Vacation, part 2–The Pittsfield Garden Tour

{Read part 1 here}

On Saturday Elaine and I joined Grandma Fezzi and Auntie Mere and some friends for the annual Pittsfield Garden Tour. My mother-in-law has been attending this every year for some time now. She started a tradition of decorating a new hat to wear each year. Her group of ladies have become known as the “hat ladies”. Ever since I found out about it, I have wanted to attend. But…there was always something else on the agenda. So this year I finally got to attend! And I got a special treat because Elaine came along too.

Me, Mom Hamilton, Mere, and Elaine

We thought it was going to rain, but the Lord held it off until the tour was done. We saw some amazing gardens! It made me a bit jealous, and I found myself wishing I lived in the country! There were seven stops on the tour this year. We broke for lunch at Lauren Johnson’s house halfway through.

:: The Hat Ladies ::
Michelle & Sarah Kunzmann, Auntie Mere, Lori, Mom Hamilton, Lauren Johnson, Me, and Elaine

The Holly Hock House – a B&B run by an 85 year old lady who does all of the gardens herself.

Mom’s hat, made to match her dress – perfectly!

Elaine didn’t really want her picture taken… but I wanted one by the daisies – my favorites!

Everyone’s hats

Mere’s hat – very classy!

I loved the way these looked – don’t know what they are called!

My sign would say, “My Garden was alive last week. Sorry you missed it.” I somehow did NOT get the green thumb from my mom and grandpa!

So many herbs sprinkled throughout the gardens!

Perhaps this house was Elaine’s favorite. The hostess had chocolate chip cookies out for everyone!

I think I was told this purple flower is called a Pincusion flower?!? Loved the rock footprints too!

Can’t believe how big and grown up she is!

Sarah came along with her mom this year, and Elaine made a new friend!

At each house on the tour, there was a fairy house in the garden. The little girls were given bubbles and told to blow bubbles at the fairy house to get the fairies to come out. That was a hard one to explain to Elaine {since we know that fairies are not real!} By the last stop, she had caught onto the game. When she was handed her bubbles she looked at the nice man and said, “Is this for the fairies?” Some of the little houses were very amazing in their construction, though!

All of the little details – rope ladders, rock lined paths, berry wreaths on the doors…