Hidden Magnolias

Yesterday I received my copy of  Columns by the Sea: The Roper House   By Dick Jenrette . I couldn't put it down. He tells his story of how he found the house, fell in love, purchased and lovingly restored. It is not a very big book, but some of the pictures are just to die for. All the pictures below are taken from the Roper House Pinterest board sponsored by the Classical American Homes Preservation Trust and the Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation. Heavenly, isn't it? I could so live here. I am not going to publish all pictures because I want you to buy a copy of the book yourself. All proceeds go to preserving some of America's finest classic homes. Pat

Those of you that know me, know I love pearls. I have seen a trend this year -- something new: Man Pearls. And when you look they are every where. Some very famous men have been snapped recently wearing pearls. Here is a group in Maui, all wearing their pearls. Sis-in-law on right, you know who in middle, and SIL's chum on left. Pearls for men? I say YES . I particularly like the darker pearls and the silver color pearls on men. Just a little eye-candy below. Pat

Yesterday my husband and I spent a delightful day in Sparta, GA at the Not your Mama's Garden Tour. Robert and Susanne Currey (pictured above) bought and  lovingly restored the Harley Harris Rives House in downtown Sparta and turned 2 acres of the overgrown "formal" gardens into an organic treasure. They call it Elm Street Gardens. The gardens are located in the back of the house. They use a no-till organic process. Constant mulching and companion planting a a focus.  Beautiful bedded rows of fresh goodness. Here is my husband checking it all out -- row by row. I so wanted to snatch up one of these beautiful lettuces. Flowers are interspersed with the vegetables, making the garden a visual delight. There were several hoop houses to protect the tender plants from the hot Georgia sun. Inside one of them was a plant I had never seen before. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was an artichoke. They also k...

Spring is finally here.  I love the green, the flowers, and the new life. The Cherokee Rose blooms in early spring and it's dainty flower lasts for only a short time... Yellow Bearded iris Some woodland hyacinths popped up in the day-lily bed. I will transplant to a better location. And of course, the basic violet. Thought to be a pest, I do love them. I guess because of the later spring and all the rain, we have a have marvelous, very green spring. This was my ride to work this week. Enjoy the Spring.  Pat

One of my favorite houses in Hancock County is Pomegranate Hall. Built in 1830 by Judge Nathan Sayre, this beauty was destroyed by fire in 2008. Efforts are underway to restore this historic home, but given that restoring historic homes, with all the codes, requirements and permits, I am not sure it can be done. It is located at 322 Adams Street, Sparta. Ga. Judge Nathan Sayre, never married, had several children with one of his slave women and later lived with, but never married, Susan Hunt, who was part Cherokee, African, and Caucasian. Here is an artist’s rendition of how that house have looked in its heyday. Artist: Sterling Everett   Here is a picture before it burned. College of Environment and Design, University of Georgia It is said that the house was built in NJ and brought down to Georgia. The porch is mounted by stairways on either side, and a balustrade runs along the front of the porch and down each stairway. Over the entrance i...