When I asked my friends Phyllis & John to agree to have their home included on a garden tour; they were hesitant.  In my mind, they were the perfect couple to ask…their yard was certainly my favorite.. Geez, I would like to retire to their yard!  They live on a golf course, have a beautiful built-in pool, a vegetable and herb garden, a potting shed, and gorgeous flowers and plants everywhere…what more could you want? 

Anyway, once I explained that the tour was a scholarship benefit, they readily agreed to participate.  Today for Friday field trip, we are visiting the breathtaking grounds surrounding their 1852 home in Fairfield County, Connecticut on the day of the garden tour.  

It was very hard to edit this post since there are so many facets to this yard, designed and planted solely by the homeowners.  Such a fun yard to explore…Phyllis has created beautiful vignettes in every nook and cranny.   

John’s ‘baby’ is the vegetable garden.  A retired giant pumpkin planter (yup…he once grew a prize winner that weighed 625 lbs!), he now concentrates on vegetables and herbs.  In addition to the planting, he built the stone walls and fences that so beautifully surround the space.  Yes, that is an outhouse in the back of the garden…original to the property.  John also crafted the handsome birdhouse that stands in the front section of the property.

What do you serve for refreshments on a garden tour?  I really wanted to create a menu that was true to the house…concentrating on fresh vegetables, herbs, and flowers.  I spent quite a bit of time on it and finally decided on rosemary sea salt shortbreads, rosewater meringues, fresh tomatoes with basil and marinated mozzarella, watermelon with fresh ricotta drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and finished with salt, pepper and mint, and lemon raspberry tartlets.  Beverages served were cucumber water with nasturtium and pansy ice cubes and home made iced tea lightly sweetened with simple syrup infused with lemon and mint.

I hope you enjoyed our Friday field trip garden tour!  Thank you John and Phyllis…your yard is truly a labor of love and it shows!  Thanks also to the beautiful and talented gals – Emma and Sara.;)

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Have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing at Mona’s Picturesque, Little Red House, and Craftberry Bush.