Happy Sunday!

This beautiful iron pot sits in the gardens at Cheekwood. As I visited last Summer, the Sweet Potato Vine caught my eye. Isn't it fabulous. Have a wonderful Sunday everyone. ENJOY!

Japanese Gardens, Gibbs Gardens, Kentucky Woman Series

Beautiful Gibbs Gardens, located just to the northeast of Atlanta, has to be one of the most architecturally beautiful botanical gardens I have ever seen. The Japanese Gardens, called Tsukiyama, is the largest Japanese garden in the nation encompassing some 40 acres. The ponds in this particular garden are all spring fed. But I think what really makes this garden are the reflections you find at every twist and turn along the garden path. Come take a walk with me . . .

As I meandered around both sides of the ponds that make up the Japanese Gardens, I couldn't help noticing just how meticulous every morsel of plant and stone and tree was planned and designed to create this breathtaking landscape. Mr. Gibbs my hat goes off to you. Yet, on the afternoon I visited with ample sunlight in tow, I couldn't help but realize one of the reasons for all the planning.

Can you see it, the reflections on the water are simply gorgeous. As I approached one setting after another, it wasn't enough to capture a portrait view, I had to capture a landscape too. Who knew what I would like more when I found myself miles away back home carefully sifting through the images.

Without a doubt, I recall spending an hour or more capturing photographs of the various settings as I walked the many paths and crossed over the ponds and walked around each one. It was an explosion to my senses.

As if the reflections on the water were not enough, I happened upon this scene with a Weeping Willow tree situated next to the largest pond. The foliage around the tree and the huge boulders sitting next to the water's edge was just gorgeous. Oh, how I love Weeping Willows.

Right when you think you can't take in another thing, you happen upon a Japanese lantern sitting idly on top of a large boulder with gorgeous twisted tree branches in the background.

Did you notice how the foreground is a treat to your eyes, but the background is so beautiful of the foliage across the pond on the other side. Tell me someone didn't spend hours planning this. What a genius!

Just to be absolutely certain I didn't miss a thing, I captured a landscape view of this setting.

I wanted to end this post right back where we began. Look at this gorgeous plant with those beautiful sculptures of Swans sitting atop it right in the middle of the largest pond in the Japanese Gardens. The Weeping Willows, the pagodas, the lanterns, the sculpture, oh my goodness, have you ever.

Now I ask you, have you ever seen such a gorgeous garden in your life. This was my first visit to a Japanese Garden, and it won't be my last. I can't even imagine what Gibbs must look like in early Spring and Fall. If you ever find yourself in Atlanta, take a quick drive up to Gibbs. It's virtually in the middle of nowhere in a tiny town called Ball Ground, just south of the north Georgia mountains. You could stay in one of the 'boros northeast of Atlanta and its a quick drive up. I hope you have enjoyed this installment of my Kentucky Woman Series. I simply had the most fun creating it for you. It was as though I had stepped back into the garden for a walk. 
Have a fabulous weekend. ENJOY MY FRIENDS!

Linking to Saturday's Critters and The Scoop

Fall at Radnor Lake

Where do you go when you need to be out in nature. Here in Nashville there are several lakes you can visit. I live right off Old Hickory Lake. I enjoy seeing the wildlife flying in and out as I come and go throughout the week. In south Nashville sits beautiful Radnor Lake, surrounded by gently rolling hills and woodlands. Today I walked along the East side of the lake on an old paved road listening for the birds and watching the water for wildlife. I found a spot where the foliage was not so dense and captured this image of the beautiful Fall leaves. I especially like the reflections of the trees in the water in this image.

After crossing the path over the dam, I made my way to the West side of the lake. As I walked the dirt trail, I heard a rustling in the leaves. A Chipmunk was scampering around looking for something to munch on. It was the perfect day for a walk with temps in the low 80's and no humidity. Soon these days will be gone with cold Winter breezes blowing over a barren landscape. But for now it's just beautiful and warm. Tennessee is predicted to be at peak Fall foliage all next week. I hope I can get out and take a few more images before Winter officially knocks on our door. ENJOY!

Scarecrows, Cheekwood Fall Harvest Festival

It's time for Cheekwood's Fall Harvest Festival here in Nashville. 

These are a few of my favorite scarecrows featured in the Turner Seasons Garden this year. 

As you descend the steps to the Turner Seasons Garden, you meander through an area of dense foliage and trees.

 Scarecrows are posted all along the walkway to the delight of the visitors and this year's display was fantastic. 

First up is my absolute favorite scarecrow. Love the happy painted face on this 'Pumpkin & Pigtails' Scarecrow with her fancy hairdo complete with pigtails and her patchwork jean overalls. Do you see the black Crow perched on her straw hat. I'm afraid if I saw her in a field, I wouldn't be the least bit scared. How about you?

Next up is the infamous 'Country Singer' Scarecrow. Where else but Nashville, the Country Music Capital of the World, could you find such a colorful musician complete with a jewel encrusted guitar, striped short, blue jeans and a star studded straw hat. I think he could definitely use a facial though. Don't you agree?

My third favorite in the Turner Seasons Garden has to be this dude who I refer to as 'The Pirate'. All chained up with nowhere to go, although you have to admit he is prepared for a fight with his sword ready for battle. His skeleton buddy resting on his shoulder is a sight too. He is quite the stylish pirate in his swatch buckling bright red shirt and black leather vest and black pants.

There was some serious work involved in creating these dudes. I really enjoyed walking the garden to check out all of the scarecrows. I'll share more images from my walk around the Fall Harvest Festival at Cheekwood soon. The flowers were beautiful this year in the Robert Ellis garden. ENJOY!

Linked to Foodie Friday & Everything Else

Waterlily Gardens, Gibbs Gardens

As beautiful as the lush Japanese Gardens were with the gorgeous foliage and large ponds with the Weeping Willow branches draped over the water, the Waterlily Gardens at Gibbs Gardens was simply gorgeous. Clumps of Waterlilies blooming in vibrant captivating colors graced the many ponds of the Waterlily Gardens. There are supposedly 140 varieties of Waterlilies that bloom here throughout the year.

The water source here comes from underground springs adding to the natural feeling you get as you walk among the ponds. As you meander from path to path, you encounter wooden bridges, covered bridges and even natural rock bridges, not to mention small waterfalls and even a Japanese pagoda. Remarkably, this Waterlily Garden has the largest natural display of Waterlilies in the nation.

The star of this feature garden though is the Waterlily flowers in bloom with their vibrant yellows, pinks, blues and lavenders. Before I left Gibbs for the day, I took a second walk around this particular garden as it was so captivating an experience. I was in my glory with all of the color and the beautiful Lily Pads. On this particular day the temperatures were milder than had been all Summer which I had noted on the forecast while planning this trip. I knew I would be spending three or four hours or longer walking throughout these gardens and I wanted the day to be somewhat mild. Thankfully, it was. What a magical place. I hope you enjoy these images as much as I enjoyed taking them. ENJOY!