The Gardens

"Mr. Collins invited them to take a stroll in the garden, which was large and well laid out, and to the cultivation of which he attended himself. To work in his garden was one of his most respectable pleasures..."
--from Pride and Prejudice.

Welcome to the Pemberley gardens--a sanctuary of beauty and tranquility, where you can surround yourself with the loveliest of flowers and the sweetest of all things. Below I have compiled a few gardening resources, as well as some of the best "feel-good" sites on the web. I hope they help to transport you to a beautiful "place" that is all your own.

Flowers and Gardening

  • Pemberley and Netherfield--Take a photo tour of the "real-life" mansions and grounds from the BBC/A&E adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Beautiful footage!

  • Claude Monet's Gardens --Visit Monet's beautiful Impressionist garden at his home in Giverny, France. Lovely images, as well as a detailed list of the flowers and plants in the garden.

  • Chicago Botanic Garden--A horticultural treasure! This expansive and beautifully maintained collection of gardens is located in Northbrook, Illinois, just minutes away from Lake Forest--I go at least twice every summer. My favorite garden--the English Walled Garden, of course! :)

  • Burpee's Seeds and Plants--Whether you're in the market for seeds or are just looking for design ideas, you'll find what you need here. Burpee's has been around for 125 years and still sells the highest-quality seeds on the market.

  • Internet Florist--The Meaning of Flowers--An interesting floral dictionary where you can find the traditional meanings of flowers from A to Z. (Personal favorite--even though it's not my favorite flower--daffodil, "The sun is always shining when I'm with you.")

  • The Legends of the Flowers --Read the stories behind the flowers...legends from traditional folklore about seven different flowers, including the rose and the daisy.

    Motivational Sites

  • I dearly love a laugh...--Here I have gathered together my favorite tidbits of jocularity...for, as E.E. Cummings wisely said, "The most wasted of all days is one without laughter." Hope they put a smile on your face!

  • Follow Your Dreams--Get inspired with spirit-lifting quotes, fine art postcards, book recommendations, and other interesting morsels. [Note: I have not personally read most of the recommended books on this page and, consequently, cannot recommend them myself. Use your own discretion when choosing reading material, and a good place to start is my own list of recommended reads.]

  • A Deep Place--An oasis of tranquility, featuring quotations, poetry, and short stories that will "warm the heart and soothe the soul."

  • Keirsey Temperament Sorter--Take a quick quiz and discover your own personality! [My temperament: Guardian SJ. My personality type: Inspector ISTJ.]