My husband and I are working on visiting every state in the union. We have a rule that we have to do something in the state — driving through just doesn’t count. I needed Rhode Island so we went there for a four day weekend. I chose Newport because I have always been fascinated by the Gilded Age and I particularly love the artwork from that period. We visited three of the Newport mansions. The Breakers, Rosecliff and Kingscote.
The Breakers is a palace.
Rosecliff. I liked the formal garden.
The photo below is of the dining room in Kingscote. I loved the cork ceiling and Tiffany glass windows.
After the mansions we took a walk at the Norman Bird Sanctuary. The asters were in bloom.
I loved this stream with lichen covered boulders.
The next day we went to the Newport Art Museum. It has a really nice collection for such a small museum. Then we walked on the cliff walk which I found underwhelming. It might be prettier when things are blooming. I found this rose still doing it’s best. The aroma was great.
For the life of me I couldn't remember what I’d done in Connecticut to count it. I know I did something because I counted it but what it was I couldn't tell you. But, it turns out that the Mystic Seaport Museum had a show going on that was a must see for me. Sargent, Whistler, & Venetian Glass: American Artists and the Magic of Murano. I love, love, love Sargent and Whistler. It’s a great show if any of you are near enough to go.
This is a portrait made of glass mosaic. They also had one of Teddy Roosevelt. It’s pretty spectacular how the mosaic looks like brushstrokes.
We walked around the whole place and really enjoyed it. I particularly liked the exhibit of figureheads.
Now on to my garden which is a complete mess because we weren’t home last weekend. A few things are still blooming but the berries and leaf colors are the highlights of the fall garden.
I’m including this geranium because it is the first one I have gotten to bloom all season. I actually remembered to deadhead it. It helped that it was right by the pool steps.
You all know my obsession with bottlebrush buckeyes. The beautiful fall color is just one of the reasons.
Stumpery with tiger eye sumac in background.
Everybody should also plant winterberry hollies.
That’s all for me this week. What’s happening in your gardens?