I was so lucky recently to win a give-away organised by Valerie at - Acornmoon - to celebrate her two years of blogging. I won a copy of a book called 'In and Out of the Garden' by Sara Midda. I'd seen this book on another blog - I can't remember which one - quite a while ago and I've had it on my wish list ever since then so I asked to be included in the draw. You can imagine my delight when I found out that my name had been pulled out of the hat and when the postman arrived with the parcel!
I'm sorry that my photos can't do justice to the prettiness of the book as the colours are so delicate.
It is an exquisite book, hard backed, cloth covered and everything I expected of it. The illustrations are delightful- I just keep picking it up and gazing at the pages and finding something new each time. I can't believe how lucky I am! Thank you, Valerie.
Last week on a visit to my sister in Chesterfield we called at the - Herb Garden - at Hardstoft. We used to go there quite often when Mum and Dad were still with us, we've taken them there for lunch a few times but sadly the cafe part of the gardens is now closed and the whole place is for sale. The cafe used to make the most wonderful quiche and salad lunches and things like lavender cake and scones. The gardens are still open at the moment so we popped in to take some photos.
It was just as I remembered it!
Enclosed all around by a high hedge it is a peaceful little oasis just off a main road.
There is an intricate 'knot' garden
Full of statues, water features and tinkling bells.
Down an avenue at the side of the hedge are three separate gardens containing herbs for special purposes. There is the scented 'pot pourri' garden. The 'physic' garden full of herbs for soothing and healing and the 'lavender' garden full of many different varieties of one of my favourite flowers.
Down one side of the knot garden are the 'culinary' herbs. Everything is labelled with an explanation of uses.
It really is a peaceful place and I hope whoever buys it will keep it just as it is.
Here are the details of the house and gardens for sale - link - I think I might just buy a lottery ticket this week!
The garden is noted for its collection of Echinacea plants! We bought some there a few years ago and they lasted in our garden for several years before they disappeared after the cold winter of last year. It was time to buy some more!
