Happy June, My Lovelies! Welcome to another edition of the Tales of the Traveling Tote.
This past quarter I only traveled 83 miles from our home in Birmingham to beautiful Lake Martin, Alabama. It's our home away from home. In this post, I'll share with you a few of my favorite places on the lake. I have been "trying out" cameras, and the learning curve with them all has been a thing, I'm not going to lie. Some photos are better than others, so please forgive me for a few less than stellar photos.
Duck swimming near Goat Island
This post will feature:
1. Jim Scott's Gardens
2. SpringHouse Restaurant
3. Tallapoosa Art School
4. Chimney Rock
First stop: Jim Scott's Garden
Jim Scott began his gardening journey after a tornado felled several trees on his property. Rather than replanting the trees, he started a small garden. He has added to his property over the years, and now owns just under seven acres on the banks of Lake Martin. The property is mostly sloped, and there are many garden "rooms" on multiple levels, often separated by pathways and water features. His gardens are only open during the month of May, and this year everything was stunning. We've had a wet spring in Alabama, so it's been one of the prettiest springs that I can remember.
La Countess de Monet and I toured Jim Scott's Garden with my ECW group. This metal pot is located in a woodland area near the street side entrance and pavilion.
Street side entrance to path leading to the gardens
One of the numerous water features in the garden
What I love most about the garden is the fairytale-like quality. I was expecting to see Hansel and Gretel dropping breadcrumbs around each corner!
The property did not have a single stone on it; instead it was composed of Alabama red clay. Although the above water feature looks natural, most of the rocks were brought in from Sewanee, Tennessee.
I took several photos of containers because they were all so beautiful and most were dramatically planted.
Handmade swing in a tiny glade filled with hydrangeas and ferns
Detail of playhouse
I wonder where this little doorway leads...
This is one of my favorite water features
What kind of voodoo magic is this? I can't seem to grow maidenhead ferns in my home. I love them, and they are stunning in Jim Scott's garden!
Top of lakeside gazebo
Hippopotamus sculpture in the reeds, lakeside
One of the lawn areas
SpringHouse Restaurant
In my opinion, SpringHouse Restaurant at Russell Crossroads is arguably the best restaurant in Alabama. I know it's my favorite! Executive Chef Rob McDaniel sources local produce and products. But not only is the food par excellence, the setting is stunningly gorgeous. The buildings are constructed of stone and rough hewn timber overlooking the stables and rolling hills leading to the lake.
The grounds are so pretty
This photo is taken from the promontory upstairs. This is my favorite part of the restaurant because it overlooks the well house and the stables.
The Well House is a
circular, 12-seat private dining room accessed via the restaurant’s
subterranean wine cellar. I would love to host a party there one day! We asked for a tour, and it's truly an amazing space.
View of the Stables at Russell Crossroads from SpringHouse Restaurant
Tallapoosa Art School
Dorothy Littleton has created an amazing space to create art on the shores of Lake Martin in Dadeville, Alabama. The Tallapoosa Art School hosts workshops throughout the year, and I was so lucky to get to attend Qiang Huang's still life workshop earlier this spring. Dorothy is the ultimate hostess, and her family's property, called Blue Heron, is a wonderful facility with lakeside cabins for visiting artists and a beautiful studio. Plus, one can't beat the beauty of Lake Martin for plein air painting practice.
La Countess de Monet outside the Blue Heron's art studio.
The outdoor spiral staircase leads to a loft where visiting art instructors can stay. It is the most charming studio I've ever seen!
Inside studio, looking down from loft
The following photos are courtesy of Dorothy Littleton
One of the adorable cabins visiting artist can stay in while attending workshops.
Qiang Huang teaches a plein air lesson
Some plein air workshops visit Jim Scott's Garden for painting demonstrations and classes. There's plenty of inspiration for landscapes there!
Sunset at the Blue Heron
You can read my blog post about my experiences at the workshop HERE. I had such a great time that I'm already signed-up to take another workshop at the Tallapoosa Art School this summer. I will probably take more than one, actually. For more information about scheduled workshops, click HERE.
Chimney Rock
One of the most popular hangout spots at Lake Martin is Chimney Rock and neighboring Acapulco Rock. Youngsters enjoy jumping off the rocky cliffs, and it's a great place to people watch.
I apologize about the quality of these photos. I'm still learning! ;P
I hope you enjoyed our adventures. La Countess de Monet and I appreciate your attention and patronage, and we'd like to treat you to some ice cream!
And now on to the giveaway!
That's me! I'm The Sketchy Reader!
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Please visit all the other ladies and totes by using the links below!
Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths
Emily with Miss Courtney Childs@ The French Hutch
Patti with Miss Kenzie @ Pandora's Box
Jenna with Miss Coquille @The Painted Apron
Linda P with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda
Rita with Miss Luna C @ Panoply
Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul
Jackie and Miss Madi K @ Purple Chocolat Home
Ricki Jill and Countess De Monet @ The Sketchy Reader You are HERE!
Cherry Kay and Carrie Ann Hall @ Entertaining Women
Thanks so much for visiting my blog today. I hope you are having a lovely late spring wherever you are, and I hope that those of you affected by flooding will dry out and rebuild soon. Much love to you all!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill