HAM HOUSE & GARDEN - England

After our visit to Petersham Nurseries, we walked down the path to tour the nearby Ham House and Garden. 

                                       This glossy black signpost makes my heart skip a beat.

The most interesting stiles and gates are found along the English countryside footpaths.  This is a stile to climb up and over to continue on your merry way.

                                                 We passed a few riders along the way.

           
                                                       Welcome to Ham House and Garden

      A strange art exhibit was underway which I ignored, focusing on the house and gardens instead.         But no pics taken inside of this 17th-century home.

                                                                 I want this door.

                                  And I want these gates to be the entrance to my backyard.

Ended our tour with a little cafe in the garden treat.  Due to some forward thinking, we had arranged for our taxi driver (the nicest guy) to pick us up at Ham House and return us to the train station.  Clever.

GRANOLA COOKIES

                      Not a chocolate chip in sight and these cookies were still delish.  Enjoy!

Adapted from Pioneer Woman Cooks

Preheat oven at 375 degrees

3 sticks of butter, softened

1 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups brown sugar
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups whole wheat flour

4 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup quick cook oats
3 cups granola - mine came from the bins at Sprouts (love those bins)
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
1 cup dried cherries, chopped
1 1/2 cups apricots, chopped

Cream butter and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla, mix well. Next add flour, baking soda, and salt. Add in oatmeal and granola. Fold in pecans, cherries, and apricots.

Use small to medium sized cookie scoop and drop onto cookie sheet and bake at 375 for 12 minutes. Makes 5 dozen yummy cookies.

PETERSHAM NURSERIES - London

Last July, after arriving in London we stashed our bags, and immediately caught a train to Richmond to visit Petersham Nurseries.  What a treat!

There was a bit of a buzz about this place last summer.  Wall Street Journal wrote an article and a few favorite bloggers posted about Petersham so it went on our list.  I always add a few new places to visit whilst in London along with visiting old favorites.

This greeted us at the entrance--it almost feels as if there is an entrance fee but don't worry, there isn't.

                                          First stop: straight back to the Teahouse to grab lunch.

                            Brilliant to place dessert at the beginning of this groaning board.

                            Chicken, salad, bread with a gorgeous slab of butter, and lemon cake for me.

                                                     Onward to the garden shop.

 
                                                   Aren't those terra cotta pots just perfect?

          This summer I am going to tuck those brilliant green sweet potato plants around the garden.

         
                                                            An abundance of Dahlias.

                             Surprisingly comfortable, although a few pillows wouldn't hurt.

                                                           Love galvanized anything.

                            If I lived in anywhere near this place I would be absolutely broke.

                                                           Those chairs, those bowls....

                                               Hope this visit adds a bright spot to your day.