A day in the Jasmine Street garden & a collage

My lovely friends Carol & Henry hosted a big group of us for a garden party brunch last week when mutual dear friends visited from Pennsylvania.

Words can't really do justice to an afternoon at Carol and Henry's. Carol is a multi-talented wise woman who does beautiful mosaic pots and garden ornaments. Henry is a master gardener and herbalist who distills essential oils from herbs and flowers. Both are astounding resources and wonderful teachers.

Walking into their enclosed garden feels about 10 degrees cooler than out on the street, thanks to the massive old oaks that shade it in part. Picture a pink French cottage dropped onto half an acre of land, in a growing city under the hot California Central Valley sun. Surrounded on one side by roses and lavender, the land is also home to cedar, many fruit trees, honey bees, citrus, and innumerable herbs, vegetables and flowers.

We watched the kids get their heads wet under the garden pump, toured the garden and workshop, sat under a grape-laden arbor, caught up with a group of beloved friends, enjoyed a fabulous brunch and went home with many goodies I harvested.

Thank you friends, for a perfect afternoon. This collage (second picture) on its way to you as a small thanks.