And We've Got to Get Ourselves Back to the Garden

My daughter painted these powerful, and for me, truthful lyrics on to a piece of her photography as a gift and  I keep it close to me in the office.  When work gets really busy, as it has been for the past couple of weeks, garden time is limited, and I really miss it.  It's summertime.  You know, the best time of year, when everything is lush and green and in bloom, especially the hydrangeas.

Back in the early 90's, together with a few like-minded gardeners I started a garden club.  It was an amazing club (and is still going strong) and at one point we had ten incredible (and some very well-known) master gardeners. Some of the master gardeners were also very well-connected and because of these gardeners I had the chance to meet and work with a number of well-known Georgia gardeners and that was how I met Penny McHenry a/k/a the hydrangea lady.

Every year when the McHydrangea Festival rolls around, somehow my plans become altered because of a family need but today was the day that I knew I needed to get to the garden. It was the perfect day. So join me now as I share highlights from today's tour. Hope you like it.  Later in the week I'll also show you the mailbox winner and a couple of the potting tables from the potting bench competition.  

Birla House - Gandhi's Last Home

One of our first stops in India was a visit to Birla House or Gandhi Smriti as it is called.  It is the place where Gandhi spent his last days and it is the place where he died.  It's so interesting to me that I went to see India but so much of what I saw while in India inspired self-reflection and it began with the visit to Birla House. Gandhi did more than change India, he inspired social reform in many countries, including the United States.

Gandhi's work space, loom and writing desk

His bed

You cannot walk on this path. These footprints mark the path Gandhi took to the garden for prayer

Gandhi's spinning wheel. He spooled the thread for his garments

Inkwell and note the hear no evil, see no evil and speak no evil monkeys

Time stopped on his pocket watch at the hour of his death

This photo was taken shortly before he was killed

Gandhi's daily path to the garden for prayer

The place where Gandhi was gunned down.

A Great Time at Darden Restaurants - A Great Place to Work

Last week I spent the most amazing couple of days at the Darden Restaurant headquarters learning more about many best practices.  Darden is a Great Place to Work and meeting some of the employees, hearing from company leadership, learning about the many brands (some I knew but a few were new to me) and touring the headquarters was incredible.  If you love food, you would have LOVED this experience. And the highlight of the trip was a one hour session with George Miliotes, Darden's Master Sommelier!  What a great company!  Thank you for your hospitality Darden!!!!

The Perfect Cup of Tea - Indian Style

In the south we grow up on tea, usually iced. And sweet, VERY sweet.  I'm really lucky to have grown up on "milk" tea, which is hot tea with milk. I've never been one to enjoy all the "chai" offerings in the US but after having my first cup of Masala tea in India, I'm hooked.

Just look at all the ginger, cardamon and other spices floating in the tea.

Chai, (the "ch" is pronounced like "church) as it is pronounced in India, or Shai (pronounced like "shy") as it is pronounced in the Middle East, is simply the word for tea.  

Masala tea is a tea with amazing spices added to black tea, turning it in to an incredible cup of tea. To make the perfect cup of tea, make a cup of tea using assam tea, add hot milk, a small amount of Masala, some sugar, if you must, and you've got a perfect cup of tea. 

Adding the Masala

I was amazed to see the "disposable" teacups used in India.  Each are handmade pottery cups that once used are thrown to the ground to be busted into a million small pieces, so they quickly return to dust (making them biodegradable).  But busting up a handmade piece of pottery just sent me over the edge!

At the potter's house

One of our guides took us by the home of one of the local potters.  He was busy making other dishes that day but it was amazing to see his little shop.  

We then stopped by the best tea stand in Varanasi and were lucky enough to get drive in service. 

Indian Miniature Paintings

First let me start by saying I knew nothing about Indian art before going to India so when I saw some of the Indian miniature pieces and understood that these paintings were painted with the "hair of a squirrel"  I couldn't believe it.  It is absolutely amazing that one single small bristle was used to create large and detailed beautiful pieces of art.

Our guide shared that you will never see an artist's name on any of these pieces because multiple artists worked to create each masterpiece.  Let's be honest. It would take more than one painter when using a tiny hair to paint each scene.

Please enjoy a sampling of some of the many beautiful pieces of Indian miniature art.