Monday, August 22, 2022

T Stands I’m Late to the Party

 Hi everyone. I hope you've had a great couple of weeks since I've last joined in for T over at Bleubeard's and Elizabeth's blog.

I was away last week for a couple of days with my friend Jo (also referred to as my walking friend), so I missed the napkin reveal. I wanted to share mine today so when they finally get mailed you can see what I included.


Last Monday through Wednesday my friend and I went to the southern end of the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts. It's a very pretty area, and we visited  lots of places with art, gardens and nature.

One place we visited was Ashintully Gardens and Ruin in Tyringham. The gardens were more of a green formal area with not much blooming, and not even as green as they could be with the drought that much of New England has. The brook that ran through them was dry. I bet in spring it is a gorgeous spot.


We did take a nice woodland walk though, up the hill to the ruins of a mansion that once stood .



Here's a photo  I found online of the mansion as it was before it burned  to the ground in April of 1952.


Now there is a lot of crumbling foundation.



And also those 4 impressive columns.






The house must have had a beautiful view when it stood on the hill. The view is still very pretty. I bet the forest was kept trimmed back when the house was there.


It was a beautiful afternoon for a woodland walk, not too hot or humid. Here's what we saw on the way down as the trail made a big loop. I think the way we walked back to the gardens had been the original road up to the house. 






We did the loop in the map above, and then we took a side trail (many of the trails were mowed down paths of field grass). This side trail took us up on a little knoll that overlooked the gardens in one direction and this view below in the other. 


We sat on the grass and relaxed in the shade. It was a nice way to end our visit to the garden.

And since it is Tuesday and time for a T Day drink over at Bleubeard's and Elizabeth's blog,
and since I  am also celebrating (a little late) for last week's napkin reveal, 
let me share both my and my friend's drink we had before dinner after  afternoon at Ashintully Gardens and Ruin.


Sangria for me and a blueberry margarita for my friend. 
Cheers!

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderful week ahead.

20 comments:

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

It must have been fun to get away with a like minded friend. That was a sad thing about the mansion burning. Those columns must be huge, because they were in the photo of the mansion. Looks like it would be a great place to visit. I really enjoyed the pineapple sculptures.

Both of your drinks look good even if I am not one who drinks much alcohol. If nothing else, they are quite colorful. I love how you caught the sweat on your glass. Thanks for sharing the ruins and your drinks with us for T this Tuesday, dear Erika.

Carola Bartz said...

It's sad how everywhere it's so dry. This looks like a very nice and shady walk through the woods, perfect for a walk in summer. Isn't it interesting how nature claims back those ruins? One day it will taken over - if our planet makes it that long. Your drinks look delicious! Happy T day!

Mae Travels said...

That looks like a very pleasant place to visit, despite the dry conditions.

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

kathyinozarks said...

Hi Erika, sounds like a wonderful spot for a hike. We have something similiar not too far from us Ha Ha Tonka state park-there is a ruins from a fire there as well-the views from the back of this mansion are amazing. Allot of history goes along with it.
Oh yum I would love to taste the blueberry margarita hugs Kathy

Sharon Madson said...

Thankd you for sharing your day at the Ashintully Gardens and Ruins. Looks like a great place to explore and walk through. Your drinks look great, especially the blueberry one. I can't wait to get our napkins. The bee one looks like something I can use in a junk journal! Happy T Day!

Angie's Recipes said...

What a beautiful place to enjoy a walk! Those paper napkins are pretty.

Iris Flavia said...

Bees - how fitting! How are yours doing btw?
The ruins are interesting, I love those "lost places".
Oh, cheers - those look yummy! Have a happy T-Day. hugs!

Stevenson Q said...

Oh those napkins are gorgeous Erika! If I were in a party and saw that, I'll take one home haha so arty!

Thank you for giving us a tour of the woods and that beautiful ruins that looks like some place from Greece travelled to the states. It looks nice and on a very peaceful view!

Valerie-Jael said...

Glad you enjoyed the days with your friend. Your napkins are lovely, especially the bee ones! That house must have been a wonderfu sight before it burnt down, but even the overgrown ruins look great, and the gardens are gorgeous. I love exploring places like that! And your drinks look so delicious! Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie

CJ Kennedy said...

Very cool napkins. Love those bees! Looks like you had a gorgeous day to visit the gardens and the ruins. Beautiful views. I can't decide whether the columns look like Greek ruins or smokestacks from the industrial age. The mansion must have been very beautiful though I wouldn't want to clean all those rooms. I have enough trouble keeping the Dollhouse tidy. Happy T Day

Let's Art Journal said...

How gorgeous are those napkins and so representative of your love of flowers and bees - perfect! So inspirational, I will think of you as I use them on my pages ❤️. The gardens look like an amazing place to visit, the greenery and ruins are beautiful 😊. Happy T Day wishes! Hugs Jo x

nwilliams6 said...

Happy T-day, Erika.

Wonderful napkins - love the bee one most! Fun.

The gardens and ruin look like a fun adventure. Super sad the house is no longer there. Nature wins in the end.

The drinks look particularily yummy - I would love them both!

Hugz

Jackie McGuinness said...

Those napkins go so well with each other! Looks like a great place to visit.
And those drinks are perfect in this hot weather!

Jeanie said...

I love the Berkshires -- and this looks like an absolutely glorious spot to visit with your friend. And a new one for me. As for the napkins -- I love them BOTH! And the bee ones are especially perfect for you. But the other -- very fun!

DVArtist said...

The napkins are so pretty. What a wonderful place to visit. Looks like an all day trip outdoors. However, those drinks look sooooo good. I have even thought of sangria in ages. It looks so refreshing. I just may have to get the ingredients and make some. Have a very nice day today.

Divers and Sundry said...

What a wonderful place. I love it that the ruin is a highlight. And the woodland path looks inviting. Happy T Tuesday.

jinxxxygirl said...

How nice to get away with a friend... I would have loved to explore the gardens and ruins.. What a lovely afternoon ending with 2 lovely drinks! Happy happy T day! Hugs! deb

Kate Yetter said...

Oh, what a beautiful place! I love the view. How sad that the house burned. But it does looks lovely and haunting as ruins. What a wonderful walk. Thank you for sharing your trip.
Happy Tea Day,
Kate

Empire of the Cat said...

Nice place to visit, what a shame that mansion burned down, I bet it was beautiful inside too. I love those stone pineapples! All my tech is fixed now so I can get back to finishing that book! Happy T Day Elle/EOTC xx

Aimeslee Winans said...

Was that an asparagus stalk in your sangria? First time I've ever seen that, but it's been decades since I drank sangrias. Enjoyed the photos. Always surprises me to see basement areas since we don't have them down here. xoxo