The weather couldn't have possibly been any better yesterday. Our outing to the Huntington was met by sunshine and cool breezes and a perfect chill when ducking beneath the trees in their shade. I got home and made oven baked rolled tacos for Brian's dinner, with sunburned shoulders and matching cheeks, and gingerly sipped an Appletini... (yikes! it was too strong!)
Kathleen and I really enjoyed the tea, especially the chicken tarragon sandwiches, the apple cinnamon scones, and one amazing rose-hued tea that immersed all of the senses. After filling up on various tiny, crustless sandwiches and their delectable fillings and fresh fruit tartlets for dessert, we had a really nice time strolling through row upon row of rose bushes in every imaginable color, all brightly displayed in the warm afternoon sun.
After the rose garden, we explored the Japanese garden situated on the hillside. I delighted in the fountains, the Buddist icons, the landscaping, and the tiny bonsais that surrounded the Japanese teahouse, which was open, not unlike a shadowbox without walls, for public viewing. My favorite part though, were the enormous, happy koi that filled the large pond on either side of the gorgeous arched bridge - the focal point of the garden. There were two really beautiful Asian little girls feeding them and one kept telling the other that they don't bite because they don't have any teeth. I loved the koi. They were so fat and slippery and social.
We wandered out toward the Shakespeare garden and I took a few photos of the various statues that lined the expansive, grassy courtyard, then we rested at a huge fountain filled with lilypads and turtles swimming in the cool, murky water. (I'll post some of the photos from today another entry, or come back later and include them here.)
Soon, we tired and we headed toward the exit, but not before we made a stop inside the gift shop where I found a gorgeous handmade, silver charm bracelet (made in France, shut up!) with a beautifully engraved, heart-shaped locket that dangles from the chain and makes a heavenly tinkling sound when I move. I also found some really pretty thank you notecards with little teacups on some, and red wine grapes and ivy vines on the others, and bought a few packets of tissues with tiny rosebuds printed on them. I'm sure those will come in handy at the wedding, so I plan to give a package of those to each of the Moms.
I dropped Kathleen at her place, and unloaded another ton of stuff to be used for the shower/Mad Tea Party and said I would be there to help set up the day before. But just before I turned to go, she checked her mailbox and there was her wedding invitation that I'd sent out Friday morning! I was there to watch as the most important person in my bridal party opened her envelope. Her eyes welled up with tears and they fell ...just as the silk rose petals that were inside the invitation fluttered to the floor.
Beautiful.
Kathleen and I really enjoyed the tea, especially the chicken tarragon sandwiches, the apple cinnamon scones, and one amazing rose-hued tea that immersed all of the senses. After filling up on various tiny, crustless sandwiches and their delectable fillings and fresh fruit tartlets for dessert, we had a really nice time strolling through row upon row of rose bushes in every imaginable color, all brightly displayed in the warm afternoon sun.
After the rose garden, we explored the Japanese garden situated on the hillside. I delighted in the fountains, the Buddist icons, the landscaping, and the tiny bonsais that surrounded the Japanese teahouse, which was open, not unlike a shadowbox without walls, for public viewing. My favorite part though, were the enormous, happy koi that filled the large pond on either side of the gorgeous arched bridge - the focal point of the garden. There were two really beautiful Asian little girls feeding them and one kept telling the other that they don't bite because they don't have any teeth. I loved the koi. They were so fat and slippery and social.
We wandered out toward the Shakespeare garden and I took a few photos of the various statues that lined the expansive, grassy courtyard, then we rested at a huge fountain filled with lilypads and turtles swimming in the cool, murky water. (I'll post some of the photos from today another entry, or come back later and include them here.)
Soon, we tired and we headed toward the exit, but not before we made a stop inside the gift shop where I found a gorgeous handmade, silver charm bracelet (made in France, shut up!) with a beautifully engraved, heart-shaped locket that dangles from the chain and makes a heavenly tinkling sound when I move. I also found some really pretty thank you notecards with little teacups on some, and red wine grapes and ivy vines on the others, and bought a few packets of tissues with tiny rosebuds printed on them. I'm sure those will come in handy at the wedding, so I plan to give a package of those to each of the Moms.
I dropped Kathleen at her place, and unloaded another ton of stuff to be used for the shower/Mad Tea Party and said I would be there to help set up the day before. But just before I turned to go, she checked her mailbox and there was her wedding invitation that I'd sent out Friday morning! I was there to watch as the most important person in my bridal party opened her envelope. Her eyes welled up with tears and they fell ...just as the silk rose petals that were inside the invitation fluttered to the floor.
Beautiful.
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Thanks for that report, Lesa. You're the bestest.