Ardenwood Farm

 

Last weekend my family and our good friends enjoyed a magical day at Ardenwood Farm in Fremont, California to celebrate their little boy's third birthday.

 

 

This is an historic working farm, built in the late 19th century, now open to the public for picnics and tours.  We ate deli sandwiches and gourmet cupcakes (I'm talking flavours like jalapeno cornbread, French onion soup and strawberry daiquiri!) at this idyllic spot.

 

 

My niece Tilly hadn't had her nap, so she wasn't too impressed with the festivities,

 

 

but the birthday boy had a blast opening his toy garbage truck!

 

 

We saw roosters...

 

 

and peacocks!

 

 

On the lawn of the property's Victorian mansion where the founding family lived is this gazebo, another perfect place to while away a summer afternoon.

 

 

Just look at these pretty ladies dressed all in white!  My mother and I walked over and learned that they are all former docents of the mansion's tour and now get together on weekends to drink tea and play croquet!

 

 

They were so friendly and invited me to join them for a photo.  (Hint:  I'm the one not wearing white!)

 

 

The mansion's exterior...

 

 

Once inside, guests are treated to a 45-minute tour of the interior, which boasts most of its original furnishings, right down to the 1889 toile wallpaper.

 

 

Here our docent is show us a bustle!  (Looks like a beehive to me!)

 

 

This is my mom in her favourite part of any house - the kitchen!

 

 

I loved this grand parlour...

 

 

Dad even enjoyed the tour!

 

 

The whole bunch of us under the gazebo!

 

 

We then walked around the grounds some more and saw goats,

 

 

pigs,

 

 

farmers doing something with hay,

 

 

an exotic bird house,

 

 

and giant sunflowers!

 

 

Refreshed from our day at the farm, I was busy in the studio this week and whipped up a few more pieces for my Etsy shoppe.

 

 

Thank you for visiting Ardenwood Farm with me!  I hope everyone is enjoying their summer weekend!  x o Robyn

 

Summer Breeze

 

 See the curtains hangin' in the window
 

 

In the evening on a Friday night

 

 

A little light a-shinin' through the window

 

 

Lets me know everything's alright

 

 

Summer breeze makes me feel fine

 

 

Blowin' through the jasmine in my mind.

 

 

Sweet days of summer, the jasmine's in bloom

 

 

July is dressed up and playin' her tune

 

 

See the smile awaitin' in the kitchen

 

 

Through cookin' and the plates for two

 

 

Feel the arms that reach out to hold me

 

 

In the evening when the day is through

 

 

Summer breeze makes me feel fine

 

 

Blowin' through the jasmine in mind.

 

 

(Lyrics by Seals and Crofts)

 

A Simple Summer Day

With the weather this nice, I try to get out and take walk in my neighborhood each day.  I usually walk to the post office first (with packages to customers!), then around some of the residential streets nearby.

 

 

I'm reminded of how fortunate I am to live among such beauty, and today I wanted so share these simple pleasures with you.

 

 

I've always loved the gargoyles adorning this house; they remind me of the ones on the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris!

 

 

I also finished up some earrings today that I've just listed in my Etsy shoppe...

Please stay tuned next time for my 'bohemian garden' collection, coming soon!  Until then, I hope you're all enjoying the simple joys of summer!  :)