A Visit to Joan's Garden

If you follow my blog you already know that I just returned home from a wonderful weekend trip to Shipshewana, Indiana where I linked up with some of the Stamp Simply ladies. What I didn't tell you is that in preparation for this get together Joan Fricker (Joan's Gardens) graciously invited Tammy Hershberger (Stamp Happy) & I to come a day early and spend the night at her home. Luckily, Tammy was able to get the extra day off work and we were able to take Joan up on her offer.

After making a short stop in Defiance, Ohio to drop Tammy's daughters off at their grandma's home, we headed for Indiana! The weather was beautiful, the drive was relaxing (Tammy & I talked the whole way) and what a beautiful sight when we pulled into Joan's driveway. She has a beautiful old white farmhouse with a wrap around porch, beautiful gardens, and of course I had to check out her little shop (couldn't wait to see what purchases I NEEDED to make there!).

After greeting us and making us feel very welcomed, she showed us into her beautiful home and told us we could take our suitcases upstairs and pick which ever bedroom we wanted for the night. We were in awe of her wonderful decorating and when we got to the top of the steps, we were like little kids ... LOL ... the doors were closed and we had to pick Door #1, #2 or #3. Well Tammy picked Door #1 and when we opened the door ... WOW, how beautiful ... it took our breathe away.

Moving on, I picked Door #2 and believe me when I say, this room was decorated FOR ME ... JUST MY STYLE!! How did she know?? LOL!! As you know, I am a vintage lover and her beautifully decorated home just made me smile at every turn! Can you see these beautiful bed linens ... well, under each is ANOTHER beautiful quilt made by Joan's Mom!! YES ... her mom is 95 years young and is still making quilts and has a little quilt shop where she sells her beautiful handwork! Isn't that amazingly awesome!!!!!

Check this out! Not only are her guestrooms beautifully decorated & welcoming, but she also makes her own SOAP ... yes and it is wonderful!!! I got the "oatmeal" and was very impressed with how soft my skin felt after using it. The insert shows the towels & soap (on a silver plater) that awaited me. OH, and don't let me forget to mention that on the dresser were fresh flowers & CHOCOLATES!!! Tammy & I both declared that we were MOVING IN!!

Not only were our accommodations amazing, but that evening we had HOME MADE BLUEBERRY PIE and the next morning Joan served us a wonderful breakfast casserole, english muffins with homemade strawberry jam & a pineapple/banana slush ... YUMMY!!! What a nice surprise to learn that Sharon Johnson (and her husband Steve) would be stopping by before we ventured over to link up with the other ladies in Shipshewana. Of course this called for another fresh baked BLUEBERRY PIE ... YUM!! (And to think I don't even like blueberries ... really!) But, oh this pie was Out Of This World good!!!

In the photo of us ladies, left to right: Tammy, Joan, Me & Sharon

In the other photo: Joan, Steve, Sharon & John

We had a little time to get acquainted before heading over to Shipshe so we sat and enjoyed that awesome pie and learned a little about Joan & her wonderful husband John (in the green shirt). I enjoyed meeting Sharon's husband too! Steve (in the blue shirt) is kind of a quiet guy but FUNNY!!!! What great fun meeting these two lovely couples.

THANKS JOAN & JOHN FOR YOUR HOSPITALITY!!!

Next time I'm in your area, I'll certainly stop by and say Hello!!! And maybe even do a little shopping & stamping!!!