Merry Christmas

May your faith, family, and friends ~

Bring you peace, joy, and happiness~

From our house to yours ~

We wish you a Very Merry Christmas

and a Happy New Year!

Gatherings

 

Family gatherings.

 

 

Friends gathering.

 

 

Gathering my thoughts.

 

 

Gathering my day & sharing it with you.

The Other Side of Keeneland

Today I was up early to greet the morning at Keeneland before the Fall racing season comes to a close.

I decided to join my husband on the backside.

I followed him through barn after barn~

 It's within this idyllic setting that he helps horses to breathe easier.

Trying to stay out of the way, I focused my camera on other things.

Even though the backside is a hub of activity ~

I love how it's also the quiet side.

The hands-on dedication of grooms, owners, and trainers is admirable.

 The saddling paddock. 

The jockeys awaiting last-minute instructions and owners having one last look at their horses ~

It's all about tradition, fine horsemanship, and the finish line.

The world’s best Thoroughbred horses, owners, trainers, and jockeys come to compete in April and October ~ However, Keeneland also plays host to many year-round events including the November horse sales, the Keeneland Concours d'Elegance, and the Bluegrass Trust Antique and Garden Show just to name a few.  

 Just around the bend at the Keeneland Sales Pavilion, Keeneland Cross Gate Gallery will present the

Sporting Art Auction of Fine Sporting Art, American Paintings and Sculpture.

This inaugural auction represents an inspired collaboration between the world’s largest Thoroughbred auction house and the country’s premier gallery of fine sporting art and contemporary British figurative painting.

Among the auction’s most important pieces are several by Munnings, including Blue Prince II, a 26 1⁄2” x 39 1⁄4” painting commissioned by Thoroughbred owner and breeder Walter Jeffords. Munnings, who died in 1959, is regarded as one of the world’s finest equine painters.

Art, Antiques, Cars, Gardens ~ and Horses ~ don't forget the horses…oops!

Hmmm. I have no segue here so I'll just ask ~ Are you prepared for winter? I'm not.

The Keeneland Gift Shop, which also happens to be the best holiday shop in town, will be hosting a Barbour Trunk Show and Reproofing event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 4th & 5th.

Welcome to November, my friends.

The fun has just begun!

DIG IT!

The Lisa Porter Collection is honored to be included at DIG IT! Magazine.

A digital publication where avid gardeners delight in sharing their roots & gaining knowledge.

A proud member of

The Garden Conservancy
The Friends of the Frelinghuysen Arboretum
The American Horticultural Society
Dog Writers Association of America
Friends of Orange County Arboretum, NY
Sussex County Arts & Heritage Council

The magazine, both informative & resourceful, appeals to the master & back porch gardener. I like that!

I first discovered DIG IT! in 2012 when I came across a beautiful story ~ Her Favorite Things ~ authored by Mary Jasch. I was moved not only by the topic but also by the author's poetic way with words. I wrote about it here in Poetry & Gardening. 

Mary Jasch is a freelance writer, photographer, gardener, and also the publisher of DIG IT! Magazine. I love how she invites her readers to put on their muck boots, garden hats & gloves and enter the gardens of interesting architects, artists, filmmakers, philanthropists, and foodies who just so happen to also be incredible gardeners!

Here are three of my favorites ~

A Potter's Garden, Frances Palmer

 “The flowers, mostly dahlias, are tools for inspiration and for marketing her handmade dishware and vases and American-made, factory-made Pearl Collection TM tableware.” I love the comments of Frances’ daughter.

 An Architect's Garden, Andrea Filippone  

“There is a place in Pottersville, New Jersey, that some say are the second Versailles. Resurrected from the ruins of an abandoned farm, this house and garden surely inspire.”

 

 

An Old World Garden in New World Clothes, Pamela Page

“Pamela Page, gardener, gourmet, filmmaker, shapes her garden with symmetry, dresses it in colorful vegetables, and bejewels it with flowers.”

 

Look for The Lisa Porter Collection in the Directory of Garden Websites at DIG IT! 

Thank you so much, Mary.

I’m thrilled to be in such good company and I’ve got my muck boots on!

Seasons Change

Rest here and savor the last day of summer.

This summer started with endings.

And ended with beginnings.

Life is so full of change.

Like when the sky opens up and shows you everything at once.

Strands of this day are wound with pink threads of the evening.

Must be the sacrament of the season.

Welcome to Fall, my friends.

Red, White, & Blue & All Over the Place

She started it.

Okay, actually I started it. With the first pair in 1993 ~ to match her personality ~ she’s a redhead.

Then he came along ~ right on her heels.

Told Dad to get a pair of his own.

Some are allowed to be washed.

Some are not.

I’m just thankful when they’re all together.

Aren’t you so looking forward to this long weekend ~ I know I am!

Have a good one!

XO