Model Home at The Pine Hills

***Welcome***

Livingroom Christmas Tree

We used our collection of vintage

Christmas postcards to create this display

In the diningroom, a Bethany Lowe lighted

church completes our wintry village

We wanted to share a few pictures, what do you think?!

Christmas at "The Pine Hills"

Christmas 2009 Ben and I had a great opportunity to showcase our talents by decorating a model home at Winslowe's View at The Pine Hills for the greening of the models. This annual event along with, "Holidays on the Green" is held the first weekend in December. There is a Reindog Parade (dress your pooch up!), an artisan boutique held in a festive indoor marketplace, a visit from Santa and many more activities. This year the event drew an estimated 1,000 people to the viewing of the models alone. A HUGE success.

We started putting our plan together in October, viewing the model, spending evenings going through catalogues and my "morgue" of magazine ideas. Once we had our ideas together we arranged to decorate the week before the open house. Ben created a spectacular door piece, we decorated 2 Christmas trees and added several other festive touches. Alot of hard work, alot of lessons learned (as both of us had never done this before) and ALOT of satisfaction with the end result. Of course there were a few things we wish we had done differently, but all in all we were happy with our efforts.

The Pine Hills is a residential community located in Plymouth, MA. It is a beautiful development

with a "village like" atmosphere and has won many prestigious awards including the "Best Master Planned Community in the Nation" in 2003, by the National Association of Home Builders". If you would like to read more about this area go to pinehills.com, maybe it will inspire you to move to New England and experience "Holidays on the Green" next year!

We wanted to share some pictures and would also like to thank Dominique Sampson and all of the staff at the Winslowe's View office for this opportunity and most enjoyable experience!

Midge-In Loving Memory-1993-2009

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary the definition of a pet is "a domesticated animal kept for pleasure rather than utility". As any "pet" owner knows there is so much more to it than that. I have lost a loyal buddy who was devoted to me and loved me every day for 16 years. I adopted Midge from a shelter shortly after I made the move to New England from the West coast. She was abandoned by her mother and not more than 4 or 5 weeks old when I got her. Just a "smidgeon" of a thing (thus her name), with a "Red Skelton" kind of hair do!! Midge had a tough start and I didn't even name her until she was a couple weeks old as I didn't know if she was going to make it. But she did and before I had ever even made a human friend in Massachusetts, Midge was my buddy. She has made every move with us from town to town, Hull, Weymouth, Kingston and Plympton and adjusted to every one. She has put up with and eventually accepted all of the other "pet" additions to our family. Even on her last day she was licking the other kitties on the head, taking care of them. She was their MiMi (grandma) and Midge ruled this household. The dogs and other cats knew who was boss in this house :) As a kitten for some reason she had no voice. She would open her little mouth to meow and nothing would come out. But believe me as an adult she made up for lost time!! Midge was a VERY vocal cat and she knew how to get what she wanted. I nicknamed her "Marie" as that is what her meow sounded like she was saying. On most winter days, you could find Midge sleeping on one of the dog's beds here in my office, and the dog was on the floor. If one of the other cats was accidently locked in a closet (or drawer!!) Midge would patiently sit outside the door until we figured it out! If you stopped for a visit at our shop, you would find Midge, laying in the sun at the barn door with a dog laying on either side of her. She loved the attention and followed customers around until she got it! I couldn't ask for anymore than the unconditional love and adoration that this kitty gave me. I was her #1.

So I know Midge arrived safely in heaven. She isn't sick anymore. I know she loved being a part of this family and it won't be the same without her, but her spirit is here with us and she will always be in our hearts.

Love,
Heidi

Fly your Flags on the 4th of July

Happy Fourth of July!!!

I love the 4th of July, especially here in New England. We have proudly displayed the American flag on our front door to acknowledge our country's birthday. Come see us and celebrate the 4th of July at Summer Gardens - we're open all weekend, including all day on the Fourth. We've been working hard gathering new merchandise and treasures all over the countryside - I hope you enjoy the displays - they were fun to do.
Visit us at historic Harrub's Corner in Plympton, MA.

Welcome to Summer Gardens

Summer Gardens was inspired by the love of gardening and the thrill of the "hunt" in seeking out unique gift and garden ideas. In our country shoppe, located in a historic 1800's post and beam barn, we offer an outstanding selection of antique and country furniture, coverlets, folk art and decorative garden and home accessories to inspire your country lifestyle. Shop online or visit us for a unique shopping experience and enjoy the sights of a charming New England town. During your visit be sure to stroll through our gardens which include: a lavender field and gourd arbor and don't forget to cut a floral bouquet for purchase (in season) in our cut flower garden. We invite you to sit back and enjoy your virtual visit to our historic shoppe and property.