Wednesday, July 22, 2009

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!!!

7 comments:

  1. I'm speechless (highly unusual, I know)! What a FABulous visit you had and what a FABulous host! You are loved by so many people, Dar. And to think, I live in Indiana too ... next time, we will have to connect! (Only MY upstairs bedrooms do NOT compare, LOL) But my heart is bigger than a moon pie! SO glad you shared pics! Friendship and laughter is an instant vacation!

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  2. Thanks for posting these great pictures Dar, since I didn't get many taken myself! Can't wait to show these to Bill, the girls and my Mom!

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  3. Darlene,
    Thanks for:
    1. a wonderful post on our visit.
    2. not putting "every" picture online that you took. hee hee
    3. Great pictures
    4. Shopping at Joan's Gardens
    5. Stamping images for me so I could get ready
    6. coming to visit us.

    And, I could go on and on....

    It was great having you and Tammy and I hope we can do it again another time.

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  4. What wonderful photos, Darlene! Joan's home and garden are just beautiful! Looks and sounds like you all had a wonderful time!

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  5. Shows what a wonderful time you and the gals had with Joan. What a lovely treat to be in such a gorgeous setting. Loved our weekend and can't wait to do it again. TFS the good times. Hugs, Pat

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  6. Wow! Joan....you are living in my dream house.....love the gardens as well. Can't wait to come this Fall if we can make it!

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