours.
you rock!
Have a great week!
katy said…
the tour was just fantastic, just wish i could have done it in person, you have such a beautiful garden
James Burnett said…
Sheesh! That was a paradise. Thanks for the tour. I could totally see spending my afternoons w/a good book somewhere in those gardens.
Susie said…
Sounds like you puts lots of effort into this. Your pictures are lovely :)
Anonymous said…
You have a beautiful garden. Thanks so much for sharing. I can totally see why you leave the dust. Too much fun to be had outside!
BarnGoddess said…
Oh my Pamela!!

beautiful.Thank you for sharing!

how do you make yourself ever leave home?
Carole Burant said…
I would so have loved to have been on that tour in person, all the gardens looks fabulous!! Gosh, with over 400 people coming through your garden, it's no wonder you were so exhausted by the end of the day, especially since you spent the week before getting your garden ready!! xox
Anonymous said…
Everything looks so beautiful! The perfect place for a gathering. Can we rent it out for Baby Bug's party? hee hee
Devon said…
I loved the tour... wish I was there! Do you know the name of the tree in the front yard that droops like a willow?

Great photos by the way!
Susie Q said…
Just so beautiful!

Oh to have such a garden!
I love garden and home tours...always fun and so many inspirational ideas!

Hope you are well...have a sweet Thursday!

Hugs,
Sue
Donetta said…
How refreshing thank you for the lovely tour
BlondeBlogger said…
How gorgeous!! I wish my yard looked that beautiful!
Whippersnapper said…
Gorgeous pictures! Makes me nostalgic for summer (for yes, summer is most definitely over here.)
Beccy said…
What lovely gardens to relax in.
Anonymous said…
Oh, I did so enjoy the tour. Thank you for sharing all these lovely pictures! I wish I could have seen them all in person!
tlawwife said…
I'm so sorry I missed this!!
theotherbear said…
wow, what fantastic gardens!
PAT said…
I absolutely enjoyed this wonderful tour! The gardens and photos are gorgeous!

Pat
Jeanette said…
Hi Pamela. I would love to take a good book or my Knitting and just relax on your bench in your beautiful garden. Thanks for the tour..
wazza said…
Gidday Pamela,

Some great photos of gardens. I'm not much of a garden person but can appreciate all the work that can go into preparing and looking after them and the results can look incredible.

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